Peter Breau is a feature writer for FirstComicsNews.com, as am I. But Peter Breau is also a comic book writer. A few short weeks ago, he reached out to me, to ask if I’d like to interview him. Well, that was a no-brainer; I said sure! I’m awaiting some PDFs of comics he has done but in the meantime… I was in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada’s Strange Adventures comic book shop today, and while picking up some comics that I wanted to buy, I noticed the title Jimmy Hatchey’s Star Bolt # 1 Origin Issue. I’d seen it months before, however, now recognizing Peter Breau’s name on its’ cover, I decided to buy and read it. This comic book is published by Waterfront Studios, out of the Canadian city of St. John, province of New Brunswick, Canada.
First Comics News: I had ceased asking my ‘normal preliminary questions’ for my First Comics News interviews quite some years ago, such as “Where were you born and where did you grow up and go to school, in your youth?” type questions. However, since Jimmy Hatchey’s Star Bolt # 1 Origin issue is Canadian, and because I am Canadian as well, and the fact that I always support Canadian comics publications with my pocketbook, I am going to revert to type, and start this interview, by asking you…
1st: Jimmy Hatchey’s Star Bolt # 1 Origin issue was the first of numerous comics I bought today, that I read. I wanted to read something with your name on it, first, before yakking with you in an interview for First Comics News. I’d like to start by asking, where were you born, where did you grow up, and how were comic books first introduced into your life?
Peter Breau: I was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada, and my family was stationed at Canadian Forces Base Chatham. I grew up in Woodstock, N.B., and like most Maritimers, I moved west in my late teens, and moved back to N.B eventually, settling in Saint John about 30 years ago. My first experience with comics was when I was in my early teens, by an uncle who used to buy a lot of Charlton comics, and (Warren Publishing’s) Creepy and Eerie magazines.
1st: I loved those, and I was a huge fan of Bill Dubay’s time-traveling cowboy, The Rook, who first appeared in Eerie comics magazine.
Peter: Starbolt was the first comic I wrote about four years ago, for a local company called Waterfront studios.
1st: How did you get involved with this Star Bolt comics project? And, was it a one-shot?
Peter: I won the Fundy Fan Fest character creation contest, sponsored by CBC, Heroes Beacon, Bell Aliant, and Knuckle Down Studios. I put on a workshop for the Fan Fest, and I was approached afterward by William Reid, a local artist, about doing an origin story for Starbolt. Willie would be doing the covers and Monique Mac Naughton did the interiors. The comic was intended to have multiple issues. I got too busy with other projects to write any more issues. Jimmy has commissioned another local saint, Johner Randy Wood, to write, and Anthony Wood, to do pencils. I am not sure if they are related.
1st: I notice, from Star Bolt’s back cover, that the Star Bolt character is also in a separate (hero team) comics title as well, called Supernatural Agents, and that at least three issues have been published? Did you work on any of those, as well?
Peter: No, I only wrote Starbolt. Supernatural Agents is written by veteran comic writer Paul Beale, who is currently writing for Antarctic Press, with Jungle comics issue # 5 available now, and with an amazing cover by Alessio Nocerino). As far as I know, there were only two issues published. I believe they are being reprinted by Markosia.
1st: On the cover of both Star Bolt # 1 as well as the cover of Supernatural Agents # 3, the word ‘Nerdanatix’ appears. Since the company that published Star Bolt # 1 is Waterfront Comics, what, pray to tell, is ‘Nerdanatix’-? Also, according to the cover of Supernatural Agents # 3, the word ‘Nerdanatix’ as well as ‘Manga Ganda’ appear. Does this mean that the Supernatural Agents title, which includes the character Star Bolt, in that super team’s roster, is (not) also published by New Brunswick, Canada’s Waterfront Comics?
Peter: I don’t have any specifics on Nerdanatix or Water Front studios. I don’t think Supernatural Agents 3 was ever completed.
1st: Okay. Thanks for that. How did you first meet or get in touch with Jim Hatchey, Star Bolt’s creator?
Peter: Jimmy is a local creator in Saint John and had been part of the comics community for about 40 years. I met Jimmy at a local convention called Fog City.
1st: You mentioned that Star Bolt # 1 was your first comic work. Had you ever taken any writing courses, and had you ever written anything else, before writing Star Bolt # 1.
Peter: I did write a few short stories before Starbolt, and I did win the Fundy Fan Fest Character creation contest. I have not had formal training in writing.
1st: What can you tell me and our readers about the ‘Spacie Award Finalist’ award that you wrote? What IS this award, how long have those awards been around, and what did you write that won this award?
Peter: The Spacie awards are given to independent creators in several categories. It is named after the Space coast where the awards are presented each year, in Florida. These awards are the brainchild of Jake Estrada to recognize Indie creators. Each category is voted on independently, by peers. I was honored to come in 3rd in 2019, as an Indie comic writer of the year 2019.
