Interview with Shadow of the Kraken Creator - Vinnie Tartamella

I.C.U. had the chance to talk to Vinnie Tartamella about his latest comic project, funding now, only on Indiegogo

What inspired you to make a pirate book?
​   Ever since I was a kid, I've always been a huge fan of pirates! As I got older, looking into the pirates of history and the way of life, it was always interesting and I was itching for more tales of adventure and rare treasure!

The main character Nathaniel was once a member of the royal navy and has turned to the pirate's life. Will we learn about his background and why he turned to piracy?
​   Yes! In this first issue I show his breaking point! It's a great scene, I can't say more than that without giving spoilers!

​Will there be any historically known pirates in the book?
​   Possibly, but I'd like to keep some surprises as the story unfolds. The focus is on these characters and what motivates them, their story, struggles, battles, and more.

A lot of pirate stories will venture into the supernatural at times. Should we expect anything like that in Shadow of the Kraken?
​   You're trying to get spoilers out of me!

You are handling all the creative tasks on this project. How daunting is it to take on every role in the creation of a comic?
   It's very daunting. Its a ton of work, this is my 6th campaign. I have active campaigns, juggling a YouTube channel, and creating this whole book! The writing process moved quickly on this. Drawing and painting these pages takes a lot of time, but it is exciting! The lettering and formatting of the pages need to have a sharp eye as well.

​For those who are unfamiliar, can you give us a bit about your background in comics?
   I've worked in a lot of different fields, as a lead designer for McFarlane toys, Toybiz, Diamond Select, & Bowen Designs. I did story boards & concept art for games & films. I've done covers for Image comics & Devil's Due, Hack/Slash, The Beatles rock n roll comics, & a series of covers for Female Force that had media coverage on CNN, ABC, MSNBC.
    I'm co-creator of Through the Woods  & Ghostly Manor as well as creator of City of Venus: Dead City. Cover artist to Sunsworn, Witch Hunter, 3 Knights 4 Days, and pinups for various other projects and indie comics.

You have successfully funded and fulfilled quite a few projects. What advice would you give to anyone thinking of going the crowdfunding route to create their own comics?
​    Try to get as much done as possible before launching. Get at least 50% done!

Lastly, should we expect to revisit the world of Shadow of the Kraken in the future after this book is fulfilled?
​   Absolutely!! I have a few books I'm planning! After this issue is done, I will be working on City of Venus 2. I jump from series to series, so it keeps each project very fresh and keeps me in an excited mind frame when diving back into these worlds!

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Back Shadow of the Kraken on Indiegogo

Follow Vinnie Tartamella on Twitter: @Vinnieart

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