An Interview w/ Buying Time Creator Casey J

Be Sure to Visit the Full AdamMaleBlog Site For Gay Culture, Art, Music, Short Films, Gay Comics & Graphic Novels, Interviews, Sex Advice and More!!

I first discovered the wonderful animated webcomic Buying Time thanks to my pal Jack who lives down in Florida. He told me I needed to check it out. And, he was right. Buying Time is unlike any gay themed comic I have read before. First and foremost, it is partially animated in a format where the reader controls the pace at which the next panel appears. It's a pretty cool format that I wish more webcomics would adopt. The story follows the life of a charming welder with a not-so-secret creative side as he navigates his way through falling in love in an emotionally difficult, dystopian future where personal interaction comes at price.

Here's the official synopsis:

Buying Time is a sci-fi cyberpunk romance. Set in the future megalopolis of Hyperion City where all forms of entertainment, including our own personal social lives are regulated by a micro-transaction monetary system called Daily Leisure Credit. When Vinnie Smalls, a lonesome welder working for the Hyperion City Core finds he has a crush on a fellow co-worker, he finds he must break away from his usual loner lifestyle and dive headfirst into the inner workings of the Daily Leisure Credit system. Our story deals with the ups and downs of his relationship in the midst of system that makes staying in contact with someone a financial battle.

What is really amazing about Buying Time is that creator Casey J may actually have predicted our futures if the government and citizens continue allowing corporations more and more power. You will see in the interview section that Casey J came up with the Daily Leisure Credit system after being annoyed by video games that nickel and dime you for every extra feature or scenario you wish to have unlocked. But, this kind of mentality is spreading so far beyond video games. We are living in a world where places like Facebook beg you to befriend countless hordes of friends and then tries to charge you if you want more than a very tiny percentage to see your posts. It's really appalling. It's even more appalling that more people aren't raising a fuss over it. But, maybe that's how it all starts. Freedoms are whittled away a little at a time until every single thing in the world becomes a commodity which corporations will gladly exploit for profit. It's terrifying. Casey J's vision is just a little bit too prescient.

However, despite all this, the characters in Buying Time still have hope. Still believe in love. And still are willing to do whatever it takes to be with the person they desire. The human spirit prevails.

Q: How did you come up with the brilliantly terrifying idea of Daily Leisure Credit?

Casey: Videogame trends did much of the work for me! Daily Leisure Credit is my not-so-clever wordplay of Downloadable Content. I used to be a huge gamer, but lately have been a bit turned off by the rampant trends of downloadable content, microtransactions, pre-order exclusives and generally being nickel and dimed at every turn. It wasn't like this a decade ago, and I started to think about why we let it get to this point. Were the changes just small and gradual enough? Are we just complacent? I started to think about what it would be like if these trends affected other forms of entertainment as much as they have the videogame industry. Mainly, social entertainment. We go to someone's house for dinner because it's fun. We chat with someone because it's enjoyable. I imagined a future where instead of thinking "I want that extra mission in the game I'm playing, better shell out the cash." we'd be thinking "I want to hang out at my friend's house tonight, better shell out the cash." And the story started from there.

Q: So what happens when people get married? Does the DLC system apply to their interactions at home?
Casey: DLC applies to everyone! Married couples however, can apply for a license that gives them a discounted rate. Same kind of thing applies for common law partners and family members in general, think of it like all the numerous cellphone plans or Internet packages "that are perfect for your family". Likewise business owners can get a license that benefits their workplace as well, jobs that would require a lot of social interaction like a bartender for example.

Q: What is the penalty for overdrafting on DLC account?Casey: I often describe the penalties being similar to going a while without paying the fine for a traffic ticket. You'll get some "friendly reminders" at first. Eventually you'll start to get some threatening messages, and eventually get a warrant for your arrest.

Q: A good portion of the Buying Time plot involves music. Are you a musician yourself?
Casey: Can't say I am, I have next to no musical talent and am pretty tone deaf when it comes to singing. I learned to play the harmonica a number of years ago but quickly discovered I'd rather be using my creative energy to draw or animate instead. I have a great appreciation for musicians and their passion, and I think that is both why I tried to learn to play an instrument, and have such a focus on it in the comic.

Q: What do you envision Vinnie’s songs to sound like?
Casey: The past 2 years or so I've been on a huge 80's synth kick; both actual 80's stuff and the new-wave-retro stuff from artists like Perturbator, Tesla Boy, Lost Years, Lazerhawk, etc. I listen to that sort of stuff while drawing the comic, and it's exactly how I envision Vinnie's music to sound like.

