Comics creator Joe Glass has cemented himself on the indie scene with his ongoing LGBTQ superhero comic The Pride, a title that champions diversity and inclusion. He’s now stepping outside of The Pride for his latest creation, the military-themed one-shot Acceptable Losses.
Currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, Acceptable Losses is a far different beast from The Pride, telling the story of an enhanced military operative’s final mission into the jaws of death. A 32-page title that dabbles in terrorism, revenge and superhero action, we caught up with Joe to find out more about the comic.
A Place To Hang Your Cape: Why did you want to bring this one-shot to life?
Joe Glass: One of the main reasons is to show something very different from what people would expect from me. But also it’s a story that really explores the War on Terror, and the never-ending cycle of violence that surrounds how we react to terrorism and our part to play in it.
AP2HYC: You’ve made a name for yourself with The Pride. How does Acceptable Losses stand apart from The Pride?
Glass: It’s a much darker and moodier story, and one that might be controversial to some. It’s much more about exploring ideas of how our world works in how it deals with these horrific things that happen, and how our own actions have consequences. It still also includes representation and diversity, because that’s a big part of what I want to bring to comics, but unlike The Pride, it’s not the main focus of Acceptable Losses.
AP2HYC: Are there any comics that inspired this particular title?
Glass: In terms of comics, I guess there’s a lot of tonal similarities to The Ultimates and Captain America comics, especially the more political or darker arcs. From other media, thrillers like Jack Ryan or superhero action films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier would be big inspirations.
AP2HYC: This is artist Danny Flores’ first major work, how did he join the comic?
Glass: I’d got in touch with him about working on something together, initially planning perhaps working on The Pride, but I realised how much his style would work with this edgier, darker story I had brewing, and thus pulled him into Acceptable Losses instead.
AP2HYC: Danny brings a sharp, determined look to Acceptable Losses, what’s it been like working with him?
Glass: Oh, he’s a joy to work with! He brings such a edge to the action in the book, and he works quickly and efficiently. It’s really awesome to work with someone like that, and with Moose Baumann on colours and Michael Stock, who always brings utterly professional skill to the lettering. The team as a whole are really making this comic something really special.
AP2HYC: What can people expect when they back this comic on Kickstarter?
Glass: They can expect a powerful, action packed thriller that is told in full and complete in one over-size issue. They can expect amazing artwork and design. A thought-provoking story that really focuses on the layers involved in the thinking of the War on Terror. And of course, there’s a bunch of awesome rewards available, so plenty for everyone, including people who’d like to check out my earlier work like The Pride.
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