Respect Indie!

Indie Creator Spotlight
Troy Dongarra

   I've been meaning to write an Indie creators series of articles that spotlight the many talented creators that are out there making comics against all odds and I feel deserve our attention. A few people have asked me "why would you give another artist a spotlight on your website? They're gonna take your readers!" My short answer is No they won't, my long answer is it ain't about me, it never was about me and it never will be about me; we're all in this together. Hopefully creators see me writing about them and their books and we'll get to know each other, hopefully become friends and hopefully help each other out. There's room for everyone. With that said, let's talk to the mega talented Troy Dongarra; creator of the All Ages comicbook Slap Shot!

When did you came up with the idea for Slap Shot?

I started trying to think up a hero (any hero) after meeting Chris Giarrusso and Brian Smith at a con in 2017. Those guys are so full of enthusiasm for what they do. It was very inspiring. It started out as a total G-Man rip off, then evolved into a "what if Batman was poor and kind of stupid" thing. By January 2019 he had become Slap Shot. Neither like G-Man or Batman.

What is the creative team behind your comic?

I created, wrote and drew it, my daughter Isabella (9 years old) acted as content editor, letting me know what parts were too grown up, and my buddy Jeremy Rodden (www.toonopolis.com) proofread it for me. He's a heck of a talented writer. The temptation to ask him to rewrite it was pretty strong.

What's the premise behind Slap Shot?

Slap Shot is an all ages comic about a human in a world run by monsters (who naturally hates monsters because they eat humans) who decides to become a monster hunter. He ends up getting bit and becomes a monster himself. Of course there's a lesson in there: Slap Shot learns that it's not what you ARE that makes you bad, it's what you DO.

How many issues do you have planned to produce?

At least 2 are planned but I'd like to get a third instalment. He's a hockey themed hero so I think 1 issue per period of his story would be pretty cool. Each will be a stand alone one shot issue.

Is Slap Shot going to be a long running series or a mini-series?

No. Each issue is planned as a stand alone one shot issue. Deja vu.

Why self-publish?

Because it's a hobby and self publishing keeps it fun and simple.

How do you separate yourself from the thousands who self publish their books every year?

Slap Shot is an all ages book. I think it's also odd enough to get a chuckle out of an older reader. Also, the interior pages are printed in glorious black and white on paper suitable for crayons, markers, and colored pencils. So if you hate it you can always use it as a coloring book. 

So where can fans get their very own copy of Slap Shot? 

My website www.ToonsByTroy.com and very soon, on Indieplanet.com as both print and digital.

So what’s in store for Slap Shot ?

The working title for the second story is Powers & Puberty if that tells you anything. His voice may crack, he may start to grow wings in places where he didn't have wings before. That kind of thing.

Are you working on any other projects at the moment? 

Yes. I'm working on a parody of the Edgar Rice Burroughs' jungle man genre. It's not far enough along to share more but it's also an all ages funny book. 

Anything else you wanna share with us? 

Sure. If you like what you see or are reading here, hit me up at the website, or @toonsbytroy on facebook and Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. I also do commissions.