The Definitive Benjamin Dewey Interview: Part II + a Freakin Awesome Giveaway

By Andrew Leslie
Posted on February 15, 2012

Previously on Part I of the Definitive Benjamin Dewey Interview, Mr. Dewey told us about his upbringing, his upcoming comicbook and his fascination with Victorian dress. You can read the full interview here for a better understanding of Mr. Dewey’s work, but now we progress on to Part II of our interview with the creator of the Tragedy Series (visit the Tragedy Series here) and the continuation of our Freakin’ Awesome giveaway where one lucky reader will win a Tragedy Series print of their choice.

And now, the conclusion of our interview with Benjamin Dewey, of the Tragedy Series:

6. Let’s talk for a moment about a hot topic in the world of comics: Piracy. As an independent comic creator, I’d love to get your thoughts on piracy in the comics industry. How detrimental are the torrents and scans that hit the ‘net before the comics themselves are available for print? Does it affect someone operating at the independent level, like yourself or do you feel it is mainly a problem of the bigger publishers like Marvel & DC?
Benjamin Dewey:  I think that piracy is less an issue for comics than it is for music or movies because people who love comics also seem to enjoy owning artifacts of their favorite titles. In some cases that translates to trade paper backs and in others to little figurines but I think the comics community at large is respectful and protective toward creators. That, in my experience, translates to a generous, supportive community that seems willing to buy or donate to a good product when it is offered.

It also helps that comics are as much a tactile experience for some, as they are visual. Digital readers may get so good (eventually) that they win that demographic over but I don’t think there is a real danger of humans losing interest in beautiful objects. I treasure the printed copies of my favorite books and, if getting such a thing cost a premium in the future, I’d pay extra for them. Who knows though, there may be some super-amazing home printing technology that crops up in the next decade that will reignite the whole issue again. Technology has a way of reshuffling the whole deck.

7. You recently stated on your Tumblr that there’s been some interest in publishing the Tragedy Series in print, can you share any additional details about this potential good news and/or what can our readers do to help make this a reality?

Benjamin Dewey:   I’ve been approached with a few different possible opportunities and I’m open to whatever will make the best book. I have a clear idea in my head of what I want the finished collection to look like and it would be a huge thrill to have that realized. The process is in the fragile, early stages right now so I can’t get into it. As soon as I know more details I’ll be sure to post about it.

A major step in getting a property published involves demonstrating commercial viability and popular appeal. People have already been great about spreading the word. The more data I have to show that there is an audience interested in the project, the better the chances for getting that sweet hardcover with an embossed, golden diving helmet on it.

8. If an episode of the Tragedy Series were made about your life, what would the caption read?
Benjamin Dewey:   ‘Scruffy misanthrope doesn’t deserve his girlfriend or guitar collection.’

 

9. You have a noted affinity for all things science, if you could have afternoon tea with 3 individuals, who would they be?
Benjamin Dewey:   I do love all things science. It is the primary subject of my next big personal project. If these tea guests were confined to the realm of the sciences it makes things a bit easier: Carl Sagan (who is drawn on my bike helmet), Richard Feynman, and Albert Einstein. Those three have been huge for me.

10. With this interview we’ll be having a twitter giveaway with a print from your Tragedy Series as the prize. What #hashtag would you like us to use to help track the entrants?
Benjamin Dewey:   ( #Tragedy_Series )works for me! I am pleased to offer original sketches with all my prints so I’ll throw a little one of those in there too. I am really grateful to all the readers out there for their support and kindness since I started the series. It has been super positive and encouraging. I’ll keep working hard to make it worthwhile.

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Thanks to Benjamin for graciously answering our tedious questions and now, about that giveaway!

To enter to win the print of your choice from his Etsy store all you have to do is:
1) Follow me @dethfilm on Twitter
2) Follow Benjamin Dewey @BenjaminDewey on Twitter
3) Finally, tweet out a link to this article with the hashtag #Tragedy_Series. You can just copy and paste the following tweet: Check out this interview with #Tragedy_Series creator @BenjaminDewey & enter to win a free print!  http://is.gd/reprieve
4) Sit back and wait until Friday, February 17th to find out if you’ve won. We’ll contact you via Twitter to send you your prize.

As always you can follow me on Twitter @dethfilm or find me on our message boards (I’m Numero99 there). Thanks for reading and tell your friends all about the Freakin’ Awesome Network by using those handy little social media thingamabobs down there.