FCBD Interview: Jeff McClelland Talks About The Tick

The Tick and Arthur return for all-new adventures! What's a hero to do when he's haunted by his past? No, really. His apartment's being haunted by a ghost—a ghost that claims to be his very first sidekick! It's specter versus superhero in this brand new Tick story!

Free Comic Book Day talked with comic creator Jeff McClelland about The Tick, New England Comics' 2015 Free Comic Book Day offering.

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Free Comic Book Day: For those who might be new to your comic book, give a quick rundown. What can we expect to see in terms of story and art?

Jeff McClelland: I’d like to first assure fans that there will be both story AND art in this comic. No more settling for either/or!  It’s like a New Year’s resolution or something.

Duane Redhead is my saving grace and provides the art for my contribution to this book. The Tick’s history has always been a bit murky, but we take a look at, on the eve of The City’s destruction, what might possibly be a figure from The Tick’s life before he met Arthur. Mysteries abound!

The issue also includes a special treat for people who have hated my last few issues of The Tick—a rarely seen short story from Benito Cereno and Les McClaine!

Free Comic Book Day: What has been your favorite part of the book or character to tackle?

Jeff McClelland: The odd couple-style relationship between The Tick and Arthur really drives the book.  It’s a thrill to write their different reactions to situations.

Free Comic Book Day: Tell FCBD fans why they should pick your book first on Free Comic Book Day!

Jeff McClelland: Pick up The Tick 2015 FCBD Special FIRST on Free Comic Book Day because you never know when your number will be up. Do you really want to pass onto the great unknown having read some other book first? Plus, someone else might take the last one, and it’s a dog-eat-dog world.

Free Comic Book Day: What are you most looking forward to for Free Comic Book Day?

Jeff McClelland: Creating comics is not always a constant party, as you might be led to believe. So it is nice to get out and have a chance to meet folks who take some time out of their weekend to pick up a book you worked on. Plus, the constant party.

Free Comic Book Day: What other titles would you associate with your FCBD book? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title"?

Jeff McClelland: The Tick is, at its heart, an all-ages comic that is funny (imagine that!). Please go to the Internet and do a quick search for other all-ages comics that are also funny. The Tick is similar to those books, I think.

Free Comic Book Day: What do you think is the best part about Free Comic Book Day?

Jeff McClelland: I remember the first Free Comic Book Day (back when I was…13…). At the time, I wondered if the celebration could last or if it would be an event that came and went. I’m excited that FCBD is now bigger than ever, because it’s like a giant love note from the industry to its fans. Free comics! What else could you (reasonably) ask for?

Free Comic Book Day: What’s your favorite thing about working in comics?

Jeff McClelland: Everyone thinks that since I work in comics, I must know Stan Lee. I don’t correct them or anything because, hey, I’ll take fame by association.

Free Comic Book Day: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

Jeff McClelland: I distinctly remember reading both Avengers #157 and Fantastic Four #183 when I was quite young. The Avengers issue features the Grey Gargoyle, and I read it so many times that the cover fell off. The FF issue sparked my love for those characters specifically and comics in general. Dear Marvel: please don’t cancel the Fantastic Four.

Free Comic Book Day: Where will you be for this year’s FCBD? Do you have any annual FCBD traditions?

Jeff McClelland: If my luck holds out, I should be at one or two of the several New England Comics stores in the greater Boston area. NEC has been gracious enough to bring me out to Boston the past few years to sign books and celebrate The Tick. How could I say no to that?

Free Comic Book Day: Looking to the future of the book, is there anything you can tease about what's upcoming?

Jeff McClelland: As I mentioned earlier in the interview, this FCBD issue features a character who just might be from The Tick’s unexplored past. If fans are intrigued enough, we might just dig a little deeper and see what else The Tick has hiding in the recesses of his mind.

Free Comic Book Day: Tell us why everyone should read comic books?

Jeff McClelland: Comics taught me nothing less than to love reading. They’ve helped me to become a lifelong reader and, I think, a better person because of it. I’d say that comics are like the parents I never had, except that I actually do have two loving, supportive parents and it’d be a bit of a falsehood to say that. But rest assured that I do like comics very very much.

 

Find a comic shop near you to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2015!