Earth's Mightiest: You’ve said in the past that you consider your films completed works. What about Darren Davis and Bluewater Comics made you decide to further the adventures of your classic characters?
Ray Harryhausen: I’ve always enjoyed exploring new and interesting territories. The comic book was something I had never before considered, but it seems to be a “good fit” for our type of stories.
EM: Ray, in addition to your incredible stop-motion creations, you are an extremely talented artist. Your piece, Ymir fights Elephant, was also released at the San Diego Comic Convention, and several of your pieces have already been spot-lighted in Bluewater Comics releases. Can we expect to see more artwork from your archives?
RH: Yes, Every Picture Tells A Story, the art gallery handling my artwork, has plans to release one or two prints each year.
EM: The internet is filled with amateur stop-motion films and TV programs like Robot Chicken use the technique to great effect. However, there are few people in Hollywood with the vision—and clout—to be able to produce a big-budget stop-motion feature today and have it be successful. Tim Burton is the contemporary film maker whose name immediately springs to mind as being one of those few. Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas re-introduced the art form to a whole new generation of movie fans. What do you think of Tim’s work and have the two of you ever met?
RH: I met Tim several years ago and he has been a guest at my house in London more than once. He’s a very talented and interesting man and I enjoy being with him.
EM: Also under the Ray Harryhausen Presents banner, but unaffiliated with Bluewater Comics, is your support of projects like The Pit and the Pendulum, which helps spotlight up-and-coming artists in the field of stop-motion film. Are there other projects in the works that might bear the Ray Harryhausen Presents banner?
RH: Yes, we are currently exploring a variety of subjects. Please ask your readers to go to my official web site, www.rayharryhausen.com, from time to time for the latest news.