There are gay ninjas, 50-foot lesbian and super evil geniuses called Muscle Mary and Pussy.
And theyre going to kick ass…
When did you decide to create a superhero comic with an entirely gay group?
Yes, issue three is Gay Zombies.
Issue two is Pink Ninjas.
My villains are crazy.
How hasSpandexbeen received so far?
Before the media became involved, it was getting a good response.
I think people just liked something new and different and quite colourful.
Kids love the colours, which is a bit unfortunate, asSpandexisnt for them.
The gay community seem very happy and proud to have something like this.
I did a comic convention up in Leeds at the weekend and everyone was so, so nice.
Where did you find your heroes and what other influences factored in while creating the comic?
Most of my heroes just start with a name.
Butch and Mr Muscles came to me quite quickly.
Its almost as if these people exist, and they just introduce themselves to me.
Prowler and Indigo took ages to develop though.
All the old 80s Marvel Comics, Grant Morrisons comics, things like that.
Ill have to see how it goes, financially.
What do you think of current depictions of gay people/culture in television/films/comics?
I dont know, I dont watch it.
I think people are less afraid to show gay characters now.
It didnt seem very natural.
I think the trick is to introduce lesbian and gay characters without anyone batting an eyelid.
It seems almost ignored.
Maybe its because the writers are straight, and theyre not sure how to handle it.
Write what you know, they always say!
I think you have to explore the dark side of things, because life isnt always rosy.
But then you dont want to go down theEastendersroute, which is too depressing.
I think people will be surprised bySpandex.
Its lighter thanThe O Men, but some very shocking things happen.
Someone picking up issue one expecting a bit of camp nonsense is in for a big surprise.
Who are some of your favourite superheroes and villains?
Look at Storm now, shes just uninteresting.
I pretty much like most of Grant Morrisons stuff.Doom Patrol,The Invisibles amazing.
I wish theyd bring Crazy Jane back.
Favourite team of all time though was Alpha Flight (R.I.P.)…
I kind of like the Marauders in theX-Men, but they were really under-developed for some reason.
They just look good.
Are you planning on returning toThe O Men?
Im planning to do a fun, jointO Men/Spandexpic where theyre all in a nightclub or pub.
Which do you prefer doing, the artwork or the writing?
Thats a tricky question!
I dont even consider myself a writer.
I love drawing Ive been drawing since I was about three.
One guy the other day said I draw like a four-year-old!
Some people think the art is too simple.
I dont know, Im too close to it.
I do my best, and it is what it is, and I hope people like it.
I think Im a storyteller, above anything else.
Martin Eden, thank you very much!
