Today, we bring you an interview with artist Thormeister who caught our attention with the chibi-styled, Metroid-themed, “Dr. Chozo” comics.
Thormeister: I got my start way back in 1994 with doing short stories in several reader-submitted annuals published by Indy comic company Antarctic Press. After several years of doing that I started my first original series, named “Tales of Marga” which was featured in Radio Comix’s anthology book Furrlough. This went on until around 2011 when I was selected to be published in Udon Entertainment’s Mega Man Tribute book. This kicked off a busy time for me, which is still going on today! Since that book I’ve worked with several Indy musicians including Mega Ran (@MegaRan) doing album covers and t-shirt designs as well working with video game magazines and book publishers such as Nintendo Force Magazine (@nintendoforce), Old School Gamer Magazine (@OsgMagazine), Switch Player Magazine (@SwitchPlayerMag)and Hardcore Gaming 101 (@HG_101). (I hope this is brief enough! If not please feel free to edit it where you see fit.)
Tell us about your mashup comic. The Metroid series is known for its darker & serious tone. How did you come up with the idea for a lighthearted take on the series?
Dr. Chozo and Samus-Chan is a mash-up of two of my favorite things: Metroid and the Dr. Slump manga by Akira Toriyama. I just thought it would be fun to have a silly take on Samus’ younger days so I just went with it! Dr. Norimaki’s absurd inventions and adventures seem to fit in with the Metroid universe considering Samus turns into a ball and hangs out with pirates and space jellyfish.
Can we expect more adventures with Dr. Chozo & Samus-Chan?
Dr. Chozo and Samus-Chan is currently running in Nintendo Force Magazine and will be for the foreseeable future, so be sure to catch it there. I’m currently finishing up a Super Smash Brothers storyline there, and next up will be Samus-Chan’s first meeting with Crocomire. As you can see, I’m not adhering to the timeline set forth but just having fun with the characters.
What was your first Nintendo system and what was the Metroid game that made you a fan of the series? What was it about the game that appealed to you?
My first Nintendo system was the NES, which I received for Christmas back in 1988. My experience with Metroid started with the first game and it made quite an impact on me. I had never played a game with such a focus on exploration and finding secrets so this was an eye-opener for me. I even drew out a map on a giant piece of paper to keep myself from getting lost. It also blew my mind when Samus was revealed to be girl – the fan art I drew back then I had created before I completed the game depicted Samus as a man so I was more than a little shocked when she popped out of the armor in a bathing suit! Needless to say, I adjusted my art after that.
You have an extensive catalogue of videgame artwork and a long history of involment in videogame industry media, what do you think it is about videogames that differentiates them from other form of entertainment media?
For me, it’s the way games are interactive. With comics or movies, you are a passive participant. Video games however are a completely different beast – you can control the outcome of the story making it truly yours and unique to each individual.
The MDB would like to thank Thormeister for taking the time to answer our questions and allowing us to share his art. Make sure you check out the rest of his awesome work at:
https://www.deviantart.com/thormeister/about
