interviewblackbastard


	Matthew Mohammed interview continued



	Black Bastard Issue #2 / www.theblackbastard.com

	Grits: Did you think when you first started out that you were really going to shock people, or did you think that you were just going for humor? Matthew: To be honest with you, we expected it to be shocking, we expected it to be outrageous with the name and everything like that, a lot of controversy. People were picking it up and then coming back and saying "This is really funny!" So we were kind of surprised that the controversy wasn't there as much as we thought it would be. The funny thing is, when someone DID come back that was offended by the title, we were like "What's your problem? It's just a joke!" It's funny because when we started doing this comic, there wasn't Family Guy, but South Park was around then. They weren't as bad as they are now. There was more shock value, they are a little more creative now, their scripts are very good. It was one of those things, when we were around it was a lot more shocking and now it almost seems run of the mill with everything that's out there these days. Grits: As far as negative comments go, what is the biggest negative comment you've gotten on your books? Matthew: I think the biggest one was the guy that went "You can't do this, it's wrong". I explained to him what I was trying to do with the satire and he was like "I understand where you're coming from, I just don't think it should ever be done." I saw him a few months later when I was in San Diego for the first time and he saw me and came up to say hi and he said "I thought I told you to stop doing this." Grits: And as far as positive comments go? Matthew: A lot of people just think it's very funny and they get it and they see there's a message in there. It's not preaching, but it's there, so I appreciate that. I love it when people come back and say "I don't buy a lot of under the radar stuff, but I love your stuff." I get a lot of that in Texas, so it's cool. Grits: So if you ever went mainstream, do you think you would ever bow to any exterior forces or do you think you'd keep trying to go like you are? Matthew: I'll tell you something right now, man, I was BORN to sell out. If you want to bring me the dollars, I will do what you tell me. laughing No, seriously, if you want to go mainstream, you gotta realize you're appealing to a broader market and there are certain things you can't do, but that's been loosened by shows like the Boondocks, Family Guy, and South Park. There are a lot of things you can do. I think one of the things is I understand there are certain things I’ve done in my comic book that I couldn't do in a TV show, but the title is "Black Bastard", and he's gotta be a bastard. SO there is a certain element that has gotta stay if it becomes more mainstream. Grits: Gotcha. Is there anything else you want to add? Anything you'd like to say as far as being an up-and-coming writer? Matthew: Well I just wanna say check out the website, www.theblackbastard. com. It's going to be revamped in a couple of weeks, and also we have a four issue miniseries called "Bastard No More" coming out next year, and it's the search for his daddy. laughing It's gonna be good, check it out. Grits: Alright Matthew, thanks a lot for your time! Matthew’s comic certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re easily offended, I’d recommend staying away from it. But if you’re a little more thick skinned and like to laugh and enjoy a work that sees the humor in the barriers society has managed to erect over the decades, you’ll definitely enjoy his work. After reading the first two issues, I was a solid fan. God help us all if he or his creation ever decides to use their powers for evil. For more information about Matthew Mohammed and his comic, “The Black Bastard”, you can find him on the web at www.theblackbastard.com. Check him out, it’s worth the visit. Grits – End Of Line Return to Main...