Given the recent holiday, we are happy to highlight some employees we are most thankful to have joined Team Fanta this year. They'ved added much to the hivemind. May I introduce (or reintroduce) Marc J. Palm, local cartoonist and manning one of the customer service desks like you wouldn't be-lieve. If you've been in Seattle for a bit, you've no doubt seen a Marc Palm art show or perhaps some of his art advertising a Scarecrew Video show.
1-What other jobs/experiences have you had in comics?
I've never worked professionally in comics until now I suppose. Although I've been self-publishing zines and mini comics for 20 years. With that
I've done a very small amount of distribution and festival tabling.
2- What was the first comic you read?
It was probably Garfield in the papers. But the first comic I think I
owned was a super oversized coloring book version of a Spider-man comic from the 80's with Doc Ock.
3 – What was the first comic that made you want to write, react, something?
I cannot think of a single comic that was a catalyst. Ever since I saw
comics in general, I liked the comic format and wanted to make comics.
They just make the most sense to me. Word books are not as exciting for
someone as visual as I am and animation can be so limited in the quality
of the artwork.
4- What can you recommend to Fanta readers?
It's so easy to be overwhelmed by the amount and variety of comics available. I'd say, just follow your eyes and ears. If something looks cool to you or sounds like it has things that interests you, check it out. I explore organically. I like recommendations, but I figure if it's really for me we'll cross paths sooner or later and those times are when I'll appreciate it the most. Don't be pressured to read something you're not into. You cannot force yourself to enjoy something you are not ready for.
5- Weirdest Fanta experience so far?
Weirdest time is when I first visited the Fanta office back in 2002? After my friend and I figured out which house it was, I got up the nerve to go and visit the next day. I had asked my friend if I should bring beer or cookies or something. He said "no". So I didn't. I dared to knock on the front door and I walked in after hearing a muffled "come in". Gary was at a desk in the front room and there was another desk next to the door.
Everyone looked at me like "who the hell are you?" I awkwardly said some stuff about how I was a fan and new to the city. Gary told me, "Well, there's no tour or anything". I asked about work and they said that maybe there was something at the warehouse. Years later at SPX, I told Gary the story and he said that if I would have brought beer I would have gotten the tour. AH!! I knew it!
6-Your favorite way to wind down?
Drawing is of course the best thing for that. I cannot escape more than when I do draw. But, I'm a real simple Seattle guy, so I like to rent a movie from Scarecrow Video, drink cheap beer and smoke pot.
(Marc, right most, drawing with Eric Reynolds, Max Clotfelter, James Stanton, Simon Hanselmann and more)
7- Your favorite drink?
drip coffee with a little cream
8-What projects do you have ahead of you outside of your job?
I'm the organizer of the INTRUDER comics newpaper here in Seattle. So, I'm either working on my comic for the next issue, waiting for contributors to send me work or plotting our next release party.
9-What's the best part of comic conventions?
I'll go to cons with expectations to sell stuff, but that's not really the important part. It's more communal for me. It can be like going to a family reunion and seeing what everyone has been up to over the last year. It's also nice to meet folks in person that I've only known virtually or only through their work.
10-What's your favorite place in Seattle for food or public place?
I like cheap eats and comfy places. I enjoy Cafe Racer best. They've got food, beer and coffee. It's got a great multi level/room layout. There's a big table for groups to meet or draw at. It's just so lived in and full of interesting things that I feel at home.