FCBD 2010: Exclusive Interview with Fractured Fables Editor Jim Valentino

On May 1, Image Comics, a Free Comic Book Day Gold (FCBD) Sponsor, will provide readers with the opportunity to see classic fables told as never before by a plethora of creators with the Fractured Fables FCBD 2010 Edition, the start of a kids' comics anthology. Image co-founder Jim Valentino serves as the title's editor, and recently discussed the book and FCBD in general in an exclusive interview with Freecomicbookday.com.

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Freecomicbookday.com: Set your project up for those that might not know much about it. What can we expect to see in terms of story and art?

Jim Valentino: Fractured Fables is a smaller sampling of the larger hardcover book of the same name that we’ll be releasing later in the year. It features five of the thirty stories from the hardcover book by some of the most talented individuals in the comics industry. 

The premise of the book is to take a familiar fairy tale or nursery rhyme and turn it on its ear. In the FCBD version we have Little Red Riding Hood by Bryan Talbot and Camilla d’Errico, Rumplestiltskin by Doug TenNapel, The Real Princess (The Princess and the Pea) by Alexander Grecian and Christian Ward, Raponsel by Derek McCulloch and Anthony Peruzzo and Hey Diddle, and Diddle by Ted McKeever – all wrapped in a beautiful cover by Michael and Laura Allred.
 
Freecomicbookday.com: What’s your favorite part about being able to work in comics?

Valentino: You mean there’s a bad part? I love everything about comics – I love the art form; I love the great people in the industry; I love the fact that I can work anywhere – my home, a studio, any place around the world; I love the smell of a new comic; I’m only so-so on the staples, though.
 

Freecomicbookday.com: Why do you think FCBD is so vital to the industry?

Valentino: I think it’s essential that we introduce more people to the enormous talent, energy, ideas, and the wide range of subjects, genres, and approaches the field has to offer. And what better way to do that than to have an open house where everyone is invited? People who have never walked into a comic specialty store before come to it; they bring their families, and hopefully see what they’re missing.

Freecomicbookday.com: Since FCBD has now been a yearly event since 2002, do you, your creator friends and/or your family have any annual FCBD traditions?

Valentino: Having been on the original steering committee for FCBD, I do whatever I can to promote the event. I’m usually in at least one store during it and have been in as many as three in a single day. I think it’s one of the most important days of our calendar year and I’m proud to watch it grow and develop.
 

Freecomicbookday.com: What’s the biggest challenge when creating a FCBD book as opposed to a standard comic? Do you have to approach it differently knowing you might have a broader audience?

Valentino: We wanted to showcase Fractured Fables this year because it’s a “family friendly” book. For many years we in the business have had to fight the stigma of comics being “for kids”…now that we’ve won that battle, myself and many of my peers in publishing are creating books FOR kids – and that’s a good thing. As I noted above, FCBD is a day when many families visit our stores, so having something there that a family can enjoy is extremely important.
 

Freecomicbookday.com: Knowing that so many readers are sure to pick up the issue, does that put more pressure on you, or is that something that gets you more excited about what you’re working on?

Valentino: I think every editor and publisher does the best job they’re capable of to make every book they’re working on special. What’s exciting here is that we have a unique opportunity to introduce new readers to our wares. So, I guess it makes me more excited.
 

Freecomicbookday.com: In the spirit of potential newcomers picking up comics, what was the first comic you remember reading or that inspired you to get involved in the industry?

Valentino: That’s a tough one for me. I have so many memories of comics early in my life. I guess one of the earliest for me was a coverless comic a cousin of mine had – it featured a guy in a red suit running after a guy in green that talked…really…slow. It wasn’t until many years later I discovered the book was, in fact, Showcase #4.
 

Freecomicbookday.com: What comic(s) or graphic novel(s) would you recommend to someone that enjoys your FCBD book and is looking for something like it to read next?

Valentino: Well, first and foremost I would want them to pre-order the larger Fractured Fables hardcover book from their local retailer.  Then, it’s a question of their individual taste. The single most exciting thing about this particular time is that there are books for every reader and for every taste. My hope would be that attendees would come back to the store and take a good long look around, and talk to the knowledgeable people employed there. I cannot imagine that anyone, regardless their age or interests, couldn’t find something that will appeal to them.

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Be sure to visit Freecomicbookday.com often to check out previews of this year’s books and to learn more about our FCBD Sponsors, what merchandise and downloads are available this year, where favorite creators will be showing up for signings, and much more. You can also follow all the latest FCBD news on Facebook and Twitter.