Phillip Sevy Interview: Heartless Dark!

Dragons Keep: Phillip you have been and are successfully working on your creator-owned property Heartless Dark. However, before we talk Heartless Dark, I wanted to ask, what motivated you to become a creator and bring your online comic Heartless Dark to life?

Phillip Sevy: The desire to be seen. Ha! Pretty pretentious, right? Well, let me continue the pretentiousness… Inherent in everything we do is creating. From the monotonous tasks of a habitual life to space exploration – one way or another, we create. Often, it’s creating a life. Glamorous and exciting, or not, we all create.

For me, I love to create – it’s my passion and my release. I brought Heartless Dark to life because it’d been in my head and on paper for so long, and I still wanted to see it. Maybe it was a bit selfish, but I had a suspicion that if, after 6 years, I was still excited about it, others might like it too.

DK: With “Heartless Dark” at the onset to what seems to be a successful run online and developing quite a fan base. I need to ask you, who is involved in the production of the series and how did Heartless Dark all come together?

PS: The onset of the idea came about in December of 2002 in Kingsport, TN. I spent the next year writing a 169 page outline. I conceived of it as a serialized TV show, ala 24. After I got the rough plot together, I put it on a shelf until the beginning of 2009. At that point I had been toying with the idea of an online comic after stumbling upon Warren Ellis’ Freakangels. I was hesitant to commit to a long-term project (I had been away from drawing and writing comics for about 4 years, so I was a little rough). At that time my friend Dominic (who got everything put together at first and has helped spread the word) im’ed me at work with “We should do a webcomic.” And that was all I needed.

There were a few ideas I kicked around but Heartless Dark was the one that would have translated to a comic the best. I e-mailed another friend, Alma Madsen, and asked him if he could help. He signed up right away.

The basic production of the comic (though it changes week to week sometimes – ha!) is that I write the full script, anywhere from one week to three weeks at a time, then I thumbnail, layout, and ink five pages at a time. I’ll add gray tones with markers then scan the pages. In photoshop I’ll flat all the pages and add basic effects. Alma, who built our site and iPhone app, will take those pages, complete and coloring/effects leftover and letter each episode. I have the whole story plotted and know where I’m going far in advance (I’m anal, in that respect – I can’t jump into anything without knowing how deep the water is), but with enough room to adjust as we go along.

DK: What is the readership base for the series and from what parts of the country and world?

PS: The readership base has been growing quite a bit lately, actually. That’s another caveat of long-form webcomics. You can get a lot of people to look at them if you advertise right, but if you only have a few pages up, people will look once and then be done. Maybe check back in a few weeks if they remember. So, you need to have enough content up on the site to hook them – make them feel like there’s a reason to return every week. This is why short-form (comic strip style) webcomics do so well – you come back everyday for a new strip.

With Heartless Dark, we waited until we had completed Book One (we just started Book Three) until we started advertising it. So, for all the new visitors we bring to the site, they have a large archive to read to get hooked.

Recently we’ve increased our numbers by about 300% and managed to retain almost all of them – which is awesome. We have readers from all over the world. Our man body of readers is here in the US, but we have a good amount from the UK, Poland, and a few other European countries. It’s really awesome.

DK: For those not familiar with Heartless Dark, please bring readers up to speed; who are the primary characters and what’s the plot line?

PS: >Deep breath<

No, just kidding. Heartless Dark follow two main characters. Matthew, in the United States, is plagued by terrifying dreams – violent visions of impending doom. These dreams begin to affect his life so much so, that he begins investigating them. Very quickly, he begins to find that these dream images exist in real life. His exploration of the reality of his dreams starts him on an apocalyptic journey toward the end of existence.

Across the world, our second character, Ailis (pronounced Ay-Leesh) is tracking down twelve special individuals from countries spread across the globe. She belongs to an ancient order that has been protecting a secret power since the fall of the Roman empire. Her quest for find these people lead her toward Matt.

At the same time, a great evil is gathering.

Will these two be able to find the truth to their quests in time to prevent the death of life? This is the stage for Heartless Dark.

We’ve been running for just over a year now and have over 250 pages of story online. We post, without fail, five pages of story every Tuesday (what print comic can claim that consistency – ha!). We’ve completed Book One and Two, and are just a few weeks in to Book Three.

DK: What is it about the series that gets and keeps you energized?

PS: Before I started this, I spent a few years writing movie scripts – working to move into that industry. With screenplays, you write the beginning to the end. I very much got into the mindset of having to know my end from the beginning before I wrote the first word.

I brought that with me into Heartless Dark. Though I don’t have every word planned, I have all the major story beats in place and can see the whole thing in my head.

What keeps me energized is seeing these beats brought to life and working to the next one. In addition, I have enough space in between, to explore the characters and stories. Nothing, as a writer, is more energizing than finding a hidden gem in the story you wrote that you never noticed before.

