The Xcentrikz - Interactive Comic

Interview with the manga genius, Chris Hazelton, of MISFILE!
May 22, 2009

Misfile has been around quite a while and grown into being one of the hottest mangas around. I had a nice chat with its creator, Chris Hazelton, to find out Misfile's exciting past inspirations... and hear about its future, too! Misfile is about an amazing concept, that there's a set of "files" in heaven which create reality as we know it. One particular angel manages these files, but when he messes it all up, he's sent to our world for a wild ride of fascinating adventures. As of now, Misfile is up to its TENTH book and page 1214! Parental guidance suggested viewing. It's updated every weekday.

May 22, 2009

The Xcentrikz Team : Hello Chris! First off, thank you for taking the time to talk with me. We’d like to encourage new readers to check out Misfile. Please tell everybody a bit about Misfile and what it’s all about?

Chris Hazelton: I always hate describing it. I feel like other people always do a better job of it, but I'll try. The idea is that the entire universe is defined by a massive set of file in heaven. They literally create reality. Change a file, change the world. After thousands of years it ends up being run by a perpetually drunk and high angel. In short, he screws up and gets exiled to earth where he has to cover up his mistakes long enough to get back in to heaven. There's also a lot of gender comedy and car racing...

The Xcentrikz: Hey, that was a pretty good synopsis I think. So Misfile’s been progressing for several years now. It’s been great to watch your awesome manga style grow and change. What were your early drawing experiences like, before doing Misfile? Then, how did you start using your skills for webcomics?

Chris Hazelton: I originally did another Webcomic called Building 12 which I was still writing when I started Misfile. I feel like I learned a lot doing Building 12 and I tried not to make the same mistakes, which led me to make totally NEW mistakes on Misfile. I'm really embarrassed by the early art in Misfile, but at least it means I've grown as an artist.

The Xcentrikz: How were you originally inspired to create your comic? Were there specific events, people or other comics that heavily influenced the Misfile concept?

Chris Hazelton: Mostly it stems from a really stressful filing job, the loss of a car I loved and a long bought of insomnia. ;)

The Xcentrikz: Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself, Chris? What’s a day in the life of doing comics like for you?

Chris Hazelton: I enjoy it. I have a 2nd job and a child now though, so my life has gotten extremely hectic.

The Xcentrikz: What’s the most difficult part for you, in creating Misfile? How do you overcome it?

Chris Hazelton: The most difficult part is trying not to keep covering the same material and to keep the characters changing and growing in a realistic manner.

The Xcentrikz: What do you enjoy most about doing Misfile?

Chris Hazelton: Mostly doing the conventions. I love talking to readers and just hanging out.

The Xcentrikz: What typically inspires your storylines? How does your creative process work?

Chris Hazelton: I try to write compelling characters and then throw horrible things at them. If I do that the storylines tend to write themselves.

The Xcentrikz: Yep that tends to work great for Misfile! What’s the best part about your dedicated readers?

Chris Hazelton: The best part is running into them randomly. I work in a game shop and from time to time I'll have people come in and talk to me for a while, only to then discover that I created Misfile. I never think of myself as a celebrity, but often times they treat me like one, which is pretty cool of them.

The Xcentrikz: Do you have favorite characters to draw or write for? If so, why?

Chris Hazelton: I find it easier to write men and draw women. With Ash I get to do both with the same character, making Ash the best character for me ever.

The Xcentrikz: We heard about some of your other projects, do tell us about them? Please give everybody a little insight on your other comic, Building 12! http://www.building12.net/

Chris Hazelton: Well, it's done for one. ;) I originally intended for it to be 6 issues. I was convinced to do another 3, but I couldn't do 3 comics at once (I was also doing a for print only comic called "A Steel Winf Shattered" at the time.

The Xcentrikz: Interesting. So, being a comic creator can be inspirational and enjoyable. Although since many web-comics are for free, it can be challenging for some authors to balance maintaining a web-comic with other goals (like a paying day-job!). Any thoughts to share on this?

Chris Hazelton: The odds are you'll make no money, so if you do get started make sure you do it because you love it. Any other reason will probably disappoint you in the long run, but if you truly do love making comics you'll love it.

The Xcentrikz: Do you have advice to share with other comic artists and writers?

Chris Hazelton: Grow a think skin. Critics are everywhere.

The Xcentrikz: What’s your opinion on the future of the web comic world?

Chris Hazelton: I think it will continue to grow, but it's yet to be seen how it will expand financially.

The Xcentrikz: Is there any thing else you’d like to tell everyone? (Maybe a hint for the upcoming storylines of Misfile!)

Chris Hazelton: Just that there WILL be an ending. It's not soon, but I don't intend to carry it on forever. I hate that. I hope when it does end that people will continue to read whatever I do next. I'd hate to be a one trick pony.

The Xcentrikz: Misfile is really great! I hope your fan-base continues to grow. Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Chris.

Chris Hazelton: Thanks. I enjoyed it.

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