Our Creator Interview series continues with Matt Trinh of Mythoverse Comics, creator mastermind of Mythics! Exploring folklore around the world and about to celebrate its 5th Anniversary via Kickstarter launching later this week. Thank you, Matt, for sitting down with us to answer our questions!
GlobalComix: For those new to your work as a Writer for Mythics, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Matt Trinh: My name is Matt Trinh, I’m a writer from Michigan, born and raised. Head writer of the Mythoverse and writer-creator of Mythics.
GlobalComix: What drew you to being a writer?
Matt: It was at first out of boredom, notes of stories to write while in class, initially it was more about building worlds to inhabit characters in. Expanding upon that were the stories that could be told in those worlds.
GlobalComix: Why mythology and folklore based tales? Is there something about them that stands out to you?
Matt: Surprisingly it was a mix of fantasy and history that brought me to it. I’ve always enjoyed history, and I suppose in a way fantasy was something of a byproduct from it. Folklore and mythology are part of history in that they showed us how people of that time explained the unexplained, or how powerful people escaped the consequences of their impropriety, or scandals. A wealthy couple had a child and the child didn’t look like the father? Blame an incubus, or in some cultures, an elf.
GlobalComix: Where did the idea for Mythics come from? Tell us its origin story!
Matt: I was doing some research on how to build a magic system for a fantasy project when I came across the British cunning folk. Essentially these were magicians who did work for their communities either as healers, finders of the lost, or combating witches. As I read more into their history, much of it being interesting as that when witch hunts were conducted, these people were often protected by their communities. So, I came up with a young woman who was the inheritor of that practice. Throw in a bit of Sherlock Holmes into it, and that’s basically the birth of Mythics.
GlobalComix: What your hopes are for its growth in the future as a creator-owned shared comic universe like Mythoverse?
Matt: That it expands to allow other creators an outlet for their shared creative visions.
GlobalComix: What have some harder things been that others who want to make similar shared universes should look out for?
Matt: Try to ignore that impulse to bring more than you can handle. A shared universe needs to have a firm foundation under it before others are brought it. A foundation made up of steady book sales and a set universe lore.
GlobalComix: How have you overcome some of those difficulties? (if any)
Matt: There have been plenty. The 2020 Pandemic really highlighted the importance of having back-up plans in case something derails a campaign. Mythics #2 was going through that, with the lockdowns and COVID restrictions that meant printers would be understaffed when it finally went to print. 2020 was an important lesson in that there are some things that are beyond your anticipation and that you needed to demonstrate creative thinking on the business side of crowdfunding.
GlobalComix: What have been some of the highlights or best memories with Mythoverse?
Matt: The moment we realized that three creators who came up with their comics independently of one another could have a shared universe that could work. Mythics took inspiration from Sherlock Holmes, just as Adobe Kroger had. In a way, Elthia is Sherlock, and Adobe is Dr. Watson.
GlobalComix: Are you looking to expand the team and stories at Mythoverse beyond existing titles?
Matt: We had some expansion, two installments in a Mythoverse anthology Hallowed Harvest were successfully crowdfunded and feature the work of creators who have Mythoverse titles in development.
GlobalComix: Are there any plans for conventions later this year that fans can connect with you in person?
Matt: As much fun the prospect of going to conventions is, the day jobs have been keeping everyone involved busy. 2025 will be a different story, though.
GlobalComix: Is there a dream project that you’d like to work on? Maybe a certain mythology you’d like to make a title for?
Matt: Truthfully, I’m working on the dream project. Admittedly, there were some bumps along the way, but that’s expected for any series that sets up the foundation of a universe.
GlobalComix: What is your favorite mythological creature and why?
Matt: The phoenix. It’s a constant reminder that it’s never too late for new beginnings.
GlobalComix: With so much experience in editing and writing, is there any advice that you would give to newcomer writers that want to break into indie scene?
Matt: Don’t be afraid to tell the story you want to tell. Whether it be the traditional superhero comic, fantasy, science fiction, or slice-of-life, being an indie creator means you aren’t beholden to the conventions of a publisher.
Thank you so much to Matt Trinh of Mythoverse Comics for taking the time to talk to us about his work and experience! We're going to be having another Mythoverse creator for our Creator Interviews next week. Additionally, we wish you all the best on your 5th Anniversary Kickstarter campaign for your omnibus editions.
If you want to keep up with all the amazing work Mythoverse is putting out, we've got a list of pages and profile links right here for you:
- Follow Matt Trinh on Twitter here
- Read Matt Trinh's Mythics here
- Follow Mythoverse on GlobalComix here
- Read titles from Mythoverse on GlobalComix here
- Sign up here to be notified for the 5th Anniversary Kickstarter Omnibus campaign
- Join the Official Mythoverse Twitter for future updates
- Support Mythoverse on Patreon
- Watch Mythoverse on YouTube