Interview with Apsinthos creator of “Passanger” – All Ages of Geek Tapas Reviews
Welcome, readers! Today we’re diving into the world of the captivating webcomic “Passenger” on Tapas with creator Apsinthos. Since the launch of “I Married a Monster on a Hill” on WEBTOON All Ages of Geek has started an initiative to support comic creators on Tapas, WEBTOON and Wattpad.
In “Passanger” you’ll get set in a post-apocalyptic world on a remote island. This story follows the life of David, a recent academy graduate, as he navigates the complexities of a society shaped by a catastrophic event. With its gripping storyline and stunning artwork, “Passenger” is a must-read for any fan of the sci-fi genre. So let’s get into the interview!
What initially sparked your passion for creating comics, and how did that desire evolve into the work you produce today?
I always loved to make up stories, but to be honest I’d never thought that I would make one of them into a comic, because it’s a very difficult task and I never thought of investing such an amount of time into that. Though, a couple of years ago I saw a movie-like dream and as always started to develop it in my head. It grew bigger and I started liking it so much and thinking what can I do to share it. One of my friends actually encouraged me to try comics, because as long as you like what you are doing, it’s not a waste of time. And now I think she was right – it brings me joy. What’s a more important thing in life anyway?
Can you walk us through your journey as a comic creator, starting from the moment you first decided to explore this medium?
I have been reading manga and comics from a young age, but as I said before I never thought of getting into this field. Once my friend gave me an idea, I started thinking if i can do this whatever it takes? Time, effort and other things may require. So I gave myself a trial – I was preparing the script, studying the topics in my comics and drawing sketches for a year, and because I was able to keep going for that long and made a habit of producing the comics, I decided to share it and continue my journey.
Your work touches on various themes and subjects. How do you choose which stories to tell, and what do you hope your readers take away from them?
I love intense stories of social nature, psychological thrillers and such. So these are topics I prefer to explore. In my comic I prefer to make an emphasis on the morals and the grey zones(with limitations of my skills of narration of course), how the world changes us and how it’s important not to lose your true self in the process. Corrupted politicians, human nature and an unknown danger are only adding the fuel to create the tension and feeling of futility. So guess I can say I want to create that specific emotion in the reader’s mind.
What led you to choose Tapas as the platform for sharing your comics, and what aspects of the site do you find most appealing for your work?
I studied several websites and I find Tapas more user friendly, it’s easier to monitor your comics and statistics. Thanks to the forum it is also easy to find like minded-people, comics to read and readers. Also that banner feature is really good, not every website allows a beginner to use it.
Tapas has its own unique features and community. Are there any aspects of the platform that you feel could be improved, or perhaps have been challenging to navigate?
Because I’m not that long on tapas, I struggle a bit so it’s hard to say. Though I would like to have a sorting option of checking comics with a certain number of subscribers and likes, as in the fresh sections there’s beginners and also popular authors. But maybe there is such an option and I haven’t discovered it yet.
In your opinion, what distinguishes independent comics from mainstream comics, and why do you think the indie scene is important for the overall comic industry?
Every author started from something, so who knows maybe there’s some indie gem hidden somewhere waiting to make a splash. Besides, I think indie authors can bring the new perspective and ideas to the overall comics field, setting popularizing new trends. It also shows the changes and needs in the industry.
As a comic creator, what are some unique storytelling techniques you’ve developed to set your work apart from others in the genre?
As a beginner it may be a bit too pretentious to call this a technique, but choose a certain way to portray characters. I’m trying to think of all my characters as complex persons with their needs and wants, so I can make their reactions and actions believable. I also do that to some extent with episodic characters so they can behave more naturally and not just serve their role for the plot. Also I have some visual and narration techniques in mind that I borrowed from a couple of famous movies.
Apart from your comics, what other avenues do you explore to engage with your audience, such as social media, live events, or merchandise?
Only thing I’ve started to do now is chatting at the tapas forum, but so far I think it’s too early for me to bother with anything else, other than comics production.
Creating comics can be both rewarding and challenging. Can you share some of the struggles you’ve faced along the way, and how you’ve overcome them?
There’s a lot, but I name two most difficult. Time management. It was a hard thing to do at the beginning, but now I got used to the scheduling and utilizing my time more effectively with the help of apps. Second one is actually building a believable world, characters and interaction between all of it that is logical, It’s hard to see plot or motivational holes in your own creation when you have a lot of characters involved. I’m not entirely sure how successful i am in this field, but i try to question everything and also ask my friends for independent opinions, cause it’s much easier for others to see loops.
Are there any comic creators, artists, or writers who have been particularly influential or inspiring to you? How have they shaped your creative journey?
