John Sowder Interview

PENUMBRA from ‘Divine Authority Presents’

-by Joe Churney

I first became aware of local artist John Sowder when I picked up a copy of Fan-atic Press’ Slambang Comic Anthology. He wrote and drew a strangely touching story entitled ‘When You’re Different’, which is about a flesh-eating monster who is trying to live a normal life in a small suburban town.

Currently Mr. Sowder is gearing up to produce Penumbra: a series of 8-page stories for a comic anthology. The series is set in the year 1977 and revolves around a young girl and her quest to discover the secrets involving her non-human lineage. There are many surreal and flat out strange scenes along the way, and the art is an interesting mix of classic superheroes with a homespun dark indy look. I had the chance to speak with Mr. Sowder and pour over the finished product as it stands so far.

Joe Churney: What is Penumbra about?

John Sowder: Penumbra is slated to appear as a five part mini-series to be featured in the forthcoming anthology ‘Divine Authority Presents’.

The story centers around Valerie, who is a nineteen-year-old girl who discovers that she’s the offspring of an otherworldly being and that her very existence threatens all human life on earth.

Initially, I started this as an homage to ‘70s Mike Ploog comics like Man-Thing or Werewolf By Night with a bit of a Lovecraftian twist. I think the story shifts to a darker tone by the second part and becomes something quite different.

J.C.: Who are the central characters of the story?

J.S.: Well, there’s Valerie. Visually, I suppose she’s a rogue Charlie’s Angel with a chainsaw instead of a gun. She’s on a quest to discover her true origins when she’s forced to form an alliance with a mysterious man known as ‘Nameless Joe Quinn’. And then there is Valerie’s twin sister Twila, who is not entirely human.

Valerie is caught between these two characters, she doesn’t trust either of them. She has special powers but the more she uses them, the more she becomes like her sister. So she really has to struggle to hold on to her humanity.

J.C.: Recently Steve Gerber, the writer of Man-Thing, passed away. What are your thoughts on his work?

J.S.: His work was eye-opening for me. I’ve always been a fan, right up to the end. He was a creative writer and a bit of a risk taker. He could take the most insane concept and make it work.

J.C.: Who are some of your other influences?

J.S.: Too numerous to mention! When I was younger, I had these big Swamp Thing double issue reprints with cool wrap-around covers. I wanted to draw like Bernie Wrightson. I stopped reading comics until I was older and picked up a copy of Moore’s Killing Joke . After that I read pretty much anything I could get my hands on.

But I look outside of comics for inspiration as well. I love old pulp stories and illustrations, as well as a few current small press magazines. Noir cinematographers like John Alton are an influence.

J.C.: When will Divine Authority Presents be available.

J.S.: There’s no set date as of yet. It will be announced on the Divine Authority website. I’ve been taking my time and making sure to do my best. If I never get the chance to work on any other comic, this is something I can call my own and I’m happy about that.

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You can check out the Divine Authority website at www.DivineAuthorityComics.com