A Q&A session with Too Much Coffee Man creator Shannon Wheeler.

by Jon Dailey

1) How did you do at San Diego? Hopefully well.

Things went very well at San Diego thanks to the large hearts at Slave Labor. I sat there for a few hours every day instead of working the entire show. That way I was able to keep my sanity.

2) I know that Brian Claus, who writes for us, attended it with you. Did that go over well?

People were drawn to his sculpture. It's an eye catcher.

3) What do you think is so unique about his sculpture? Why are people attracted to it? Do you think that people are more amazed that a 19 year old is doing this than the scuplture itself?

It's the sculpture. They were attracted to the sculpture, not to him. He wasn't even standing there. They wouldn't even know who he was if he was standing there. It was the power of the sculpture itself. What's unique about it? It's over the top without going overboard.

4) TMCM is due out soon. What is this one about? He has died, been in love, you have shown his origin. What could be next?

Don't forget the big cliché issue. Next is "What's the big mystery" issue. Then I'll have a swimsuit issue (which I expect sales to drop).

5) Why would sales drop with any TMCM??

I was being ironic. Can you imagine Too Much Coffee Man in a swimsuit? I would think that would make sales drop. But I'm not going to do a swimsuit issue. Those things are moronic.

6) How long is TMCM going to last?

Till his cup runs dry. I'm still enjoying it, so I'm still doing it.

7) Kinda following up on a question from the last interview, you said you don't compare your company to the others. Your company is a self-publishing company. Isn't it hard for you to break even publishing like this?

I'm making my living from the comic and illustration work I've gotten through the comic's popularity. Yes, it is a lot of work. It would be harder to 'break even' if my sales weren't so good. I've lucked into a good seller.

8) So you are breaking even? Nice profit? That's kind of surprising from a self-publisher.

Nice profit.

9) Have you had any offers from big companies yet to move to them?

Nope. [Interviewer's note - Hopefully you will. I enjoy the book.]

10) I asked you last time about changing companies. You said you would be tempted if you had a good enough offer. Jeff Smith left, Drew Hayes is gone; everyone is leaving. Would you choose to leave and go to Image if they asked you today?

Depends on the deal. I'd be interested doing one-shots with other companies. Or even writing comics for other people.

11) If you had offers from every company, and they all were providing the same things, which would you rather move to?

I like the products from Kitchen Sink, the t-shirts from Graphitti Designs, the comics from Drawn & Quarterly, the reputation from Fantagraphics, and the people from Slave Labor.

12) So you are not really sure?

Right. I'm a master of riding the fence. I guess that's why I'm still self-publishing.

13) Do you have any plans on reprinting Jab?

Nope. Unfortunately it was a book that barely broke even. It's easier for me to draw my own comic book. I get more recognition, and I make more money. Anthologies are difficult things to do. And they're hard to sell.

14) What ever happened to the other books that were coming from Adhesive? I haven't really seen them around.

Everyone else that was involved with Adhesive Comics have moved into their own worlds. I'm open to publishing new stuff, it's just too much work for me when I'm working alone.

15) Are you looking for more people to 'move in' with you, or would you rather just be yourself?

It's a hard thing. It's like living with someone. Who do you want to share your house with? Who takes out the garbage? Who washes the dishes? It's a tough call.

Thanks.