Comic Related: Bill Gladman's Life in Four Colors

Life In Four Colors Spotlight
Fat Momma - A Comic Related Family Affair

Well….here it is. The very last thing about Mid-Ohio Con 2008 that I believe I will be talking about. While at the con the very first weekend of October I ran across a comic book series that really impressed me.

The series…Fat Momma produced by Esteem Comics. A book that is based on Nell Wilson’s Fat Momma character which debuted on the Sci Fi Channel “reality show” Who Wants To Be A Superhero? The show was created and produced by comic legend Stan Lee and Nell as Fat Momma was part of the first cast from season one of the show, which would run two seasons.

Fat Momma fell short of grand prize winner that season, being beat out by fellow hero and friend, Feedback. But that didn’t stop Nell from becoming a hero…not only in the pages of a world held together by two staples…..but in the world we all live in.

The books themselves deliver a very strong, very positive message about feeling good about your self, standing up to those you put you down for being different, and other tales about how children should be aware of people who they do not know. The stories are geared towards a younger audience but at the same time deliver these same powerful messages to teens, adults, and parents.

That in itself is enough in my book to draw some attention to this book…but after reading issues #1 and #2 of the series I noticed something else amazing about this book. A couple of things really.

I guess you can take that statement…..a couple of things that are amazing associated with this book and apply it directly to two very talented young ladies who were an honest to goodness pleasure to meet while at the Mid-Ohio show. I’m of course referring to Layne and Peri Toth.

Layne and Peri at their booth at Mid-Ohio...

….and at the Comic Related booth during an interview with Raichal.

These too, bright, talented, and incredibly mature ladies stole the hearts of everybody in the Comic Related Camp that weekend. They draw and write portions of the Fat Momma books…everything from back up stories, to pin up art, and I think Layne is doing the cover for issue # 3 of the book…or maybe it’s an alternate cover.

The Fat Momma book is not the only book to feature the creative labors of these two young sisters…..they have done work on several other titles that are available through their Sisters Comics website.

http://www.sisterscomics.com/

Books that include….

Sisters Comics Annual #1

This flip style book features multiple covers…one that features Peri’s “See Thru Baby” and another that showcases “Lucky The One Eyed Stray Dog” a story drawn by Layne. Staying very much with the family feel originating from the Fat Momma books…Sisters Comics Annual #1 has a story written by the proud father of the two girls, “Tornado” Toth and drawn by Layne and another story that features both Layne and Peri.

There is also a pretty cool pin up of Lucky illustrated by new friend of the Comic Related family….the very talented Josh Warner.

www.hangingchadentertainment.com

There’s also Owosso Taco House Funnies

Another book that features work from the Toth girls. It features stories from other writers and artists as well in the Michigan area and all the stories center on a restaurant in Owosso where all these creators love to meet and eat at. A pretty interesting book and an interesting way to draw some attention to the popular eatery which just celebrated its 38th anniversary. The back cover is actually a menu for the Taco House. How cool.

www.myspace.com/owossotacohouse

And then there’s the Scribble Monster Pin Up Book….

With more art from Layne and Peri as well as Josh Warner….Paul E. Schultz, and yet another member of the Comic Related family….Mr. Tony Miello.

Tony is also a very crucial part of the evolution of the Fat Momma books. He wrote the scripts for issue #1 and #2….did the interior art work for the lead story in both of those books and also illustrated the cover for Fat Momma #2.

Tony was nice enough to take some time out of his very busy schedule to answer a few questions I had about his involvement with the Fat Momma books….

G-Man: As you know I'm doing a story on the Fat Momma comics which I hope to have up this weekend and you said if I had any questions feel free to ask away. I know you're working on a book right now so I'll try to keep it short

How did you get involved with the Fat Momma Comics?

Tony Miello: I had done a web search looking for personal appearances that some of the heroes were doing and found the first seasons contestants MySpace pages and became Fat Momma's MySpace friend. At some point she had sent out a bulletin looking for artist to work with. I really loved the message that she was putting out there for kids and thought I could help, so I sent her some samples of my work.

GM: I've seen some art work from Layne Toth for issue # 3.....are you still doing the lead stories in the books...and if so how long are you planning to do so?

TM: I have not done work for issue #3 or #4 (which I believe was written by Brett Pinson). I don't know if she has plans for any books past that. Nell and I had talked about several other projects to work on. I would not be opposed to working on more comics for her in the future.

