I understand English is not your first language. Where do you live, and what other languages do you speak?
Koray Kuranel: I live in Istanbul, Turkiye (Turkey). I can speak only my own language, Turkish.
Have you done any comic art before?
KK: Yes, I have. I penciled a 130-page graphic novel called “Independence War and Ali” which is about the Turkish Independence War in 1993. The book was published by Turkish Ministry Of Culture.
There were some short stories too, one of them is “Ahiga” I did with Christian Beranek for Michael Woods’s anthology series Outlaw Territory, Volume 1.
Also, I have done an advertising series for a company for 3 years in comics format.
What drew you to working in comics?
KK: I love telling stories with drawing. I studied Animation Art and worked in some animation projects for a while, and I have been working for advertising and movie sectors for a long time as a storyboard artist. I like working in all of these, but I feel more free than others when I was drawing comics.
Are you a fan of Jay’s other work?
KK: I knew Jay from Noble Causes and Dynamo 5, which were drawn by my old friends Yildiray Cinar and Mahmud Asrar. Jay likes character-based stuff, even when he writes a super-hero story. I like this kind of stories, too. He is a really awesome writer and I feel so lucky that I worked together with him.
How did you get involved with Jay for “Point of Impact”?
KK: One day Yildiray called me and said that Jay took an interest in my works and wanted to work together with me for a project. I appreciated that greatly, then Jay sent an email to me and we started to talk about Point Of Impact.
Was the story fully formed when you signed on, or did you help work out some kinks?
KK: No, I didn’t help with anything about the story arc. Jay completed everything in his mind.
Has there been any trouble with the language barrier?
KK: No, there hasn’t been… at least for me.
“Point of Impact” will be in black and white. Was that you idea, or Jay’s?
KK: Jay had already got the idea when the project was beginning.But, that was the thing which I wanted to do so much. Black and white is the most impressive form in comics for me.
Did you have a particular inspiration for the look of the book?
KK: In an interview about Point Of Impact, Jay said that “All the President’s Men” was one of his favorite movies. That was never mentioned between us but the movie is one of my favorite movie too. I even mixed Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman when I designed Mitch,who is the investigative reporter in the book.I think, I can say this.
What are you most proud of from the first issue?
KK: It’s hard to answer this… But I can say that I’m happy with the general atmosphere of the book.
Did you struggle with anything in the first issue?
KK: I always struggle to draw characters as if they really live. I’m always trying to convince the readers of this, in my every work.
“Point of Impact” is a crime story. Are you interested in working in any other genre?
KK: I think stories and the characters are more important subjects than genres for me. But nevertheless.
I can say that I’m less interested in super heroes than other genres.
Do you have a project in mind after “Point of Impact” is over?
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KK: I have always some ideas in my mind but none of them are close to being realized yet.
Was there anything I didn’t ask, but you wanted to share?
KK: Yes, this year is the 20th anniversary of Image Comics. I’m proud of being a part of this.
Last thing: Jay and I believe that we did a good job. Hope the readers love the book!
