Name: Victor Dandridge Jr
Nom De Plume:“The Hardest Working Man in Comics”
Contact Info: vantageinhouse@gmail.com
Location: Columbus, OH
Credits: Wonder Care Presents: The Kinder Guardians, Origins Unknown, The Trouble w/Love, The Samaritan, Ol’ Crazy & the 40oz of Death
Creative Title: President/ Editor-in-Chief
Favorite Comic: One that’s NOT mine…? Uh…(shrugs…) LOL
If you could have a 1 power: It would be to Teleport. I would be a prolific bank robber.
Vantageinhouse.blogspot.com
Normally The 7 would try to intimidate you but they have read your work and are kind of afraid of you so Victor are you ready to hang with The7Deadly Questions
We live in a world of Super Villains and awful events. We have yet to have a REAL SUPERHERO emerge to save us. Do you think Vigilantes like The Samaritan could make this world better?
That’s a VERY tough call. With the amount of power Smith wields, it’d be very easy for him to become just as problematic as the villains he’s supposed to stop. I’d like to think that if he was generally a one-man operation, he’d be a continual force for good change. But if there were more people like him, doing what he does, I see that as a recipe for internal disaster! Too many cooks in the kitchen, spoils the soup — too many vigilantes and we’ve got martial law at it’s WORST!
What Character(s) would you love to see crossover with one of your titles?
Those kinds of crossovers are a tricky affair! LOL — I wouldn’t want someone who would automatically overshadow my stories, and it wouldn’t be fair to just make my characters beat-up whoever I brought over. Maybe it could just be a cameo, not a big interaction — if that’s the case, I’d like a double-up with Superior (Millarworld) and Omni-Man (Invincible) maybe showing up and having a chat with Apex Prime (The Trouble w/Love)!
As a parent do you worry about how violent the things you create are?
ABSOLUTELY! That’s why most of my kids have never read The Samaritan or The Trouble w/Love! As a creator, it’s fun to tell those kinds of stories. But as a parent, I have to responsible to not spoil their childhood with things that are too graphic and mature. I might tote the line to that a time or two, but generally, not in comics. That’s why Wonder Care Presents: The Kinder Guardians is so important to me. It’s an open opportunity for my kids to read and enjoy what I do without too much worry. In fact, the Kinder Guardians kind of carry my kids’ personalities: Herald = Pep, Pollux = Julian, Matt = Castor, Gabe = Lectron
You are always going to Cons and creating new and exciting Worlds via Comic Books that The 7 Deadly Questions absolutely love reading. With all that time at Cons what is worst habit you see other creators and artist do at Cons?
Not taking responsibility for their con experience! I get it, no one wants anything wrong to be their fault, but too many creators are looking at their poor performances at shows and are blaming the show. That’s not the best way to grow! Instead, always look at what you could do better to affect your experience.
Ask yourself: How well you promoted your appearance? Did you adjust your setup to what would appeal to who is there (not just setup the way you always do)? Were you engaging and inviting to talk to potential readers? Is it time to try out something new?
When are we going to see actions figures of The Kinder Guardians? What Merchandising or maybe bigger projects are on the Horizon for Vantage?.
I would LOVE some action figures! I’m not a big toy guy — at least, I haven’t been for my own stuff, but I think that would be a lot of fun to see! If anyone wants to make any sculpts of the Kinder Guardians, I know Justin and I would love to see that!
I do have a plan for some Wonder Care clothing options, though. Maybe it’s something that will be released in the fall, depending on what Justin has time to work on.
Will we see a crossover of Origins unknown & another Phase 2 project?
YES. Point of Authority: Family Ties and Gloriana Pax both have direct ties to Origins Unknown stories!
Ok Victor Dandridge Jr you are on the spot, What is your favorite title you created and why?
