Recently, I’m With Geek reviewed Squatters, an upcoming indie comic written by Eli Mamane. Set in a near future dystopian setting, Squatters depicts a world where raging parasites have destroyed most of civilisation, using their devastating abilities to control human beings. Based on real life parasites, Squatters is definitely a bit freaky and a new favourite here at I’m With Geek. This week, we caught up with Eli to find out all about his work…
There is no doubt that the realism is a very important part of my comic and it would probably lose its most unique quality without it.
Many other comics have been released over the last decade focusing on people’s need to understand their irrational fears. I think comics like The Walking Dead and Sweet Tooth have recently recaptured people’s imagination when it comes to understanding this very complicated emotion. I am obviously hoping that the popularisation of the subject in the comic format might have given me a unique opportunity to tell a story that hasn’t been done in comics before.
One thing most people will notice is Squatters works significantly harder than many other comics to blur the lines of reality and fiction. I used real life parasites as a tool to pull the reader into a world which is steeped in frightening truths. However, the real USP to the comic is far deeper than just the science that makes it up. This will be realised by the reader hopefully as we travel further into the rabbit hole that is the story.
Q2. How did you come to create Squatters?
I have had a few ideas for comics and movies over the years and, just like many creators, I was never confident enough to push them further. I think the main stumbling block for me is that although the stories may have been imaginative, they lacked any solid foundations or depth. I realised that my ideas were still recycling the same old stories that I had myself read and seen over the years.
Just like many comic book fans I am a thrill seeker and I want a new story, not a poorly regurgitated one. To be honest I was (and probably still am) convinced that creating a truly new story in our modern society is impossible.
However two things happened to me that helped me on the road to Squatters.
The first was a two hour session with national geographic which was all about parasites. This left me investigating the subject for days (I achieved very little sleep in this time because of those freaky little things). The whole thing still mind boggles me even now.
The second occurred over multiple conversations with people in the industry such as Mike Carey and others in my creative group with whom I discuss ideas. The message passed to me was that I should work with my strengths when it comes to writing. I have a unique set of skills which involve my knowledge of science (physics specifically) and that my best opportunity to write something original would occur there.
I think it’s important I mention my creative group a little more here. There is a group of us who work together on our own projects helping each other to succeed. They call us the “Skcub Rats” this is because all the meetings take place at our local Starbucks. In fact I am not the only success story from the group my friend Nicole Burstein has published a superhero YA novel called Other Girl and my friend Adrian Brown is also releasing a comic soon called “Where Angels Fall”. It just shows you what working in a creative group can do to help you achieve your dreams.
Q3. It’s a fairly dark comic; have you always been interested in dark/horror stories? Are there any that have really inspired you to write Squatters?
Most of my interest doesn’t actually spawn from horror. I have always been fascinated with the concept of society breaking down and failing. There is something very freeing about the idea of an apocalypse, society is quite a rigid place and I regularly find myself day dreaming of a different world. This is why I am a total sucker for anything on the subject, ranging from Zombies to Mad Max style universes.
Q4. What can you tell us about the first volume of Squatters? What should fans of #1 expect in the future?
Fans can expect to experience many more scientifically accurate parasites throughout the series, five in total to be precise. These little critters are a lot cleverer than you realise and things aren’t always what they appear to be. The quarantine agents we follow in the story have an important part to play and I would describe them as the glue which allows the story to stick. Issue one leaves a lot of unanswered questions, some will be answered as soon as the second issue. However most of them you will need to read on to the later issues for. I will say however, it will all tie together and hopefully make sense by the end of issue #6.
Without a doubt!
The first time we put the project up on Kickstarter we didn’t get the funding. Our funding goals were unrealistic and we certainly didn’t have a set of groupies yet to help us. So if you want to have a successful Kickstarter it is important to have realistic expectations. Although Kickstarter allowed us to get the project going, Squatters was still heavily funded by me. We will be bringing Squatters issue #2 to Kickstarter again to help with the funding. For us it’s a way to organise pre-orders for the comic so I can manage printing costs effectively.
Q6. Who is Eli?
My name is Eli Mamane and I am the head of physics at an independent school. Squatters is my first published comic book and I hope it won’t be my last. Some years back I actually worked in the stock market as a technical analyst; that was at a time when the markets were thriving. Thank god I got out of that before the collapse and re-trained as a teacher.
My dad got me into comics at a young age purely by accident. I was having bloods taken at the hospital and my dad bought me a comic to cheer me up. Silver Surfer volume 3 issue #65, if you have seen the cover you would straight away know why I have been addicted to comics ever since.
My comic book collection is quite extensive; I actually only really collect graphic novels these days. The collection can be viewed on YouTube for those who are interested in such things.
Q7. As a school teacher, do your students know the darker side of Mr. Mamane – do you talk much about comics with them?
The students do know how much of an avid comic book fan I am, but to be honest I try and keep my work and pleasure separate. The comic book I have written is not age appropriate for the children I teach, so we try and keep our discussions based on physics.
Q8. Beyond Squatters vol. 1 are there any other comic projects in the pipeline?
I have two other comics I am working on at the moment but they are in very early stages.
The first is about what will happen to the earth when the magnetic north and south pole flip ends.
The second is a (scientifically accurate) time travel story. Back to the future is probably my favourite movie of all time and it has always been a dream of mine to write a great time travel story.
Q9. What advice would you give to aspiring comic writers?
Hard work, persistence and never give up. I am dyslexic, I have had a lifelong dream to achieve my own comic and if I can do it so can you!
Q10. What’s your all-time favourite comic? Why?
My all-time favourite comic book story is Frank Miller’s (Daredevil) Born Again. The comic is so simple but brilliantly executed. The way in which he gets the Kingpin to totally dismantle Matt Murdock’s life, stripping him to nothing physically and psychologically, is just masterful. I actually think this comic defines in my mind how to write an almost perfect comic.
Because what you’re asking me is almost impossible to answer I hope you don’t mind if I make a few special mentions.
Infinity Gauntlet saga (most epic story I ever read).
Secret Wars (because it was Battle Royal and The Hunger Games long before they got there).
Batman Knightfall (Brilliant for similar reasons to Born Again).
Invincible and the Walking Dead (Robert Kirkman I hate how talented you are, it makes me sick).
Locke and Key (original idea masterfully done).
Vinland Saga (Have you read this yet.....OMG).
Q11. If you could be any comic book character who would it be and why?
Silver Surfer, not only because it was the first comic my dad bought me but I always dreamed about gliding through the stars and being able to visit the universe. Who wouldn’t want that!
Q12. DC or Marvel?
It’s difficult to make a choice, but if you twisted my arm I would say Marvel probably because I grew up on Spider-Man and Silver Surfer. So I think I am answering this way more for nostalgic reasons than anything else.
To learn more about Squatters check out Eli’s Kickstarter page here.