Indie Edge August 2016: Keith Foster

Please tell us a bit about yourself!

Gladly! I write a comic called Kodoja (STL018656) as part of a creative team with two incredibly talented guys: Rory Smith (interior art) and Lance Pilgrim (graphic design and covers). I’m also in a band — Big Pimp Jones — we’ve released funk 45s and LPs on various record labels for the past ten years. I’ve been into comics for more than 30 years — the comics that got me hooked were Secret Wars #4 and Amazing Spider-Man #252, and it’s blossomed from there. I love stuff from the early-to-mid-’70s — Kung fu, Giant Monster movies, and definitely the music! I’m a collector as well — Godzilla stuff, comics (of course) and records/vinyl.

What are your favorite projects you’ve contributed to over the past decade?

On the Comics side, it’s pretty much Kodoja and only Kodoja. We’re still relatively new to this — started out self-publishing it in 2012 and working conventions to spread the word — after a few years we connected with the guys at 215 Ink to get the word out even more! We’re really proud of the book so far and are just getting started regarding the overall narrative. Another favorite project is the music to Kodoja — Kodoja has a soundtrack for you to enjoy as you read or on your own time (it’s a fusion of Godzilla movie-style music and funk)!

What are you currently working on?

We’re continuing work on Kodoja — I imagine this is pretty normal, but I’m writing ahead on the story (currently writing the ‘Volume 3’ story arc) while Lance and Rory finalize the art, layouts and covers on Volume 2. The first story arc — Kodoja Volume 1 — is available right now, with Volume 2 getting underway soon. As I write this I’m also working on the music to the next story arc (Volume 2) and preparing a panel to present at a convention on Economics and how they tie to Godzilla films. The Kodoja creative team is also working on a second book (not involving Giant Monsters) that we hope to share with people soon!

What fun titles are you reading?

Infinite Kung Fu (MAY111197 / Top Shelf/IDW)—I don’t know if this book is still considered indie due to acquisitions, but I’ve loved this book since the self-published run of Kagan McLeod’s. It is a fantastic, crazily-violent throwback to vintage ’70s Kung Fu and Shaw Brothers flicks, with delightfully insane plot twists and Kung Fu for DAYS!

Dead Letters (JUN140937 / BOOM! Studios)—Without giving too much away, the main character wakes up somewhere to start the story with no knowledge of how he got there, only to be thrust into a turf war among competing crime bosses. One of my favorite books (wait until you find out where he is)!

Ultraman Manga (JUN151638 / Viz Media). Yes, that Ultraman! This book takes the original Ultraman franchise and jumps it into the present, aging the characters and everything. It’s a great update on a childhood favorite for many people and plays out like an Ultraman / Iron Man fusion with Shin Hayata’s son taking center stage. In my family, people fight over who gets to read it second… after me, of course!

EDGE ESSENTIALS

Pick up these books to learn more about Keith Foster’s Indie Edge style!

Kodoja Volume 1: Terror Mountain Showdown TP (APR161998)
Kodoja Vol. 2 #1 (See page 468 of the August PREVIEWS catalog to order!)