Dave Baker, thank you for joining me do this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Well, I’m originally from the drug-infested wasteland that is Tucson, Az, but I currently live in Los Angeles where I write comics and screenplays. On the comics front I’ve written the comics Suicide Forest, Fuck Off Squad, and Action Hospital. On the movie side, I’ve written projects for Disney, Universal, and Fox.
SOurce: Dave Baker
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? What inspired you to write your first story?
I’ve kind of always been writing and drawing. I credit my mom with really fostering the creative urge in me. (Shout out to my mom!) She helped me write my first story when I was like three or so. We’d sit at the kitchen table and I’d draw and then explain to her what the drawings were and she’d write underneath them what the people were saying. Yes, it was a cute as it sounds.
Some writers describe themselves as planners, while others plunge right in to the writing. Would you consider yourself a planner or a procrastinator or a head first plunger?
I really like the physical act of writing. It makes me feel productive. So, I’ll often dive in before I’ve done the proper amount of planning. Tend to play screenplays out more than I do comics. I’ve been writing comics for so long it’s like second nature to me, at this point. So I guess I’m a dive in and write, even when I should plan more, kinda guy.
In your comic, Suicide Forest there’s a moment where Travis gets up in a very similar fashion as Micheal Myers in Halloween. Were you a fan of John Carpenter’s Halloween growing up? And will we see more of Travis in any of your future work?
Yeah, Nicole Goux, the artist of Suicide Forest, and I are going to be working on the sequel book after we finish our current project Teenage Switchblade, which is a comic about the inner workings of a fictional band called… wait for it…… Teenage Switchblade.
But, to answer the beginning of your questions, yes. I’m a huge Carpenter and Halloween fan. Halloween 4 is my jam. That’s definitely where Travis gets a lot of his DNA, for sure.
What were some of the challenges you came across with running a site for your webcomics and getting your work publish?
You know comics is really really hard. It just is. And it’s really hard to find people who actually want to sit and do the work. Most people are excited about the idea of making something but don’t want to sit there and actually do it. That’s the hardest part of making comics. Finding collaborators who are stalwart. Luckily on Action Hospital, everybody is really nice and wants to get down. But I’ve made some comics with people who were less than easy to get a long with. Or I should say, I’ve tried and failed to make stuff with people who are mega talented, but just don’t have what it takes.
We live in a golden age of comic book films. How do you feel about comic books being made into films? Should films/TV shows stay close to the source material or do something new and different? What makes a good adaptation?
I’m just really sad that comic books have taken over mainstream film. It’s impossible to get a movie made that’s not based on a comic which is based on a video game which is based on a box of Kleenex. It’s really a bummer. I love comics. I love comic book movies. But I also love the surprise of going into a movie that isn’t an adaptation. Let’s put it this way, I’m excited for the day when when there’s room for comic book movies and movies based on original screenplays.
Would you like to see one of your comics made into a film or show?
Sure, but only if I’m in charge. 🙂
DC or Marvel?
Marvel, right now. DC’s editorial is a mess. Except for the Bat books. Here’s looking at you, Bat Books.
What other writer would you like to work with and why?
Matt Fraction. Because he changed my life.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
To be able to continue telling stories and paying bills.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Not that I can think of! Thanks for chatting with me!
Source: Dave Baker
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
You can find my webcomic Action Hospital at www.theactionhospital.com and you can find my comics Suicide Forest, Fuck Off Squad, Professor Cuties, and This Is Not A Girl Gang on my Big Cartel site which is www.spectorisland.bigcartel.com. You can also follow me on instagram and twitter @xdavebakerx. Thanks so much this was fun!