1st: I noticed that you wrote a feature article about Star Bolt # 1 for First Comics News back on July 7th, 2020, which our readers can find and read about, here: STARBOLT: EPIC STORYTELLING AT IT’S FINEST
Peter: This anthology is 35 pages of action and adventure. Its feature story is the origin of Starbolt. From its first…
1st: what did you write after Star Bolt that was published? Take me and our readers on that journey-?
Peter: After Starbolt, I wrote a story for a local club called Fundy Comic Arts. The story was called Tales of Peerless Piker, and it involved Tarzan of the Apes in (the city of) Saint John, (New Brunswick, Canada), in the early 20th century. This story was illustrated by Monique Mac Naughton. It got the attention of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate, and they wanted a copy to be archived.
1st: Peter, I just read the four-page Tarzan comics story you sent me a PDF file of. Let me ask you about that. But first, I should make you aware of the fact that my entire lifetime, Tarzan of The Apes has been one of my top favourite Pulp Magazine characters of all time. What inspired you to write a Tarzan comics story, and why is it set in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada? Or rather, the old man reminiscing about meeting Tarzan, in his youth, is in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Peter: The artist for this story was the super talented Monique MacNaughton. The Tarzan story was written as part of a fundraiser for the local library. It was part of an anthology comic put together by the Fundy Comics Art Society. The anthology was called ‘It came from the public domain’. We sold a lot of copies and raised a nice sum of money for the library, and for Fog City Comic Con. Since Tarzan is not public domain and Lord Greystoke is, I used the character of Lord Greystoke.
1st: Note to readers: Tarzan is referred to as Lord Greystoke in several Tarzan novels and the movie Tarzan: The Legend of Greystoke.
Peter: I set it in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, during the building of the world’s famous Reversing Falls bridge, and tied it into a royal tour. The story also introduces my character of Piker, who is featured in many other tales published by Caliber comics/Second Sight Publishing. I went on to be interviewed by CBC (The Canadian broadcasting System, similar to Britain’s BBC) about it, getting a lot of attention. My first professional published work was in Mississippi Zombie # 1. I entered a script-writing contest sponsored by creator Bradley Golden, and I was accepted for the anthology. Mississippi Zombie # 3, from Canada’s Caliber Comics, debuted at #1 in Canada, and # 3 in the USA in hot new graphic novels, and ran 3 weeks in the top 100, as of the writing of this interview. I was then approached to write for Exciting Comics, from Antarctic Press. I have written on many other projects since, for Antarctic Press, Caliber Comics, and Second Sight Publishing, such as Ni a High School Indie Wars, Mississippi Zombie, Harvest of Horrors, Mud and Madness, and the mega-hit bestselling These Damn Kids. Phil, I am sending a ‘wetransfer’ of pdfs of Nacht Feast from Harvest of Horrors # 1 from Caliber Comics, Carnis Nocturnis from Harvest of horrors # 2 (7 weeks at the top 100 on Amazon, made as high as # 6), an advanced review of Harvest of Horrors # 3 story, called Reliticus Subterra. The Tarzan folder contains a story I wrote that is archived by the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate.
1st: Since I collect all things, Tarzan, I’d like to know (and I’m confident our readers would like to know this, as well), was this Tarzan story you wrote, published? And if so, when was it published, by what company, and how may I procure/buy a copy? Was it published by a Canadian company?
Peter: This comic was published locally in Saint John (province of New Brunswick, Canada), as a fundraiser for the regional library. I can send you a copy. This story did get the attention of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate and they asked for 3 copies for their archives in Tarzana California. This story was published in a one-shot comic entitled It Came From the Public Domain.
1st: I thought it was interesting that the young girl he is telling the story about, in his old age, reminiscing, is named Jane. As in Tarzan’s ladylove and later wife Jane Porter. An interesting coincidence. Do you have any plans to write any more Tarzan stories, and did you need permission from the Edgar Rice Burroughs’ estate, to write a Tarzan story?
Peter: Good catch. Yes, the grandchild is named after Jane Porter. She is also reading a Tarzan novel. Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate asked for three copies to be archived. That was a great honor. I have no plans to write more Lord Greystoke stories. However, I have co-written more Piker stories with my son, Jaden.
1st: Tell me about the comics story you wrote about Canadian soldiers set in World War One, that you also sent me a PDF of. I read that, also. You know, I’ve been collecting and enjoying comic books (and strips) for greater than fifty years, but it’s only been for about the last twenty years or so, that I became interested in both war comics, and western comics. But, I’m a history buff, also, and so, that was bound to happen, eventually! Was any single part of this World War One comics story that you wrote a true story, and were any of the characters in it ever real people from The Great War?
