Indie Edge March 2014: Matt Kindt

This month’s featured creator is…

Matt Kindt

Matt Kindt is a New York Times bestselling writer and artist of comics and graphic novels such as MIND MGMT, Red Handed (MAR131158), Unity, Rai, Justice League of America, Spider-Man, Suicide Squad, Revolver, 3 Story (DEC098003), Super Spy, 2 Sisters, and Pistolwhip. He has been nominated for 4 Eisner and 3 Harvey Awards (and won once). His work has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, and German.

Matt Kindt: In His Own Words…

Well, I’ve wanted to make comics since I was in high school. When I met my future wife in college, I told her from the beginning (more like a warning really) that my goal in life was to be a published comic author. Well... in hindsight I probably should have made a longer list of life-goals or set my sights a little higher! I will say that along the way I made a sub-goal of making a living by only doing comics. That part was a little trickier than getting published, but I’ve been doing comics-only work full-time for about five years. I have a beautiful daughter and wife and we like to travel. I think my proudest accomplishment is helping to create a home where we can all live and work and be creative together. No one comes home angry and exhausted from a day-job.

What are your favorite projects you’ve contributed to over the past decade?

I think whatever I’ve done last ends up being my favorite. And my creator-owned books are like a part of the family. I think this last year went by in such a blur that it really didn’t hit me that I was writing some of my favorite childhood books — Spider-Man, Justice League — and the books I’m doing for Valiant. My brother, Karl, got me on to comics (and particularly the Valiant books) back in the 90s. So getting to call him up and talk Valiant as grown-ups and sharing that same enthusiasm we had as kids has been a real kick. Having just finished the beginning of Rai for Valiant was definitely a high-point. It’s the first time I’ve gotten to really tackle hard sci-fi as a genre. I’ve hit most of the other genres that I love — all but science fiction — so it was fun to put my own spin on that particular genre!

What are you currently working on?

I’m writing Rai and Unity for Valiant monthly and I’m half-way through my creator-owned series MIND MGMT for Dark Horse. I’m also prepping a kid’s graphic novel with Brian Hurtt that I’m writing, he’s drawing, and I’m painting.

What fun titles are you reading?

I love the Dungeon series (Vol. 1 / JUN042672) by Joann Sfar and Lewis Trondheim, it’s one of my favorites. I also enjoyed The Homeland Directive (MAR111271) written by Rob Venditti — one of the smartest guys in comics. One of my favorite books of last year was Heck by Zander Cannon (FEB131141). It works so great because the art sort of welcomes you in gently to the story which you think is going to be a sort of fun and goofy adventure into the levels of Hell... and then sucker-punches you with a heart-breaking story. And is it wrong to say I’m addicted to the Artist Editions (from IDW)? All of them?! I picked up the David Mazzuchelli one and then the John Byrne Fantastic Four one (JAN130368)... and now I realize I need them all!

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