With Fox's
Kingsman: The Secret Service hitting retailers on Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD, we thought it would be a great time to share my recent interview with Kingsman co-creator and illustrator Dave Gibbons. Gibbons is one of the most influential artists in comics, working on titles like Watchmen and 2000 AD, but he is also a great writer, having written for such titles as "Worlds Finest" with artist Steve Rude and "Captain America" with artist Lee Weeks. Gibbons also continues to collaborate with some of the finest writers in the industry including Frank Miller and Stan Lee.
JS (CBM): What Thoughts do you have on the cinematic adaptation of the comic?
DG: I love the differences from the comic book as much as I love the similarities.
What about the significant differences from the comic?
As a comic book writer/artist you have to make the best comic you can as a movie director has to make the best movie he can. Obviously there are lot of similarities but the fact that things have to change doesn't bother me at all as long as it stays true to the spirit of the original.
If you could change something about how the film was adapted, what would it be?
It would be nice to have a time machine to back in time and have a quick look at the movie before I drew the comic book. It would have helped me draw some it's sequences.
Did you like the way the characters were translated on the big screen?
Obviously quite a few differences the older spy and Eggsy and Eggsy's mom were all related. The spy was Eggsy's uncle so there were family resemblances.
How involved were you in the process of making the movie?
I was happy to leave it to the people who know what they are doing. I was very happy to stand on the sidelines and cheer.
What was it like to see your characters come to life?
It's always a thrill to see a sequence that you visualize yourself come to life.
Do you enjoy how Hollywood is introducing Comic Books to more people Through more films?
It's a thrill when friends and family of mine who are not comic book fans say they enjoy a movie that is based on a comic book.
Who is your favorite comic book character?
Superman has to be the grand daddy of them all. I have very vivid memories of first reading a Superman Comic.
What would be your #1 artist tip or words of wisdom?
When it comes to comics what you have to remember is that it's all about the story . If it helps the story it should be in there. If it doesn't help the story, it shouldn't be in there.
Who is your favorite character you created?
if I had to choose a favorite, it's NIGHT OWL. If it was based on a character when I was 14 years old. So I guess if I was a Super Hero, I would be the guy that has all the toys in his basement, but is actually too lazy to go out to fight crime.
What outside of comics inspires you?
The perfect fusion of story and art.
Kingsman: The Secret Service is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD. Keep an eye out for my second Kingsman interview with co-creator Mark Millar in a few days!
A phenomenal cast, including Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Caine, lead this action-packed spy-thriller about a street kid recruited into a group of covert agents.