Peter: I wanted to do more with Piker, and Jaden suggested World War One horror stories. Jaden tries to put in as much historical accuracy as possible in the stories, and then blend in the supernatural, about Nacht Faust, with art by the phenomenal Brian Maikisch (Harvest of Horror # 1, Caliber comics/ Second Sight), involves a certain Transylvanian Lord, who, with aid from another historical figure, captures soldiers, and tries to bring forth the nacht faust. The heroes Piker, George South, and Ernest Chapman save the day, with the help of an unexpected mythical relic. The next story we did was called Carnis Nocturnis, and it takes place in Belgium, during a time when wolves were so deadly, they halted the war. And the same team from Nacht faust helped find a new camp. They are captured by cannibals ( the wolves and cannibals existed) and rescued by the Ghost of the trenches, the famed native Canadian hero Francis Pegahmegabow (the metal band Sabaton did a song about him.) This story is in the Harvest of Horror # 2 ( Caliber/ Second Sight.) Harvest of Horror # 2 spent seven weeks on Amazon’s top 100 list. Our next installment of the war tales is called Reliticus Subterra, which will be in Harvest of Horrors # 3 and Harvest of Horrors # 4. The art is by the amazing Alessio Nocerino. The story takes place underground and involves Templar demons.
1st: For our readers, here is some information, from Wikipedia, about the amazing native Canadian Francis Pegahmegabow: Francis Pegahmagabow – Wikipedia
1st: What was your inspiration, regarding writing this World War One story involving Canadian soldiers? And, I have the same question, as I asked, regarding the short Tarzan comics story that you wrote: has this been published, and if so, when, and by which comics company? If neither the World War One story nor the Tarzan comics story you wrote has been published, when will they be published, and by what company?
Peter: Peter: All the World War One stories ( Nacht Faust, Carnis Nocturins, Relicticus Subterra) have been published in anthologies by Caliber comics/ Second Sight.) They are available in any comic book shop. You can order on Amazon, also. These stories will also be available in the spring, in a title called Mud and Madness, with a cover by famed artist Stefano Cardoselli.
1st: Is A.T.O.M.X. the name of the comics title, upcoming, as well as the name of the character? What is the issue (or series) about, and how many issues of it will there be?
Peter: A.T.O.M.X. Is the name of the character, and it is scheduled to be in the upcoming Exciting Comics # 30 from Antarctic Press; it will be the 100 issues of Legacy numbering.
Peter: Thanks, Phil. I will get to the answers and pdfs soon. This is a sample page for a project me and Alessio Nocerino are working on for the Antarctic Press Exciting Comics anniversary issue. The character is A.T.O.M.X.
1st: Regarding the sample page above this paragraph, as well as the page below: this project is upcoming, and written by Peter Breau with art by Alessio Nocerino. The character is called A.T.O.M.X.
Peter: This, is an advance look at. ‘Deliver us from Evil’, a series written by me and with art by Mattia Doghini.
1st: This looks interesting, the art, above. Can you tell us, briefly, what the story is about, which company will publish it, and when?
Peter: The story is called Deliver us from Evil, and it involves a creator-owned character named Constantine Lazar. This story is a mix of The X-files meets Oak Island and a lot in between. Let’s just say this one is gonna be epic. It involves ancient cults, reluctant anti-heroes, black -ops, and maybe even good old-fashioned time travel. The artist for this series is Mattia Doghini, and from the pages, I have seen, he is killing it. Issue # 1 is almost finished. I will give more details, in the future.
Peter: I have also got some amazing news: These Damn Kids #1 has sold out, and now, it is going into a second printing. The series was so well received, that co-writer Bradley Golden and I have decided to expand the story arc into four issues. These damn Kids is written by myself, Peter Breau (and) Bradley Golden, with art by Helmut Racho. Letters are by Hector Negrete, and the series editor is Marcus H Roberts. This comic and other Second Sight comics can be ordered through the Previews/Diamond catalogue, and are also available on the Second Sight website. The Pdf of Indie Wars’ (Antarctic Press), where I got to use Ben Dunn’s legendary Ninja High School characters, in a cross-over with my characters Constantine Lazar, Lady Claw, and the Ghost, is in a story called Constantine’s Bane. The Mississippi zombie PDF, unknown tales origin of the G.R.E.E.N. GIANT PDF, is in an unedited pdf of the best-selling hit comic These Damn Kids; I don’t have an edited version. I am trying to get a pdf of Mississippi Zombie #3 containing Samhains Gate # 1, and It’s All About Commerce # 2; this anthology was 2 weeks in the top 100 at Amazon and debuted at #1 on Amazon’s hottest new graphic novels in Canada, and # 3 in the USA.
1st: This has been amazing, and interesting, Peter. Thank you so very much for talking to me at FirstComicsNews.com. And, just as another reminder, folks, Peter Breau is, like me, a writer for First Comics News, so you can read Peter’s and my own, past and future writings on comics, and interviews, right there-!
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