by Doug Krentzlin
Bobby Nash is one of the new generation of artists who feel equally at home writing for comics and more traditional fiction prose.
In previous decades, those who wrote novels and short stories wouldn't be caught dead writing comic books which were considered a medium exclusively intended for children and a rather trashy one at that. The great Ray Bradbury was one of the rare exceptions.
But let's hear about Bobby's work in his own words: "From his secret lair in the wilds of Bethlehem, Georgia, Bobby Nash writes. He is an author of novels and short stories like Evil Ways, Fantastix, Lance Star: Sky Ranger, Domino Lady, Sentinels: Alternate Visions, Full Throttle Space Tales: Space Sirens, A Fistful of Legends and the upcoming Green Hornet Chronicles and Secret Agent X among others. He also writes comic books and graphic novels like Life In The Faster Lane, Fuzzy Bunnies From Hell, Demonslayer, Fantastix and the upcoming Yin Yang among others. For more information on my work, please visit http://www.bobbynash.com (woefully in need of an update) and http://bobby-nash-news.blogspot.com."
Like many others, Bobby's dedication to the comic book genre dates back to his adolescence. "My passion for comics began long, long ago in a place not so far away," he says, "Like most kids I'd read a comic book here or there growing up, but it wasn't until seeing reruns of the 1960's Spider-Man cartoon that I was hooked. It was at that moment that I realized my dream was to draw comic books. Sadly, my artistic skills turned out to be somewhat lacking, but I found I had an affinity for creating stories so I focused on writing and here we are. Coincidentally, the first comic books I remember owning came in a 3-pack my Mom bought me with Amazing Spider-Man issues 192, 193 & 194 (Black Cat's first appearance). So I guess you could say it was Spider-Man that got me into comics."
As for influences, "Oh, there are so many to choose from," Bobby says, "I have certainly been influenced by many writers and artists over the years, but if I start naming names this will become a long list. I love talking with other creative people and I find influences everywhere. If I ever find myself lacking in motivation all I have to do is call up or chat on-line with some of my writer or artist friends and I'm re-energized. My family is also a great source of inspiration. So much so that I based the Life In The Faster Lane comic strip on them. Deadlines are also great influences. Nothing gets me influenced to write faster than a looming deadline. I say it jokingly, but it's true."
Asked whether he has a preference for either the comics or prose mediums, Bobby's response is, "I can't say I prefer one over the other as each seems to work a different creative muscle. Both writing for comics and writing prose have their unique challenges and rewards so I approach each one a little differently. With comics I get to play with images a lot more. I try to write in a visual style that allows the artist(s) to really show their stuff. With comics pacing, flow, and page numbers are really important. I want to make sure big reveals happen on a page turn, for example, because I don't want the reader to see the art and know what is coming. With novels and short stories those reveals don't have to happen on a certain page because there are no images to spoil it before it's read. With both comics and prose I have a rough idea where the story is going, but I don't do overly elaborate outlines. There are some exceptions, primarily if I'm writing a company owned characters. In those cases the plot has to fit with the publisher's editorial guidelines."
Nor does Bobby have any preference for a particular comic book genre (horror, super heroes, humor, etc.). "I like telling entertaining stories and I don't like to limit myself to just one genre, but I have areas where I'm stronger than others," he explains, "I've written horror, super-hero, humor, pulp, adventure, sci-fi, thrillers and westerns. It all depends on the story. Sometimes I will try a genre I don't normally write in to see if I like it. The western short story I wrote was a good example of that. I'd always wanted to try my hand at that genre so when the opportunity arose I jumped at it. Turns out I enjoyed it quite a bit. Sometimes I shy away from genres I know I'm not suited for. If I don't feel like a project is a good fit for me, I'll let an editor know. I've turned down certain jobs because I didn't think I was the right writer for it. I'd rather not write it than write it poorly."
Considering his many achievements, it's not terribly surprising that Bobby already has many fond memories connected with his body of work. "Seeing my first nationally distributed comic book in a comic book shop was a proud, proud moment," he says, "That was Demonslayer: Vengeance #1 from Avatar Press. It cracked the Top 200 in sales, which was a nice bonus. Holding my first published novel, Evil Ways, in my hands was another proud moment. I had a smile you couldn't knock off my face when UPS dropped off that box with my comps in it. Other moments that stick out is being recognized in public by people who know my work. It doesn't happen a lot, and it's an odd feeling when it does, but it makes me smile."
An extremely prolific writer, Bobby has many projects scheduled to come out in 2010. "I have prose short stories appearing in Moonstone's The Green Hornet Chronicles (not sure which volume), Airship 27 and Cornerstone Books' Secret Agent X, Ravenwood: Stepson of Mystery, Pulp Tone's Tales From The Zero Hour: Weird Tales, Mortis Tree and more to be announced soon. I have several novels in the works or completed and being shopped around. They include the pulpy Lance Star: Sky Ranger novel Cold Snap, a thriller called Games!, a sci-fi adventure thriller Earthstrike Agenda, another thriller called Blood Shot, and the long-awaited Evil Ways sequel called Evil Intent. No release dates on them yet, I'm afraid, but I am working on them. Upcoming comic books and graphic novels include Arcana's Yin Yang (currently available at WOWIO. Print edition in September), I am Googol for London's Point G Comics, Lance Star: Sky Ranger comic one-shots and I hope to have the Life In The Faster Lane collection completed as well. Plus, I've always got several other ideas percolating."
Bobby wraps up with the following advice to others who yearn to write: "Write because you love it. That's the main reason I write. Just remember this. If you want to write, draw, color, letter, etc. as a career, then you have to treat it like a job. Yes, it's a fun job, but there are deadlines that have to be met. Sometimes it means a sleepless night or sitting home working when you'd rather go to the movies or whatever, but if you love what you do it'll be worth it."
Doug Krentzlin is a professional freelance writer, guest lecturer and actor living in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his cats, Buffy and Angel. He writes an entertainment blog for Examiner.com (Classic TV Examiner) and has had articles published in the New York Post and Movie Maker Magazine. Doug can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
