I went to the MoCCA ArtFest for the first time ever. Jon, our precious, precious codemonkey, said, “Awesome! Here’s a camera with no tapes, some sound equipment with dead batteries, and twenty bucks; go get us some interviews!” and then pushed me into the wide world that is independent comics. I wandered a bit and asked some folks if they would let me ask them some questions on camera. Surprisingly (and not ’cause they’re mean or anything, but because I’m a dork wearing a Batman t-shirt holding a camera), they all said yes.* Thanks to all these wonderful, talented creators for agreeing to be interviewed by a skinny kid with a microphone in his hand and a maniacal grin on his face (please, oh please let me ask you some questions! Jon will beat me if I come back empty-handed!)

Click on the screencap to view an interview.

*Well, all except Brian Wood, but he had some really good reasons; chief among them the fact that I’ve called him a Communist more times than I can count even though he so totally isn’t (did you know he sells comics? for money? that’s not Communist at all). So, I’d like to apologize publicly to Brian Wood for all the times I’ve called him a Communist, and hope that maybe, just maybe, he’ll grant me an interview next week at San Diego. Whattaya say, B-Wood?

Bryan Lee O’Malley, writer of the awesome Scott Pilgrim graphic novels (the fourth one’s out in a month!), talks about video games, his first comic Lost at Sea, and of course, Scott Pilgrim. And he knows the Konami code, unlike, say, some of our staffers.

Here’s the irrascible Evan Dorkin talking about his current work (he seems to be doing a lot right now). Kiddies beware, as there is not a small amount of cursing here (he also calls me an anti-Semite, but lovingly).

And here’s Evan Dorkin making fun of super-heroes, but really, he totally loves them. Totally loves them.

Rick Spears talks about all his current work (and it’s a lot) as well as all the stuff coming out of his Gigantic Graphic Novels publishing house. And thanks to Rick for doing this interview twice after I had some technical difficulties.

Andy Runton (possibly the nicest man in comics) talks about Owly, the cutest little owl in the world, the genesis of the idea, and kids’ comics in general. Also, super huge big thanks to Andy, as he was super nice and did this interview three times because I don’t know how to use a bloody camera or sound equipment.

Comic Foundry founder and editor-in-chief talks about why Comic Foundry even exists, why it’s going to be better than both Wizard and The Comics Journal. Also, that whole pesky Diamond business.

And my sister writes for this, so you will buy at least the first issue and give it a try. Then you can make up your own mind about it.

Tania Del Rio, artist and writer on Archie’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch, talks about moving to the west coast, her autobiographical webcomic My Poorly Drawn Life, and all her other current work (man, these indy guys sure do get a lot of work done). Her Dollar Dreadfuls are frakking awesome!

Fred Chao talks about his awesome comic Johnny Hiro, it’s genesis, it’s influences, and the girl that made it all possible (also about his close, close relationship with Mayor Bloomberg).

Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home and Dykes to Watch Out For, talks about the troubles and tribulations that entail writing a memoir for the world to read, and having a hectic schedule. Also about how awesome it is to win Time’s Book of the Year award.

This being “I Love the Indies,” we’d be remiss to not mention the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) Art Festival 2007, which just took place this past weekend in NYC. You knew that, right? Seems like not even MoCCA really hyped the show much. What’s an Independent Comic Creator to do?

BOMB QUEEN: Look I don’t care what you cover on this stupid website, but if you didn’t see the MoCCA hype maybe you weren’t invited to the party, dumbass. Don’t fake your indy cred, be true to your calling. Like ME! I’m a villain, I’m not your damn friend, I don’t care if you live or die - but I’m not making all kissy-kissy about it. Fact is you knew it, but blew it. So what? Move on. Potheads who buy stapled xerox lesbian scribble ain’t coming to your pansy ass blog anyway. God I hate losers, grow a pair and stand on your so-called geek feet, then get the hell out of my face.

SNAKE: I talked to the people who handle our book — Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers, coming in October to comic shops everywhere courtesy of Silent Devil Inc (and don’t forget to check out our new website, www.division18.com) — and they say its not easy. If you know about the show, its because you’re either an exhibitor or you’ve already got MoCCA on your radar. There doesn’t seem to be much of a push to attract new blood to the show. LOU: On the flipside, The Big Apple Comic Con, which is sort of a dirt-mall version of a mainstream comics event, took place this same weekend, and there were ads on every comic site, MySpace announcements, and I think even some spam! MoCCA should really look into employee some more blatant methods to attracting people to their show, like we do with our comic — Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers, available soon wherever comic books are sold! SNAKE: I know a guy who went to dat show one time. Said it smelled like a teenager wrapped in dirty socks. I should tell our writer to blog about it over at our new website, www.division18.com.