Broken Frontier

One of the new players to enter the comics’ middle ground is Arcana Studio. Why there is no ‘s’ on their name is beyond me. For those unfamiliar with Arcana, the freshman studio is responsible for such recent hits as Ant, Ezra, Starkweather, Kade, 100 Girls and the upcoming Khan.

What makes them different from most other start up comic publishers is that each member of the studio is also fairly new to the comic creating world. While there is certainly a major learning curve for anyone entering the comic business in order to create something new, to do so with a new publisher, new talent and new properties is certainly asking for an uphill battle with a nearly inescapable gravity well nipping at their heels.

Despite the nearly overwhelming odds, the plucky fellows at Arcana have managed to weather the storm for some time now and picked up quite a few fans along the way.

Mike - How did Arcana come to be? What was it that brought you guys together?

Sean O’Reilly - Well Arcana was created in a line-up about two years ago. Although I don’t really like to define us as a company until our books hit shelves in January 2004. I met Mario through a company called ICE Publications. I couldn’t understand how this GEM [Ant] was just sitting there, one of about 15 comics that this company was planning on releasing. I told Mario that if he came over to Arcana, I would ensure that Ant was on the forefront and that I would do everything in my power to make sure that people read ‘the greatest story ever’. The rest has just been a naturally occurring relationship of trust and goodwill. I know Mario is solid and I would put my life in his hands every day of the week.

As for Todd, I met Todd at SDCC and it was a total fluke as well. We were at Arcana’s first SDCC and I met this young talented man and realized that he lived about 20 minutes away from me (both of us were about 1800 miles away from home in San Diego). Sharing the same passion, vision and love for the medium… Todd and I now hang out all the time catching movies, playing video games and talking comics. It’s a great life! I’ve been very fortunate in this brief period of time and I always know that success comes from surrounding yourself with successful people.

Todd Demong - I ended up at Arcana because Adam and I were searching around for a publisher for 100 Girls. I knew Arcana was here in town so I contacted Sean and we met up for a beer to talk things over. I just loved his enthusiasm. I really got the feeling that if we were to take 100 Girls there that it wouldn’t get lost and that Sean would do everything in his power to help it succeed. It was during SDCC ’04 that Sean asked me to be a senior editor and I knew I couldn’t turn it down.

Mario Gully - That was a crazy time when Sean and I first met! I received a lot of rejections from pretty much all the comic publishers I found addresses for. I was later picked up by ICE, a company that couldn’t get off the ground. Sean actually found me. He saved my butt countless times over. Our relationship is dear to me. It’s not everyday when you find someone that has faith in you. But, it’s not only me, Sean fights for all the guys at Arcana. He tells me that I’m a rare find and talent. I believe it’s even harder to find more Sean O’Reilly’s in this world.

I first met Todd in San Diego at the Comicon this year. I found that this guy was really a gifted and skilled artist that knew his stuff. To add to it he is really a nice guy to work with. I think we hit it off from the start. I just love the way he draws so much life in his work. That’s the hallmark of a real pro.

Mike - What creative trait does each of you most appreciate in one another?

Sean - For me, Mario is all about passion. This is a hard business at times and the lows are low, and the highs are incredible. Mario hasn’t wavered and has always known what he’s wanted to do. Ups or downs, Mario has been on course for Ant for a long time and that defines Mario’s integrity and passion. When we start talking and getting excited about the brainstorming process… well it is intoxicating. Mario and I have been in some crazy situations which cemented our relationship, but it is the respect that I have for him that allows me to realize how close he is to me. He is like a brother to me, and Arcana or no Arcana, Mario will always be that way in my heart.

Mario - Funny, I would say the same thing about Sean. I think the most creative trait that he possesses is that he is just brilliant. I mean, comics are a hard business. Many publishers have fallen and got crushed in the first few weeks of publishing. Sean really knows how to succeed. He also has a very realistic goal for comics and Arcana as a studio. I kind of look at it as Sean sets it up and I knock ’em down as far as our business is concerned. He always seems to find time to handle his family, his day job and Arcana. Boy he makes me tired~!

Sean - Todd is the consummate professional. He is always steadfast, hardworking, reliable and incredibly talented in so many areas. He is the type of guy who is like a Jiminy Cricket for Arcana and myself; he’s able to guide by providing the insight into decisions that need to be made. Todd is also one of the most loyal and caring friends one can ask for.

Todd - Aside from being a brilliant artist, Mario has such a genuine optimism and positive outlook on everything. He’s been through so much and has such a great ability to always see the good in everything. I love hanging out with him and listening to him talk.

Sean, well, I just never see him get down. He’s got a store of energy that comes from I don’t know where, and he is constantly looking for ways to push the company further. Always. I think he probably dreams about it when he sleeps. But, that’s what you need from someone who’s working on starting a new company. I don’t think I’d want to be here if he was even as complacent as I am. He keeps me enthusiastic about the whole process

Mike - Are there any plans to expand Arcana in the immediate future?