Q: What does Galena Jules home life look like?
Casey: Galena lives with Papa Obari on Level 10, which basically means they are just barely a step above the slums of the "Sub-Levels". I'd love to be able to do a bit about their home life, and maybe will in future chapters, but I imagine they live in a cramped, messy apartment. They both share a penchant for fashion so I can see them watching Hyperion's Next Top Model together and bouncing idea's off of each other for a future fashion line.

Q: Your bio says you currently work for a company that develops apps for famous kids television franchises! What is your favorite app you have worked on?
Casey: I was most excited to work on Fraggle Rock, we were lucky enough to do 2 apps for. It was the first franchise I've worked on that was something I actually watched and loved as kid. I watched the original with puppets, the animated version and had some of the toys. So it was a real treat to one day be designing and creating character rigs for it. We go through a large number of franchises, but it's especially fun to work on ones that you are/were a big fan of.

Q: What other comic projects have you done in the past?
Casey: Buying Time is my first serious comic effort. I've done a number of short 3-5 pages stories for personal projects, stuff like doing a little origin story for a tabletop game played with friends or something like that. The bulk of creative efforts have been almost exclusively animation. It wasn't until Buying Time that I started to put serious thought into a comic book project for a wide audience.

Q: What comics/graphic novels have stuck with you from your childhood/teen years?
Casey: I was big into (and still am if it tickles me right) manga when I was younger. So I read a lot of work from Shirow like Ghost in the Shell and Appleseed. Battle Angel from Yukito Kishiro, the visuals blew my mind, and I still think his depictions of cyberpunk worlds go unmatched. As far as comics and graphic novels go I was always a big fan of Dale Keown's art, so Pitt and the Incredible Hulk. I also adored Sam Kieth so there was a lot of The Maxx as well. Simon Bisley so I read lots of Lobo. I'm a huge fan of Etrigan, so I collected and read anything he appeared in. Aside from that I generally enjoy all the common favorites like X-men and Justice League (though I admit, tend to focus and enjoy the animated shows and movies more).

Q: Unicorns…or narwhals? Who would win in a fight?
Casey: I'd like the say unicorns simply on the basis they are more fabulous. Though I think a lot of it would depend on the location, if they are fighting in water a narwhal would have a clear advantage, the opposite if they are on land.

*Start reading Buying Time now!
**You can view some of Casey J's earlier illustrations HERE.

An Interview With Professional Cosplay Hero Barry V. a.k.a. Nintentoys!

Be Sure to Visit the Full AdamMaleBlog Site For Gay Culture, Art, Music, Short Films, Gay Comics & Graphic Novels, Interviews, Sex Advice and More!!

Barry V., known in most circles as Nintentoys, has made quite a name for himself on the West Coast as being the go to guy for Nintendo and Disney themed cosplay events and costume commissions. His creations have been featured on G4, Howard Stern, the main page of Yahoo, Cosmode, Like.com, LA Fox News, Kotaku, IO9, as well as getting shout out recognition by Disney and Nintendo via twitter and the internet. From Comic Con to the Anime Expo, you will find Barry and his numerous creations being fawned over by the awestruck crowd. Also, we need to mention Barry has become something of a gay icon among the cosplay and gaymer crowd. We first noticed his dashing good looks on Instagram where he has thousands upon thousands of followers. His Instagram handle is Nintentoys, btw...go look him up.

Barry credits his Mother for giving him a leg up in the business. He explains, "My mom was a theater costume designer and actress so I grew up in this world of costumes. I learned a lot from her and my sister on how to be very crafty. Also, growing up Mexican, I've learned that the Mexican culture is very colorful, vibrant and visually stimulating. They oddly have a very strong love for Disney, and most other animated characters, more so than people from other countries. That's why most of my costumes are usually characters from Disney and Nintendo. I grew up with these characters, so I want to do justice to them by putting hard work into them."

Though painfully busy with professional appearances and charity events around the Holiday Season, not to mention finishing up college for the semester, Barry made some time for us and agreed to sit down for an interview.

Birdo and Yoshi by NIntentoys

Q: You attended your first convention in 2001. Which one was it and what costumes did you see that made you want to start making your own?
Barry: Honestly, I wish I could remember what was the first convention I attended, but I have such a bad memory.What I do remember is going to conventions all the time and having fun, but I started to notice that people who were in costume were having 100 times more fun than I was having. So, that's kinda what triggered it in my head.

Q: What was the first convention you attended in costume and what was the outfit?Barry: The first convention I attended in costume had to be Anime Expo. I remember I spent a lot of sleepless nights making these two mascots of Bowser Jr and Petey Pirahna from the Super Mario video game franchise. I could have just made something super simple that looked kinda like the characters and could have been content, but I started to notice once I get into that creative zone in my head, I just can't stop. I kept adding and adding and adding to the costume to the point where I feel like I'm a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float. Usually that's when I realize I am done with the costume.