GM: How's it feel to be working with a couple of up and coming stars like Layne and Peri Toth?

TM: I like working with them. I'd liked to do it more. It's great to see them working so hard. You can clearly see how much they love doing comics and how much they put into the comics they do. They also bring a freshness to their work that you just won’t find from old farts like me.

GM: For those who don't already know...what other projects do have going on other than Fat Momma?

TM: I have a comic strip, GAPO the Clown, which updates on the web twice a week. www.gapotheclown.com. I do a mini comic (which will be expanding to full comic) called Mr. Happy Pants. And myself and Brett Pinson are currently working on comics for a locally produced television show here in the Detroit area called Wolfman Mac's Nightmare Sinema, which should be making it's debut at XcapeCon 2 here in Flint, MI.

Tony Miello hard at work at Mid-Ohio Con 2008
www.gapotheclown.com

GM: Have you ever met Nell Wilson?

TM: Yes, I have. She's been a guest in my home. She's a wonderful lady and a very genuine person. The woman your saw on television as Fat Momma is pretty much just Nell being Nell.

GM: Stan Lee?

TM: Sadly, not yet. He is the reason I wanted to make comic books and I would love to meet him. I would scrub the mans toilets for free just for the chance to meet him. In fact, Stan if you're reading this and you have some household chores that need to be done, call me. Actually, I'm a terrible house keeper but an awesome cook. I'll come over and cook you a lasagna that will make you slap your momma. I'm in the phone book.

GM: Loved your Scribble Monster in Levi Krause's Scribble Monster Pin Up Book....any chance of Gapo the Clown running into that guy any time soon? You know after a long day on the show with a little too much booze and zannex?

TM: The Scribble Monster was a lot of fun to draw. It was very freeing. I think it's best to keep the Scribble Monster in the world of all ages books. I'd hate to sully his good name by mixing him up with the likes of GAPO.

GM: What would your dream project be....or are you already living the dream?

TM: Let me start this off by saying that I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful son, so I'm already living the dream. As far as work goes though, I do have dream projects. I really want to have an animated series. I had started work on an animated GAPO the Clown short that my publisher was going to make happen, but sadly it didn't get done. It's something I still want to do. I think Gapo would work real well on something like Adult Swim. If there are any animators looking for a project, I'm ready to go. I even have theme music.

GM: Theme music…I’d love to hear that. Any future appearances planned?

TM: I will be at the Toledo Comics & Sci-Fi Convention on November 16th and XcapeCon 2 in Flint, MI on November 22nd and 23rd. More dates will be coming up next convention season.

GM: Ever been to the Owosso Taco house?

TM: I have not. But any place that has Taco in the name is a place I think I'd like.

GM: Thank you very much for finding the time to answer these questions. I’ve been reading the Gapo the Clown Archives…very good stuff. Hope to see you again in the future....if I'm ever in the area I'm picking you up and we're hitting the Taco House!

Tony Miello, everyone…great guy…make sure you check out the other stuff he mentioned as well as his work with the Fat Momma books.

As you heard Tony mention, there is yet one more member of the Comic Related family involved with the Fat Momma books….Brett Pinson. Brett writes, colors, and letters various stories for the Fat Momma books.

Brett stays very busy over at Boom Town Press when he’s not working with the Fat Momma books or other projects with the Toth sisters with books like…The Expendables…

and the Boom Town Scabs.

More info about these and other books Brett is involved with can be found at…

http://boomtownpress.ecrater.com/

It’s amazing just how many creators with ties to Comic Related are involved with one book. Fat Momma
a real life hero. A book created by real life heroes. Pick up a copy for yourself. Everybody can use a
self esteem boost every now and then.

Until next time…..don’t eat any toxic dipped donuts….and I’ll see you in the funny papers.

Bill Gladman - Bill is a writer and illustrator and currently working on several different projects including the first issue of an ongoing comic book series (Prodigy), an illustrated fantasy novel (The Book of Noheim), and the first of four illustrated science fiction/fantasy novels (Jack the Rabbit, Living Legend of the Purple Plains) as well as a light-hearted on going mini-comic (Three Wise Men). Bill also pens a column for Comic Related and will be doing a mix of regional convention coverage.