Septagon Studios' Nick Defina and Kevin Moyers Talk Scorn

In 2005, Toronto-based Septagon Studios first announced, with much excitment, its debut release, Scorn (in an interview which can still be read on this site). It's taken a while, but two years later the series is finally ready to find its way into eager readers' hands, and the ambitious and determined young comic book publishers are just as excited now to deliver it as they were back then.

Just around the corner is Scorn #1: Obsessed - the first of a four-issue limited series. Scorn will be written by the concept's creator, Kevin Moyers, with art provided by Philipp Neundorf.

To mark the occasion, Septagon Studios' founder, Nick Defina recently sat down once again with CNI's resident journalist without a cause, Damien Wood. This time Defina is joined by Moyers...

Damien Wood: It's been quite a while since the last time we spoke of Scorn, readers may have forgotten, and indeed, just in case anything has changed or evolved - could you remind us what this comic book is about?

Kevin Moyers: After Michael Riggs witnesses the murder of his best friend, he goes on a revenge tour that pits him against the biggest gang leader Chicago has seen since Al Capone.

Damien: The last time we spoke was actually a couple of years ago now - what caused Scorn to take such an extended period between initial announcement and eventual release? Or is it more of a "labors of love take time" scenario?

Nick Defina: We wanted to release Scorn at the right time. We believe in our product and we are confident about it. We didn’t want to rush the product, as we felt we needed to perfect our marketing plan to ensure Scorn’s success. We wanted to devote our full attention to Scorn, and give fans a truly unique experience. Our product is strong and it will have a tremendous impact this time around.



Damien: And the book is now due out in June, yes? Is this a locked timeframe?

Nick: We are pleased to announce that Scorn will be available for pre-order on May 14, 2007 directly from the Septagon Studios Inc website. The book will ship once it becomes available. Fans and readers that pre-order the book will also receive a free special limited edition lithograph. More details are to follow.

Scorn is set to make its debut at the 2007 Paradise Comic Con in Toronto June 8-10. The announcement will be made first on our website with related press in regards to distribution information. Also, news will be posted on the Septagon Studios website as to where the title will be available in relation to various retailers.

Damien: Nick, tell me about Scorn's creative team - where might we know them from?

Nick: Kevin Moyers is the creator/writer of the series and Philipp Neundorf is the artist [This is in fact Kevin's first comic book project].

Philipp Neundorf lives and works as an artist in Berlin, Germany. He started focusing on comics about five years ago. Since then he's published several short stories, various cover artwork and pinups, both online and printed. Next to that, he exhibits his artistic work in Berlin whenever possible. He has also worked as a graphic designer for video games, and has been known to illustrate the occasional CD cover. His most recent published work can be found in Images comics Runes of Ragnan #4.

Damien: with anything that takes a long stretch of time, sometimes the final product is different from the original idea - has Scorn changed or evolved at all from what it was when it was first conceived?

Kevin: Oh, yeah, definitely. This was always a vigilante story, but when I first had the idea when I was 15, it was a corny Batman-like tale. The hero was called the Cyclone for some reason, and he was always a teen.

Damien: How many issues is Scorn set to run? Is there more Scorn series to come after that, or do the creators move on to another project?

Nick: Scorn is set to run for a total of four issues. We hope to continue the Scorn series as long as we can. In reality it all comes down to the fans and their support. In the meantime our creators will be moving on to other projects. Kevin Moyers will continue his acting career and Philipp Neundorf plans to expand his exposure through various projects within and outside the comic book industry.

Damien: Scorn's a big deal for Septagon - it was the first comic book announced from the publisher and (assuming I have my facts correct) will be Septagon's first launch - is it safe to say there's a lot riding on Scorn?

Nick: Scorn will be the book that will help build the foundation of Septagon Studios. With that in mind Scorn will be setting the benchmark for future publications. We believe Scorn will make an impact. There has been a demand for Scorn and we will meet that demand.

Damien: And, from a publisher's perspective, what goes into producing a flagship comic book? Are there any added considerations or is it treated any differently from launching any other title?

Nick: We will treat all future publications as if they were our first. We consider all our titles flagship titles. We will give our fullest attention to all titles that we will produce. There are many ingredients that go into publishing a flagship title, such as marketing research, quality, and alternate ways to strengthen the title even further. Every little detail has to be considered.

Damien: What was it about Scorn when it was pitched that made it stand out to you as having to be your literal first publication?

Nick: Scorn can be classified as a masterpiece. The unique artwork is what caught our attention at first glance. It’s full of creativity and that’s something that Septagon Studios wants to bring forward. We feel that the artwork is on a new level, full of emotion and angst that reflects a complex story involving anger and disgust. With the influences of Chicago’s landscape Neundorf does an excellent job in bringing Moyers creative mind to life with his dark and gritty artwork. Scorn possessed all the qualities we were looking for in a comic book.

Damien: And while I've got you... on a slightly different but still Septagon-centric topic, you're doing something pretty unique on your website with the Imagination Creativity Pad - What exactly is this and what are you hoping to achieve with it?

Nick: The Imagination Creativity Pad is an interactive webpage. Septagon Studios believes in freedom of expression. Our aim is to make an interactive webpage that will be created by spur-of-the-moment, creative thought from our fans, readers and visitors. As an incentive, participants who register and enter their thoughts on the Pad will be published in select Septagon Studios titles on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. We know that everyone has something to say, so why not post it on the Imagination Creativity Pad and have it published!

Damien: What's next for Septagon Studios, either online or in print (or both)?

Nick: We have an assortment of titles and great projects on contract and others that are being discussed. At the moment we can’t divulge any secrets. All I can say is that there will be many big and great things that will be coming out of Septagon Studios. Fans, readers and visitors will hear it first on our website, so stay tuned.

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Damien Wood writes things. Sometimes he even writes things well. As a member of Comic News International's staff, he brings you spiffy things like this. As a glutton for punishment, he can be reached at
damien.wood@gmail.com.