The post Clint McElroy Talks the Adventure Zone and Mind MGMT appeared first on Graphic Policy.
Matt Kindt‘s Mind MGMT was a trippy comic series that begins as a journalist attempting to discover the truth and turns into a globe-trotting mystery series about espionage, super spies, and psychic abilities. Originally published by Dark Horse, Kindt has released a special limited edition one-shot and has returned via Kickstarter for an unusual spin.
Mind MGMT is returning as a stand-alone comic and a read-along 7″ vinyl record by Kindt and Clint McElroy.
Not only can you get a brand new comic but also a record to go along with it. There’s also new offerings like a Jack Chick-style tract formant mini-comic, a miniature painting, and even a set of four prints by Jeff Lemire, David Rubin, Jim Rugg, and amother surprise artist that will be revealed at the end of the Kickstarter.
In Mind MGMT, a former secret agent, the mysterious Henry Lyme, has gone rogue and is working to dismantle the organization he once worked for. There’s a mysterious airline flight and a secret government agency of super spies. This story spans from the 1920’s to the present day—and things get weird.
The new Mind MGMT comic book is a full color, 24 page comic with a gatefold in the back that will hold the record in place. The Mind MGMT 7″ 33 1/3 RPM record will be pressed by United Record Pressing, the company which printed the Beatles’ first 7″.
Joining Kindt is Clint McElroy, a voice actor and the writer of comic books including King of the USAand co-writer of The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins, who does all the voice acting for the audio track. Kindt and McElroy will be donating 10% of the profits to the Hispanic Federation, the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization which is aiding Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Irma. Founded in 1990, Hispanic Federation seeks to support Hispanic families and strengthen Latino institutions through work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and the environment.
With a little over two days to go for the Kickstarter, I got a chance to ask Clint McElroy some questions about Mind MGMT as well as The Adventure Zone!
Graphic Policy: I wanted to start by congratulating you on the release of The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins graphic novel, which is based off of the D&D and Fantasy podcast of the same name from yourself, and your sons, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Travis McElroy.
With how successful My Brother, My Brother, and Me, and The Adventure Zone podcasts have been, it’s only natural that you advance the brands in other mediums. What about comic books and graphic novels attracted you guys?
Clint McElroy: I have been a comic book reader for more than half a century (as my two over-flowing storage buildings will prove). I think it is an extremely evocative form of story-telling that can involve a reader in a powerful way. I also like capes.
GP: Your character on the show and in the book is Merle Highchurch, a Dwarf Cleric. What were the inspirations behind coming up with this character?
CM: I played a lot of World of Warcraft and could always find groups needed healers, so I was drawn to the cleric. I chose Dwarf because I am 5’11 & 3/4” tall. I never quite made it to six feet, so I have height issues.
GP: What was it like working with artist Carey Piestch on the book?
CM: Carey is remarkable. She loves these characters even more than we do…(and some of them, she may love more).
GP: Did you play D&D before The Adventure Zone?
CM: It seems impossible to some people, but until I recorded that first episode with Justin, Travis, and Griffin, I had never picked up a 20-sided dice.
GP: Didn’t you meet Gary Gygax, the famed co-creator of D&D?
CM: I have a vague recollection, but to be fair I’m 62. I don’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning.
GP: What are some of your favorite comics, or heroes?
CM: I was crazy about the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents from Tower Comics. Super-powered secret agents in costumes?! Drawn by Wally Wood, Gil Kane and Steve Ditko?! GET OUTTA TOWN!! It was the best. (So whoever has the rights: Let’s take a meeting!)
GP: Do you plan on doing more volumes of The Adventure Zone graphic novel based on the other campaigns you’ve done on the podcast?
CM: The Guys and I are working on the second graphic novel based on our second Balance Arc, Murder on the Rockport Limited.
GP: I’m a father of two young children. I would love to know, how does it feel to be able to spend so much time with your sons making comedy?
CM: With my hand up, it’s the best aspect of this whole thing. Not only do I get to hang out with them, and talk to them, but I get to CREATE things with them. I’m the luckiest bastiche on the planet.
GP: You’re also working on a Kickstarter version of the MIND MGMT comic by Matt Kindt which is accompanied by a read along 7” vinyl record where you will be providing the narration. What was it like working on the project?
CM: The Mind MGMT project was MIND-blowing (see what I did there?) I am a fairly rabid Matt Kindt fan, and couldn’t wait to record this. Then I started doing it and got so caught up in Matt’s story, I actually would get thrown off the rails. I would have to back up and right myself, trying not to be so engaged in the story as a reader that I stopped being a performer. It’s that good. I must have done okay because he didn’t fire me.
GP: Thank you for your time, Clint! I look forward to many more of your adventures.
