Interview with Matthew Christopher Nelson, creator of The Grove
Frame from the comic series
Matthew Christopher Nelson is the artist behind “The Grove”, a post apocalyptic science fiction comic he’s co-authored with Robert Rumery. The story: Government Riots at a level that threatens the very fundamentals of society occur. The Government is believed to engaging in activities that are less than scrupulous. When the truth is revealed, riots occur all throughout the United States, with one of the main centers occurring is the state of Florida. The rioters, it is rumored, are being funded by ecoterrorists, and as an end result, a nuclear bomb is dropped on Florida, upon American soil. The side-affects of this are too many to count. As a result of the nuclear arsenal being used, the humans that were still within the state were genetically mutated into cunning, monstrous savages. One of the main riots occurred at a genetics lab that tested on animals. In the fallout, thousands of genetically altered animals, all of which possess human cognition, escaped and found safety within the confines of the altered Okefenokee swamp, which was enlarged many times over.
And so, the struggle begins…
https://www.facebook.com/TheGroveComic
The Author:
Matthew Nelson
Born in 1970 to Carol and Richard Nelson. Originally born in New York, moved around quite a bit due to father being in the Air Force. One of the first books ever read was The Hobbit, followed by the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, both read at age 7. Ever since then, the love of fantasy was unleashed. The youngest of 3 siblings, majored in Anthropology and Theatrical Studies, and minored in English Writing Arts. An avid artist, his preferred media are pen/ink and pencil, also sculpture and painting. Favorite artists are Salvador Dali and Albrecht Durer, and a fan of Tolkein, Brandon Mull, and R.A. Salvatore.
The Interview:
Q. You say one of the first books you ever read was The Hobbit… I remember an animated version of the story from when I was a kid, and I guess you’re around my age. Do you remember it? Are you excited about the movie?
A. I remember it vividly, and thought they [Rankin & Bass] did a wonderful adaptation. I recall seeing the Shire appear in the introduction, and watching the butterflies in the fields. I believe Peter Jackson actually incorporated those small-detail butterflies in the film. Am I excited about the upcoming release….OH YES!! I AM….MY…PRECIOUS….I AM INDEED!!
Q. You have a couple of exciting projects you’re involved with right now. First, let me ask you about the Accidental Magical War. What inspired you to write it?
A. Actually, the writings of Robert Aspirin’s Myth series has always stayed with me all these years, after having read it 20+ years ago. The series captures that deep seed within us all of a life filled with action, adventure, and a little mayhem along the way.
Q. The genre for the Accidental Magical War seems to be fantasy – is that correct? Or do you feel it belongs somewhere else?
A. Absolutely, it definitely would be considered Fantasy. If I could break it down even further, I’d call it Fantasy Suspense.
Q. You are also working on a comic book series, “The Grove”, with Robert Rumery. I’ve seen the artwork and it’s interesting, dark and engaging. Where would you put it, genre-wise?
A. Ah, the apple of my eye. I am very excited about the comic. Genre-wise, I would label is as a post-apocalyptic scifi.
Q. Is there anything you would like to share about the story?
A. The concept of the comic is one I think that resonates in us all- the need of survival. It is a post-apocalyptic scifi thriller where humanity is not the hero, but rather, they are the villain. I think it is a nice twist on things.
Q. Do you believe that studying theater and anthropology have in anyway affected your development as a writer?
A. Most definitely. Anthropology is the study of humanity and their culture. If you break it down, fundamentally, is is the study of culture. If you apply the process generically when writing about make-believe people, you can apply real anthropological devices and turn it into something that sounds as real as you or me. As for my theatrical training, it has taught me one key element that I use in writing; Improvisation. As odd as it may sound, I “hear the characters speak” in my head, and then I write out the dialogue, and what it becomes in the end, is a chapter, and so on.
Q. How does working with another writer differ from writing alone?
A. Well, if anything, working with another writer opens up the door for seeing something differently then you normally would. All in all, I am all for it.
Q. What are the things you prefer about the comic book form over the literary form, and vice versa?
A. Well, quite simply, the comic form allows me to incorporate more of my artwork, and by marrying the two together, I create something I am proud of.
Q. Finally, is there anything you would like our readers to know that we haven’t already covered?
A. Yes, there is no such thing as a boring story, because sometime in our lives, we are going to need a story that we may not have been ready for 5 years prior.
Contact:
You can find Matthew Christopher Nelson in Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.c.nelson1
You can find The Grove there as well:
https://www.facebook.com/TheGroveComic
