with John Cassaday
Big Questions with Troy Brownfield

We’ve had a few repeat guests here at the Big Question, but few have been as appropriately timed. John Cassaday, who has proven himself over the years to be a remarkable and vastly talented artist, takes on what is arguably his largest gig ever as the first issue of the new ongoing title, Astonishing X-Men, debuts.

His partner on the book has had a tiny bit of press lately regarding other ventures. That would be uber-screenwriter Joss Whedon, whose superlative series Angel just wrapped. The prospect of a Cassaday and Whedon team up on the most popular comic book heroes of all time has generated a palpable level of excitement in fan circles. Clearly, this is BIG NEWS.

Even as a groundswell of press erupts and fans snatch up a line-wide reboot of the X-titles (featuring other fan favorites like Chris Claremont and Alan Davis), Cassaday’s work continues to be seen in the never-disappointing Planetary and in the forthcoming project (by way of Europe), I Am Legion.

So now, let’s take a few with the man that Warren Ellis calls “an illustration god” . . . a man who Keifer Sutherland has been alleged to call “one good-looking motherfucker”, and a man who my wife is always looking for (whether she thinks I know she is or not) every year at Wizard World Chicago. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome . . . John Cassaday.

THE BIG Q&A

(more…)

The Big Question with Steve Janiak of Devil To Pay
by Troy Brownfield

Many are the mentions of the Indianapolis music scene here at the mighty Shotgun. You may recall our descriptions of last year’s epic Battle of the Bands that culminated in a victory for the hard-working Devil To Pay. The four member band (l.tor. Chad Prifogle, Rob Secrist, Steve Janiak, Matt Stokes) pulled down the grand prize of 10-large and went on to release their highly acclaimed Thirty Pieces of Silver on Benchmark Records. DTP’s record has made an impact on both sides of the Atlantic. Heavy sources like Sleazegrinder hail it as “a clusterbomb of stoney booze metal” while the sentiments are echoed from as far away as France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Australia. The group recently shot a video for their sublime anthem, Tractor Fuckin’ Trailer, and their laundry list of gigs keeps expanding throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

What may be better than the band’s constant ascent is the fact that it gets to happen at all. The extremely friendly Janiak, who serves as vocalist and guitarist, has had to conquer some difficult health issues in the past, including a genetically-related blood clotting disorder and some serious surgery. It was a true testament to the Indianapolis scene when bands threw in for a benefit to help out their pal.
(A sterling account of this tale by Danica Johson can be found here).

With that in their past and untold worlds to conquer in front of them, Steve Janiak of Devil to Pay took the time to visit and talk about throwing horns, the definition of troll, and how he outplays himself.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Steve Janiak.

THE BIG Q&A

(more…)