This blog aims to spotlight indie comic book creators and their independent works.
Hyper-Sense is a comic created by my good friend and brother in the panel trenches, Eduardo Santamarina. For anyone undertaking their own creative endeavors, I recommend working with someone close who is going through the same process. But more on that in a later post.
I love comics about a team when it's done well because they are difficult to pull off. The creators have to introduce characters to the readers while telling a story. Yet Eddy pulls that off while delivering something fresh and exciting. It's a real feat when you consider the only indie books in recent time that were able to accomplish the same are Deadly Class and Rat Queens.
Get to know Eddy and his book Hyper-Sense!
Mikey P:
Eddy, I'm a big fan of this comic. What's your quick pitch to people when they ask about it?
Eddy S:
Quick is something I have difficulty with, but a brief intro into the series without giving up too much is “Dante is just another homeless kid living on the city streets hoping to change his miserable life. Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, he gets abducted and is taken to a place where his life is completely turned upside down and experiences a metamorphosis.” Now to expand on that I would also tell you that this story is being told & illustrated in a way which will lure and captivate the reader. Like thriller novels I enjoy reading so much, the Hyper-Sense series will keep you guessing, on the edge of your seat, and constantly wanting more.
MP:
It's really impressive that you created awesome “realistic” super powers in a genre super-saturated with them. How did you come up with the idea?
ES:
When I first decided to create a series, I wanted it to be based on something more man-made rather than alien. I wanted the series to have a realistic and plausible feel, like this could actually be happening today. So I started thinking how can I evolve a human being make him super? Simple, change the way he interacts with the world, and that is done through our senses. I started to look into animals which have much higher sensory functionality than we do and decided to try and mimic their abilities. I also didn’t believe the 5 sense concept had been captured by a comic so I decided to give it a shot. The result was a team of kids with Hyper-Senses were born.
MP:
I think what works so well about your first issue is we, the reader, are learning everything as the main character Dante does. Is this character related to your own personality?
ES:
Yes he actually is. I would describe Dante as someone who is comfortable leading and helping others, but is not power hungry. When presented with problems he is very analytical/methodical and looks for the most efficient/effective way to solve it. He has a knack of bringing people together and letting them shine. What I have in store for the protagonist lends itself to these characteristics, so naturally thought it would be easier to write a story of an individual that I knew how he would react to certain challenges. Writing the story has turned into a “what would I do”.
MP:
How much research do you do in your writing?
ES:
A lot. I wanted to make this series believable, to make sure I had proper support for what I was presenting. There is nothing like trying to convince the reader’s mind that this could actually happen. When I decided to work with the senses and make them Hyper, I used the closest thing we currently know to have those powers … animals. Animal senses are far superior to ours, so it was a perfect bridge in the metamorphosis. I researched which animals had the greatest abilities and why, then incorporated it in the transformations. This is just one example, but at the end all the story’s characters, locations, and events need to have this sturdy foundation.
MP:
There seems to be a thought out structure to how you are presenting this story. Do you have a clear idea of where you are going with this comic or are you along for the ride too?
ES:
I’m a very structured individual. This may come as a shock but I parade as an Accountant by day and an artist at night. The Accountant in me wants to try and anticipate what is coming down the road to make sure there are no holes in the story I’m telling. Currently I have the first 5 issues laid out (volume 1). By laid out I mean I know for each issue: characters involved, what will happen, how will it end, and what it is adding to the overall volume as a whole.
MP:
Without giving too much up, what can we expect as more issues come out?
ES:
More drama, shocking surprises, excitement, a group of very different individuals needing to come together in order to stop an indestructible force, followed by more drama, shocking surprises and excitement. Heck spoiler alert … they “might” even get costumes!
MP:
What are some works, comic or not, that inspired you when you create?
ES:
With regards to comics I grew up inspired by the Amazing Spider Man series. Loved the story the villains and the incredible artists that have worked on it through the decades. Other than that I’m just an art junkie. Love all types of art and respect them for what they bring to the table.
MP:
How do you go about making your comic?
ES:
Working on it whenever possible. With a family/kids and a full-time job time management is key. So most of it gets done at night and in the weekends when possible. With regards to the actual work … when I’m starting a new issue I first do a page summary. I try to come up with a summary at this point of what is going to happen/take place in each page. The trick is to try and fit the story you want to tell in a specific number of pages (for printing purposes). Once I have managed that enormous task, I go in and panel design, balloon the page, pencil, ink, and then color. I try not to move on to the next page until it is fully completed. This way I can see where the book is going with regards to feel and mood. Inked pages and fully colored pages to me are two different animals. Cover is last and my reward for finishing the book. After that it's time to review and edit and then review and edit some more prior to publishing.
MP:
When you aren't creating, what are some of your other passions?
ES:
My family and vacation! With regards to sporting activities I’m very big into playing beach volleyball and rock climbing.
MP:
Anything else you'd like to say?
ES:
Yes. To anyone considering creating their own comic, storybook, artwork or just creating anything in general … do it! Never give up or let others tell you it can’t be done. It’s never too late and remember the only person stopping you is you.
Thanks Eddy! Looking forward to more Hyper-Sense!
Follow: @hypersensecomics