John Sowder is an up-and-coming comic book artist, writer and filmmaker. We first met on a message board several years ago, and we've had to a chance to watch each other's careers over the past few years.

After talking about doing a possible project together for awhile now, it looks like it might finally happen. John and I have started work on a comic book story called Flesh Magus, which deals with supernatural beings and earthly intrigue. It's just in the beginning stages, but I've been pretty psyched about working with John, and I really hope this blossoms into something.

In the meantime, John seems to be having some success with his comic book art. His art in the comic Midnight Warriors Annual # 1 is currently out from Divine Authority Comics, and he's been doing some projects for Monarch Comics. I figured this might be a good time sit down with him and give you all a chance to meet him.

And now, without further delay, here's my little chat with JOHN SOWDER:

LL SOARES: So how long have you been drawing? Give us a list of credits of stuff you've got out there.

JOHN SOWDER: My mother taught me to draw when I was old enough to hold a pencil. My first published work was for a small press magazine called Nightside in 1991. My first comic work was for PC Comic's Riplash in 1996. I don't even have a copy of that one. More recently I had a comic story called "When You're Different" published in Slambang Anthology Comics . My story "Down Where It's Cool" appears in one of the early issues of Twisted Dreams magazine. And my art can be seen in the forthcoming Midnight Warriors Annual #1 from Divine Authority Comics.

LS: I hear you're a filmmaker as well?

JS: I made a few short movies that played at a few film festivals. I also worked behind the scenes with some local digital filmmakers.

I wrote the script for a four minute short called "Man in the Basement" that got me listed on IMDB. The director didn't like the script format I used and rewrote it, so I only got credit as story writer. It's a bit of a campy EC Comics-type tale. Really like how it turned out.

LS: So how did working with Divine Authority come about?

JS: I found their website and was really impressed that they were just a couple of folks who were doing comics for the love of it. I showed publisher Mark McCracken some of my art and he asked me if I was up for doing some work for them.

LS: Tell us a bit about your comics series Penumbra.

JS: Originally Penumbra was going to appear as a comic strip for a magazine called New Pulp Gallery, that was never published. It's basically about a girl who discovers that she's the offspring of an otherworldly creature and her very existence threatens humanity. The story is scheduled to appear in the comic Divine Authority Presents issues 1-4. There are no plans to collect all stories in one volume and there are no current plans to expand the story beyond the fourth part, although that's a possibility.

LS: Do you want to discuss Flesh Magus at all?

JS: Flesh Magus is still in the very early stages, but I think it features some of the best artwork I've ever done. There's a lot of interesting visual ideas I want to explore with some of the characters and the settings. It's something I'm pretty excited about.

LS: You draw, write and make movies. Who were your influences growing up? Who are your favorite writers and artists now?

JS: I grew up reading (Bernie) Wrightson, (Jack) Kirby, (Steve) Gerber and (Mike) Ploog comics. I also had a stack of Warren magazines.

My introduction to the horror genre came from a horror host show that aired on Channel 2 from Detroit called "Sir Graves Ghastly." Lawson Denning dressed as the vampire Sir Graves and showed some classic and not-so classic films.

Another show I loved was the Channel 7 "4:30 Movie." This was a syndicated show that featured a theme every week. During 'Ape Week' they would show PLANET OF THE APES films, during 'Monster Week' they would show Godzilla and Gamera movies. That really fired my imagination.

I started out reading Lovecraft, Bradbury, King and a lot of weird or pulp fiction in general. Right now I'm beginning to read Douglas Clegg and a bit of (Carlton) Mellick.

LS: Obviously, you work on a very visual level. Did any movies influence you as an artist?

JS: Yeah. Whenever I'm working on a black and white book I want it to have a noir look to it. I draw influence from cinematographer John Alton as well as older horror or crime movies.

LS: What projects are you working on for the future.

JS: I'll be doing work for Monarch Comics. Publisher Vincent Ferrante's stated goal is to produce comics similar to the ones he grew up reading. His Witch Hunter title will feature the work of veteran Doctor Strange artist Frank Brunner, a guy who was a huge influence on me.

LS:. Yeah, Frank Brunner is amazing. He's one of my favorites, too. Have you submitted your work to any of the major comics companies?

JS: Yeah, I pitched an idea to bring Starfire back to the DC Universe. Starfire is a character from the 70s who is in no way related to Starfire from the Teen Titans. After 8 weeks I received a reply from one of the editors who thanked me for my submission and had some positive words but ultimately passed on the idea. They thought it would be too confusing to have two characters named Starfire.

LS: Who is your favorite superhero, and why? (if you're a fan of non-superhero comics, then which of those is your favorite)

JS: Batman is great. I always liked Swamp Thing; he seems more human than most characters in comics. John Constantine is a favorite. Doctor Strange too, mainly because of Steve Englehart's work on the comic. Englehart's writing allowed for some epic and abstract ideas to enter into the plotlines. The character hasn't been the same since.

LS: I've always dug characters who straddled the fence between horror and superhero stuff, like Dr. Strange and Swamp Thing (and Man-Thing), too.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

JS: I'd like to have Bruce Wayne's inheritance, but that's not a superpower. I guess I'll go with Wolverine's healing powers. With the cost of healthcare going through the roof, I wouldn't have to worry about outrageous hospital bills if I get into an accident.

LS: Are you a fan of anime at all? If so, what are your favorites.

JS: Absolutely. I really like both VAMPIRE HUNTER D films, and I like the classics in the field like AKIRA and GHOST IN THE SHELL. Lately I've been watching ELFIN LIED and BLEACH.

LS: I'm a big fan of the GHOST IN THE SHELL movies, too. I wish I knew more about anime, but whenever I check out the DVDs at a store, there are just hundreds of them. I don't even know where to begin.

Have you ever had a dream about Pikachu or Hello Kitty? I know they've haunted my dreams, and I always wake up in a cold sweat.

JS: Can't say that I have. I used to have a recurring nightmare about Bigfoot breaking into my house when I was younger. I blame THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK!

LS: Who would win in a fight, Optimus Prime or Voltron?

JS: Mazinger could kick both their metal asses!

LS: To show you how old I am, I still dig Ultra-Man and Gigantor. And don't forget Johnny Socko and his Giant Robot. Now those were old-school giant robots!
Do you think Smurfette is sexy?

JS: No! She just looks like a regular guy Smurf with a wig and fake eyelashes. I'm not convinced she's even a woman.

LS: That's awful! I've always had a thing for her myself. Then again I always dug that green chick from the original Star Trek series, too. Not to mention She-Hulk.

So, here's my last question: How did you get the nickname 'Necromania'?

JS: That was the name of the last movie directed by the anti-genius Ed Wood Jr. Even though I laughed at his movies just like everyone else, I have a real fondness for them. I enjoyed watching these films when I was a kid growing up around the burbs in Michigan. I still enjoy all the same stuff I did when I was younger, and I want to try to stay true to that.

LS: How can people find out more about you?

JS: www.divineauthoritycomics.com gives you an update on when Divine Authority Comics will be out and features a gallery of artwork. And you can check out Vincent Ferrante's comics at www.monarchcomicslair.com.

LS: Well, I really want to thank you for talking to me about all this stuff. And best of luck with Penumbra and all your future projects.