By Richard Vasseur - (Posted: 12/31/2005)

RV : How did you come up with Jack Brodie's character?

David Bircham : The idea for Jack Brodie came about from a story called 'Doughface' created by myself back in 1998. It was just an idea for a while without it being developed but Daley had always loved the main character. Daley spoke to me about developing the main character from Doughface and creating an action-packed comic thriller that destroys the stale methodology of the traditional superhero. From there the store ark for Brodie's Law just came naturally. Since Daley and I had always wanted to do a story based in London's underbelly, this seemed the right character for such a story.

RV : What is PM13?

DB : It's a process called Psycho Metamorphosis or PM13, a compound that stimulates a human's latent ability to morph from one human likeness to another, male or female.

RV : Why form Pulp Theatre Entertainment?

DB : We started our company Pulp Theatre Entertainment over three and a half years ago which started out as a new media company, but we quickly realized that our passion was for comics. Back then, Daley was working as a graphic designer and I was drawing concept art for Hasbro. We wanted our own unique company that spearheaded anything we produce.

RV : Can you tell us about some of the supporting characters?

DB :
JACK BRODIE
Jack has always been on the wrong side of the law, he's always felt that this lifestyle choose him rather than the other way around. Which is ironic as many of his friends made tracks in the complete opposite direction. Jack has an ex-wife Marla and a son Damien. His wife left him because of his criminal life style. Jack has a way of evaluating a job. His philosophy is you can tell what someone's like from the look in their eyes. Jack will always know what move to make by getting up close and personal, i.e. bumping into his assigned target, although sometimes a snap shot will have to do. He is a philosophical man, following an ancient Japanese Samurai code: of loyalty, honor and trust. Jack has never trusted anyone apart from one.
TOMOKAI YOSHIDA
Tomoki is a beautiful young Japanese genetic scientist. She is quite simply a genius and very good at her profession, but does not have the confidence to go all the way. She falls in love with Jack and helps him out of his predicament. She knows her love hate relationship with Jack, is fraught with danger, but she sticks with him with the hopes of a better outcome.
EUGENE DELLA CRUZ
Utterly corrupt billionaire puppet master. A man who sees the fun side of evil. Eugene is the man in the West End; a city high-flyer, businessman and property developer who hired Brodie to steal the disc. He owns the Media friendly conglomerate Della Enterprise that is situated in London Tower Bridge. A man driven by ambition, power and greed. Eugene has influential friends in high places. Not at al sentimental, Eugene doesn't care who gets screwed over, just so long as he gets what he wants.
HARRY WADE
Detective Wade is the cover agent sent by Scotland Yard to track down Jack Brodie and retrieve the stolen disc. He goes about his job in a low-key fashion and gets results by whatever means. He has a lot of experience in tracking down wanted criminals, because they never see him coming. He has a history with Jack; they were once childhood best friends. He rides around in his vintage Ford Capri and is very much like Jack, quick, intelligent and able to get out of any situation. He is a man committed to his job and his motivation to see Jack captured was business as usual but his strong ties with Jack later made him see things differently.

RV : What comics do you read now?

DB : My taste hasn't changed that much actually. I am a big fan of Incredible Hulk (haven't read recent issues though just re-read old stuff and collect memorabilia). I have always liked Wolverine which I still read, especially when Larry Hama wrote the script.

RV : If you could any comic outside of Pulp Theatre's comics which one would it be?

DB : I would like to work on District X because I think that David Hine is a class writer, and Bishop from X-Men is bad to the bone!!

RV : How would you describe your art style?

DB : Very gritty, detailed and bold.

RV : Do you have any formal training?

DB : Not really. Natural talent I guess (ha ha!!)

RV : Did you enjoy working with 2000AD?

DB : My experience with 2000AD is a very positive one, but it was filled with questionable moments. I did the art for Slaine for many years which was met with mixed emotions by the readers. I realized at the time that my art whether negative or positive is inspiring people to say something! Without 2000AD I wouldn't be here today, without their belief in my ability there would be no Brodie's Law, I will always be grateful for that.