Sean - There are. Remember we are a studio and while we do publish comics, I don’t necessarily want us to be pigeon holed as a ‘comic publisher’. We love comics but we also love video games and movies and are currently planting the seeds of imagination into these mediums. We’re also [less than a year old]…we have a long time to continue developing our potential. Currently we are developing Kade, Ant, Ezra, Starkweather, 100 Girls and Khan as comics and we have some big plans for these books. We have already added some more books to our lineup (contracts and all) but aren’t ready to announce it yet. While we have met with a number of major studios in the last couple months, we are continually striving to make ourselves a ‘major studio’. We will be putting up some 3D CG designs of characters we’ve created in Maya which will shock quite a few people.

Mario - I second that.

Mike - What is your main focus when it comes to the studio?

Sean - Quality and reputation. I always want to put forth the best books we can… there has been a STEEP learning curve to this process as well. Every book we are producing is better than the next and that is the quality we strive for. As for reputation, I’m hoping that all of our readers, the retailers and artists that we have worked for and worked with, know how hard we try to make sure that we are seen as a company that cares about the people. Our vision is well beyond numbers and it always comes to people.

Mario - My goal for the studio is a place where we can grow and learn from each other. To be a real team... A place where artist and writers can reach their goals and explore the possibility of expansion. And where novice artists and writers can come and watch. I think it’s important to give people what I have been given; to help others to reach their goals.

Mike - If each of you could only pick one non-Arcana book a month to read, what would it be?

Mario - I would have to say Spawn. I just love that book because Spawn is what got me hooked on comics forever.

Sean - X-Men. It’s what got me hooked at the beginning and they’ve created such an amazing world it’s just great to read.

Todd - Y- The Last Man. Just such a damn good read.

Mike - What’s next for each of you?

Sean - Well I have BIG plans for Kade. Without giving away too much, the story of Kade is advancing quite a bit forward. The new arc will have a different look to it and our gothic warrior will be in contemporary America. Now, having said that there is A LOT of story leading up to this and I don’t want to spoil it. I’m also going to be navigating Arcana into the future (along with Todd and Mario) as we begin the process of expanding into different mediums. I will also be trying to live up to a personal commitment I’ve made where I will be consciously spending more time with my family in the upcoming months as I’ve gone a bit overboard with my work schedule (he says while answering this interview at 2am).

Mario - I have a major project headed for 2005. I can’t say more than that right now.

Todd - For me, focusing on getting 100 Girls done on time, then helping Sean in any way I can.

Mike - If you had to swap books for a month, who would write what book and what would you do with the story?

Todd - Geez, I don’t know…I’d say Kade’s origin, but that’s going to be done so…

Sean - Tough question…truthfully, there are a lot of stories with our characters that I would like to see. I’d really like to see/tell more of Hanna’s school conflicts and her inner conflict, Sylvia a little bit later in the series and Stark’s origin.

Mario - I would want to write Ezra. I love writing and I love that book. Honestly, I kind of want to extend more of myself to Arcana other than drawing covers. Writing any Arcana book is a secret passion of mine.

Mike - What creators in today’s market do you most admire?

Sean - Mike Mignola. He has truly lived his dream and what he has done is EXACTLY what I want to do. I want to find a rapport with a director and co-produce a movie of a character that I’ve created (Kade is my first love). He is probably one of the driving forces behind everything I do and everything that I am striving for. I know I will meet him one day and I would love to talk with him one-on-one trying to understand his insights, knowledge and passion. Kevin Grevioux is also a man I have so much respect for. To have the vision and ability to put together a movie of the caliber that he and the people he worked with did…well it’s amazing and motivating. 

Todd - I really like Kaare Andrews and his ability to work so well with so many different styles of drawing. I love the energy of Carlos Meglias work as well. He’s probably the main reason I got back into comics. I also love Mignola. I can just stare at his stuff all day it’s so beautiful.

Mario - I would say Todd McFarlane. Being a guy that came into comics when Spawn hit, I just admire when someone makes a character that can stand up to Spiderman and Batman. I think there are so many “production artist” out there and when a true creator comes along it’s refreshing. And I want to do the same thing with Ant. Create a character that many years from now people can say, “ Oh yeah, I know Ant”!

Mike - What historical creators do you most admire?

Sean - Stan Lee has signed Kade #1 and it’s on my wall along with a picture of him. I mean he is ‘The Man’. I also love all projects created by Humberto Ramos …I think I really admire his energy and professionalism that he brings to any project. It’s always incredible art and a GREAT story that is so unique. Jerry Siegel and Mark Millar are definitely very high up there as well.

Mario - Todd Mcfarlane, Mike Mignola, Stan Lee, Erik Larsen. Why? Because these guys made awesome characters.

Todd - I’ve been a fan of John Romita Jr.’s work for a lot of year. Way back in the 80’s when his stuff still resembled his dads. I don’t know if you’d consider that creative or not. I also really admire Ditka’s work. I didn’t really as a kid because I was a fan of the huge, muscular style that most artists were drawing in back then. However, I’ve grown to love the fact that he drew Spidey as a regular guy, which is what he was. So cool.

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For more information on the men behind Arcana Studio and their properties navigate to www.arcanastudio.com.