Drew Hayes
POISON ELVES (Artist / Writer)

Eitan Shapiro of 4-Color Review managed to get Drew Hayes of POISON ELVES fame to be interviewed for our little love fest. For those that don't know, POISON ELVES is a wildly popular black & white title published by Sirius - the people who publish Animal Mystic and Dawn, among others. Impressive company to be in, no? Thanks to Drew for his time and patience with us.

#1
Q: Why POISON ELVES?
A: Because POISON DWARVES would have been pretty stupid, now- don't you think?

#2
Q: Why Black & White, as opposed to color, aside from the obvious financial reasons?
A: Financial reasons have nothing to do with it. From the git- go Sirius has wanted to do PE in color and still do. I choose black and white because I want people to see how I darw- my whole style is geared to black and white. Color gives bad artists too much mercy.

#3
Q: Are there any characters you want to work on?
A: The Marvel Universe.

#4
Q: If so, what would you like to do with/to them?
A: Annihilate them.

#5
Q: Are there any creators you totally respect? Totally despise?
A: Yes- on the respect side Joe Linsner, Terry Moore... On the despise side... C'mon...

#6
Q: Any chance you'd write a book for Extreme Studios?
A: The answer to a question like this is VERY dependent on many things. It's only recently I've found out that my writing skills are respected much less noticed, so it's a tricky balance with my egarness and enthusiasm for storytelling verses certain control issues. It would depend on many things and in the end, if I'd want to be associated with Extreme (not that that's a good or bad thing, I'm saying...)

#7
Q: Would you ever do a POISON ELVES crossover with any other books, A: like PREACHER, HELLBLAZER, etc?
No, not those. THE CROW.

#8
Q: Do you have any formal art training, or are you naturally, disgustingly talented?
A: The disgusting thing.

#9
Q: How long before we see a line of fully articulated, kung-fu grip, real-life beard, with special light-up weapons POISON ELVES action figures?
A: The day Rob Liefeld can do a fully articulated comic. Or never. I guess I just blew that contract with Extreme, eh?

#10
Q: Clinton, Dole, Perot or the crazy, toothless crack addict on MLK Blvd.?
A: Mr. Bean, actually.

#11
Q: Archie VS Punisher did pretty well. Any chance you could off a few Smurfs and Care Bears in your book?
A: If only...

#12
Q: Any plans for a POISON ELVES spin-off in the future?
A: Maybe.

#13
Q: What's your fave Rollins album and why?
A: Any of his spoken word. Because I find him either saying things I think already, summing up things I've never been able to put together, and I find his insight into life and himself as something I respect- deep, relentless, with no bullshit.

#14
Q: Do you think you tend to emphasize writing or art in your stories?
A: I try to keep them even, but sometimes one becomes less important than the other, situation dictates. As in a fight- art, in conversations between characters- writing.

#15
Q: Why Sirius?
A: Because it's not Extreme... Did I blow it again?

#16
Q: What do you think of the comic industry as a whole at this point in time?
A: I think it's a f*cking mess.

#17
Q: New England or Manhatten clamchowder?
A: Yuk.

#18
Q: Any strong influences in the comics field?
A: Bernie Wrightson. Terry Moore (but don't tell him cuz he's my friend).

#19
Q: Any strong influences outside the field?
A: My life, your life. Music. Reality and fear.

#20
Q: What are the chances I could score some original Poison Elves artwork? :-)
A: You just slipped this in to be cute, huh?
Carry on, oh wayward son, Drew