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David Lloyd, an Interview

posted by Matt Knicl at 3:17 pm.

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L For Lloyd

Many of us have seen the film V For Vendetta. Some don’t realize that it was a comic book before that. Written by Alan Moore, this dystopian/super hero book was illustrated by David Lloyd. I was able to speak to Mr. Lloyd about that comic, as well as his newer series, Kickback, published by Dark Horse.

Matt Knicl: What was your general reaction to the movie? Did you feel, like Alan Moore, that it was a “Bush-era fable” or did you think it stood on its own?

David Lloyd: I thought the movie was great, though not as good as the book. But it was a creditable effort, which I was happy to support to the best of my abilities in any way I could. I’ve nothing but praise for everyone involved in bringing the story to the screen and spreading it’s message.
The Wachowski’s definitely had their own agenda in writing the movie and it was evident in the movie itself - but I don’t think that was undermining to the universality of the central themes of the story. Way back in ‘ 88, Alan’s introduction to the DC Vendettas indicated that V was created in reaction to the fascistic tendencies of the Thatcher government, so a lot of people still think the original was a Thatcher-era fable. But this misconception hasn’t damaged the main message of the story, which has always - and will always - rise above the predominant political landscape in any period in which the story is told.

Matt: Do you think V for Vendetta was meant to be read juxtaposed to the old Marvel/Miracleman stories?

David: No. It wasn’t. This is not me ‘ thinking ‘ it wasn’t. It wasn’t.

Matt: What was your favorite part about that project?

David: Didn’t have one. It was all good as a project to create. But I preferred working on it in the early days when we did it at one episode a month and it grew slowly and organically, changing as it grew, as we created it. The final part of the series had to be written and drawn at a different rate of speed. From a creative point of view it’s almost always better to work slower than faster.

Matt: Can you describe your book, Kickback?

David: It’s about a corrupt detective in a corrupt police force and how and why he decides to change the direction of his life. He’s a tough cop, but in all other aspects a regular guy - and he’s corrupt because everyone else around him is corrupt. He’s just going down the same road as everyone else, because it’s easier to do that than face up to his moral responsibilities. It’s something we all do in life, I’m sorry to say, in little ways or big ways. If we didn’t, we’d have a much better world to live in. This is a simple thing to understand, but human society is still trying to figure it out as if it were some kind of ethical Rubik’s Cube.

In sheer entertainment terms, Kickback is an atmospheric crime-noir police thriller and detective story, with suspense and action sequences - all tightly wrapped around a psychological drama about an ordinary guy finding his way out of a fix. I’m very proud of it, and I’m glad to say it’s had lots of great reviews.

Matt: What was your intent with this title?

David: The double meanings woven into that slang for a bribe make it a useful title for the story. There’s always comeback from any criminal act. A fired weapon will kick back at you. And Kickback has just has the right sound for a crime thriller title. Don’t you think?

Matt: Do you have any upcoming projects in the future?

David: I’m doing a few short stories for French publishers - one of which might be published in the US. And then I’ll be starting on another graphic novel of my own. Don’t know what it’ll be about yet. I’ve got three ideas but they’re all for different areas of the market, which makes it difficult to choose which to try to develop. Other than that, I’ve just had a book on Sao Paulo published in Brasil, which I’m trying to find an English-language publisher for. It’s not a strip book, but a mix of commentary and illustrations about the city.

Images courtesy DC and Dark Horse

Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.