FCBD18 Interview: Humanoids Creators Discuss the Wildly Popular Metabaron Series

Comic book stories commonly feature an element of saving a world in peril.

However, the Metabaron series, from Humanoids, reinvents this trope by weaving it with all the very real complexities of heroism. This story is infused with science fictions, David vs. Goliath heroics, ponderings of what-ifs, and notions of humanity.

The Metabarons Book 3: The Meta-Guardianess and the Techno-Baron is the latest chapter in one of the most influential graphic novels of all time, and this newest installment is available at your local comic shop on Free Comic Book Day.

Read our interview below with two of the members of the Metabaron creative team to learn more about what inspired them to get into comics and bring this story to life! Then, click here to look through a PREVIEWS Prevue of the comic!

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Free Comic Book Day (FCBD): For those who might be new to your comic book, give us a quick rundown of the story!  

Publisher: This is an epic Si-fi space opera!

FCBD: What genre is your title?

Publisher: Science fiction!

FCBD: What other titles would you compare to yours? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title?”

Publisher: The Incal (Moebius) or any other book in the Jodoverse.

FCBD: What initially got you interested in comics? (or What is your favorite thing about working in comics?)

Jerry Frissen: Freedom, I guess. But beyond that, it’s more a need than an interest. I’ve written since I was a kid, way before I thought about working in the comic book industry or trying to make a living out of it. I’m not interested in writing, I NEED to write. If I would be interested in writing, I’d be a bad writer. That doesn’t mean I’m good, of course, but at least I’m sincere.

Valentin Secher: The best thing in Comics is that you can make your own movie. When I’m drawing the Metabaron, I’m behind the camera, I’m the casting director, VFX supervisor, Story boarder … On a project like that we are only two working on each album (Jerry and I) so the initial vision of the book is far less [involved] than with a movie team composed of hundreds of artists.

FBCD: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

Frissen: The Astrosmurf. I was four of five and it was probably my first introduction to comics and sci-fi! It was in 1968 or 1969. It’s actually quite bizarre to think about the Smurfs as an influence for the Metabaron. Tintin was also a big part of my early discovery of comics. Destination Moon/ Explorers on the Moon– Sci-fi also.

Secher: I think it was Tintin. The one with the shark-submarine.

FCBD: Tell us why everyone should read comic books!

Frissen: A book –or a comic book– is a window into somebody’s mind. That should be enough to give people the will to read. I would love if everyone would read comic books but they should be free to read whatever they want.

Secher: Because as I said before it’s the vision of one or two artists only. Its raw! Artist are freer than anywhere because there are less money issues engaged in the process.

FCBD: What is your favorite part about Free Comic Book Day? What do you think is the best part of Free Comic Book Day?

Frissen: It’s a brilliant idea and I hope the guy who came up with the idea will be remember forever in the industry. He deserves it and I don’t even know his name… Shame on me.

Secher: I live in France so no free comic book day for me ;)

FCBD: Where do you plan to spend Free Comic Book Day?

Frissen: I don’t need to get free comic books to read comics. I guess I’ll buy a few.

Secher: In front of my drawing table!

 

 

Find a comic shop near you to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2018!