 
An Interview with Joe Gentile Of Moonstone Books
by Randy "Moonstonelover" Burtis
ComicBoards Exclusive!
My thanks to Joe for taking the time to do this. Moonstone books has a niche in the market and is well worth a peek, so check them out! Besides that, Joe has named his company with a cool name!!! ;)
Q:What made you create Moonstone Books?
A: Insanity. No, mostly it was because we wanted to produce books that
WE wanted to read. We wanted to have books that would be viable (and
recognizable) in markets ADDITIONAL to comic stores. We wanted to
produce comics that weren't being done right now; something a little different. It also didn't hurt to have a large talent pool just waiting to be drawn from.
Q:What are some of the strengths of Moonstone books?
A:I'd have to say: "the basics". This means "words and pictures". Telling
a story is what we're all about. We also put a complete (48pg) story in
every book, so you can "jump on" at any time! The format is a strength
for retailers due to the price point, sturdier format, and re-order interest & availability.
Q:For quite a while the focus was horror, but there there is Robin Hood and the Avenger thrown in there. Why did you decide to go in this direction?
A:We also were looking to go in the "pulp" direction.
Q: Do we need another Robin Hood story in print?
A: I'm not sure what you mean here. "Need" is a strong word! Robin Hood certainly has not seen much action in comics. There was a very good TV series on Showtime years back, but other than that, not much new has
happened.
Q: Recently you have started developing a series of noir detective stories. Why Noir?
A: Why not. Really, again, this seemed to be an under-used area in
comics,and fit in with our "pulp" slant. Plus, again, we have that
possibility of reaching an audience outside of comics, although we still want the comic audience, don't get me wrong!.
Q: What can you us tell us about some of the Noir titles?
A: Well, we have some very cool and unique stuff. Again, they will all be 48pgs, squarebound, and self-contained. We have some incredible talent lined up for these. "The Hat Squad" is written by Jay Faerber with art by Cary Nord. It's a very "hard-boiled" story set in the 1950's Hollywood scene."Boston Blackie" is written by Stefan Petrucha with art by Kirk Van Wormer.This is a very noir tale (set in the 20's) of an ex-con safe cracker who's trying to remember a blurry moment from his tainted past."Bulldog Drummond" is written by William Messner Loebs with art by Bill Bryan. This is a two-fisted noir tale of the British adventurer."Johnny Dollar" is written by David Gallaher with art by Eric Theriault.Johnny is an insurance investigator who stops at nothing to get to the truth, in this dark-motives tale set in the 40's."Mysterious Traveler" is written by Joe Gentile with art by Travis Ingram.This is a contemporary !
tale of an unusal train and passenger, who help bring out the mystery and macabre in others."The Lone Wolf" is written by Paul D Storrie, and is a contemporary piece involving this enigmatic female thief.
Q: The "White Wolf Universe" Seems to be a core part of Moonstone books. Tell us about this.
A:We really thought that there were these great properties out there that there were no comics for, and "White Wolf" was the first thing we thought of."Vampire the Masquerade" and "Werewolf the Apocalypse" take place in a very rich, albeit dark, world. There is such intense emotion and mood in this stuff, that we found it "ripe" for visual story telling.
Q:February of this year seems like a big month for you with the release of BLACK FURIES and THE PHANTOM. Will readers be treated to two releases a month from your company?
A:Too early to tell yet. Since we don't solicit a project until it's completed, it makes scheduling rather a difficult task.
Q:Why opt for 48-page stories? Why not opt for the larger graphic novel format and offer, for example, a 200-page PHANTOM story.
A: Well because I'd have to shoot myself! The amount of time and work it would take on such a burdensome beast would be too tough an obstacle to overcome.
After our experiences with the 48pg format, you might as well ask us for
"1000" page books, for it is just as improbable. That's not to say,
that as a reader, I wouldn't love it, because I most definitely would. You
gotta play to your strengths.
Q: How has the experience of running a retail comic store, writing, and publishing changed your perception of comic books? Would you say it has been a fairly positive experience?
A:Well, like anything else, you learn a lot. Some of the illusions fall away, but the love of the medium remains. I have met some VERY cool people,though, which is always good.
Q:You have a website devoted to Moonstone books, where can we find that?
A:You can check us out at Moonstone Books
For the place to discuss the interview check out the:
Independents Message Board
All images are copyright and used with permission of Moonstone books.
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