DK: With Heartless Dark being an online comic, what have been the pros and cons versus the series being a printed in the comic shop comic book?

PS: A definite pro is time. I can draw an episode and have it posted in a few days. I don’t have to wait months to years to get it in print (so to speak). We can also reach people all over the world who wouldn’t have access to a comic book. Also, people are more willing to take a change and read it because it’s free.

A drawback, however, is trying to attract viewers. With the internet being so widespread,

DK: Any chance fans and potential readers might see Heartless Dark in print at the local comic shop or Barnes and Noble? Have you submitted the series to any publishers?

PS: That’s the plan. We’ve not submitted it to any publishers as of yet, but that is our battle plan this summer. We want to wait until it’s a completed book so we can hand publishers a trade copy of an entire story so they can see what they’re committing to. So, by this time next year, we hope to have a published version to sell on your shelf.

DK: What has been the highlight thus far for you with Heartless Dark?

PS: Well, there have been a few. The first one was being invited by your Store to participate in the fundraiser for Jake Black last year. Though I kind of snuck in the back door, it was so cool to be placed at a table with so many amazing artists – many of which I admire greatly.

The other big highlight was achieving Professional status for WonderCon and Comic Con. To be recognized by an organization that I’ve loved (and attended since I was 13, or so) as an industry professional was surreal.

On a day-to-day basis, though, is just the ability to open my phone or any computer and see Heartless Dark coming together. To get feedback and reactions from those who read it. That they care and have emotional reactions to the story is amazing.

DK: What else can you share with us regarding Heartless Dark?

PS: Ha! That’s like asking a parent to talk about their kids. I’m about to pull out my wallet and start going through pictures, here. No, I won’t. But, I love doing this comic. It’s a challenge and a blast all at the same time, and I work to make sure that energy is felt and seen on each page. I have an amazing group of people working with me to get it out on time every week.

DK: 2010 is here, what plans do you have for this year creatively and project wise?

PS: 2010 is going to be amazing. In addition to finishing Heartless Dark in a few months and working to get it published, I’ve got a few other projects I’m developing. Adam Sevy, who’s done various art and interludes for Heartless Dark (who is an amazing artist in and of himself), is allowing me to work with him on a post-apocalyptic webcomic that is unlike anything out there. We’ve been working on this story for years and years. We’re hoping to see it online shortly after Heartless Dark ends.

I’m also developing an in-print miniseries that I plan to take with me to Comic Con this summer. I’ll, again, be writing and drawing it. It will be sci-fi story that draws in elements of random, true life, historical events from the last 400 years that explores the devastating effects of losing a loved one.

And like any other ADD creator, I’ve got about 100 projects I’m always jotting down notes and concept scribbles.

DK: What are the tools or experiences that you put to use as a creator/artist/illustrator (books, sites, education, etc.) and how has this allowed you to develop/evolve as an artist/illustrator and creator?

PS: Oh, wow, where do I start? The internet/deviantArt is a fantastic resource. In addition to owning the entire “The DC Comics guide to…” series, I check other artists’ blogs and art pages everyday for new tricks of the trade. I’ve really gotten into using Sketchup as a reference tool lately. It’s amazing and most top artists use it these days.

I don’t claim to be a master. I use art as a means to tell a story. I try to find the most efficient ways to get as much out there at the highest quality possible.

DK: In the future when the opportunity arises, what other professionals in the comic/entertainment industry would you hope to work with?

PS: Ha! How much space do we have? In the realm of comics, there isn’t a better artist than Gary Frank. His ability to draw detailed, realistic, superhero drama with emotions is incredible. If you’ve never read Midnight Nation – don’t even hesitate. Buy it right now. Best comic ever written/drawn.

Right now I’m blown away by Jason Aaron, Ryan Ottley, Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon.

You should see the stack of comics I read – I have a log list of creators I really admire.

DK: Phillip, many of the people reading this interview are trying to break into comics or become some sort of artistic creator, what pointers or feedback would you share with them?

PS: If you want to write, write. If you want to draw, draw. Do something. You’ll never be a creator if you don’t start creating. I spent years wanting to write or wanting to draw – but not doing it. Get with other aspiring creators and put something out. By actually completing a project, you’re heads and shoulders above all the other aspiring creators out there.

DK: Just want to say thanks Phillip for taking time out from your busy schedule to chat with us. Before we go, is there anything we didn't touch base on that you'd like to share or mention?

PS: I’m going to burden your server with the size of this interview if I go any longer. Just remind everyone to check us out: http://www.heartlessdark.com . We’ve got a facebook group that sends out updates whenever there is one. We’ll also be at WonderCon and Comic Con this year, so if you see guys with the Heartless Dark symbol on their chest, stop us and say hey. We love talking to people. Thanks so much for the time, Dragon’s Keep is the best!