Broken Frontier

A Canadian entry to the small publisher market, Septagon Studios is gearing up for a spring debut for their title, Scorn.  Company founder Nicola Defina stopped earlier this month to chat with Fletch about Septagon, Scorn and what directions he’d like to take the business…

BROKEN FRONTIER: Thanks for joining us today, Nick.  I’d like to start out with you explaining a little about Septagon and how it came to be…

NICOLA DEFINA: Septagon Studios Inc. is a publishing company founded in early 2003 by myself and my two cousins, Vice President and Art Director Philip Defina and Art Consultant Domenic Defina, and becoming an incorporated company in 2005.

Septagon Studios combines a comic book publishing company with creator services. Through its Canadian printing contacts and associations, Septagon Studios offers production services to creators, as well as distribution through various distributors and exclusive retailer contacts in North America and elsewhere in the world, marketing strategy planning, solicitations, advertising, press release writing, and related promotional efforts (provided the clients grant Septagon Studios the rights to do so). Septagon has also set itself up to engage in foreign publishing while a given project is under agreement with the company.

It all started with a great passion for story telling and various mediums of art. Septagon Studios was created from a long history of ideas. We wanted to create a company that people can relate to, something different and extraordinary.  It’s about breaking rules, bringing peoples imaginations to life, allowing complete creator freedom of expression and utilizing those skills to enable a creators full potential thus creating something original and unique. Giving the readers truly an experience they will remember.

BF: Can you tell us a little about the Defina cousins’ background?

ND: Our backgrounds are unique and diverse. My cousins provide great artistic insight with strong art direction. As for my part in Septagon, I work on the business side as well as the creative side. I enjoy being involved in every aspect of Septagon Studios. I enjoy scouting great undiscovered creators whether it’s art or a great author with a story to be told. Septagon Studios was a joint collaboration. Philip has always had a strong background in art. He studied Advertising and Graphic Design. Domenic became an artist at a young age, and studied Fine Arts at University and has worked on a variety of creative projects.

I on the other hand went to University for Business Administration and Environmental Studies. Together we have a dynamic relationship and we work well with one another. We function as a unit. Many creators which reside within the industry have educational backgrounds that don’t pertain to comics. The comic book industry for me personally is a great adventure and a passion that I have had ever since I was a child.

BF: Many smaller publishers seem to be focusing on specific genres or niches for their titles. What is your view for Septagon’s publishing identity? Why did you decide to go this way?

ND: Septagon Studios books will be uniquely classified in terms of story telling, artwork, and panel structures, thus creating a new comic book experience. We have up and coming new talent and new artists that are unheard of in North America. Septagon Studios is about freedom of expression and the desire to go beyond and that is what we want to provide our readers with. We plan on breaking traditions and setting new boundaries.

We decided to go this route for many reasons; we did not want to saturate the market with the dominant fad within the industry. We want to create a new market fresh and full of new ideas, talents, and great stories that are not repetitive. We want our readers to be able to relate to different aspects of the books we will be putting fourth.

BF: Can you tell us a little about Scorn and how it came to Septagon? When will it been released?

ND: The book revolves around 19 years old Michael Riggs whom witnesses the murder of his best friend at the hand of notorious gang leader Robert Torres. Michael becomes obsessed, and nothing can stop him on his vicious and bloody rampage of vigilante justice.

I first came across Philipp Neundorf on various message boards and online galleries where his art was displayed. Through him, I received the initial contact for Kevin Moyers and Scorn. I heard about Scorn’s success at various conventions throughout the United States. I visited his website www.unleashedpublications.com  and happened to notice that the first issue was out. Upon reading, I simply fell in love with the book. At the time, Scorn was a true independent book, waiting to be picked up. So I emailed Kevin placing an offer on the table. Now here we are a few years later with Septagon Studios publishing Scorn.

In regards to Scorn’s release date, we are pleased to announce that Scorn will be available for pre-order on May 7, 2007 directly from the Septagon Studios Inc website. The book will ship once it becomes available. Fans and readers that Pre-Order the book will also receive a free special limited edition lithograph more details are to follow.

Scorn is set to make its debut at this year’s Paradise Comic Con in Toronto June 8-10. The announcement will be made first on our website with related press in regards to Distribution information.

BF: You mentioned Kevin and Philipp… could you share with our readers a little about those two gentlemen?

ND: Kevin was born and raised in Chicago. At the age of 26 he finally realized his love for entertaining. He has already acted in several films such as Machined from Lions Gate Films, and performs stand-up comedy at clubs throughout Arizona. Kevin is known for speaking his mind, whether on stage or on his weekly radio show. Kevin is also an accomplished writer. He is also writing two television shows currently in production.

Philipp S. Neundorf lives and works as an artist in Berlin, Germany. He started focusing on comics about five years ago. Since then he has published several short stories, various cover artwork and pinups, both online and printed. Next to that, he exhibits his artistic work in Berlin whenever possible. He has also worked as a graphic designer for video games, and has been known to illustrate the occasional CD covers. His most recent published work can be found in Image Comics’ Runes of Ragnan #4.

BF: What other titles or books are planned from Septagon?

ND: We have a variety of titles and great projects on contract and others that are being discussed. At the moment we can’t divulge any secrets, but fans, readers and visitors will hear it first on our website.

BF: What do creators who are interested in Septagon need to know in order to submit a pitch?

ND: We want creators to submit creative and original ideas. As of now, we are planning not to publish any super-hero titles. Septagon Studios accepts pitches and full proposals. Our forum is fully functional and occupied with creators looking to collaborate.

BF: Looking to the future Nick, What is your vision for Septagon?

ND: I have a strong vision for Septagon Studios. I think it is best put by author William J. Bryan: “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved”.

I want to create a company with limitless opportunities, and many different avenues. Above all else, I want to offer a unique experience, and to keep pushing the envelope with innovative concepts. Septagon Studios is a company for readers, for creators, for everyone.

I hope in the next 5 years to see Septagon Studios as one of the top Canadian Comic Book publishers in the comic book industry.

I would like to conclude this interview with a final thought.

“Be imaginative, be creative, be yourself. Think outside the box, or better yet, think that the box doesn’t exist”. Unleash your talent and the rest will follow”.

For Septagon Studios’ submission guidelines visit http://www.septagonstudios.com/proposals.html. Their forums are located at http://forums.septagonstudios.com