1. Who were your biggest inspirations as a creator?
Far too many to list them all, but from an indie press perspective it’s anyone who built their own success off of DIY principles. When I was younger I really loved the band Bomb the Music Industry! because of how much they both created and relied on community within their scene. They would spray-paint their logo on people’s shirts and sleep on their fans’ couches when they toured. I thought it was very punk rock but also proof that you don’t need permission from anyone to do anything. And I think I took that mentality to heart when making Epic Wayne Press.
2. How did you form Epic Wayne Press?
I’ve told this story a bunch at this point, but I, Teo Suzuki, the one writing this, feel like I barely had anything to do with it. When I was in art school I self-published my first comic and I put “Epic Wayne Press” on the back of the book to make it feel more professional. It was mostly a joke, and at the time I didn’t plan on turning it into anything. But Cyd Levine, Epic Wayne Press’ co-founder, who I was getting to know at the time, asked if she could put the logo on her self-published book too. I was shocked, and incredibly flattered someone else would want to associate with my brand. Epic Wayne Press wouldn’t exist without that interaction; it’s what gave me the confidence to believe we could be a group people could like, and even become fans of.
3. What are your favorite projects that you’ve worked on?
The easy answer is Epic Wayne Quarterly so I’m gonna go with that. It’s a comics anthology we put out that’s both a collection of every member’s work but the very best of the open submissions we hold for each volume. It involves collaborating with my friends on a very intense but rewarding level, as well as meeting new artists and working with them as well. And then it’s a real magazine I get to hold in my hand! We’ve put out two volumes already with a third one being sent to the printers as we speak, and I’m very excited.
4. What projects are you currently working on?
I am personally working on the second issue of my comic called CULTURAL RESET. I wish I had it done by now but part of being a working artist is learning how to support yourself financially while still finding time to create. I think I’m getting better at it! And hopefully this issue will be done soon. So keep your eyes out for that!
5. What advice could you give to aspiring creators?
Be punk rock. Be like Bomb the Music Industry! Be like us. Don’t wait for permission. Get some friends together and make something. It doesn’t have to be an indie comics press. But doing stuff, especially creative stuff, with your friends is the best. And the only way to do that is to have the confidence to reach out. And that’s very important.
Epic Wayne Press is an artist collective that focuses on publishing comic books, graphic novels, prints, and zines. Visit their website, EPIC WAYNE PRESS, to see more.
