Tom DeFalco talks about THE R.I.G.H.T. PROJECT

Tom DeFalco, is the former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics with over fifty books currently in print. Tom has written comic books, graphic novels, short stories, prose novels, and books like Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide and Comic Creators on Fantastic Four. Tom is also known for writing comic book characters like Spider-Man, Spider-Girl, Thor, Fantastic Four, Superboy, Hawkman, Archie, and Reggie & Me. Tom and Ron Frenz have a new comic on Indiegogo, the R.I.G.H.T. Project. Tom was nice enough to stop by First Comics News to let our readers know all about the R.I.G.H.T. Project.

First Comics News: What is the R.I.G.H.T. Project?

Tom DeFalco: The R.I.G.H.T. Project stands for Reality Integrated Gravitic Hologram Technology—a scientific process that gives mass to holograms. It is also an Indiegogo Campaign that features a 32-page comic book with two complete 11-page stories (and, if our stretch goals are reached, an additional complete 5 pages) produce by Ron Frenz, Sal Buscema, Bob Sharen, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli, and me.

1^st: Who is Mr. R.I.G.H.T.?

Tom: He is the original hologram designed by Professor Click, based on someone who means a lot to the Professor and his niece. However, he soon becomes the new champ of split-second action after Jeffrey Lopez “adjusts” his computer program.

1^st: Who is Professor Poindexter Click?

Tom: He is our master scientist, the genius behind the R.I.G.H.T. Project, and the uncle & guardian of Carlyn Clink, who is a close friend of Jeffrey Lopez.

1^st: So, Mr. R.I.G.H.T. isn’t a real person?

Tom: Depends on how you define “real”. You’ve just hit upon one of our main themes—how do we define a person? What makes us human? Can a computer program experience real emotions?

1^st: Who is Jeffrey Lopez?

Tom: Jeffrey is a computer gamer who shares a physical and emotional bond with Mr. R.I.G.H.T.

1^st: How do Mr. R.I.G.H.T. and Jeffrey Lopez bond?

Tom: That would be telling.

1^st: If Mr. R.I.G.H.T. is an avatar, does he have a secret identity or private life?

Tom: Mr. R.I.G.H.T. is a new type of superhero for a new age. He doesn’t have a traditional secret identity or private life. How and where he exists when his program isn’t engaged will be revealed in time.

1^st: Who is Detective Lopez?

Tom: Detective Sara Lopez works for the New Hope PD and she is Jeffrey’s mother.

1^st: Who is Big Brother?

Tom: He is a very special highly trained security expert.

1^st: How is this different from your Mr. Right #0 from Image Comics?

Tom: Mr. Right #0 featured a 5-page story that introduced some of our main characters. The R.I.G.H.T. Project #1 will tell you everything you need to know about these characters and others.

1^st: What made Apex Comics Group the right home for the R.I.G.H.T. Project?

Tom: They promised pizza, beer, and El Stinkos!

1^st: What does Oasis Digital Studios bring to the table?

Tom: What could a company that produces digital avatars bring to a comic that stars a digital avatar?!? Let me count the ways…

1^st: Ok, what is an NFT?

Tom: A non-fungible token.

1^st: Why is an NFT better than other digital art?

Tom: That’s a philosophical question that is better answered by a true art critic.

1^st: What’s in the R.I.G.H.T. Project mini-comic?

Tom: It’s a mini-comic that features pin-ups and early versions of some of our characters.

1^st: What is the minimum pledge for a digital copy?

Tom: $8 for a digital copy of the comic and an exclusive Mr. R.I.G.H.T. Pin.

1^st: What is the minimum pledge for a print copy?

Tom: $5…although you can get for $4 if you order in the next 24 hours.

1^st: What happens in the VIP Room Zoom Call?

Tom: Whatever happens will be between our creative team and those who participate. We will answer questions about our careers, the comic book industry, or just chat.

1^st: What stretch goals do you have planned?

Tom: All will soon be revealed.

1^st: The Kickstarter funded on the first day, will there be more issues of the R.I.G.H.T. Project?

Tom: One should never try to predict the future, but I can say that Ron Frenz and I are already well into The R.I.G.H.T. Project #2 and have discussed ideas for #3.

1^st: You can pledge for this comic on Indiegogo.com

About Author

Rik Offenberger

Rik Offenberger has worked in the comic field as a retailer, distributor, reporter, public relations coordinator, writer and publisher since 1990. He owns and operates the e-mail bases Super Hero News service, and his published works in print can be seen in The Comics Buyers Guide, Comic Retailer, Borderline Magazine, and Comics International. On the internet he has worked as a writer and/or editor for Silver Bullet Comicbooks, Comic Book Resources, Newsarama and First Comics News. He was the Public Relations Coordinator at Archie Comics for a decade. He is currently the Editor-In-Chief at G-Man Comics. For TwoMorrows Publications, Rik co-wrote The MLJ Companion with Paul Castiglia and Jon B. Cooke, charting the history of Archie’s superheroes, and for Gemstone Publishing wrote chapters of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide to Lost Universes.

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