The Village Gossip has a bag of 64 questions...every visitor who comes past must answer a totally random selection of these, the first twenty pulled from the bag. This week, Stephanie O'Donnell drops by - creator of "The Original Nutty Funsters" (a 2007 collection was published by Free Lunch Comics), she's also contributed art on strips in "Only In Whispers" and "Jesus Hates Zombies".
What are you working on at the moment?
Tons of stuff! Mostly my strip, "The Original Nutty Funsters", some more comic collaborations, and my own comic book venture "Cookie Bear", which will be published through Free Lunch Comics.
What is the best comic you've ever read?
There's tons. I can't pick just one.
Downloading illegal torrents will kill comics, discuss.
Didn't they say the same thing about mixtapes in the '80s? I think generally most people have a certain rule of thumb; if they like it, they'll buy it. Technology is always changing, you can't fight it. Just work with it. You don't want technology as your enemy. That's how "Transformers" happened.
What are you most ashamed of having done?
Probably almost all of the hair color configurations I've gone through as a teenager. Some of them were not very becoming.
What's the worst comic that you've ever been involved in, or read?
That WCW Wrestling comic that Marvel put out a long time ago was awesomely bad. I've seen little bits and pieces of that one Ultimate Warrior series too where he beats up Santa for no good reason. Wrestling and comics are fine on their own, and just shouldn't be merged. That's one chemistry set waiting to explode and set your hair on fire.
When was the last time you went too far?
Probably when my friends and I got lost in NYC. This is a common predictament!
Which - if any - established comic would you most like to be part of?
Another tough question. I'd love to do something in the DC/Vertigo line. I always liked the series that came out of there especially.
Who sent you your first Valentine's Card?
I don't remember. They pretty much made you give out cards to everyone in your class regardless if you liked them or not. I'd get called a weirdo one day, then get "You're out of this world!!!" with a big rocketship on it the next. Very passive aggressive tactics to teach children, I think.
Who's the best James Bond?
I think Liev Schreiber would make a good 007. I don't know why exactly, I just do. Call it a hunch.
Would you drop everything to travel through time with a complete stranger?
No, because I know we would never agree on where to go. I'd want to travel with someone who's on the same page as me, so I don't end up punching them. And what if you do go to the past and punch them, which then sparks a big fight, then you go back to the present and see that the entire world is in one big fist fight? You'd feel pretty embarrassed, wouldn't you? That's usually when you're supposed to throw up your hands as if to say "Oh well!", then a laugh track, freeze frame, credits, followed by the old scary Viacom logo.
What are you going to be doing tomorrow?
Same thing we do every night, Pinky.
If you weren't answering these silly questions, what would you be doing instead?
Probably whittling.
What do you think of Big Brother?
That show's been on for how long now? And people still pay attention to it?
Do you have any pets?
Yeah, but don't tell my cat that. He's liable to eat your head.
What do you think has been your most life-changing decision?
Last week, when I decided not to wear my red Snoopy socks with my shoes that day because they were too loud and threw off the whole outfit.
What hobbies did you have as a child?
Made stuff with Play-Doh, pretended my action figures performed demonic rituals, watched foreign tv shows in between Saturday morning cartoons, sneaking my brother's heavy metal cassettes. You know, typical stuff.
What's the best party you've ever been to?
I've only been to family functions and sweet sixteens in school; I can't really say there were any that stood out. Unless my cousins' kids are running around and making a mess. Then it's just pure comedy.
Which part of your body would you most like to change?
I don't know, I guess get an appendix piercing or something. It doesn't do anything, right? It just sits there in you waiting to rupture and piss you off. But once you see Fall Out Boy doing it, you'll know who they stole that idea from. Remember I came up with it first, and I WILL seek action.
What is the most exciting thing happening in comics right now?
The fact that they're getting more recognition. More movies are being made and it's really becoming part of the mainstream. People are beginning to accept it and realize that it is a valid artform, not just something for kids or collectors.
What is your favourite newspaper - which one really gets your goat?
I like the Village Voice a lot. The ads in the back are pretty funny. Not nearly as graphic as it used to be, but still morbidly entertaining. I hate whatever newspaper decides that celebrity screw ups are front page news. I once saw Lindsay Lohan take top billing over a new cancer study. Because people really depend on how many substances are in her....now that I think of it, there may very well be Vegas odds on her blood alcohol level.
If you'd like to drop by the Village to answer the Gossip's questions, email craigjohnsonesq@aol.com to chat. Similarly email if you have a question you'd like the Gossip to include in his bag.