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Interview: Sean McManus   Sean McManus' Newest Sin By Robert Murray Published: 2006-06-24

Robert Murray: For all of our readers, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you broke into writing comic books.

Sean McManus: Well, I don’t know that I’ve actually broken in to the business just yet. By profession, I’ve been an editor of TV shows and commercials for over ten years. Independent of that career, I’ve written over six screenplays and tried to get into comics a few times. Most of that stuff has never gotten anywhere near being produced, so getting The Last Sin of Mark Grimm published is very exciting.

RM: Who are your biggest influences?

SM: My biggest writing influences would be Frank Miller, comic god that he is. Then Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, James Cain, the big three of hard-boiled fiction — I can’t read enough of the tough guys they created. Essentially, that’s what Mark Grimm is: he’s an old school tough guy that shoots first and has all the answers. Grimm doesn’t need high caliber weaponry like the Punisher. He doesn’t need expensive gadgets like Batman. Mark Grimm is just a guy who’s quick on the draw and shoots his way to the truth.

RM: What comic books are you reading right now?

SM: I’m really enjoying Conan right now. I’m reading Samurai Assassin, Jonah Hex, and Team Zero. I’m an eclectic reader with no set titles. I like to browse and try different stuff all the time. It probably drives my retailer crazy, but I can’t help it. There are so many great comics out there I wish I could read them all.

RM: In your experience, what is the best comic story you have ever read?

SM: This might betray my age, but the best comic story I have ever read is Batman: The Dark Knight. I’ve heard some people say it’s overrated, but it really is a work close to my heart. I reread it at least once a year, and I never grow tired of it. The copy is hard-boiled poetry. The story doesn’t hold back, the art is fantastic, the colors, everything. It’s silly, but I even love the smell of the paper. It’s my favorite. Every time I pick up a new comic to read, I expect it to affect me the way The Dark Knight did, and that’s really hard to find for a number of reasons.

Essentially, that’s what Mark Grimm is: he’s an old school tough guy that shoots first and has all the answers.

RM: Tell us about The Last Sin of Mark Grimm and what we can expect.

SM: You can expect to be entertained! Mark Grimm is a detective hunting for his kidnapped wife. Along the way there are gunfights, car chases, explosions, mobsters and even some monsters. We’ve got all the standard elements, plus new twists. I want to explain it all outright, but that would spoil the mystery. Let’s just say that when Grimm starts blasting his enemies asunder, the path to truth leads him down very dark and unexpected alleys.

RM: The scenes I have seen so far for Mark Grimm have looked and read like something out of an old private eye flick. What outside influences do you feel contributed to this tale?

SM: Right. Well, there can be no doubt that Mark Grimm owes a lot to those old films, but we’ve also been influenced by Sin City and Bendis’ early work. Growing up a big time Star Wars fan, I have a deep appreciation for ancient mythology. I’ve taken a page from Lucas in that I’ve cast shadows of mythology all over most of what I write. The Last Sin of Mark Grimm draws heavily from Greek mythology. There are specific tales I used, but I want to leave that for readers to decipher.

RM: Chris Moreno’s art looks terrific! How did you get together with him?

SM: I met Chris a few years ago and was looking to hire him to do storyboards for Mark Grimm. Originally, I wrote Mark Grimm’s tale as a 12 episode TV series, and I thought storyboards would help me pitch the project. After talking a lot with Chris and seeing a bunch of the comics he was working on, we mutually agreed to do it as a comic. That was two years ago. Since that time Chris has gotten really busy and done tons of great work. He really is amazing. I don’t think there is a harder working illustrator out there. This summer I think he’s got at least five projects he’s working on. I feel really lucky to be working with him.

RM: Are there any other artist you’re dying to work with?

SM: I’d love to work with Shawn McManus. I think it would be so cool to have a comic come out that was written by Sean McManus and drawn by Shawn McManus, just not the same Shawn McManus.

RM: Are there any upcoming projects you can share with us?

SM: Chris and I have started talking about a sequel, or at least a follow-up project, but that feels so premature. It all depends on how readers respond and if Mark Grimm can find an audience. I know fans of Sin City will love this book. I think Batman and Punisher fans will also get a charge out of it. When I step back and look at The Last Sin of Mark Grimm, I think everybody who enjoys comics will love it. It’s pretty intense, but it could suck, too. I just write what I like. I will do another comic or two, but nothing has been started yet.

I know fans of Sin City will love this book and Batman and Punisher fans will also get a charge out of it.

RM: Planning on attending any conventions this season?

SM: Yes sir! I’ll definitely be attending San Diego. I live in New Jersey, so if there is a convention in and around the tri-state area, I’ll be there. I know Chris Moreno will be at a number of conventions, and Christian Beranek, the publisher of Silent Devil, will be on the convention circuit as well. CB will have The Last Sin of Mark Grimm and a lot of other great Silent Devil books available for sale.

RM: Do you have any suggestions for aspiring comic book writers?

SM: Suggestions? I’m still looking for suggestions myself! There are tons of books out there with advice on writing comics. I’ve read them all. Living in this area, I’ve also taken advantage of several comic book writing courses. I’ve had courses with Danny Fingeroth of WriteNow! magazine and attended several lectures by comic legend Denny O’Neil. MoCCA in New York City has some great lectures. Whenever I go to a convention, I always make sure I check out the writers panels, and I think I always will. I figure if I learn only one thing, just one little trick that I’ve never heard before, then that alone is worth the price of admission.

RM: How has your television and film work impacted your comic book writing style?

SM: The genre of film noir is the biggest influence on the book. Film Noir means literally “dark film” and is used to describe the paranoid thrillers made after World War II. These films are visually characterized by moody lighting and usually don’t have happy-go-lucky endings. We’ve taken all those ideas and tweaked the angles and pushed the characters even further into the shadows than anything out today.

RM: Anything you would like to scream from the rooftops for our readers about The Last Sin of Mark Grimm?

SM: Buy it! Buy two copies and give one to your best friend, give one to your aunt, spread the word.

RM: How many fedoras do you own?

SM: Three! I’ve had more in my life but several were lost on various adventures. There’s a link to the greatest haberdashery in the world on our website if you’re interested…

Links
Silent Devil Productions
The Last Sin of Mark Grimm