Master of Finger Puppets: An Interview With Carter Allen

by tonydoug wright

As a writer and artist for the Iowa-based graphic novel company Candle Light Press, Carter Allen has developed an impressive resume due to the various titles he has worked on since the mid-'90s, including the incredibly bizarre Man Is Vox and the campy sci-fi series Dub Trub. A recurring characteristic of Allen’s graphic novels is a strong female character with depth and wit, sans the industry-standard exaggerated breasts and unrealistic waist size. Another frequent theme in Allen’s works is a sci-fi setting, which is sadly scarce in today’s comic book and graphic novel publications. When it comes to artwork there seems to be no boundaries for Allen, as his art ranges from traditional black-and-white sketches to the avant-garde use of photography, pasta and finger puppets.

I had the opportunity to ask Allen a few questions via e-mail about his graphic novels, his love for sci-fi and the lack of respect from certain critics.

Carter, I have had the privilege to review some of your sci-fi graphic novels, such as And the Sky Turned White and the Dub Trub series. What sci-fi movies, comics, TV shows and books influenced you as a writer and as an artist?

I was exposed to every corner of the pop culture world, but I would have to say that Star Wars is at the top of my list of things that influenced me. When I saw the first one in 1977, I was blown away. Sure, I had seen monster movies (like Godzilla) and science fiction shows (such as Star Trek), but I was really drawn to the world that was presented in that landmark film. What got me into comics was when I picked up the Marvel Comics movie adaptation of Star Wars. I was hooked from there. The folks that worked on those stories really understood how to transport that galaxy far, far away to the four-color medium. They knew that Lucas had based the film on some very pulpy roots. It was more important to see Han Solo use the hyperdrive in the nick of time than it was to show how hyperdrive worked. That was the key, that's what got my imagination racing. Explaining how a thing worked wasn't nearly as engaging as the premise. When Godzilla would fight Mechagodzilla, it was cooler when they clashed than it was when the puny humans would talk about it. I'm not saying that I don't appreciate the well-detailed worlds that some call 'believable', but more often than not, they end up being blueprints rather than stories.

Further inspiration came from things like Buck Rogers (the 1980s TV. show), G.I. Joe (mostly the comics), early video games and a slew of Saturday morning cartoons (like the Mighty Orbots). As I got older, I had moved on to other avenues. I was exposed to stuff that had a more complicated and darker worldview. Comics like the Uncanny X-Men, TV. shows like St. Elsewhere, Miami Vice and Hill Street Blues, science fiction novels like William Gibson's Count Zero, and movies like the James Bond films and the Terminator. Eventually my love of the big and spectacular was forged with an appreciation of the flawed and intimate. I also formed an admiration for strong central heroines like Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, Col. Deering, Emma Peel, Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor.

I had always enjoyed creating stories and drawing. The rush of making worlds on paper was something I have always loved, but it wasn't till I got into my later teens that I began drawing from my influences to begin making comics.

You said that you developed "a strong admiration for strong central heroines" and your graphic novel Dub Trub features two strong female lead characters. Do you feel that non-stereotypical female comic book characters are a tough sell in the industry?

I feel the fans and creators of comics are becoming more diverse and they want more from the medium. Too often you'll see characters that are the only appealing thing in the story and it falls flat. Sure, you'll have people that buy that sort of thing right up, but it's a hollow fan base and it won't last. You take a capable, strong and unique character, pair them with a vivid supporting cast and put them all in a world that is inspired and you'll have success. It always helps to have a villain that is just as engaging as the hero or heroine. But no, I don't think it's a tough sell. It's not easy, but most good things aren't.

It is true that certain great comics and graphic novels are a tough sell. During a previous interview, fellow Candle Light Press member John Ira Thomas stated that your company has been criticized for creating stories that are “too complex”. In your opinion why are non-traditional works criticized?

You can make a groundbreaking work and get roasted by the critics for violating their individual aesthetics and then be embraced by a loyal audience for being daring and different. I find that most of the criticism that gets aimed our way doesn't sync with what I find from audience members. I'm not going to name names, but there was an establishment that took a glance at Zoo Force and And The Sky Turned White... and kicked them to the curb. At conventions, you describe to people what our books are about and most times their eyes will light up and they're hooked.

That being said, I can understand why some people would not like some books that I have done. When I'm working on the Man is Vox series, there has always been a voice in my head that says: "Is anyone going to like this?" If that voice gets too loud, a bigger, meaner voice will kick that other voice's ass and I go back to work. I can honestly say, that when it comes to things like Man is Vox, it's all about listening to that big voice. I may never sell another copy of Man is Vox, but I will always be able to say that I made a comic with finger puppets and macaroni. To me that's more powerful than any negative comments.

Man Is Vox is definitely an offbeat creation, featuring some unusual characters such as the Fearsome Shade. Was the Shade your own creation or was he a character you created with John Ira Thomas?

The Fearsome Shade is a creation of John (Ira Thomas) and Jeremy Smith. He made his first appearance in the Night Angel comics that came out in the 90's. At the time I had been working on a book of my own called 252 Z and was wanting to do something different. A bone-breaking psychopath who talks to his uniform and draws on his face was a chance to really do some wild and crazy stuff. Several bar meetings later John and I published Vox Damnatorum, a short tale of the Shade keeping in shape and watching television when he isn't out murdering criminals.

Several projects later we came back to Tyson (that's the Shade's secret identity) with Man Is Vox: Barracudae. With more space, we were really able to turn the volume up on the 'different' amp. What begins as an exploration of vigilante justice on the highways of Texas ends with a statement of the abuse of power by those we trust. We thought that we couldn't top it, but Man Is Vox: Paingels was even more ambitious. The subject matter we cover is more controversial and the media used is more bizarre. It's been a rewarding journey with the character.

This is my final question. I was just curious to know what comic and graphic novels are you reading (or have in a stack somewhere waiting to be read)?

Right now I'm reading all of Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers, of which Frankenstein! is my favorite. Other comics I've read lately have been Kyle Baker's Nat Turner, Joss Whedon/John Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men, Reginald Hudlin's Black Panther, Allan Heinberg/Jim Cheung's Young Avengers, Doug Paszkiewicz's Arsenic Lullaby and Pam Bliss' Kekionga. I've also been reading Marvel's Essential and DC's Showcase Volumes. Each volume has hundreds of pages of reprinted comics. Titles like Iron Man, Superman, Incredible Hulk, Jonah Hex and my two favorites House of Mystery and Uncanny X-Men. I read and re-read these when I have time. Can't wait for the Essential Godzilla volume to come out.

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Allen’s 2006 release schedule includes a graphic novel titled Atlanta along with three new graphic novels for the Dub Trub and Man Is Vox series. For more information on Allen’s upcoming and past releases go to: www.candlelightpress.com.