First Comics News: Why are you involved in creating comic books?
Gerald Cooper: Comics open the door to be just that . . . creative. It gives you the freedom to explore and discover. There are no boundaries. Comics fall under the category of science-fiction and there, no one can tell you that you’re wrong. It’s your world, your galaxy, your universe, and your multiverse. It’s your omniverse that you create and you can do whatever you want to do there. You dictate what happens and you determine the results. You can bring up topics of your choice and define how things will be. It’s your creativity. It’s your mind and no one can tell you that what you are creating is wrong because it’s science fiction.
1st: How did the idea for “Genecy” come about?
Gerald: I’m a big fan of science fiction. Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, John Buscema, Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, John Byrne, Jim Starlin, Walter Simonson, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, Marv Wolfman, Boris Vallejo and so many more. I have been heavily influenced by them all. Gene Roddenberry, Larry Niven, JRR Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, HG Wells, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, and even James Whitcomb Riley. I’ve delved deep into their worlds, and it was like I was living there. I’m also a gamer. Skyrim, the original Final Fantasy games, the original Zelda, the Witcher, and more had me interact with worlds and that left had a lasting effect on me. I understood what they were doing because so many seeds were planted in me. When that happens, something has to come to pass because seeds take root that go deeper into you. When that happens, you feel an inner stirring . . . an inner ‘push’ because you have to give birth to something. When that happens, you have to create something because the investments of creativity found a place in you. Thoughts and ideas. There are several non-fiction writers that have heavily influenced me as well, even more so.
1st: What is the storyline of “Genecy”?
Gerald: Genecy is about a broken and painfully shattered man because he was raised in a lifestyle that was built to keep people down . . . to prevent him from become what he should have originally been. To make a long story short, this man (through his brokenness, through being raised in too many deficiencies) eventually rises to the top, and stands in his true calling and purpose.
1st: Who is Kaizaxx aka Genecy and what abilities does he have?
Gerald: Genecy is one of the most powerful beings in the universe. He was endowed by Raknirod with primordial power, the source of ambient and cosmic energies that permeate through the sinews of a universe. This makes it possible for Genecy to channel and manipulate energy. His real name is Kaizaxx and he originated from the planet Tanaan. Tanaan (and all neighboring planets) sits within the Grunnodian Galaxy and is therefore subject to the Grunnodian Empire’s rule. Think about Conan the barbarian (or if you’re a gamer, Kratos) becoming the Silver Surfer!
1st: What importance to the story are Raknirod and Rathgar?
Gerald: Raknirod is the ancient being that converts Kaizaxx into Genecy. Raknirod is imprisoned in a certain realm, and Genecy must find three nomadic (sauntering) energy orbs that are traveling aimlessly in the Omniverse. These three energy orbs can release Raknirod from his imprisonment. Once free, Raknirod promises to save the planet Tanaan and all other planets that are enslaved by the Grunnodian Empire. Rathgar is a servant of Raknirod who was found to be unworthy of the Genecy energies. Hence, Rathgar, at some point in time, failed to become Raknirod’s Genecy.
1st: Who are the members of the creative team on “Genecy”?
Gerald: In the first issue, Eddy Barrows drew it, and Tim Ogul and Oren Kramek colored it. In the second issue, Diego Bernard, Vitor Ishimura, Bart Sears, Mshindo, Carlo Dotson, Sean Hill, Andy Smith, and Aaron Meade drew it, and Carlo Dotson and Walt Barna colored it. I wrote everything.
1st: How many pages of Genecy can you write in a day?
Gerald: LOL! Several! Once I get started, the story just flows right out of me!
1st: What can you tell us about InVision Comics and Advent Comics? How do you get inspired to write?
Gerald: InVision Comics was created and owned by me. Advent Comics was created and owned by Tony Kittrell. Tony got involved because he was blown away when I shared with him what I was doing. What inspires me to write? It’s the journey, the roller coaster, the cosmic theater that’s meant for all to experience! It’s not just about reaching the end of the journey. It’s not just about finishing the story. It’s also about the things you get to see on the way, and about all the memories that you get to take with you.
1st: Besides “Genecy” which comics would you recommend?
Gerald: More Genecy!
1st: Is it more fun to write the good guys or the bad guys?
Gerald: Good question. That’s a really good question. I’ll try to make my answer as good. LOL! Characters have a purpose. That’s why they’re there. That’s why they exist. A question can be . . . the road that one takes, was actually meant for them to tread, or have they been set in a direction that strictly benefits another? If one travels a road in life that doesn’t lead to one’s actual purpose, then even though they might get great and grand benefits along the way, one might have to consider whether or not they’re getting farther away from where they should be going . . . where they were meant to go. What makes one a villain? Is it something internally different about them that demands they be a certain way towards themselves and others, have they been intentionally put on a course that they were taught is right and essentially isn’t, or are they a villain simply because their path is different than ours, and we become the ones who define them that way? Yes, there can be even more layers than that, but I’m trying to get closer to answering the question, so . . .
For me, it’s all about the heights of excitement and overwhelming curiosities that make it fun. Writing about the journey of a hero or the journey of a villain can be equally entertaining to me, but I find myself more curious about the why. Why does the hero struggle and fight to stay on the pure path when it can be so very easy to settle for ‘good enough’? Why does the villain go deeper, deeper, and ever deeper into darkness when given multiple opportunities to change along the way? Oh yeah. The story of Genecy is going to take us to a lot of places.
1st: Do you have any ideas for other comic books?
Gerald: Absolutely.
1st: What would you do if you had Genecy’s powers?
Gerald: Marvel that I wouldn’t have to breathe while flying in space!
1st: What would you like to say to those who pick up “Genecy”?
Gerald: Thank you! Thank you for entering the world of InVision Comics! Thank you for sharing your imagination with me and yes, there’s more . . . so much more to come!
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