JOB DUN - ONCE YOU HAVE FAT, YA' AIN'T GOIN' BACK

Now if you want a job done well, and if you want a job done properly, who are you gonna call? Ghostbusters, perhaps? Or what about the local girl guides? Ha! Like f*ck you are. If you really want to get the job done, you just ask my pal, Mark. But please don't do it at the moment, OK? Because he's too busy telling me about this new comic book series. Many thanks.





1) What are your own origins, Mark? Plus what path did you take in life prior to getting to where you are today?   Originally I'm from Adelaide, Australia, and moved to Sydney in 2004. I always had an interest in writing and literature, as well as comic books from the age of 6, mainly 2000AD and Batman. Studied politics at university, decided, 'nup, not for me', and decided to write fiction instead, in some misguided belief that it'll get me to the truth of things. I've also written art and film reviews and the influence of digital technology has had on the Australian comic book scene.

2) What inspired you to create the ‘Job Dun’ comic book?   Consider him my spirit animal. Quite possibly I could be him if I wanted to die in 6 months time or at least routinely get a busted nose. It's a good way to channel whatever anti-social urges I might have and maintain my respectability as a sometime upright member of society.

Originally, it was a throwaway story that ended in a bad pun on his name, but then it kind of ballooned into something bigger as my life took a slight detour downward and things crumbled apart. Wanted to see what happens when you rebuild your life after getting bit. Turns out Job Dun happens. Plus, I became interested in digital culture and the phenomena of social media and the character seemed to fit into the hyper-narcissistic world that would arise when you could change your perception – and others' perception of you – via technology.

It would be pretty, but ugly, ya know? Was also living near a fairly seedy part of Sydney, Australia, known for its red-light district, coupled with my brief time selling porn to the lonely and inept -- it all seemed to be the threads to tie together for an entertaining story with Dun as the knot.

3) In your own words how would you describe this tale?   Satirical Sci-Fi adventure about a fat gun-for-hire who, partly out of lust, partly out for money, becomes embroiled in the schemes of a beautiful FemDomme Fatale. Has burgers, fetish-babes and techno-mysticism, along with plenty of guns and fists! Ultimately though it's about desire and the folly this can cause us all.

4) What song would you say best represents this project and why?   'Closer' by Nine Inch Nails. It's the type of song he would have on repeat whilst going about his rough trade.

5) If you could get a celebrity – either living or dead – to promote your wares, who would you choose, and why would you want to choose this particular person?   Jack Black. 'Cos he strikes me as the guy who might get the joke. Or Mickey Rourke. Same deal.

6) What have you learned about yourself through this endeavor? And were there any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with along the way?   What have I learned about myself? The sooner I start, the sooner I finish, trust my instincts and always tack on at least an extra 8 months to any deadlines.

In terms of unforeseen obstacles, my photoshop skills suck and yet I have zero motivation to get better. I've also been surprised by the conservative and at times prudish reactions to the sexual imagery, despite it being satire.

7) During your time in this field, what is the one thing that has kept you in good stead?   Gonna cheat and give you two: the belief in the story and seeing the pages drawn, colored, and lettered, especially since Ben Micheal Byrne (illustrator), Noelle Criminova (colorist), and Dave Evans (Bolt-01 - letterer), all worked really hard to make the best comic it could be.

8) If ‘Job Dun’ had a motto, what would it be?   'Once you have fat, ya 'ain't goin' back'.

And on that note, my friends, all I have left to say is please check out Mark's new comic book, 'Job Dun', by clicking on his facebook and twitter pages. Go on. Click-click. As I'm sure your finger could do with the exercise. Ha!