One First 13Q

CJ Hurtt and Shawn Richter

By Katherine Keller
March 1, 2007

Many, many things can be said about The Engine. One of the things it does really well is bring people together to pimp comics and create new ones.

Enter writer CJ Hurtt and artist Shawn Richter. These two "engineers" are the creative force behind One Last Song (Brain Scan Studios), a look at a dystopian future United States, where governmental approval is required for performing arts.

1) You're doing a comic about politics. Why a comic and not a blog or a novel — like everybody else?

CJ Hurtt: My main focus is on comics. Whenever I come up with a new idea, I ask myself if it would make a good comic. Is the story visual? Action? Fun? One Last Song just wanted to be a comic. Also, my blog skills are not all that great. I have the snark down, but not the meme-control.

Shawn Richter: Well, CJ came up with it, so I'm glad he opted for comic! I'd most likely read his novel or whatever anyway, though. I just dig the story he came up with!!

2) Speaking of politics. Civil War: Whose side are you on?

CJH: Why pick a side when you can just let the two sides fight it out and scoop up the pieces?

SR: Definitely Cap. I mean, that's what Marvel wants us to choose, right? (Is anyone on Iron Man's side?)

3) Internet Jesus (Warren Ellis) or Internet Jesus's Mother (Gail Simone)?

CJH: Shawn and I met through The Engine. My pick has gotta be Warren.

SR: I'm gonna go with Gail — I met her (really) briefly in Toronto last year, when she cut off all of Peter Dixon's hair. I gotta love her just for that!

4) Give us the word. The all-time best comic (not written or drawn by you) is ...?

CJH: Tough one. Some days it's Watchmen, others it's Fables. In a few years Criminal might climb up the list too. My all-time best list exists in a constant state of flux.

SR: Someday, I'll write it, when I get tired of drawing them. Right now? Hmmm. Yeah, Watchmen is a good pick. For art though, I'd probably go with The Authority, relentless. I think Hitch really came into his own there.

5) Complete this statement: What happens in Las Vegas ...

CJH: ... might require a blood test and/or bail money. Tourists are funny.

SR: ... is illegal in most other states. Which is why I should stay away from Vegas.

6) What do you want to be when you grow up?

CJH: Old! I cannot wait to be old. I want to smack people with my cane and rant about how stupid everyone is. It's going to rock. If I could be a novelist, that'd be ok too.

SR: A comic book artist.

7) How hard is it to find a competent collaborator?

CJH: Very. Especially when first starting out. I've run into a lot of artists who have just disappeared after a few pages or simply wouldn't cooperate. I think a few of them didn't even read the scripts. That said, there is a vast number of really great artists out there that make the whole experience worthwhile. It's fantastic to be able to work with someone who is not only talented, but also really wants to contribute to the book.

SR: Really damn hard. Know anyone? Ok, KIDDING! As an artist, it's really gravy. I get lots and lots of really awesome pitches. I just don't have time for them all, so I have to pick the most interesting (to me) and try to draw the heck out of it.

8) Vegas local question. Palms or the Orleans?

CJH: Orleans. The Palms is for drunken frat boys in Hawaiian shirts and media-addicted heiresses.

9) Batman or Superman, or Superman/Batman?

CJH: Batman. I never bought Superman's whole morality thing.

SR: I liked Superman/Batman with Pacheco on it, but not so much the other guys they had doing it. As for the character, I'll echo CJ, Batman is the shiznit.

10) You can have dinner with person of your choice. Who is it, where do you go, and what do you eat?

CJH: It's an obvious answer, but I'd choose my wife Mary. She's the best. We'd probably go to Commander's Palace and get our glutton on with their seven-course option. Food so good, it'll change your life.

SR: Yeah, I'd go with my girl, Lena. I have no idea where we'd go, but I'd be down with a burger and fries, 'cause I'm simple like that.

11) What's the best TV show that nobody's watching?

CJH: Hmmm. I have no idea. I get all my shows from Netflix and iTunes. Has everyone stopped watching Lost yet? I know that a lot of people have given up on it, but I think it's still pretty good if you're only seeking entertainment and not wanting resolutions to all the stuff they've set up. Season Two kinda sucked though.

SR: I'm digging Supernatural. I know you guys did a thing on it, but I don't hear anyone talking about it, in general. Such an awesome show though.

12) You're on a 900-mile roadtrip to have a throwdown with a romantic rival. Huggies or Pampers?

CJH: Ha! One of the weirdest news stories ever. I'm saying Huggies. They have some sort of extra elastic for a leak-proof fit, right?

SR: Pampers and then I'd throw them at my rival at mile 900.

13) CJ, in your profile on the Ronin Studios board, you list 'reading, writing, and felonies' as your occupations. Felonies as in the kind that'll fetch a large bounty, right?

CJH: Why are so many journalists also freelance bounty hunters? I'm a small-time felon. Won't fetch a big payday. Not yet anyway.

SR: If he ever tells me what he did, I'm gonna turn him in for the reward money.

One Last Song — Official Website.
Brain Scan Studios — Official Website