RV : Do you have any other projects?

DB : I have a few commissions at the moment and also working on the second series of Brodie's Law.

RV : How can someone contact you?

RV : Any last words of advice?

DB : Be consistent with your product and don't put anything amateur on the shelf even if you are an independent.

RV : Can you give us an outline of the story?

Daley Osiyemi : Brodie's Law is the story of Jack Brodie, an East London criminal sent on a routine assignment, to break into a high tech lab and steal a disc that contained a top-secret experiment. The disc he stole was the blue print for a process called Psycho Metamorphosis or PM13, a compound that stimulates a human's latent ability to morph from one human likeness to another, male or female. With the help of a genetic scientist...he came to possess the power to steal a person's thoughts and identity before returning it tainted with his own evil deeds. Framed for a murder he did not commit. Brodie embarked on a thrilling non-stop mission to find his kidnapped son and seek his revenge.

RV : What does the tattoo on Brodie's back mean?

DO : Jack Brodie lives by a strong spiritual code and believes based on an ancient Samurai code which he strongly identifies with. The tattoo-like symbol was designed by me as a representation of this code. To fully explain it, I would have to tell you the origins of the tattoo. The symbol is called "Takai" which means "Death". In ancient Japan it represented the mask worn by a Samurai warrior called "Kyuma" who was head of the "Kabuki Death Seekers Clan". He was feared and revered by all. He was known for not sparing the lives of enemies captured in battle. It was claimed he made a pact with the Devil, that if he collected the souls of the dead this would in turn make him stronger and more fearless in battle. Jack Brodie came across the symbol when reading an earlier version of the "Hagakure" Way of the Samurai. The symbol immediately had a profound effect on him. He saw similarities between Kyuma and himself and started using the symbol as his calling card. A sign of protection also a sign that spelt trouble for those who crossed him.

RV : How did you meet David Bircham?

DO : I met up with David at a friend's house about seven years ago. We didn't think much of the meeting at first, but David and I went away thinking to ourselves that we were both respectively talented in our fields, me as a graphic designer and David as an illustrator.

RV : What is the creative process of creating a comic book?

DO : I am more of the story teller/creator than the writer. David and I discuss story outlines and we work on breakdowns for each issue. We then pass it on to Alan Grant (Lobo, Judge Dredd and Batman) whom we brought on board to write the finished scripts. David is the sole artist on the comic, bringing his unique style which perfectly fits a story like this. David also takes on the writing if he is not too busy doing the artwork.

RV : How long did it take you and David to create "Brodie's Law"?

DO : About a year from start to finish.

RV : What do you think of Alan Grant?

DO : Working with Alan has been a great experience and a positive one. Alan had known David from his time at 2000AD back in the early 90's. When we told Alan about our plans too launch Brodie's Law and he saw the artwork and the story breakdowns he was game on. He quickly saw the potential and the unique style in which we wanted to tell the story. Obviously it was a contract based relationship, we paid him for his service, and it was more than worth it. Having Alan's scripting prowess at the head of our story worked seamlessly; all three of us wanted it dark and sinister.

RV : What first got you interested in comics?

DO : The Marvel and DC characters as a fan and David Bircham as a comic creator.

RV : What other interests do you have?

DO : Love to watch films. Lots of films.

RV : Who do you admire most?

DO : Creatively in comics, there are many!!! I love the work of Frank Miller, Bian Azerello (hope I spelt it right), Alan Grant, Alan Moore and Garth Ennis. I love film directors like Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott and Martin Scorcessi. Great artists like Simon Bisley, David Bircham, Eric Powell and Eduardo Risso.

RV : What can you tell us about "Urban Hustle"?

DO : Not much at the moment. It's still a story in the early stage of development which we have put on the back burner for the time being.

RV : How can someone reach you?

RV : Any last words of wisdom?

DO : If you wanna do it. Do it! Don't let the buggers grind you down