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MATTHEW PETZ
 SEND THIS TO A FRIEND!
By Jennifer Rubinovitz
For the past few years, comic artist and writer Matthew Petz has been fighting his way into the nearly impenetrable comic industry. The man publishes his own books through his company, www.monsterislandmedia.com Monster Island Media, is a four time Zuda comics competitor, and will turn you into a Zombie for a small fee.
Zuda Comics is a webcomic site owned by DC Comics where online voters select one of ten comics to be continued on the site. Petz’s comic War of the Woods made it into January’s Zuda contest. I recently reviewed Petz’s Tyrannosaurus Beth, issue #1(http://tinyurl.com/yjr8l7j)
Biding his time, Matthew Petz takes some time out of his day to talk about his work, motivations, Zuda, and self promotion.
Jennifer Rubinovitz: Matt, you are hitting the comic industry hard. You self publish, produce a webcomic, and have competed in three Zuda competitions. Now you’re on your fourth! Why are you so determined to break into comics?
Matthew Petz: Sometimes I ask myself this exact question. Let’s see… I really, really love this medium. I love its directness. If I have an idea, a story to tell, I can see it in front of my eyes with a little bit of time and effort. That’s a rare thing. I can remember how exciting it was to discover new comics, whether it was flea markets, or a new shop, or toys r us...I think being someone visual, comics at an early age can knock you out. I guess ever since I was little that sense of wonder, and the idea that you can create what you want...It’s always stuck with me.
JR: In a country dominated by superhero comic books, your latest work, "War of the Woods" is a tale about an alien invasion in the woods told from the point of view of animals. What inspired you to create "War of the Woods"?
MP: The biggest inspiration was probably my girlfriend. I had originally just wanted to do giant alien invasion, with a father and son. I was really excited and going to tell her about it, but I realized that she wouldn’t be a fan, and that it was "been there, and done that". So I started to think what would make her, and possibly a larger audience, interested in this story. That’s when I thought of otters, and animals in general.
JR (otter lover): How do you choose what to self publish and what to submit to Zuda?
MP: It’s a bit of a balancing act. With this story though, I thought I had a really original and unique comic that has not been done. And Zuda can be a direct pipeline to a lot of fans and if you win, it can open up all sorts of doors. If you don't win, it’s still your concept, if you do win...well you have DCs backing. So it’s a bit of a win win.
JR: Zuda contests are determined by online voters. How do you market your comic for Zuda?
MP: It’s crazy. To some extent marketing and promotion is MORE important that your actual comic, though I think that [the comic] has to be good. It becomes a combination of trying to find your votes online at the regular comic forums, websites, and buying ads where potential votes might be. Then you really have to do everything you can to wrangle your friends and family. You have to think outside the box.
I've been enlisting everyone I can think of and rely on to help spread the word. Plus, it’s a constantly about using Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace. At this point, it’s totally all encompassing.
[NOTE: You can find Matt’s official promotional site at http://monsterislandmedia.com/war/ . This comic even has a theme song!]
JR: What have you learned from the Zuda process as a four time competitor?
MP: I think each time I learned a little bit more about what will help you win, and what comic fans expect from a really great comic.
My first entry was Black and White, and I did little promotion. I quickly learned that the marketplace supports color more, and that you must promote like crazy.
The second time, I added color and promoted like crazy. But I don't think my heart was in the comic, and I think that hurt it. So, this time around I said I'd only do something that I was in love with, in color, and I'd go crazy promoting.
JR: You can go read and vote for Matt's comic http://zudacomics.com/node/1661 here. Let's talk more about your other plans now. Man cannot live on Zuda alone. What other ways are you trying to break in?
“PROMOTING LIKE CRAZY” PETZ: Well it’s always about trying to make connections, and improve. Last year at the New York Comic Con, I had some pretty positive conversations while showing off my work. Finding jobs for indie books on Digital Webbing, and Craigslist is a good way to find work, but you learn really quickly that you can’t survive hoping to draw Batman.
So in recent years I’ve branched out to build my portfolio doing illustrations for computer games. I am now working on a children’s book.
Hopefully you build a portfolio and make connections, and better yet someone takes a chance on you. Even if you don't win Zuda you have to build off the exposure.
 JR: What would be your dream job in the industry?
MP: Wow, I try to not think of that! Well to do something...Anything with Batman would be something my 10 year old self would be proud of. But, really I'd love to just have a steady flow of comic work, whatever it is. I could do that for more than a few years that’s for sure...That would be amazing.
JR: If you do not think about your goal, what drives you to create comics? What keeps you going?
MP: Well, I'll always be drawing comics. It’s just something I do. I can’t imagine a point in my life when I won’t. But I see your point. I guess you don’t want to only focus on being the next Batman artist...You can want it, but you can't only think of that. I think that if you work hard enough, and conduct yourself professionally, good things will come to you. That’s what drives me. A real sustainable job in the comics world.
JR: Wise words. It sounds like you keep a good balance between supporting yourself financially and trying to make it in comics. Speaking of supporting yourself, where did you get the idea to digitally zombify people for money?
MP: As Facebook was really getting huge, my girl friend and I were walking around Manhattan and I just sorta had this idea...Zombies are popular and so are these social media sites, plus it’s fun to do. People should be posting themselves as the dead...weird, but fun.
JR: Matt, it's been great talking to you, and I wish you the best. Hopefully this article will be used in the references when you make it onto Wikipedia. Give us some quick reasons to vote for "War of the Woods"
MP: You too. Well I think this month my comic really is the most unique. Between the level of artwork I plan to produce and a really epic story, I think War of The Woods will reward comic fans the most. It’s a comic I'm deliriously in love with. I can promise everyone reading this that if you vote, and it wins, you will not be disappointed. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to speak about it.
You can find more Matthew Petz goodness on his website monsterislandmedia.com
You can vote for War of the Woods http://zudacomics.com/node/1661 here!!!!
Jennifer Rubinovitz writes fiction, reviews, press releases, blog posts, research papers, and tries to draw and watercolor frequently. You can contact her at jrubinovitz@gmail.com
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