Zak: Hello, my name is Zak! And I live in Australia, I've officially been drawing comics for over a year now.

But I have been drawing for about 10 years or so.

Q1: When did you get the idea for JETX?

Zak: I got the idea for JETX when I was into game making. I used to program little sprite games, still do sometimes so its

a secondary skill. Where originally, the story for JETX was actually that everyone lived on a planetoid oribiting the

Planet Earth and everyone had evacuated because mutants had taken over the Earth and it was considered uninhabitable.

Where Jet would eventually be classed as one of these mutants because of his powers and had to flee into space.

At the time, Katrina would actually be a bounty hunter who would transport him to places and then go on adventures together

fighting space pirates and meet new friends along the way, Like Leon and such.

I eventually had to scrap the idea because I became too ambitious at the time for my young self. And decided to make it as

a comic. It went through several changes and originally 10 years ago. Released locally here with the help of Nigel Dobbyn

(Rest in peace). Who taught me a lot of stuff in comics. And so some of those skills I learnt I used to adapt the new

version of JETX to this day. So partially the story is dedicated to him since he helped me because he thought I had "talent"

lol

But regarding the old idea. Some of those themes and characters I had planned may just show in future stories of JETX

so keep an eye out!

Q2: What inspired you to start making comics?

Zak: Believe it or not. I just picked up a pen and started drawing. When I was way younger I wasn't much of a talker as my

mother puts it. I didn't start talking until I was about 10. Which is considered weird to folks. I have severe social

anxiety which puts a big damper on my everyday life and living with it is hell.

So regarding that, I used drawing as a ways of communicating with folks. Until I had the confidence to start talking to

other human beings.

As for comics, I used to draw little comic strips of what if scenarios I saw on TV. Things like whatever was on the News,

or reality TV shows, or other such cartoons.

Q3: How long do you think JETX will be?

Zak: The short answer is "too long"

I have the ending figured out if thats what you mean. Currently I have 20 chapters already planned out and semi written

And thats not even a quarter the way through the story. So it'll be pretty long.

Q4: Who do you take influence from.

Zak: Influence? I just draw what I think is cool honestly. I do get inspiration for ideas through games and television,

Y'know. Like a normal person would. It's just more, what if scenarios than anything else. Or what I, myself, would like to

see happen. And then go on from there.

If there is any artist influence, Uh. I guess Toriyama, Murata, Tracy Yardley at one point. But mostly I just draw how I

see things and just try to make it look good. Writing influences unfortunately I don't have any. I mostly go by the

Stan Lee way, and just say to write for yourself and if others like it, Great. If not. Well, Too bad. lol

Q5: What are your hopes for the future of JETX?

Zak: I wish to have employment working on comics for a job, even if its something small as 50 dollars profit each time.

I don't have a job and because of my countires current job crisis going on. I can't even get one. So I am on full time

making comics. So being able to support my family (My girlfriend and I.) Would be wonderful.

So mostly speaking, Y'know. Getting the story done. Sold as trades/volumes and hopefully one day making a game or a radio

drama on youtube or something to promote it further so that way my other stories I have cooked will be more successful than

the last.

Q6: Do you have any advice for new comic creators?

Zak: "Don't rush art" Or at least I would like to say that. Younger I was too eager to get out of school and go on straight

to drawing stories and what not. I had so many ideas and still do. So if you're like me, and cannot sleep at night because

of so many ideas pouring out of your head and feel like you have so much to do. My advice is just write them down. All of

them down. Let them simmer and cook a bit longer, however much time you need, a year, a week or so. No rush on it. And you

can decide if the ideas are good. As for art? Practice! Make friends, connect with another creator if you're Tapas.

Try and get friends who are good at a subject you're struggling at, that you admire. If you become friends, you can be able

to learn and grow from them and with them. That's what I did. And look at me, Sad. lol Joking of course. But seriously.

CONNECT!

If you're not on Tapas. Thats fine, Join!

CM: It was an honor to interview you, anything you want to say before the interview ends?

Zak: Nothing comes to mind.