FCBD Interview: Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard Shed Some Light on Black Out

A group of murderous mercenaries have set their sights down South with the intention of infiltrating New Orleans and taking out a main hub in the US's power grid! I.C.E. agents Cole and Ezra are on the case, but can Cole let go of his own fears in time to complete the mission?

Free Comic Book Day talked with comic writer Doug Wagner and comic artist Daniel Hillyard about I.C.E.: Bayou Black Out, 12 Gauge 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?

Doug Wagner: Let’s start with the solicitation…because it’s a good one. “When a group of Chechen mercenaries attacks New Orleans, I.C.E. agents Cole and Ezra must stop them before they can complete their mission to destroy a main hub of the US power grid! To keep these murdering psychopaths from achieving their goal, Cole must let go of his fear and unleash his true self.”

Yes, this book is going to be filled with lots of explosions and bullets. BUT, it’s also going to follow two characters as they discover what type of men they are and what they mean to each other’s future. Plus, Daniel Hillyard’s art on this book is simply amazing. It’s perfecting mood and storytelling. I get excited every time he sends me a new page. 

Daniel Hillyard: In terms of story and art, we have been pushing to get the best of what we can do as storytellers. It's a constant. Doug has been writing some gold in this mini, with some scenes that really had me giddy with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning. Whilst others had me emotional and blubbering (on the inside—we Brits don't do outside emotions.)

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

Doug Wagner: Awww, man. That’s a tough one to nail down. There are actually three things about this particular mini-series that I’m absolutely in love with—the setting of New Orleans, the villains, and the main character. I’ve always wanted to set a book in New Orleans. The city is one of my favorites to visit because of all its unique history, the quirky and fun culture, and the always-present mystical atmosphere. Our villains in this mini-series are a group of bloodthirsty Chechens here to cause all kinds of trouble. However to instill fear in the locals, they’ve taken to wearing a variety of horror masks. The masks make for some incredible visuals by Daniel Hillyard, and they’re just fun to write. Last but not least, Cole Matai is our protagonist. He’s always been an interesting fellow for me to write. He falls into that category of the strong and silent hero, like a lot of the characters Clint Eastwood plays in his spaghetti westerns. I’m really diving deep into his psyche this mini, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. 

Daniel Hillyard: A two pronged answer to this one. First and foremost, working with Doug and Keven. We have just been pushing each other to do our best work and get better and better with each page and scene.

Second has to be our bad guys. I don't want to give too much away before you see them for yourselves, but they have been a blast to work on. From the moment that Doug said where he was hoping to take them and the direction of the story, I just knew it was going to be a lot of fun.

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

Doug Wagner: It’s got explosions, guns, bad guys wearing Halloween masks, and a story about an ICE agent coming to terms with who he really is.

Daniel Hillyard: The book has action, horror-masked terrorists, and scenes on printing money. All the cool people will be reading it.

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

Doug Wagner: Hanging with all the wonderful staff and fans at Black Cat Comics in Salt Lake City. Greg Gage runs one of the best stores in the country; so being asked to sign and play at his store for FCBD is a true privilege.

Daniel Hillyard: Seeing the book in print and hearing what everybody thinks of what we’re putting together.

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"?

Doug Wagner: I think we’re doing something a little different with I.C.E. than anything else out on the stands at the moment. However with that being said, if you enjoy books like Punisher or 100 Bullets, you’ll probably get a kick out of I.C.E.

Daniel Hillyard: I will defer to my partner in crime on this one and agree, that if you like titles like the Punisher, you’ll probably get a kick out of I.C.E.

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

Doug Wagner: Besides free comics, you mean?! Seriously, I think it has to be the overall atmosphere. Every FCBD I’ve been a part of over the years has been a wonderful experience. Creators and fans always seem to be having a merry time picking up books for free and getting to try books that might not otherwise consider. 

Daniel Hillyard: It’s a chance for people new to comics to dip their feet. It also provides creators with the opportunity to celebrate the thing that we invest so much of our time and passion into: comics!

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

Doug Wagner: I love the collaborative process. Sitting down and having a long talk about storytelling with any and all creatives is always the highlight of my day, week, and year. The struggle to become better with every page written is just something I can’t seem to get enough of. Yes, I love my comics and I love my job.

Daniel Hillyard: The people, and never having to work. Ha-ha, the truth is that making comics, thinking about story, and drawing cool stuff is something that used to get me into trouble at school, and now it's my job! 

I get to work and make friends with some great like-minded people, whilst, doing what I love.

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

Doug Wagner: That’s always an easy question for me. Uncanny X-Men #133. The issue where Wolverine fights the Hellfire Club in the sewers below the Hellfire mansion. I was bitten, and I’ve been obsessed with comics ever since.

Daniel Hillyard: I was talking about this very question the other day. This is my third FCBD ’talk’em up’ (I think) and I'm frightened that each time I answer this question the answer is going to be different. Oh, well, here goes: Alien vs. Predator. 

I can't for the life of me remember which issue it was (perhaps in an older talk’em up I nailed it), but right now it escapes me. I was with a friend at a car boot sale as a kid and we each picked up a big box of comics. Mine were all Alien vs. Predator and I loved it.

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

Doug Wagner: I will be signing at Black Cat Comics in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’ll be giving away free artwork and smiles. Of course before I go, it’s blueberry pancakes and some sort of caffeine. Gotta load up before the festivities begin.

Daniel Hillyard: Coffee, cake and comics. It's a triple threat. Not really any FCBD celebrations where I am here is Spain, so I must devise my own.

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

Doug Wagner: In my opinion, this is the best book Daniel Hillyard and I have ever done. It’s going to be a non-stop ride through the streets of New Orleans that carries over into the murky swamps of the Louisiana bayou. Come check it out. You might actually enjoy yourself.

Daniel Hillyard: Okay; spooky oak trees, scary masks, a mass media cover-up, and some truly heart-wrenching flashbacks to one of the lead characters childhoods that’ll make you just want to give him a hug. Yeah, I'm not kidding.

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

Doug Wagner: This year’s comics are possibly the most diverse I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime. I believe the art and writing in indie comics is the best it’s ever been. No matter what kind of genre a person might enjoy it’s out there, and being done better than ever.

Daniel Hillyard: Comics are awesome. They are a legitimate storytelling form that can be taken as seriously as you like them to be... or not. And on FCBD they’re free, so you have nothing to lose! There’s a mass of great works out there in the comics world, both past and present. Labours of love from creators with a passion for telling their stories.

Whatever you like, you can bet there’s a book for you.

Find a comic shop near you at Comic Shop Locator.com to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2015!