Richard: How are comics in the Czech Republic different than in North America?

Alessandro: I'm Italian, but I live in Czech Republic since 2005. The comics situation in Czech Rep. is not that good if we compare it to U.S.A (even if we compare it to my home country Italy) but i think it is because of the history: in Italy i grew up with Spider-man and Japanese cartoons, here before the revolution it was not possible to find a t-shirt of Mickey Mouse.

There are a few of publishers like CREW (means blood in Czech). They do an amazing job translating some of the finest American products and producing they original stuff. The situation, I believe, is gonna change.

Richard: How would you describe your art style on "William Shatner Presents: Quest for Tomorrow"?

Alessandro: I'll try to be really dynamic: sort of anime (without really being anime)
In the same time I wanna focus a lot on settings and details. I wanna show you how strange and fascinating are the world the genius of Shatner created.

Richard: Will there be lots of futuristic action for you to illustrate?

Alessandro: There will be a lot of futuristic actions!!!!!!!! The story is interesting and deep, but in the same time there is a lot of action and I wanna show clearly that it's settled on a world faraway in the future.

Richard: How did you feel about working on a comic associated with William Shatner?

Alessandro: Workin on a comic associated to Mr. Shatner is amazing, we are talking about someone whose face is recognized everywhere on this planet, the quality of his books shows clearly that he deserved all the success he has.

Richard: Do you have any formal training?

Alessandro: When I was 24 I decided to study literature at the University wasn't bringing me anywhere, I quit and started to attend the SCUOLA INTERNAZIONALE DI COMICS (International school of comics) in Rome, it's an amazing school with really good teachers, it gave me the right preparation , as soon as I graduated I started to attend COMICOM in San Diego with my portfolio.

Richard: Where did the name Captain Panda come from?

Alessandro: That's my secret identity, honestly I come from another planet, I'm here to protect you, I can't say anything more right now, they are watching us and I would just endanger you guys.

Richard: What is "Dentiverdi"?

Alessandro: Dentiverdi is a fairy tale I am writing and drawing, I'm gonna publish it sooner or later: Let's just say that it's the story of a lost rescue team from Neverland ending up in Galapagos Island. It's a story about the meaning of home and homecoming I really love Fairy Tales, there is a lot of poetry in them, a fairy tale is often the best way to say something deep.

Richard: What advice do you have for other artists?

Alessandro: There's just one advice I can give move!!! Don t be waiting for job knockin at your door!!!!

Richard: Which artists do you admire?

Alessandro: One of the first artist I fell in love with was Marcelo Frusin on his early run on Hellblazer, I still adore him as I adore Eric Canete for example , then of course when I turned to cartoony style I discovered people like JASON PEARSON,SEAN GALLOWAY, ALESSANDRO BARBUCCI ,GUILLAME BIANCO and MAN ARENAS.

I follow everything in the comic business, keep myself updated with everything that is being published but these 7 artists are my main inspiration, each one for a different reason.

Richard: How did you become involved with Chimaera Comics?

Alessandro: I submitted to The mighty G.T. Singley Through some internet post: I was amazed by his attitude, he's nice and practical at the same time, he tells you everything you need to know but he's throwing you in the middle of the action in a couple of days: in that moment he was the person I needed: he saved my career, he's my godfather:)

Richard: What is "Blaze Anderson: Cosmonant" about?

Alessandro: Blaze Anderson is a Chimaera Comics mini: a space opera: it's the story of the third person taking the mantle of the interplanetary hero known as Blaze Anderson, the bases of the story are really fascinating me and I'm really curious where the writers are gonna bring a character with such huge potential, after Blaze I'll be probably doing another project for them, more superhero-related but there is nothing official so far.

Richard: What do you have planned for the future?

Alessandro: You see right now I'm on this amazing project for Bluewater, plus another series for Chimaera and other projects (and I'm gonna submit to Bluewater at least one of them): I'm busy till april-may 2009 then I'm watching the results of the first part of my career and deciding. I'd like to start having my own ideas like Dentverdi published!!!

Richard: How can someone contact you?

Alessandro: I'm really active on the net. My e-mail is bluelightexperiment@gmail.com , I use a lot my comic space account. Look for captainpanda:) I'd love to reply to everyone. My blog the-vendetta-of-captain-panda.blogspot.com is gonna be replaced soon but till you see there a post telling you where to find me it means I'm still there

Richard: Any final words of wisdom?

Alessandro: Maybe I'm gonna deserve this question in 10 years.