TERRA KAIJU - JOE BADON GOES GODZILLA IN JAPAN

To overcome great evil, there must be great sacrifice. To perpetuate an ancient myth, there must be an ancient legend. And to be willing to read an awesome interview, there must be an awesome project worth talking about. Like this one for instance. This one told to me by my good friend Joe Badon. Here. Have a look for yourself to see what he had to say...


Joe Badon on Amazon


1) Now for anyone who didn’t read our last interview, Joe, can you tell us a bit about yourself, please?   I'm 37, have a wife, 2 kids, and 1 dog. I live in Slidell, Louisiana, and I've been a full time freelance illustrator since 2008. I've illustrated comics, children's book, animated shorts, book covers, magazine covers, CD covers, movie storyboards, blah, blah, blah!

My main creative influences are: John Zorn, Marc Hansen, Rod Serling, Sam Hiti, Keith Giffen, Skottie Young, The Boredoms, Sufjan Stevens, Genndy Tartakovsky, El Mico, Scottie Irving, Glen Galaxy, Havalina Rail Co. and David Lynch.

2) What inspired you to create your one-shot, ‘Terra Kaiju’?   Whilst watching A LOT of Godzilla and Godzilla related films, I've come to realize that I've always wanted to do a Kaiju story. Then I saw the 1966 movie 'Daimajin' and was really interested in the concept of a Kaiju story set in feudal Japan. I also loved the idea of a giant samurai kaiju. So Daimajin had a lot to do with the formation of my book.

3) In your own words how would you describe this story?   Terra Kaiju is set in feudal Japan, and is about an endless, embittered battle between two neighboring villages ravaging Japan's countryside. The battle will be decided by pitting the village gods against one another. At the heart of the story is our hero, Kohitsuji. He is a young samurai who must sacrifice his life to his village's sleeping god, Terra Ramu. Kohitsuji's soul is then infused into Terra Ramu, thus awakening him for battle.

4) What song would you say best represents this project and why?   Every time I think of this project, the song "Battle Against Clown" from the Akira soundtrack gets stuck in my head. There's this angry visceral Japanese monk chanting in the song that plays in my head as I work on the project.

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?   Rod Serling. Because he is one of my main creative influences. He commands respect from all generations of nerd culture lovers and he could do some amazing voice overs in any promo materials.

6) What have you learnt about yourself through this endeavor? And were their any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with along the way?   I think during the writing and evolution of this story, my views on war and violence have changed considerably. This impacted the way the ending of the story came out. I have learned that we can't overcome evil with evil but we must overcome evil with good. 

The biggest obstacle has been not being able to carve out the time in my freelance work schedule to complete the book. This kickstarter, if successfully funded, would allow me that opportunity.

[ Joe Badon on Amazon ]

7) During your time in this field, what is the one thing that has kept you in good stead?   I try to be as nice and accommodating as I possibly can. Essentially, as much as I can, I try my damnedest to treat others as I would like to be treated.

8) If ‘Terra Kaiju’ had a motto, what would it be?   To overcome evil, there must be a sacrifice.

And on that note, dear reader, all I have left to say is please check out Terra Kaiju by visiting Joe's Kickstarter campaign. Or alternatively, click on over to his facebook, twitter, or deviantart pages.