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5 questions with Steve Walker (plus a sneak peak at the Issue Two comic)

Update #12 · Jun 8, 2012 · comment

Why do you think storytelling is important?

You know I thought this would be an easy question to answer, but I've been drawing all day and as soon as I sat down and began to write a response my brain went to complete mush. I blame my storytelling habit. To me, storytelling is important because it is something we as a species have been doing since the dawn of man. Storytelling reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. Storytelling is a way for us to describe the way we want to be. It holds a mirror up to the world and helps us to say this is wrong and we can do it better. Storytelling is the well from which everything that makes us great springs from.

What are your favorite kinds of stories to read, and are those the same as the kind of stories you like to illustrate?

My favorite type of stories is science fiction stories. My earliest memories are of watching Star Wars and reading Dune. Science fiction holds my heart. For what I like to draw, it really runs the gamut. I do love to illustrate science fiction, though I will draw the hell out of fantasy or horror and even super hero stuff if the mood strikes.

What is it about comics that compels you to illustrate them?

I love comics! The medium is an amazing bridge between traditional illustration, prose writing, movies, graphic design, you name it. Comics is such a multidisciplinary art form that I don't know why more people don't try it out just to see what it can do.

You just had a graphic novel, The Battle of Blood and Ink, come out. What can you tell us about it?

The Battle of Blood and Ink is a fantasy wrapped up in the warm cloak of Steampunk. At its heart is a story about two different viewpoints about what you owe your community. It's about a strong young woman who is a seeker of truth and a curiosity that gets her into more trouble than she should by rights be able to deal with. Plus, you know, airships, ray guns, and a flying city.

You've already started working on the comic for Fireside Issue Two. Do you have a panel we can have a sneak peek at?

I have indeed! Here's a little something for everyone. I hope you all enjoy!

(This is the first page of the comic)

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  • Pledge $2 or more

    18 backers

    You receive a PDF version of Issue Two and of any other issues funded through this Kickstarter.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    33 backers

    You receive PDF, Mobi (Kindle), and ePub (Nook, iPad, most other e-readers) versions of Issue Two and of any other issues funded through this Kickstarter.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    63 backers

    Fireside catch-up: You receive PDF, Mobi, and ePub versions of Issues One and Two and of any other issues funded through this Kickstarter.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    47 backers Limited (153 of 200 left)

    You receive a print version of Issue Two, which will be printed only once as a reward for Kickstarter backers. You will also receive PDF, Mobi, and ePub versions of Issue Two and of any other issues funded through this Kickstarter. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $15 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    You receive a Fireside bookmark, along with everything from the $10 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $20 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    21 backers Limited (4 of 25 left)

    You receive print versions of Issues One and Two, along with PDF, Mobi, and ePub versions of both issues and of any other issues funded through this Kickstarter. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    17 backers Limited (8 of 25 left)

    You receive a print of the cover art signed by Galen Dara, along with everything from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    2 backers Limited (23 of 25 left)

    You receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Stephen Blackmoore, along with everything else from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    1 backer Limited (24 of 25 left)

    You receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Damien Walters Grintalis, along with everything else from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    12 backers Limited (13 of 25 left)

    You receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Kat Howard, along with everything else from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    3 backers Limited (22 of 25 left)

    You receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Jake Kerr, along with everything else from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    4 backers Limited (21 of 25 left)

    You receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Steve Walker and Brian White, along with everything else from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $30 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    15 backers All gone!

    You receive a mosaic Fireside keychain, handmade by my wife, along with everything from the $15 reward level. Note: If you reside outside the United States, please pledge $35 for this reward to cover added shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    4 backers Limited (1 of 5 left)

    You get a signed copy of the novel "City of the Lost" by Stephen Blackmoore, a print copy of Issue Two signed by Stephen, and everything else from the $15 reward level.

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    1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)

    You get a signed copy of the novel "Ink" by Damien Walters Grintalis, a print copy of Issue Two signed by Damien, and everything else from the $15 reward level. (Note, "Ink" will be released in December, so you'll get it by the end of the year. All the other pieces of this reward will come in August.)

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    Your likeness will be drawn into a background scene of Issue Two's comic by artist Steve Walker. You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Steve and Brian White, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    Your name will be mentioned in Stephen Blackmoore's story. This could be as a character, in a place name, in dialogue, or however he decides to use it. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Stephen, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    1 backer All gone!

    Your name will be mentioned in Damien Walters Grintalis' story. This could be as a character, in a place name, in dialogue, or however she decides to use it. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Damien, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    1 backer All gone!

    Your name will be mentioned in Kat Howard's story. This could be as a character, in a place name, in dialogue, or however she decides to use it. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Kat, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    Your name will be mentioned in Jake Kerr's story. This could be as a character, in a place name, in dialogue, or however he decides to use it. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Jake, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    Your likeness will be used in one of two original illustrations by cover artist Galen Dara inside Issue Two. You will also receive an 8x10 print of the illustration, autographed by Galen, along with everything from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    1 backer All gone!

    A character in Stephen Blackmoore's story will be named after you. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Stephen, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    1 backer All gone!

    A character in Damien Walters Grintalis' story will be named after you. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Damien, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    A character in Kat Howard's story will be named after you. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Kat, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    A character in Jake Kerr's story will be named after you. (Note, this means your actual name. You don't get to choose the name.) You also receive the print version of Issue Two, autographed by Jake, along with everything else from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)

    You receive a printed copy of the final manuscript of the Issue Two story of your choice or of the Issue Two comic script, autographed by the author, along with everything from the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
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    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    You receive an early sketch of the Issue Two cover art autographed by Galen Dara, an autographed print of the final cover art, and everything from the $15 reward level.

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    1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)

    You receive a piece of the original artwork for the Issue Two comic signed by Steve Walker, along with everything from the $15 reward level.

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    1 backer

    You receive a lifetime electronic subscription to Fireside magazine. For as long as Fireside is being published, you will receive free eBook copies of the magazine in the format of your choice. You also receive a print copy of Issue Two autographed by the contributor of your choice and a Fireside bookmark. (Note: I can't guarantee how many issues there will be beyond Issue Two, but I hope for this to be a long-term success, and support at this level will help us maintain our strong start and make that happen.)

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012