Percy Carey Interviews Jason Aaron & Tone Rodriguez

Each and every Wednesday, Complex’s new online columnist Percy Carey will be bringing you the latest in comic book news, interviews, character battles and more. If you don’t know Percy, who also happens to be an underground hip-hop icon, he made a big splash in the comic world last year with the release of his Eisner Award-nominated autobiographical graphic novel Sentences: the Life of MF Grimm by Vertigo/DC Comics. Today, he continues to write and produce music, always trying to push the envelope and break new boundaries.

This week, Percy talks shop with one of the hottest new talents in comics, Jason Aaron about his hit Vertigo/DC Comics series Scalped and his Marvel comics run on Ghost Rider. He also interviews industry vet Tone Rodriguez, who chimes in on the ups and downs being a working professional in the comic book industry. Read 'em both below.

Percy Carey: Where were you born? and when did you realize you wanted to work in the comic book industry?

Jason Aaron: I was born in the small town of Jasper, Alabama, home of the boxer Butterbean and the guy who played “Goober” on the Andy Griffith Show. And I knew as a kid that I wanted to write comics. It just took me until I was in my 30s before I figured out how to break in to the biz.

Percy Carey: What are some of the titles you’ve have had the opportunity to work on?

Jason Aaron: Scalped and The Other Side are the two creator-owned books I’ve done for Vertigo, and the success of those series led to me signing an exclusive contract with Marvel last year. Since then I’ve worked on Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Black Panther and have a lot more Marvel work in my future.

Percey Carey: How did it feel to be nominated for an 2008 Eisner award?

Jason Aaron: It’s a big thrill just to get nominated. It’s a nice little reward for all the hard work. I figured we wouldn’t win, going against Buffy The Vampire Slayer and all. But I was sure hoping you’d win for Sentences, which was amazing. As it was, our whole table came up empty. We just didn’t have the mojo that night.

Percy Carey: I love Marvel comics character The Hulk'he’s a good example of a true Gemini far as I’m concerned. Who’s your favorite Marvel character and why?

Jason Aaron: I love The Thing. I’d give anything to write The Thing. He’s probably my favorite comic book character, period.

Percy Carey: Can you explain to the readers the idea behind your creator owned comic book Scalped on Vertigo/DC Comics? How did you come up with the concept?

Jason Aaron: It’s a crime series set on a modern day Indian reservation in South Dakota, and it’s my attempt to write a hard-boiled, character-driven crime saga that also touches on elements of Native American history and culture, especially the rise of casino gambling and the legacy of the militant Red Power movement from the 70s. For the most part, it was inspired by my love of the writer James Ellroy and my interest in the unjust imprisonment of American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier.

Percy Carey: Would you mind giving some words of wisdom to the readers who’s interested entering in your profession?

Jason Aaron: It’s tough to break-in. It’s really tough. But it’s terrific work if you can get it. You just have be a harsh critic of your own work, and make sure you work hard at becoming a better writer before you ever even attempt to break-in. And once you’re pitching things to editors, you have to always be patient and polite, but still persistent.

Percy Carey: Do you recommend any books about how to become a comic book writer?

Jason Aaron: There are some books out there that collect different scripts by comic writers. Those are good just to give you an idea of what a comic script looks like, how the action is broken down and such. Beyond that, storytelling is storytelling no matter the format, so Robert McKee’s Story is certainly worth checking out.

Percy Carey: What’s one comic book store you recommend people to visit when in Alabama, your home state?

Jason Aaron: Well there are only two that I still know of these days. There’s Kingdom Comics in Vestavia, which seems like the main store in the Birmingham area these days. The owner’s a great guy and thankfully a big supporter of my work. The other store is Bob’s Comics in Birmingham which always has an incredible selection of back issues. It’s impossible for me to visit that store and not spend money.

Percy Carey: Can you inform the readers about any of your upcoming projects?

Jason Aaron: I have new arcs starting with issues #21 of Scalped and #28 of Ghost Rider, so those are both great jumping on points. Beyond that, I have a new Wolverine mini-series starting in October that’s my love letter to Hong Kong cinema, and also a Punisher Christmas Special that’s sure to get my soul condemned to hell.

Percy Carey: How can the readers get in contact with you?

Jason Aaron: Through my blog or my message board.

Percy Carey: Who would win a fight between Bat Man and Moon Knight…and why?

Jason Aaron: I’m Marvel exclusive, so I better be a good company man and go with Moon Knight. Plus, Moon Knight is totally crazy which ought to give him some sort of advantage.

Hit NEXT to read Percy’s interview with artist Tone Rodriguez and see the hottest comic releases of the week!