Interview with The Intergalactic Nemesis creator

The Intergalactic Nemesis is a true Austin original but what it is exactly can be hard to pin down. It's part radio show, part comic and now, according to show creator Jason Neulander, it is a "live-action graphic novel."

It began in 1996 as an artistic experiment; a revival of 1930s radio serials via coffeehouse theatre. The story is set in 1933, and follows the adventures of spunky lady reporter Molly Sloan and her sidekick, Timmy Mendez, as they race to save the planet from pulp villains and evil sludge-monsters from the planet Zygon.

After numerous live shows and a national tour, the latest incarnation of The Intergalactic Nemesis is debuting at the brand-spanking-new Dell Hall at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at the Long Center. ACC students can bring their student IDs to receive a 50% ticket discount.

The show is something you have to see (and hear) to believe: three actors narrate the story with the help of a Foley artist who created the sound effects and a keyboardist while perfectly synchronized comic book images from the Intergalactic Nemesis comic are projected onto a huge screen. The different media work together to give the audience a unique theatre-going experience.

Neulander and company have been busy getting the word out about the Intergalactic Nemesis. They've staged serialized mini-shows at the Alamo Drafthouse, and the Intergalactic Nemesis comic book is for sale in local comic shops, Austin Books & Comics and Dragon's Lair. The show even has its own ice cream flavor called "Intergalactic Nemesis Combo" at Amy's Ice Cream with dark chocolate ice cream, Kit Kats, Peanut M&M's, and hot fudge. It almost feels like Zygonians have invaded Austin. This is home-grown pop culture at its best.

Earlier this week, Accent staff writer, Odin Amador caught up with evil mastermind Neulander to pick his brain about his project.

One of the things that impressed me about The Intergalactic Nemesis is it's decidedly family-friendly. What made you decide to do an all-ages project?


JN: When we started this project fourteen years ago, I don't think we gave much thought to being family-friendly. We were thinking more about getting it broadcast on the radio. We were performing the radio drama live in front of an audience, and what we discovered, totally by accident, was that because it was broadcast-friendly, it was also family-friendly. I'm not really sure how it happened, but this group of parents found out about the show, and all of a sudden we had a family audience. It kind of came out of the blue.

Three years ago, it occurred to me that it would be really cool to take the radio drama and tell the story visually as a comic book. At that point, so much of the project's identity was this very mild, PG experience, and we stayed true to that when we made the transition to the printed page. I don't need blood and violence in my entertainment, and I think most adults feel the same way. Plus, kids love comics.

What are your plans for the comic? Are you hoping the live shows will attract more readers?

JN: That is definitely the goal. Right now, we're publishing the comic completely independently, but I would love to do a publishing deal to give it a broader distribution. As we continue with the live version, I'm hoping we will gain enough buzz within the comic book community to build readership for the physical book, for those people who can't actually see the show. I think the story works really well as a comic. I've already started scripting the next seven-issue story arc.

I think anybody who opens the comic is surprised by its high production value, especially because it's an indie comic. The artist, Tim Doyle, is great, and the coloring is really good.

JN: The colorist, Lee Duhig, does work for Marvel Comics. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have stumbled upon this guy. He's not only incredibly talented, but he's a super-cool guy and an asset to the project. We've become friends over the phone, and he's actually going to be here for the first time at the premiere on Friday.

You bear a resemblance to Intergalactic Nemesis villain, Mysterion the Magnificent. Is this intentional?

JN: [Laughs] You are not the first person to have brought that up. Actually, Mysterion is modeled on an actor who has occasionally performed with the show.

How many dates do couples need to have been on before they can see your show?

JN: You can quote me on this: the beauty of the show is it works as a spark for a long-term relationship, but it also serves as a perfect first date.

Check back to the Accent's website on Labor Day (September 6) for the review of the Intergalactic Nemesis live show this weekend.