My favorite title is whatever I’m working on currently. Hahaha! Definitely the safest answer, but also the most true — I fall in love everytime I sit down at the computer to write something. When that seed of inspiration turns into something more, it’s the greatest feeling in the world and can only be matched the next time it comes around. Ew…I sound like I’m addicted or something! LOL
Victor Dandridge Jr, Normally The 7 Deadly Questions Grant 1 paragraph to those who survive, however they are an enormous fans of the violence in Ol Crazy so they have granted you Carte Blanche. They tell me you can write a novel if you want and they will make sure its gets posted:
“The Night it All Began” — A new story from The Samaritan #1 “Moving Day”
Like a deadly snake, Norman crept into the room, slithering toward the young boy in drawn up covers. Despite his playful words, a sinister look gleams in his eyes. “It’s your buddy, Norman…” He hisses. “Thought we could play a game…like last time.” And with those words, fear overtakes the boy, crippling his movements, paralyzing his limbs. Norman steps even closer, reaching for the expanse of blankets, drawing away their safety. Trapped, the boy watches danger move in. Unable to run. Unable to speak.
And then a hero arrives.
“How about you play with ME!” A thunder of a voice booms from the darkness, shocking the would-be predator into stillness. Unmasked from the shadow, comes the form of a man — hooded and massive, with glowing eyes — red, like an angry sun. With uncanny speed, beyond the understanding of fast, the vice-grip of one hand clutches through the threads of Norman’s shirt.
Instinctively, like a child, Norman goes limp, surrendering all power to this behemoth in whose grip he remains. But for all his size and girth, the hooded man’s hold never falters, never waivers…instead he’s drawn in closer to those burning eyes of fiery intent. “NEVER come near this boy again…EVER. No exceptions.” He barks.
Norman stammers out sounds, masquerading as words, “I-I wasn’t gonna–.” But they’re cut short, sharply jarred by the backhand swing that launches a fleet of pain throughout Norman’s face and body. Angrily, the hooded man retorts, “NO EXCUSES!”
That first strike brought on pain and tears, the foundation of a statement of protection. Teetering on the brink of consciousness, the next blow snaps him rigid and to attention. It also draws first blood, accentuating the point, understood by the trail of urine now finding its home on the floor. Norman, the hunter, has undeniably become the prey. And all he can do is scream.
From the bed, the boy sits in silent witness.
Desperate to break free and escape, Norman flails at the hooded man, landing a deformed karate-chop across his covered head. The sudden pain of broken bones, piercing his flesh, wrenches away all further fight. The heavy stink of human waste fills the room. Barely able to open his eyes or mouth, the onset of swelling turning his face into ripe fruit, Norman can only moan his agony and protest.
The hooded man raises his hand, ready to deliver more retribution, but pauses when the young boy’s voice beckons from behind. “You’re not gonna kill him…are you?” The hooded man takes a moment, looking at the sad heap of a man whose blood glazes his fists. He yanks Norman up, off his feet, holding him mere inches from his face. “That boy just saved your life.” He whispers as he lets Norman go, allowing him to crumble together in a heavy pile at his feet, the labored wheezing and coughing his only sign of living. Slowly, he turns to regard the child, still sitting in his bed, blankets pulled up to his chin.
“Jamal…are you okay?” the hooded man asks, the rumble of his voice stilled to a gentle calm. He turns as he speaks, pulling the head-covering down behind his head, revealing a strong, bearded face. The mentioning of his name further breaks his trance of fear and he’s finally able to blink free. Moving in closer, his eyes cooled to a charming brown, the man gestures to himself as he speaks. “We met earlier…do you remember me?”
“Yes sir…you’re our new neighbor.”
“That’s right,” the man replies with a smile, taking large, graceful steps towards the bed. “My name is Smith. What you did, just now, that was very brave of you.” Smith sits next to the boy, who’s released his hold of the blankets. Quietly, he stares back up at the giant of a man. “A lot of people confuse being tough with being brave. Being brave is much better. But you’re safe now — not just from Norman, but from everything else around here that means to do you harm. I’m here to make sure of that.”
“I know — you’re here to save us. Right? That’s what your kind does…you save people.”
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