Frank Strom Interview

Interview with Frank Strom, writer for the "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark" comic through Claypool Comics.

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Images, Elvira, Elvira, Elvira
Elvira Elvira Elvira Elvira Elvira Elvira Elvira Elvira Elvira

BUZZ: How did you get involved in writing for the current Elvira comic?

FRANK: I was working as a data entry temp -- Which is akin to being a "souless,mindless grunt" -- for about seven years (!), and drawing mini-comics on the side. Trying to break into the comics biz, and all that -- I even interviewed for a job as a Marvel assistant editor at one point, which due to ridiculous circumstance I didn't get, but they kept calling me back. During the early run of Claypool's ELVIRA series, editor Richard Howell was looking for a dependable writer for the book. My friend Kurt Busiek (And/or James Fry) suggested me -- As I'm generally speaking a humorous writer with a strong background knowledge of "exploitation" and B-movies. And here I am.

BUZZ: What other comics have you worked on, both previously and/or concurrently?

FRANK: In the past I've written & drawn CHEETA POP -- An Adult Only series I did for both Antarctic Press (Yuck!) and Fantagraphic's Eros line. Oddly, It's about a pretty woman working in the B-movie industry! I was writing the VR TROOPERS half of Marvel's POWER RANGERS/VR TROOPERS flipbook -- I wrote five issues starting with #3, but only three were published, as Marvel was firing their staff left and right at the time, and all the licensed titles were dropped from the roster. Currently, I'm writing & drawing an issue of Archie Comics' SONIC THE HEDGEHOG....I'm writing a "Venus" story for Marvel's VALENTINE'S SPECIAL...and I'm writing & drawing a new Adult series for Fantagraphics/Eros called DEE DEE, which is my main concern right now, so everyone 18 and up should go buy it!!!!

BUZZ: How far in advance do you write out the scripts before an issue is due?

FRANK: Hard to say. I just write 'em. Richard does the scheduling, which is willy-nilly. Scheduling is affected by the artists, and whether they're getting their work done or not...

BUZZ: Do you work closely with the artists or leave the panels suggestions all up to them?

FRANK: I consider myself an artist first and a writer second (Actually I consider myself a CARTOONIST first), and as such I'd like to have more control over the art than I do. I write for ELVIRA in full script form, which is like a movie screenplay (EG -- "Page 1 - Panel 1, Panel 2, etc). This allows me a good amount of control over what gets drawn, but not HOW it's drawn (Dramatically, humorously, whatever). It's funny -- at the beginning, I wanted to draw thumbnail layouts with my scripts, but Richard wouldn't have it. More recently, Richard asked me to do thumbnails with the scripts, but I decided I should be paid for it,so it didn't happen. Oh, well...

BUZZ: Have you ever had any contact with Cassandra (Elvira) Peterson herself (via phone, mail, person)?

FRANK: No, Richard deals with Cassandra and her husband Mark (Who's the basis for the "Pierce" character, I'm told. Every year I call up Richard and ask him to ask Elvira if I can get a free calander. It would be so much more efficient if they let me cut out the middle man. I'd also get my calanders quicker!

BUZZ: Do you have a favorite story/issue you've scripted so far?

FRANK: My favorites are #20 (The "gyonsi" story), #21 (The wrestling story), and #29 (The Japanese monsters story), as they're all involving favorite genres of mine (The "beach party" issue, too -- whichever number that was). I also like #19 ("Witless For The Prosecution") a lot, just because I think it was especially funny.

BUZZ: What do you enjoy most about writing this comic?

FRANK: Getting a paycheck. Oh, wait -- You mean ARTISTICALLY, right...?

BUZZ: Were you a fan of Elvira's before working on the comic?

FRANK: Yes, as a personality/Pin-up girl. The show I wasn't too crazy about -- I hate that nonsense with cutting into the movies to make comments. I still have no tolerance for such s**t -- The total UN-HIPNESS of Mystery Science Theatre is incredible. Are they playing to an audience so square or so braindead that they need someone else to make up comments or jokes for them? DUH! I'd like to see them rot. But don't get me started (Or is it already too late?). Anyway, Elvira knocked it off with that crap eventually, so I don't hold it against her.

BUZZ: Any thoughts on how long the comic can keep going?

FRANK: ELVIRA is not a huge seller, but it is definitely Claypool's top book. It outsells the other two (DEADBEATS and SOULSEARCHERS), so cancelling it would be like saying the entire line is a failure -- And that's not going to happen anytime soon. Claypool is run by "Oldtimer" comics fans (I don't mean that in a negative way), and I think they're very committed to putting out what they think of as good comics. Of course, once Elvira's new movie comes out, she could very well not renew her contract with Claypool, and take the book to a bigger publisher. But I doubt she will. If DC's old ELVIRA series isn't a deterent, I don't know what is!

BUZZ: Is there anything you'd like to share about future issues?

FRANK: There's a story coming in the unforseeable future called "The Super Mammal Maid Of Southern Cal", which is a parody of Mort Weisinger era LOIS LANE comics. The script is long in the can, and original LOIS LANE artist Kurt Shaffenberger (!!!) has argeed to ink it. It's just a matter of waiting on him to do it. I'm chomping at the bit to see it finished -- It's a classic.

BUZZ: Do you have any advice for anyone interested in getting into writing or drawing comics?

FRANK: Think twice, 'cause it's a tough business. Hell, I'm not even making a living at it and I've got a lot of projects on my plate. I really need a part-time job to make ends meet, but then if I had one, I'd never get my work done. Ironic, no?

BUZZ: Is there anything else you'd like to share that I haven't specifically asked?

FRANK: Can I share my feelings about Mystery Science Theatre again? No? Okay, I'll shut up then...

Glad you came by. If you would like to go back to my main Elvira page, then go

Thanks for stopping by! If you'd like, you can email me at Buzz