Action Tank started as a small, creative side-project. You know the kind I mean. Where you’re not sure you’ll ever actually complete it. Because no one knows it exists. And therefore no one cares if you make it. No one except you.
Turns out I did care. So I made Action Tank – Book 1. You probably know the story already. But if you don’t, you can read it here.
I finished Book 1 on a cliffhanger… not really thinking about the fact that I’d ever have to actually make a second book! Of course I did have to, though. There was still a lot I hoped to do with the world, the characters, and the story I’d created, and to be honest I wanted to really push myself, and to see how much I could reduce the gulf between my storytelling ambitions and my storytelling abilities.
Action Tank – Book 2 really pushed me, in every way. I spent almost two years writing, sketching, illustrating, colouring, lettering, designing and editing what is (so far) my largest solo creative project, there’s a lot I could say about it… but I realised I’ve said a fair bit of it already!
Some of the test prints I made for Action Tank 2. I post-it noted things I needed to tweak.
And so, I present to you the following three interviews. Each was recorded around the time I had just (or almost) completed the book, as I geared up for the Kickstarter campaign, and in each, I cover various aspects of how and why I made the book, as well as some of the things I learned along the way.
OK, earbuds in. Here we go…
Graphic Nature / Episode 10 – Interview with Mike Barry
Mike goes deep into why he thinks making comics for kids is important, how he approaches the business side of making comics, and why Superstar creator Jonathan Hickman is his secret mentor. Hear it >
Comixlaunch / Episode 226 – Making a sequel with Action Tank’s Mike Barry
Mike talks about his decision to return to Kickstarter to publish Book 2 in the Action Tank graphic novel series, how he balanced work, life and family while making the book, and why he ‘live-rapped’ his promo video. Hear it >
The Official Action Tank Podcast/ Episode 3 – Sam and Duncan from Sydney’s Hope 103.2 interview Mike Barry about making his new graphic novel for kids
In a fun, jam-packed conversation, Mike tackles some of the big questions about making comics. Why are some panels big and some panels small? How can an artist control the pacing of a story? And how do you unleash the full power of a page turn? All this, plus Mike draws Sam and Duncan as superheroes. Hear it >
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Did you know there is now an Action Tank Book 1, Book 2 and even a Book 3!? Check out the ACTION TANK TRILOGY in Mike’s online store >