Richard: How did "Ripperman" end up at Arcana?

Joe: I kept in touch with Sean O’Rielly (Arcana’s owner) after Shadowflame and showed him a few of the new pages. He liked the concept and the art. It actually worked out really well. I am really excited to get Ripperman out there in a big way. The first printing of Ripperman was pretty small and we’ve sold out of that. This will be a whopping 150 pages and in color!. 75% brand new material.

Richard: Where did the idea for "Ripperman" come from?

Joe: 1987. I’ve told this a few times to people but here it is. When I was a kid (16-17 years old) I started to doubt a lot of things that I was taught. One was that people got what they deserved. He is definitely an anti-hero of sorts. Ripperman is the realization that the world needs a killer of killers. A punisher of people who would prey on the weak or down-trodden.

Richard: Who exactly is Ripperman?

Joe: Ripperman is a man that was created by both God and the devil to rid the world of beings that would have otherwise escaped their deserved ends. In October, 2004 my Graphic novel, Ripperman, was published by Chanting Monks Press. It was well received by reviewers and I was happy with the reaction by fans to the book. It took a while to get it done and I was really happy with the results. This will have that story in color and reinked\redrawn and much more. The ”new” part leaves off a few months after the Graphic Novel. We meet a Ripperman who feels betrayed by the people he trusted the most. He is now trying to walk his own path and do right for himself and the quest that has been laid upon him. He is a killer of killers, first and foremost. We will see him rise and fall. And in the process we will learn a little more what souls were chosen to create this instrument of vengeance. It has some amazing art by Jeff Austin and Dash Martin.

Richard: What type of abilities does he have?

Joe: On paper it is pretty simple. Ripperman is strong. Not super strong, but strong for humans. He can make a man feel the things that he has done to other people. He can also show them things that they WILL do in the future if they don’t change. He also has an amulet that gives him his vast power. Much of which is unknown at this time. He has a claw and he can capture his prey with razor wire and sickle type hooks.

Richard: Is the storyline a darker one?

Joe: I would say it is darker. There is murder and hints of pedophilia. Also, some very sensitive areas that people often don’t touch.

Richard: Who is the artist on the "Ripperman" from Arcana?

Joe: I drew the first 2 chapters. Chapter 1 was inked by Peter Palmiotti. Chapter 2 was inked by Jeff Austin who takes over art chores for chapters 3, 4 and 5. Dash Martin inks chapter 3 and Ian Sokoliwski is the colorist throughout. Johnny Lowe letterer. There are also some great 8 page fillers that are amazing.

Richard: What is "Shadowflame" up to these days?

Joe: He has been laying low. But not too low. He is going to be popping up in War of the Independents and the tie-In The Wraith\Shadowflame\Johnny Saturn: Curse of the Cortes Stone. I am also working on a Shadowflame\Wraith crossover as well. There are a multitude of stories in my noggin for Shadowflame. I just need people to want to see more of him.

In that vein we will be putting out a limited edition set with only 750 copies. And there will be a Shadowflame trade with a cover by a great artist who I cannot announce just yet.

Richard: How was "Shadowflame" created?

Joe: I wanted a Superman level character who didn’t look like Superman. I think that Shadowflame is like those old Fantastic Four type cosmic stories. Throw a few cool villains in and then BAM! here comes Galactus ready to lay waste to the planet. Shadowflame is a reluctant hero. He was at the end of his rope a month after his wife was murdered due to his ambition. He didn't choose this role of protector of an entire planet, but he accepts it and it gives him a reason to live. I think all of us have a little hero in us. Sometimes it takes a traumatic event to make us rise above our day to day doldrums and be the person we need to be. Shadowflame is that story. A man that was so down that nothing could make him get up, until he realized he was Earth's only hope.

Richard: Who is Cyberine?

Joe: Cyberine is my Captain America if he was a cyborg and was a Marine. He has helped Shadowflame a few times and will show up in my Crimson and Caress one-shot. Out soon with art by Jeff Austin again!!!

Richard: What is your next project?

Joe: Crimson and Caress. 2 girls on the run from a government agency.

Richard: Do you have any ideas for new characters?

Joe: Always!

Richard: Growing up who was your favorite superhero?

Joe: I was a HUGE Hulk fan. I also loved Superman and the Justice League. One of the earliest comics I can remember reading was Action Comics #481 with the Supermobile. I actually bought a page of original art from that issue. Curt Swan was an amazing artist.

Richard: How can someone contact you?

Joe: They can email me at joe@jgmcomics.com .

Richard: Any last words for the fans?

Joe: Thank you! And you haven’t seen anything yet.