FCBD18 Interview: Zac Thompson Talks About Relay #0
Jan 25, 2018
AfterShock Comics presents that dilemma in their Free Comic Book Day title, Relay #0. In Relay, a weary space traveler comes upon a primitive planet stuck in the Dark Ages. The tribe relays on hunting and gathering to survive, until the traveler offers a dangerous solution: The Relay. A Monolith designed to spread conformity of ideas, technology and progress across all discovered worlds.
Writer Zac Thompson explores the concepts of humanity, conformity, and truth in the exciting new title available on Free Comic Book Day!
Read our interview below to learn more about to what to expect in Relay, as well as writer Zac’s favorite things about comics and Free Comic Book Day. And click here to see our PREVIEWS Prevue of the title!
Free Comic Book Day (FCBD): For those who might be new to your comic book, give us a quick rundown of the story!
RELAY is about the slow colonization of the universe with a Monolithic tower known as the Galactic RELAY. It features humanity at the height of a monoculture across all discovered worlds where conformity of ideas, technology, and progress reigns across all discovered worlds. But where did the device come from and what lies are we told about who created it?
FCBD: What genre is your title?
Science fiction!
FCBD: What has been your favorite part of the book or main character(s) to tackle?
The best part about RELAY is taking a concept like the borg from Star Trek and making them the good guys. In true Philip K. Dick, fashion it’s about asking hard questions about the nature of reality and challenging the conceptions of truth against the backdrop of an indoctrinated society.
FCBD: What other titles would you compare to yours? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title?”
If readers like Jeff Lemire’s Descender, Guardians of the Galaxy, Saga, Injection, The Incal, Black Science, and Fear Agent they’ll love RELAY.
FCBD: Looking to the future, is there anything you can tease about what's upcoming for the title and its characters?
RELAY is a really interesting book that’s not bound by anything. The nature of this world we’re building is elusive and filled with all sorts of insane reveals. There’s a lot of tributes to science fiction movies of old like Total Recall, The 5th Element, Minority Report, Blade Runner, and Aliens. You’ll actually have no idea where each issue goes because every single chapter ends with a monumental reveal.
FCBD: What initially got you interested in comics? (or What is your favorite thing about working in comics?)
I initially got into comics reading the Age of Apocalypse X-Men stuff in the early nineties. That perfect storm with the X-Men cartoon was enough to ignite my young mind into overdrive where I couldn’t stop thinking about comics and superheroes. Now that I’m writing comics I realize that comics are the best medium for visual storytelling where absolutely nothing is out of bounds. There’s no budget, no cast, no constraints. You are only limited by your imagination.
FCBD: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?
I remember reading The Uncanny X-Men #377 way back in the day. I think I stole my older brother’s copy. I was obsessed with Apocalypse from that point on. The action and the insane costumes and colors really made my imagination go wild.
FCBD: Tell us why everyone should read comic books?
Comic books are so incredibly visionary. They are the epitome of visual storytelling and exist across all genres. No matter what you’re into there’s a comic book out there for you, plus they’re cheap, easily accessible and created by some of the most passionate and dedicated people on this planet.
FCBD: What is your favorite part about Free Comic Book Day? What do you think is the best part of Free Comic Book Day?
Free Comic Book Day gives people the opportunity to walk into a comic book store with absolutely no strings attached and pick up the first chapter of a new adventure. Something that could take them to a far off planet, tell them a story that mimics their own upbringing or simply show them something they’ve never seen before. It’s a glorious opportunity to expose yourself to the medium with little risk. Everyone can find something to enjoy.
FCBD: Where do you plan to spend Free Comic Book Day?
I’ll be spending my FCBD at Taz Comics in Vancouver, BC.
