Interview: Who is Rafael Garcia A.K.A. 'Henchman?'
Mar 16, 2021
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
Let's hear it for the henchmen! They are the first to die, the last to get paid, and consistently disrespected throughout their profession. Except, one man (hopefully) can change all that. His name is Rafael Garcia and his ambitions go beyond "hired goon."
In the following interview, Rafael Garcia: Henchman writers Peter Murrieta and David Schrader explains why it's time for Henchman's moment in the sun. Or so he thinks...
Why would anyone want to be a henchman?
Peter: Well, we all need to start somewhere, right? I think the idea sprang from watching all the MCU movies with my sons, Joaquin and Daniel and having conversations with them about, “Where are the Mexican-Americans in this Universe, Dad? I made some joke to them about how in that shot of all the Avengers running across the lawn at the end of that movie, that someone had to mow that lawn, right? We all laughed but you know, there it is right there – my Mexican American sons asking why no one was representing them in that world. So I started writing what would become Henchman – and I wanted to also pay tribute to all of us that work for companies/corporations that don’t necessarily line up with our own politics, but we have to make a living somehow, right? That’s Rafa’s story. And the long answer. The short answer is, “For the same reason someone would want to work at a fulfillment center.”
Catch us up to speed. What is the setting for RAFAEL GARCIA HENCHMAN?
Peter: It’s a world like ours, but pushed a bit. Imagine if Bezos or Musk was our Super-Villain, Maverick. A CEO who functioned as his own government, but also had a lot of middle management layers and jobs to fill. And that’s where Rafa comes in. He’s hoping by getting promoted to Squad Leader, he’ll show his ex-girlfriend that he is ready to be serious and take responsibility, hoping to rekindle their romance. But she has become an independent business owner, of two dispensaries in the Los Angeles area. So it is a mix of the world of heroes, and our world.
Tell us about Rafael. Why do we follow him through this story, specifically?
Peter: He’s all of us. Worried. Questioning if he’s made the right choices. Trying to do better by himself. And he might be stuck. We’re going to watch him rise up and take control of himself and I think that’s a story worth following. He’s not super buff, or fit, he’s got a dad bod, he’s a Mexican American working hard and pulling himself up. He’s who we’re rooting for.
How did you both become involved with HENCHMAN?
Peter: I’ve always wanted to write a comic book. I started reading with All-Star Comics #58 in 1976 and I’ve never stopped my love affair with them. As I looked around at my own work output and what I wanted to do, I felt like this story belonged in print form, because it is playing with the conventions and worlds of this genre. It came out fast once I decided on the form.
David Schrader: I’ve known Peter for a long time—as a student at his Improv Theater, bang, back in the early aughts, and he also produced a short film of mine, Little League Jesus. My comic, Baby Badass had come out in 2018 and we started running into one another at comic cons—remember those things? He told me the idea he had for Henchman, which I thought was fantastic, and asked if I wanted to help bring it to life. As a fan of Peter’s work, it was an easy decision.
You both are writers on the book. How does that process work?
Peter: David was very helpful to me in learning the format of writing a comic, and also in kicking around tone and humor and what we wanted. I’m an improviser by training and love being collaborative.
David: There are so many areas to navigate in the making of a comic, and I wanted to take on some of the legwork like finding an artist (the great Ben Herrera), script formatting, etc. Peter already had the story, but he was quite gracious-- and as the process continued, I felt more comfortable adding scenes, dialog, and bouncing ideas back and forth in what was a really fun, collaborative effort.
In terms of audience, who HENCHMAN for?
Peter: It’s a comic-book with comedy. A story that has real drama in it, and real danger, but also find the humor in the character interactions and the poor decisions we all have made from time to time.
Rafael Garcia: Henchman (MAR211586) is available to pre-order now at comic shops everywhere.
Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His comics work includes BAMN, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Awards-nominated Magic Bullet.