Soon after Con Season was over, my brother in law said that my costumes were on the main page of Yahoo for the best Costumes of Comic Con. Once I saw my pictures on there, I was too proud to admit it at the time, but I loved it. I loved that I was on a website that reached so many people. I guess overall I loved the attention I was getting and the appreciation of something that I created with my own two hands. Ever since then this hobby of mine kinda took off.

Q: Now that you are a veteran, what are your favorite conventions?
Barry: Wow. Thank you for the compliment! I appreciate it. I don't consider myself a veteran though, well at least not yet. There is so much I don't know and am really interested in learning. It's a hobby of constantly learning new things and having lots of fun in the process. But of all the conventions I've been to, I think Anime Expo has to be my fav. It's the convention where everyone appreciate peoples costumes and to showcase your own. Cosplayers who go there are so talented and I am usually amazed at how much work, detail, man hours and money people put into their costumes.

Q: It would seem you have to be part costume designer, part hair designer, part make-up designer, and part actor to be a cosplay professional. How much trial and error goes into creating looks? And how often do you seek advice when you've hit a snag?
Barry: With cosplay I realized I learned a lot about myself and in the process and it has made me more of a well rounded person. It has taught me how to be more social and polite and not to take myself too seriously. I kinda always knew I was creative, but cosplay opened up new forms of creativity that I didn't know I love - like wigs and make up. I really love doing hair. Currently I have 25 wig heads starring at me, which kinda sounds like a horror movie, especially when I sleep and I wake up in the middle of night with all them starring at me. I also realized I'm good at improv. I work with a lot of kids when in my costumes. Kids love to keep you on your toes, so it's good to be energetic and stay in character.

I love seeking advice from friends and people I consider very talented. At the same time, I don't want to steal their secrets on how to make things either. I kinda want them to give me harsh advice in order for me to get better, but overall, cosplay is just trial and error and hopefully in the end it all works out.

Q: What is the strangest request you have had while in costume?
Barry: I've gotten a lot actually. You would be surprised at how many people want sexual favors while in costume, especially with characters that I have no clue how anyone can find sexually attractive. Most of the requests come from online. But honestly as... um....flattering as their invitation is, I'm not really into that. Nor can I imagine much of the cosplay community even doing that. We spend so much money and time on our costumes that just the thought of some foreign liquid or substance making a stain would make us die....

Q: What is the most embarrassing wardrobe malfunction while out in public?
Barry: I haven't actually had that many, oddly enough. I always carry a bag somewhere hidden in my costume that has everything I need just in case of something like that to happen.

Q: Do you have a favorite character to dress as when you are not feeling your best?
Barry: Hard question. Usually when I'm about to put on a costume that involves a huge wig, caked on make up, prosthetics, heavy, hot costumes and uncomfortable shoes... my body starts shivering, telling my head "please don't do this to me."

But, overall, I love being Mario. I grew up with him. He is one of my fav characters and I see a lot of myself in him. My cosplay pictures of me as Mario are all over the internet, so it is also the character that has gotten me known. Usually people hate me as Mario and they say it all the time in the comments of blogs and other websites. Honestly, I don't blame them. I wanted to do something different than what I had seen before. Some people love it and some people hate it. I can't please everyone. But, really it doesn't matter in my head if anyone hates it because the reaction I have gotten from children coming up to me thinking I am the real Mario has been very gratifying. It is kinda hard to explain but I feel like if you made a child believe that you are the character, then that's all that matters.

Q: If you could only be one character for the next year, which would it be?
Barry: Well, hands down, Quasimodo. I love the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I related so much to that movie when I was growing up. To the point that when I was little, I made a Halloween costume of him to go trick or treating just to prove a point to my mom. I always felt like the ugly kid, the outcast that was locked in a tower under catholic rule with amazing hair bangs, so that movie helped me a lot growing up. Portraying him would make me really happy.

Q: What costumes can we look forward to in the future?
Barry: Well, Quasimodo for sure, and Wario. I am still sticking to the franchises that shaped my mind growing up, Disney and Nintendo.

-Visit Nintentoys Facebook Page!
-Book Nintentoys for your Event!

An Interview w/ Bear World Magazine's David Goodman

Be Sure to Visit the Full AdamMaleBlog Site For Gay Culture, Art, Music, Short Films, Gay Comics & Graphic Novels, Interviews, Sex Advice and More!!

