For those of you who have listened to my appearances on podcasts, you know that Condrey is a comic 20 years in the making. Written after I was in a serious car accident, it represented my first foray into fiction and real writing.
At the time Condrey was originally created, I was an 18-year-old punk affected by the work of Frank Miller, Todd McFarlane, Brian Michael Bendis and Greg Capullo, I embarked on a journey to create a character that was different.
20 years later, it’s still rooted in 80s and 90s film, music and noir. So much that people have told me it feels retro. That, to me is a massive compliment. That era of comics will always be my favorite, so to connect a whole new generation to the writing that influenced me, is special.
Condrey was created as a representation of someone who could not be deterred by physical pain. One that was fueled by internal struggle- one that had the power to either destroy him or provide strength and courage to so many more. Why? Because I, too, was lost. My injury robbed me of an attempt to try my hand at a career that required me to be physical every day.
So now, at 18, at 6’4 and 230 pounds, I had to adapt. I had to become someone else. That was a concept I felt that was worth exploring.
Condrey is no mere vigilante. He’s got a lot going on under the hood. Many have commented to me that in the beginning the series felt like Sin City, but with the introduction of Sarita, it feels much different. That’s no accident. As the series goes on, you’ll be exposed to more lore and the backstories of all of the characters. Like me, at the time of my accident, I too was going through personal growth and discovery. Each day back then (and today as well) was filled with lessons about myself- who I was and what I was capable of. These characters are no different. They are deep. They are bruised. But they never stop fighting.
In my case, 20 years later, in spite of my injury, I’ve lived the type of life I never imagined, teaching college full-time, writing for over 30 publications and seven books, working in the video game industry as a writer and voice over actor and being a husband and father.
My hope is that 20 years from now, you connect to this series and it affects your life the same way it has mine.
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