Easy. For the comics – Kentaro Miura’s Berserk and Naoki Urasawa’s Monster. Works of Stephen King also. Also movies of Alfred Hitchcock had a big impact on my tastes.
For aspiring comic creators, what are some practical tips and advice you would give to help them find their own voice and style?
Take the author, work you like and imitate it. You will have your own with time, as it will develop. That’s probably what I should have done long ago, but now I’m stuck with what I have, and to be honest I’m struggling to accept my own style.
Can you tell us about your creative process, from brainstorming ideas to the final execution of your comics? How do you stay motivated and consistent throughout?
I prepared thoroughly before I started drawing comics. I have several docs with characters, setting, overall plot, and a big chunk of script which let me keep going for a year at least, and other things for production. What helps me brainstorming is music, it inspires my brain to toss me tons of ideas without real pressure. But most of the ideas I have come spontaneously in the night, usually before I fall asleep and they do not let me until I take notes… That is a bit inconvenient, but at least I’m not prone to going over and over the same problem to think of the solution. I think it’s a lucky thing to have. What’s motivation, I have my ups and downs, but my friends keep me in check, usually it’s just the mood. In general I love what I’m doing, so just keep calm and draw another page.
How do you balance the creative and business aspects of being an independent comic creator, such as promoting your work and managing finances?
As I said before, I’m not at the stage where I am really serious with a promotion, it’s mostly my hobby and passion, and I will get there slowly and my finances are a result of my regular job.
Funding creative projects can be challenging for many artists. What strategies have you employed to fund your comics, and are there any resources you’d recommend to other creators?
Funding is the matter of the amount of fans you have, so everyone has two options like putting into promotion real money or just slowly growing the fanbase just doing the thing you love. After that you can have fundings – a patreon, merchandise and so on.
How do you stay updated on the latest trends and developments in the comic industry, and how do you integrate this knowledge into your work?
I am actively studying the internet, forums and articles for now.
In what ways do you believe the comic industry is evolving, and what opportunities do you see for independent creators in the future?
There’s a lot of possibilities, it depends which way the author wants to go and if they get some renown. In our world everything is connected, especially in the entertainment industry. Movies, music, art and writing influence each other, so trends into one thing can shift to another field.
Collaboration can be an essential part of the creative process. Have you worked with other creators or artists on projects, and if so, how have those experiences shaped your work?
As it is my first comic, I have not yet collaborated with anyone, though I do have a friend who started comics of her own, so we share ideas and support each other.
What are some personal or professional goals you have for your comic career, and how do you plan to achieve them in the coming years?
My first and foremost goal – is to finish comics. It will be a big boost to my confidence, I never did such a big project in my entire life. If I would be able to have some financial support from it, I may continue to draw after that story, but for now I’m doing it because I love it.
As a creator, how do you measure success, and what achievements are you most proud of so far?
Success is subjective. For me – finishing my comics with having at least someone who will enjoy it is a success, because it’s not an easy thing to get noticed in a comics industry. Also I would like to have some readers with whom I can engage socially to share my wild ideas and just have fun with them.
Lastly, could you share an anecdote or experience from your comic-creating journey that has had a profound impact on you, and what did you learn from it?
Thanks to Passenger, I have already obtained a couple useful skills in life, and also with it help i’m working with my inner insecurities. I can say that I learned a lot during that period I’ve been drawing and it improved quality of my life.
And that’s a wrap, folks! We hope you enjoyed our deep dive interview into the world of “Passenger” on Tapas. With its unique world-building and dynamic characters, this webcomic is a true standout in the genre. Be sure to catch up on all the latest updates and join us as we continue to follow David’s journey through this strange new world. Happy reading!
Life in the city of the remote island has changed forever as the catastrophe struck the world. Being trapped by the deadly sea fog for 200 years, people devised their own rules to survive, forming a meritocratic society. David, who just has graduated from the academy in the top 10, is ready to enjoy his hard-earned(or not) Elite luxury life…until after one fateful event everything starts to spin out of control.
About Stec Studio, All Ages of Geek and “I Married a Monster on a Hill”
Stec Studio is a New Jersey-based company founded and run by by the Stec Sisters. We specialize in producing interactive comics and novels based on All Ages of Geek media, as well as creating a fully open world Boys Love Universe called BLU Media. This universe is being built from various media forms, including readable media, games, and animations.
Our main series, I Married a Monster on a Hill, is a WEBTOON that tells the story of a retired knight who falls in love with a half-monster. We are also developing an in-production visual novel called I Married a Monster on a Hill: Dates, along with an upcoming Wattpad Exclusive set in the same Universe. At Stec Studio, our goal is to create content that gives people hope and light, and we hope our stories can provide joy and entertainment to all who experience them.
