I usually put in a longer intro to my Kickstarter Q&A pieces. But when looking for a new project to spotlight, I came across Lane Lloyd and Grant DeArmitt’s “Hunt for the Solavore,” and it had the one-line hook of, “What if Jack Kirby created Dracula?” That sold me right there, so I reached out and talked to the creators about Kirby, universe creation and haberdashery.
Matthew Lazorwitz: Can you give our readers the elevator pitch for Hunt for the Solavore?
Grant DeArmitt: Well, it’s just like you said, “Jack Kirby’s Dracula.” But if you want a longer elevator pitch (like, an Empire State Building elevator pitch?), I’d say it’s this: “Billions of years from now, our sun is going to die. It’s terrifying, but at least it’s so far away, right? Well, what if there were a creature who could do it in an instant? What could you do to stop it? For King Theosis, ruler of the far-off Morrigen galaxy, that’s a question that has to be answered … now.”
ML: How did you two meet and decide to start creating comics together?
GD: Lane tweeted out (what, a year or two ago?) that they were looking to collaborate on a comic project. As a fan of Lane’s God-Puncher, I was extremely excited to reach out, and even more excited that they wanted to do a cosmic horror monster story, just like me. Eventually, the desire to do a story in that field (and to do one that fit Lane’s otherworldly art) would become the basis of Hunt for the Solavore.
ML: The logline for the book mentions Jack Kirby, the King of Comics. Where did you first encounter Kirby’s work?
GD: I think it would’ve been when I was in middle school. The Fantastic Four movie had just come out, and I remember checking out some of the original Kirby FF at my local bookstore (Don’t quote me on this, but I think it was a Waldenbooks!). When I got seriously into comics around the beginning of college, I remember reading Kirby’s The Demon and being absolutely in love with it.
ML: There is obviously inspiration drawn from Viking myths and stories based on the costuming. But the people of your story are called Morrigen, a name similar to one drawn from Celtic myth. Are we going to see a mash-up of different mythic influences in your story?
GD: I’m so glad you saw that! The language of this story will definitely pull from various mythologies but will vary in how literal the pieces are applied. For example, the most elite warriors in this world are the Valkinae, which I’ve shamelessly ripped off from valkyrie. But the Morrigen, a species of humans, don’t have a ton to do with the Morrigan, the Celctic goddess of war and fate. I won’t lie to you; I wish I had mashed mythologies in as comprehensive a way as an N.K. Jemisin or J.R.R. Tolkein, but the truth is that sometimes I tweak the language and use it for names just because it sounds cool!
ML: This story is set in a whole new universe of your devising. What are the thrills of that? What are some of the challenges?
GD: The thrill of this comic has always been getting to see it done in Lane Lloyd’s style. They’re one of the most beautifully weird artists working in comics right now, and the idea of creating a whole universe in their style is just too cool to put into words. It’s a thrill (and an honor!) to see my words be a part of that creation.
As to the challenges, I think those are the same in any sci-fi, high fantasy storytelling. That is, to make a story that transports the reader to another galaxy, but tell it in a way that it hits home.
ML: Just reading the descriptions, it looks like you’re building an intentionally inclusive world: a cosmic king and his husband are mentioned, and powerful warrior women. What drives your choice to include these diverse characters?
GD: Piggybacking off my last answer, there has to be an element of the real world when you’re creating a fantasy world. And the real world isn’t solely white, cis and male. It’s female, it’s queer, it’s full of differences and it’s beautiful. If the world you create lacks that element of reality, then you’re missing out on telling the truth. And fiction without truth is worthless.
ML: Looking at the preview art, you have many characters with some awesome, Kirby-inspired headgear. What character of The King’s has the best helmet or headpiece for you? Hela? Loki? OMAC? Someone else entirely?
Lane Lloyd: I will be an OMAC stan till the day I die, but Hela clearly has the best helmet design. All those horns make it the best.
ML: Lane, this is your second Kickstarter. What did you learn from doing God-Puncher that you’re taking into this campaign? What would you recommend for other creators looking to create their own Kickstarters?
LL: Do not be stressed out during the middle week of your campaign! I know it can be discouraging to not see any change for a week or so, but don’t worry! Every Kickstarter has a bit of a slowdown during the middle of the campaign. Just keep your head up and just keep promoting.
Also, learn international shipping costs. That will always bite you in the butt.
Check out Hunt for the Solavore on Kickstarter HERE. The campaign ends at 12:43 p.m. April 1.
Matt Lazorwitz read his first comic at the age of five. It was Who's Who in the DC Universe #2, featuring characters whose names begin with B, which explains so much about his Batman obsession. He writes about comics he loves, and co-hosts the creator interview podcast WMQ&A with Dan Grote.
