By: Nicole D’Andria
Take a
trip back in time to Japan with 47 Furious
Tails. This limited series may be about anthropomorphic animals, but it’s based
on true events involving Ronin and samurai. I spoke with the creator about his
comic book series.
The
creative team is trying to raise $6,500 by February 21, 2019 at 11:30 PM EST.
Rewards include digital ($4) and signed physical ($15) copies of 47 Furious Tails as well as a special
Ronin tier including all possible rewards ($200). See everything that’s offered
on the official Kickstarter page.
I spoke
with W.S. Quinton about 47 Furious Tails:
 |
| W.S. Quinton |
Me: What are the real life events you wanted to
portray in 47 Furious Tails and why did you want to create a comic book
series based on these events in particular?
Quinton: 47 Furious Tails is based on the events of the Ako Incident, a
famous act of revenge undertaken by the loyal retainers of Asano Naganori to
avenge his death in the early 18th Century. This famous story
actually happened and has been an inspiration countless authors, play and
screenwriters. I’ve always had a fondness for the story of the Ako
Incident, for the idea that 47 Samurai who had lost their station in life would
go to such extreme measures to insure revenge for their master.
 |
| 47 Furious Tails art by Alexia Veldhuisen, page four |
Me: While the action is inspired by real life
events, you decided to make the characters into animals. Why did you decide to
take this twist on history?
Quinton: I wanted the characters to be distinct from other interpretations,
wanted them to be easily differentiated from each other, and I had been seeing
a lot of memes with light saber wielding squirrels in the days prior to the
inspiration for the comic. I’m also a big fan of Usagi Yojimbo and Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles, so the idea of anthropomorphic animal samurai has a
particular appeal to me.
Me: Is there a certain significance to the type of
animal picked for each historical figure?
Quinton: I think that the character development makes it look that way, but we
didn’t set out to cast animals in particular roles other than the villain
Kira. With him depicted as a rat, it makes him easily discernible from
other characters and sets him apart in appearance even as his actions set him
apart with regard to his moral compass. Yahei and Yasubei were both depicted as
foxes, in part to underscore their relationship as well as to depict them as
somewhat different from the other samurai. Yoshio and Chikara, being
father and son, were depicted as the same type of squirrel to underscore their
relationship as well.
 |
| 47 Furious Tails art by Alexia Veldhuisen, page ten |
Me: How did you find the artist for this project
and why were they the perfect fit for 47 Furious Tails?
Quinton: I have worked with Alexia Veldhuisen on other projects. She
contributed several fine pieces in the tabletop role playing game adventure Tarot
Adventures, Book Two: Comet over Echo Rock. Her work includes several
pieces, which depict elements of the samurai, particularly from the Edo Period,
and she has a fierce passion for the subject.
One day I had posted a
list of projects I was wanting to develop, within the work group we use, and
asked if anyone was interested in taking on those projects. Alexia immediately
claimed 47 Furious Tails as a project she would commit to and after
seeing her work for the cover, I knew no one else was going to replace her.
Interesting side note: We
tried to fund 47 Furious Tails once before and were unsuccessful. She
has worked with me for more than a year since then, on the comic as well as
other projects, and her commitment has never wavered. I was doing a
podcast interview one night (early 2018) and the gentleman asked me, “If you
could have any comic artist, living or dead, illustrate 47 Furious Tails,
who would be?” My immediate answer was simple, “Alexia Veldhuisen, hands
down.”
 |
| Asano Takumi-no-kami Noganori, Daimyo of Ako art by Alexia Veldhuisen |
Me: What is the number one reason why people should
pledge money to your Kickstarter?
Quinton: It’s a beautifully illustrated comic that brings a classic tale to the
world in a unique new way.
The comic tells a
wonderful story. Issue one starts before Asano undertakes his fateful trip to
Edo and gives the reader a taste of what the lives of these characters could
have been like, before they became legends. Alexia has created remarkable
art, in a style particular to the story.
Me: What inspirational words do you have for
aspiring comic book writers?
Quinton: Never stop writing and honing your craft. It may take years for a
book you write to see print, but don’t give up. You only fail when you stop
trying, and you succeed the moment your book is done and ready for someone to
read. Get up, write the story, work with your artists and bring your vision to
the world. People are waiting.
 |
| 47 Furious Tails Digital Post #2 |
Me: Thanks for taking the time to share a piece of
history with us! If you’re reading this and interested in checking out the
Kicstarter, you can see it here.
Do you have
a Kickstarter? Want to be interviewed about it and have the project featured on
"Kickstart the Week?" Let me know in the comments below or message
me on my website.
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