Bear World Magazine is fantastic. Focusing exclusively on "bear culture," few magazines

are as well written, thorough, and absolutely in love with their subject matter. They strive endlessly to report on the all that's happening on the bear scene around the world, from Australia to California. You can find music and movie reviews, great interviews with  bear celebrities, and a fantastic world wide event calendar. Their coverage is astonishingly complete.  They are even offering a free three month trial digital subscription on any of your mobile platforms!

Thankfully, publisher David Goodman was kind enough to sit down with us and help unlock some of the mysteries of the bear world!

Q: How did you decide on publishing a magazine about Bears!
DG: Well, it was an accident! Truly, it was. I had just sold my share of a gay magazine in the UK and had nothing to do. So, I pitched a digital magazine at a bear website (now closed), and they loved it!  I created a test cover, and some plans and ideas, and they just stopped communicating with me. I think they had other worries. So I decided to do it all on my own, changed the name, and just ran with it and learnt very, very fast!!!

Q: I know this is a virtually impossible question to answer, but how would you explain the bear community to an outsider?
DG: Yes, it's virtually impossible, but I will try and give my own personal explanation. For me, the bear community is where the guys who don't feel they fit in in the mainstream gay community, as shown by the general gay media, can feel they belong. I know we are not perfect at this, but I think many “Bear” groups try and welcome non bears, who perhaps are not welcome anywhere else. And, of course, mostly you find big furry, beardy guys right at the heart of it all.

Q: Just so we can finally put this to rest, what is the difference between a Bear, Cub, Otter, and Wolf?
DG: I dont think we will ever lay this to rest, its ever changing! But, I will try and give my ideas. A bear is a larger man, with a hairy body and a beard. A cub is a larger guy same as a bear but younger. An otter is a hairy thinish guy. Wolf? Similar to an otter, but maybe older! So many people have their own ideas, and I love debating this too.

Q: Many young, thin, follic-ly challenged bear admirers often complain of being shut out by the very men they lust after. Any advice on bagging a bear?
DG: You are right and its a great shame, because the younger guys are the future. They are the guys that we need to encourage to join in as the next generation of bears. I think shutting anyone out, and I hear it from chasers who say that some bears say “Hey I don't fuck chasers” before anything else is even said, is wrong. It needs to be stopped. Bagging a bear? Bagging a bear – buy him dinner lots and lots of dinner!! HeHe!

Q: You recently got to meet and interview Armistead Maupin. How much of a dream come true was that?
DG: Well, I suppose it was not a dream come true because I never thought I would meet him. But, it was emotional. His Tales of the City books have influenced my life since I was 17. It was truly, truly the highlight of my career. He was a gentleman, but you could sense the twinkling naughtiness in him, and I wish we could have got drunk together. Hes a great hugger and loves that the bears love him. It's why he goes to P-town every year!


Q: Has there been anyone you met in the course of writing a story that you were excited to meet that turned out to be a major disappointment or downright jerk? You don’t have to name names.
DG: You so want some gossip!!But to be honest, no I have been very lucky. The potential "Divas" have been adorable. And I think I was truly worried that Armistead would perhaps be a "star" in person, but the really talented people don't have to be divas. I think they are usually just thrilled that you like their work.

Q: What are your personal favorite Bear events around the world?
DG: Well being based in the UK now, it's hard to get to all the ones I want to. I was lucky this year to have gotten to the new IBC Palm Springs, which was amazing. And also to Mr North American Bear where I was asked to be a guest judge! And, I am really looking forward to Chicago Bear Pride later in May and the new London Bear Fest! And, of course, Manchester in the UK, where I am based, has the Great British Bear Bash in early May. It's hard to pick a favourite as they are all so amazing in their own right. But, for me the sunshine of Palm Springs in February was so needed after a miserable UK Winter!!!!

Q: Any tips or resources you can suggest on balancing a big, beautiful body with a reasonable level of physical/aerobic fitness?
DG: You're joking, right?  I confess to not going to the gym, but always planning too. I think being big is amazing, because big men are fucking lovely! BUT. I think you have to be aware of your own body and its health. You can be healthy and fit being big, but it's so personal. If a bigger guy wants to go to the gym, it's so intimidating. Having a sister who is a personal trainer, who was a big girl once herself, I will share her advice ~ get in there and meet people. They probably had the same issues and would love to help you and not judge you.

Q: Last question. Where do you see bear culture headed in the future?
DG: Well, I think it will evolve. It has to. Younger guys who are hairy and want to belong will bring their ideas and energy, and we should embrace it, whilst still making sure the elders of our community are honoured too.- It's a hard balance, but I think we can do it as long as the core ideals of the Bear Community remains inclusion not exclusion.

-Matt Alber! Photo by Adrian Lourie

Visit Bear World Magazine's Facebook Page!
Don't forget the Free Digital Trial Subscription!!