Copied from the Secret Identity Podcast Website.
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May 1, 2007

If you want politics in your comics, go and read Civil War! Want a story with a year long commitment? How about 52? If you want to put the fun back into funny books, it's the Miscellaneous Adventures Of Stykman you seek. Everything you want, and nothing you would expect! Creator Jonnie Allen has got something here. He has created a world that defies explanation. A hero made out of wood, his alien partner and some of the most whacked out villains you'll ever see. Glossy paper and vibrant colors place this book above all other wood based super hero comics. In Stykman you have an unlikely hero who is a far away from Reed Richards in the IQ department than you could possibly be. And that is good... very good!

Secret Identity rating... 4 out of 5 Jolly Ranchers!

And now we take time out for a few minutes with Jonnie Allen!

Secret Identity: A thread on our boards, out of nowhere, was talking about Christian comics and your name popped up! So after a bit of a search, here we are!

Jonnie: That's an interesting way to end up on your radar. Glad to see there are individuals out there looking for Christian comics.

Secret Identity: The board chatter complained that there was no Christian comics that were entertaining, that they all just ..well too preachy! They are "light on quality" is the general complaint and sadly, I must agree.

Jonnie: Although I have to agree with the lot of them, Christian comics tend not to be produced very well. Which I truly do not understand. After all, you're producing something for the glory of God, shouldn't it be the best you can make it?

Secret Identity: Tell us about Stykman!

Jonnie: In regards to Miscellaneous Adventures of Stykman, it's like an all ages, kid and adult friendly book, that recaptures the hyperbole and pure zaniness of comics of yesteryear; all with a Christian foundation and underlying morality. When I talked with retailers about producing a comic, for the most part, I was told that if I wanted to produce a Christian comic I should "hide it" within a mainstream book. And that's essentially what I have done.

Secret Identity: After the Jolly Rancher who must be seen to believed, where do we expect to see Stykman go?

Jonnie: The storyline for issues 2 and 3 involve the devil (Lucy Furr), the Archangel Michael, and a mysterious handyman named Joshua. The devil seduces Stykman into retrieving an item she is not supposed to have resulting in the need for Michael to ride into town to help undo what Stykman undoes. Issue 3 climaxes in a humorous twist on the battle of Armageddon (Can anyone say... Dodge Ball?!).

Secret Identity: But Stykman is a, um stick, right?

Jonnie: What you basically have with Stykman is the next, arrogant, not - so - bright super-ego, a bumbling buffoon of a branch, trying to prove himself worthy of herodom. Although brash and impulsive, his heart is in the right place. He's tired of seeing evil and wickedness reign and longs to see justice prevail in the world. As it says in issue 1, "The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." He's a good man, er stick, who's wants to do something. He's just not very good at it.

Secret identity: Selling the book must be hard without major distribution. Where can we find the comic?

Jonnie: The Lord is opening a lot of doors right now as Diamond has just recently begun distributing our books (Which could explain why you have not heard of Stykman until now.) stamping it with the distinction of "Certified Cool." Also, Wizard magazine (# 186) has placed Stykman at # 18 of the top 40 Independent comics of 2007. Apparently Comic Buyer's Guide has given us a shout - out in their current issue as well. Issue # 3 is in the final stages before printing and will be out in a matter of weeks.

For more on Stykman, go to www.akacomics.com. Our thanks to Jonnie for taking a moment or two to chat with us.

"This podcast is one of the best duos out there. I found myself well informed and highly entertained even before they did the interview. I have their podcast subscribed in my iTunes library. I suggest you do the same." -Jonnie Allan

 

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