So Super Duper: Comic-Book Creator Brian Andersen Dishes

Brian Andersen is the boyish wonder behind the latest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender indy comic book, So Super Duper, which has fans and critics buzzing. Much like his peers Tommy Roddy (Pride High) and Lynx Delirium (Carabosse Comics), Brian is blazing new trails in the field of LGBT comic books.

So Super Duper is the story of an ambiguously gay super hero named Psyche and his adventures as a member of the world's premier super hero team, the Amazin'Naughts. Unlike most superheroes, Psyche isn't buff, extraordinarily powerful, or even all that courageous most of the time - but his own unique personality is a wonder to behold. I recently got the chance to chat with Brian Andersen about So Super Duper, and his answers are almost as entertaining as the comic book he creates.

What inspired you to create So Super Duper?

Being a huge comic book geek since I was a wee boy I knew I always wanted to eventually create my own comic book. In fact, I used to write and draw my own comics when I was in Junior High and my two fellow nerd buddies would read them. They were so supportive that when I didn't have any money to buy paper for my comic they went out and bought paper for me. They were my first fans. Fast forward some 15 years and I realized that nothing was stopping me from creating my own comic but me, so one day I decided to get my buns off the couch and actually do it.

It's hard to read So Super Duper and not feel like it's a very personal story. Is the comic book based on your personal experiences or did it evolve from your greatly developed characters?

So Super Duper is totally a personal story in that I wanted to try and tell a tale about a character that just isn't as super as those very super heroic teammates around him. Which is pretty much how I felt most of my life, in not really fitting in with those around me; I wasn't a jock, I wasn't popular by any means, I wasn't the best looking person, I never had abs of steel, I wasn't a talented singer or dancer, I wasn't the smartest person, I was just me. And So Super Duper is a comic book about a character that is just "him," for good or bad. He is what he is, and there is nothing wrong with that. It's the other people who have a problem.

It's an amazing feat of comic book talent that you're creating So Super Duper by yourself without any other collaborators. Is there a particular reason you chose to make this comic book a solo effort?

Well to be honest I wish I had some help! Haha! I do everything on So Super Duper because I don't know any other way! I have marginal artistic talent, totally self taught, and instead of trying to deal with another artist I just figured I would draw it myself and hope for the best! And since I drew it I decided I might as well letter it, color it and, heck, print it too! Sometimes I think I'm bat-shiz crazy doing this all by myself, it's a ton of hard work, but I love it. I love comic books so much; every Wednesday I am in my local comic book store with money in hand. Just seeing something I actually created and printed on the shelves of a comic book store is a dream come true. My comic may not be a top 10 seller, or even a top 50 seller, but as long as I am able to create something that even one person enjoys I will totally consider myself a success!

Psyche is a wonderfully hilarious and instantly loveable character; how similar is Psyche's personality to Brian Andersen's?

Psyche is totally me. From the way he talks to the way he acts, everything. His story really mirrors my life in the fact that I didn't come out until I was 27! People would always tell me I was gay and I would be so put off by it! "How rude," I would say and then flutter around all annoyed! I just didn't really have any idea that I was gay, even though it was painfully obvious. I guess I am a late bloomer. I also based Psyche on me in that if one day I suddenly had powers I just know it wouldn't be something cool like super strength, or flight, or laser beam eyes, I would totally have some non-physical mental power that wouldn't be much good in a real fight. As much as I would like to think that I would be this tough badass superhero, I just know that I wouldn't be. I would probably be how I am now, all whiney and flabby and kinda lazy, only with powers.

So far, Psyche has been less than impressive in the hero department, but would it be correct to say that there are indications that he'll develop into a better hero?

For sure! Issue three, which I am finishing now (Yay!) gives Psyche the chance to really show that he can be a hero when he has too be. He just needs to believe in himself more. But I think that is true of most people and most things, we can all be whatever we want if we just believe in ourselves and go out there and do it! Psyche's story isn't so much a coming out story as it is a hero journey. He grows into himself and becomes the best that he can be. He might not be as strong and powerful as Captain Idol, but that doesn't make him any less a hero.

There seems to be an interesting bond between Captain Idol and Psyche, can you elaborate a little on the relationship between the two without giving away major spoilers? What does Captain Idol really think of Psyche?

Yeah, there is totally a bond between Captain Idol and Psyche. Captain Idol invited Psyche onto the team, much to the chagrin of the rest of the Amazin'Naughts, and he really believes in Psyche's potential. Captain Idol and Psyche will have a major bonding moment in issue three, something that will show just how much Captain Idol believes in Psyche. This is Psyche's chance to prove himself, and he does, but as usual, in his own unique way.

The subplot involving the return of Ultra Woman seems to present a lot of possible complications for Psyche...especially concerning his crush on Captain Idol...will Ultra Woman be making a full time appearance in So Super Duper any time soon?

Oh yes, Ultra Woman returns in a major way! She comes back totally confused, distraught and very uncertain as to what happened to her; how did she end up in a house in the forest where time moved forward but she didn't? That will be revealed soon! Issues three, four and five have a major knock-down, drag-out fight between Ultra Woman and Psyche. It is not to be missed! From there Ultra Woman will be a regular in the series, and she will for sure be a huge bump in the road in the budding possible relationship between Psyche and Captain Idol.

Is it just me, or do Halo and Sass seem like drag queens in women's bodies?

Haha! I never thought of that actually! But wouldn't it be a cool twist if they were drag queens! I think I just draw them more on the buff side because I wanted to show how powerful they are. Sass and Halo are two ladies who think they know it all and just don't have time for someone who needs a little encouragement to reach their full potential. They are catty, but they both feel they have a right to be. They view Psyche as a complete waste of time and they certainly let him know what they think. Although, in issue three, Sass does make a sort of turn-around in her view of Psyche, which is a nice change of pace for him.

Are there any other possible love interests for Psyche other than Captain Idol?

The other possible love interest for Psyche, besides Captain Idol, is Comet, one half of the wonder twin team Star and Comet. A love triangle starts to develop from issue four between Comet/Psyche and Captain Idol/Psyche. It's not completely clear if Comet or Captain Idol are even gay, but that is part of the fun of the storyline; figuring out who Psyche likes more and who he will choose to be with, if and when it comes to that.

What can you tell us about the future of So Super Duper? Are there any teasers you can share?

Issue three is an all fighty all action issue, with a pretty surprise bonding moments between Psyche and Captain Idol. Issue three also features round one of Psyche vs. Ultra Woman in a major wham, bam, punch 'em up style. Also, issue three features a shocking death of one of the main characters.

Issue four continues the Comet/Captain Idol/Psyche storyline, the "are they or aren't they" give and take and it also features the first part of round two between Ultra Woman and Psyche, which then spills over into issue five.

Issue five is the funeral for the character that dies in issue three and will again heat up the afore mentioned love triangle. Plus, issue five will feature Psyche's first kiss! Ohhh, good stuff! This all leads up to a huge status quo change that will make Psyche something more then he is now.

So Super Duper is available online through IndyPlanet.com, PrismComics.com and sold at Whatever Comics, 548 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, Tel: (415) 861-WHAT. There are previews for both issues at his website, www.sosuperduper.com.