AN INTERVIEW WITH MIKE ALLRED

BY CHRIS GRAVES

CHRIS GRAVES: For those who do not know, what is your background and how were you introduced to the world of View Askew and Kevin Smith?

MIKE ALLRED: Well, I’m a big movie nut and a big supporter of “indie” anything, so CLERKS was on my radar early on. So, at the next ComiCon I went to I literally ran into Kevin Smith and his producer Scott Mosier. WE expressed mutual affection, and then they asked if I’d contribute to the opening credits to flick no. 2, MALLRATS, which I did. And that was followed by an invitation to do the entire opening credits sequence for CHASING AMY as well as prop art.

CG: What inspired you to become a comic book artist/writer?

MA: It was just always there. It’s what me and my big brother Lee did as kids for fun, and when, as an adult, I didn’t know how to turn a screenplay into a movie–I drew it and it became acareer.

CG: How did “Madman” come about and what were some of his influences?

MA: Virtually everything influenced Madman. I’d been doing some scattered esoteric work via my anthologies GRAPHIQUE MUSIQUE, CREATURES OF THE ID, and GRAFIK MUZIK, and was haungry to do stuff that my kids would dig, stuff that lit me up as a kid, so I dug back into my “fave file” and my favorite character at the time, Frank Einstein, was given a costume and became MADMAN.

CG: What was your experience like on the set of “Chasing Amy” and what was it like drawing Bluntman and Chronic?

MA: A wonderful time. Highly cherished memories. It was a big kick watching Kevin and Scott at work, and meeting Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Casey Affleck, Ethan Suplee, Joey Lauren Adams, among other genuinely nice and enthusiastic creative people. It’s been a treat to watch their careers take off.

CG: Can you tell me about the films “Eyes To Heaven” and “Astroesque”?

MA: Sure. I took a little time, following the El Mariachi/Clerks “no-budget” models to make a couple films with my pal, Shane Hawks, and our rag tag group of friends. ETH is an arty horror flick from the deep bowels of Shane’s sick brain, and Astroesque is my sci fi riff on the ambiuguity of life that tied into my RED ROCKET 7 project, which included a comic book series about the history of rock n roll told from the perspective of an alien clone (ten year anniversary edition due out in late september), and an album for my band, THE GEAR.

CG: How did you come to meet your wife Laura and what role does she play in your professional life?

MA: We met during our first few weeks at college. I asked if she wanted to go for a walk. She did, and we’ve been walking and talking together ever since. She is my everything–my best sounding board, my partner, and the being that injects color into my life and art.

CG: Were you ever approached about a “Madman” animated series or video game?

MA: I was. Yes. I’ve always insisted on a live action film first to establish the tone I want if it is to leave the comic book page.

CG: What is the current status of the “Madman” movie? Is Robert Rodriguez still attached? Is Johnny Depp involved in some capacity?

MA: Johnny has no official attachment beyond speculation. Robert has retained the option for a decade now. I just finished a screenplay with George “Swimming With Sharks” Huang, and the three of us will make the film in the Austin Troublemaker facilities the same way Robert, Quentin and Frank made SIN CITY. Hopefully soon. But right, or not at all.

CG: Do you plan on directing the “Madman” film or any other films, for that matter?

MA: Like I said, collaboratively. I would love to have a life as a filmmaker. But I love making comics more. I hope I’ll do more.

CG: What is your favorite View Askew / Kevin Smith flick?

MA: Sentimentally, CHASING AMY. But the one that makes me laugh the most–the biggest party–is JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK.

CG: Do you have any new projects coming up?

MA: Always.

CG: And finally, do you still keep in contact with anyone related to the world of View Askew?

MA: Not as often as I’d like or should. I live so reclusively that a phone call every couple of years feels like daily contact. I’m happy to have my message board sponsored by VA. And I’m sure Kev knows if he ever wants to work together on anything at any point, I’ll be there for him.

We thank Chris and of course the great Mike Allred for the time to conduct the interview! Check the archives for all of the great Graves Q&A’s, and watch for more in the future.