TELL THE DAMN STORY, ep 435: Exploring the Origins of Comics, Books, & Films: How Our Story Started
Welcome to a special milestone on Tell the Damn Story, the podcast that dives deep into the creative journeys—the triumphs, setbacks, and lessons—of writers striving to tell their tales.
In this 435th episode, listeners are transported back to where it all began, revisiting the very first episode with the original trio: acclaimed writer Alex Simmons, dynamic illustrator Tim Fielder, and journalist-turned-novelist Chris Ryan.
The conversation focuses on their origins as creatives, the collaborative creation of the iconic Blackjack character, and the unique perspectives each brings from comics, books, film, and illustration.
A key theme that emerged is the importance of representation and authenticity in storytelling, as the trio explores how personal experience, research, and reflection influence character development and world-building.
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00:00 The creation of Blackjack series
09:16 Addressing Racism Through Storytelling
15:04 Creating Aaron in the '80s
18:54 Creating Blackjack's backstory
24:38 Combining comics and filmmaking skills
30:20 Honoring Black male heroes in comics
32:56 Story settings: New York vs. international
41:41 Evolving creative projects and styles
43:46 Experimenting with character dynamics
51:03 Pitching story idea for feedback
55:35 Supporting Characters in Aaron's World
01:00:38 Character dynamics and story development
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