Wonder of Comics: Interview with June 2009 Zuda Contestant, Kogoshii

» Posted by GusHiguera on Jun 14, 2009 in Wonder of Comics | 0 comments

My coverage of the June 2009 Zuda competition continues with an interview with the creators of Kogoshii written by Danny Donovan and drawn by a talented artist named Gigi. A couple month’s back Kwanza Johnson, one of the editors for DC’s Zuda imprint, sent out a Twitter wherein he wondered why there weren’t more manga style comics being submitted to Zuda. Well, Kogoshii seems to have answered that call. I talked with Danny about what lead him to chose the manga style for this comic, working with Gigi and what readers could expect in the future from Kogoshii if it were to win the competition.

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and your comic Kogoshii. How did the project come about?

Well I am a “writer at large and shameless self promoter” I’ve worked with companies like Marvel, Shooting Star Comics, Platinum Studios, etc. I’ve bounced around the industry for about 10 years in various functions. Gigi is a manga goddess, who has blazed trails with her own successful webcomics on Drunk Duck (before they were bought out by Platinum)  and worked on her own Platinum book called Love Bites.

Kogoshii, basically came about from me talking to Gigi and saying “want to pitch something to Zuda?” And then brainstorming on what best suited both of our talents. I had an untitled story that was loosely based on a project that fell through and we went through it tossing out what didn’t work and refining what did.

2) Give us your pitch, can you briefly summarize the concept behind the story for people not familiar with your comic?

Basically the high concept is a romeo and juliet style story with a twist. It takes place in sort of an alternate world/timeline where Japan has become sort of the center of everything, but like with most countries it comes with its own dark past. There are these two groups, the Kaitou which are basically “ninja robin hoods” they’re trained in the arts of stealth and speed and taught that it’s dangerous for the few to control great masses of wealth, that while what they do might be illegal but it’s in the service of a higher honor because they are spreading the wealth around. Of course over the generations some have just enjoyed the thrill of the action more than the actual credo of the Kaitou but it is instilled in all who are chosen to live among them in their gypsie style camps.

Then on the otherhand you have the Hitokiri who are deathdealers. Assasins who trade human life to the highest bidder. They don’t really care much for honor or credos, they basically do what they are good at, and revel in their status and power. The two clans have been at war for as long as they’ve existed. Even if like in most cases of blood feuds by this point a great majority of them most likely don’t know what originally came between them.  Along comes two kids who don’t really care about past grievences, or power struggles. Shinji a Kaitou boy had been in love with Satori, a Hitokiri girl since the first moment he laid eyes on her.

They had a secret romance for sometime, until finally they were discovered and the two groups thought their union might be a way to bring about peace between the two groups. But that is a lot to put on the shoulders of two children. And they knew the punishment should their love not be enough to keep these age old enemies at bay. Shinji made a choice he thought was right, but he’s just caused more trouble than he can ever know.

3) Your entry, I believe, is one of the few manga styled Zuda entries? What made you choose this style and format for your comic?

I chose it, mostly because it is the format Gigi is most known for, and the style she and her daugheters love the most, and the themes of the story lead to a semi-shojo style story. So we went with our strengths!

4) This question is for Gigi, how was your experience working with Danny on this project and what challenges did creating an eight page zuda entry present you with?

GIGI: Working with Danny: easy

Challenges: not many just the format was unual to anything I’ve done for the web or print and Im trying to figure out a way to make the tones come off cleaner not so muddled. Its the first time I’ve had this problem

5) The name Kogoshii, what does it mean and where did it come from?

It is actually Japanese for “Glorious” It came from Gigi’s lovely middle child Venessa who is our demographic. She was so passionate about that name it became infectious. We did put it to a vote, both internally at Gigi’s house and on Facebook and of all  the potential names (I think there were 5 in all) Kogoshii got 66% of the vote.

6) Lastly, tell us why people should vote for Kogoshii and what we can expect from future episodes if you were to win.

We are just getting into the thick of it. When we pick up there will be a huge change in moods. We will get to meet the other members of the clans, we will get to see more of the history of the two sides, where their ideologies seperated, what caused the rift between them. And Shinji will have to face the wraith of Satori upon his return back home.

Gigi was very sad that we could only send 8 pages. Because there is something on page 11 that she was just dying to draw and share… We will only get to see that if YOU guys help us. We greatfully appreciate your votes! We are only a handful away from that top spot! YOU can make a difference.

To get more information about Kogoshii visit Zuda.com