Sebastian Girner and Galaad Discuss the Fun Fantasy of Scales & Scoundrels

There’s a lot of affection for classic fantasy here, and also a bit of fun with the conventions. To what extent are you each fantasy fans?
Sebastian Girner: I’m a pretty big fan of genre in general, and fantasy has been one I’ve dipped in and out of since childhood, be it in novels, comics or videogames. I think Galaad and I both have an appreciation for the kind of fantasies that really take you to another world and let you get lost there.
Galaad: I think we can safely say we are both huge fans of the genre, even if I read less fantasy than I used to in my youth. I will never decline a good old fashioned D&D session, and I’ve stopped counting my playthroughs of the Witcher 3 and Skyrim.
What were your entries into the world of fantasy? What works inspired you?

SG: Growing up in Germany, my first love of fantasy was Michael Ende’s The Neverending Story, which I still consider one of the finest fantasy novels of our time. There was also a popular German YA author couple in the 80s and 90s named Wolfgang and Heike Hohlbein who wrote a slew of pulpy but hugely enjoyable fantasy novels (only three of which I believe were translated into English under the (unfortunate) title Magic Moon).
And then of course there’s Tolkien, whom I landed on when I was in my early teens. No way around that guy!
G: I’ve always loved fantasy, as far as I can remember. I think Zelda games were my first introduction to the genre in the 80s, along with other video games of that era. It was around that time that I watched Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind for the first time, but back then I was more enthralled by the characters, the art and the animation than the world and the lore. A few years later, I read Tolkien and it left a very strong and lasting impression on me. I had never seen an imaginary world of this scope and breadth, with characters bigger than life, a prose this beautiful and intricate, and themes that transcend space and time. It was a revelation, really.
Since then, I’ve tried to capture back this feeling by devouring lots of fantasy books, from Le Guin, to Hobb, Eddings, Martin, Sanderson, Abercrombie, Erikson, Rothfuss and more, but got really frustrated as I realized I wasn’t drawn to the epic or the gritty in fantasy, but to “fantasy” itself, that tingle of wonder and amazement you get when looking at a mysterious horizon, the excitement of embarking in the next adventure and the realization that, as Gandalf said, it is not great, heroic deeds that keep darkness at bay, but the small deeds of everyday folk.
Galaad, I believe that this is your first American comics project. How did you and Sebastian come together for the book?
G: Yes, it is my first venture into American comics. Sebastian and I met after I sent him samples of my work and asked for his advice as an editor on how to break into the industry when you were not born and raised in America. We immediately clicked on many levels, as we realized we grew up with very similar influences, including a love for 16-bit RPGs. I am a former storyboard artist, so I was confident with my ability to tell a story, but his work brought my art to the next level.
What was the collaboration like between the two of you, and with you both and (letterer/designer) Jeff Powell?
SG: I’ve worked in comics for nearly ten years as an editor, so I had experience in putting a book together, in setting schedules and assembling the framework of a creative collaboration. But it was still a fairly new experience for me to then get to inhabit that and get to create these worlds and characters with Galaad. I think it very quickly became clear to us that we just clicked. Galaad would sketch something that would unlock a whole backstory, or piece of the narrative to me, which I’d build on and flesh out, send back to him and that would spark another round of sketches and designs, resetting the cycle.
Jeff is a letterer and designer I’d worked with many times before, and I’m so glad we came on to work on the book as he’s really made it his own. The lettering and art feel so natural together, you basically forget they’re not one and the same. That’s exactly the effect you want.
G: I am fortunate enough to be working with veterans of the comics industry. Sebastian has been an editor for many years, and Jeff has extensive experience in designing and lettering comic books. Their experience allow me to dedicate 99% of my time to the art and the pages. On a daily basis, the creative process consists mostly of Sebastian and I exchanging words and art, and letting one surprise the other with ideas, concepts and narration.
Luvander gets the spirit and sense of adventure that used to be reserved for guys in fantasy. Can you each talk a bit about the development of the character?
SG: Luvander’s design was the first thing that fell into place. The whole world, style and tone of the book was based on, around, or in reaction to her. Galaad just drew her with this mischievous smile that spoke volumes to me.
G: The whole series was designed around Lu, who was, as Sebastian said, the first element that came to life. Having a big, sprawling world is one thing, but you need great and compelling characters to tell a story. At that time, the only thing I knew was that she was fun to draw and that I wouldn’t tire of her. It’s an important thing when you’re a comic artist and have to live alongside these characters for several years. Then, Sebastian took the concept are ran with it. He gave her a name, a past, a present, a future, hopes, dreams, desires, but also flaws, failings, struggles, and her very own personal tragedy. It may not seem like it yet, for the first TPB is only the introduction to the series, but Lu is a tragic character who decided to make the most of her destiny and shines by her optimism and her take on life. I hope she inspires our readers!

While developing the book, how important was that largely female cast?
SG: Both Galaad and I were clear that we wanted to create a fantasy book that was inclusive, that really anyone could pick up and imagine themselves living and having adventures there. Feeling represented and seeing characters you identify with is important, so we set out to create as many opportunities for that as possible.
A lot of modern fantasy still pays homage to the Tolkinian Middle-Earth, which is, let’s be honest, pretty much all straight white guys (or straight white Hobbits, dwarves and elves.) The one notable exception is Éowyn who, (un)incidentally, is the best character in the book.
So, I don’t recall us every saying “Let’s have a predominantly female cast” at any stage in the creation. We just started telling the story and letting it happen naturally, and that’s what we came up with.
G: I confirm that we never set out to make an all-female cast (or almost all-female cast), which would be the reverse of making an all-male cast and would defeat the purpose of being inclusive. When we create a character, the first thing we ask ourselves is who is he or she? It just so happens that Koro, Lu and Dorma are women. But they are strong characters first and foremost. I personally really like Dorma, for she is, in my opinion, one of the rare examples of a female character in fantasy who is neither a mage or a warrior, nor a powerful leader, nor a romantic interest. She just is Dorma, plain and simple. And when the time comes, she can be as brave as the bravest hero.
Galaad, can you talk about developing the look of the world? I love the shift in color palette between different types of scenes.
G: From the get go, I knew I wanted the world and backgrounds to be beautiful, colorful and inviting. That’s what I like in fantasy: a big world ripe for adventure and exploring, full of magic and mystery. That’s why the colors are slightly brighter and vivid than in the real world. I use them to give the scenery that otherworldly feel.
This is volume 1 of an ongoing story. How much more do we have to look forward to?
SG: Plenty! At the time Vol. 1 goes on sale, Galaad will be wrapping the art for issue #10, which concludes the second volume which will be out in July. And we’re shooting for Volume 3 by Christmas of 2018.
G: We’re in for the long haul. We intend to continue the adventure for as long as we can. We have lots of stories to tell and lots of adventures awaiting our readers.
Scales & Scoundrels, Volume 1: Into the Dragon’s Maw is available on February 13.