Our next Creator Interview is with a creator fresh on the manga scene, Christopher Curtis of Christyle Inc.!
Christyle Inc. is making waves and getting noticed within the international manga market. After an incredibly successful Kickstarter that raised more than double the asking amount, we just had to sit down with Chris to have a chat.
GlobalComix: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your various comics and manga.
Christopher Curtis: I'm an indie manga writer who works with my good friend (and talented artist) Ash Kohari. My passion project is JAZZ, but I've written a comic portraying my kids as superheroes on TNT! Supersisters!
GlobalComix: Your current title, J.A.Z.Z., just had a successful Kickstarter, congratulations on that. What do you think made it so successful, more than double your asking amount?
Chris: I left the original pool of people I circulated and started doing searches on people who interacted with things like this. This has been touch and go in the beginning, but the end result was all worth it.
GlobalComix: How did you and your current team come together?
Chris: Ash Kohari was a fellow creator who made the 18+ manga, 9mm Girls. We sorta grew together at the same time, with her admiring the characters and story from Chapter 0, done by another artist at the time, while I fell in love with the overall premise of 9mm Girls. We went from casual enjoyers of our works to really good friends and eventual partners! I couldn't ask for a better pair.
GlobalComix: What is the story behind J.A.Z.Z., how did you come up with it?
Chris: JAZZ is about a group of individuals who set out to connect the appearance of monster-spewing portals to their government. I wrote this as a love letter to the early 2000's shows and anime that shaped my love for the medium. I've told people prior that this is another "punks against the machine" story if that makes it any easier to digest.
GlobalComix: Indie manga is still a little new outside of Japan, what draws you to making manga specifically?
Chris: Manga has always been the most expressive style of comics that JAZZ benefits the most from. With most of my references being 2000's manga/anime, I felt like no other medium could handle it.
GlobalComix: What part of the manga creation process do you enjoy seeing the most or find the most satisfying?
Chris: Seeing the exact replica in my mind show up on the screen has been the best part. When you have artist synergy like mine, every page is like literal gold!
GlobalComix: What resources have been helpful to you in learning how to write for manga?
Chris: Just follow what your favorite manga does in terms of flow and story building. There's not an all-fits answer for this, just be diligent in what works and what doesn't.
GlobalComix: What advice would you give to others who want to make their own manga, either indie manga or to submit to a publisher?
Chris: DO IT...but be very smart. Manga, while growing in popularity, is still relatively new in the indie space in the West. There will be tons of people who will either manage it as they would a Western comic or even miss the entire point of manga itself. Always research every opportunity before submitting anything or signing anything.
GlobalComix: Speaking of, are you wanting to debut in Japan or with any publishers in the USA?
Chris: I'm not looking for Japanese debuts, but I'd love to work with a publisher in the states (Antarctic Press, looking at you!)
GlobalComix: Can you give us any tidbits about what might be next for you? Are there any other titles you’re looking forward to that you can share with us?
Chris: While JAZZ is my passion project and is currently back in production for a new chapter soon, we are going to be sliding a new series in front of this next chapter AND a new digital-only webcomic this year. Keep your eyes on me for more!
Thank you again, Chris, for giving us your time for this. Also, congratulations from all of us for your successful Kickstarter campaign. We can't wait to see more from you and Ash. Make sure to check out all the links below for where you can find Christyle Inc.
- Explore Christyle Inc.'s manga
- Follow Christyle Inc. on GlobalComix
- Visit Christyle Inc.'s Website
- Watch Christyle Inc. on TikTok
- Follow Christyle Inc. on Twitter
- Find Christyle Inc. on Instagram
Have you had a chance to read the amazing work from Christyle Inc? Let us know what you think in the comments!