Ben Templesmith is a guy myself and Kevin have had a lot of time for following 30 Days of Night hitting comic book shelves in 2002. Since then, we have seen his career shoot into the stratosphere working alongside the likes of Warren Ellis on Fell. Not happy resting on his unique stylistic approach to comic book art, he has started writing also. He now creates, draws and writes the likes of werewolf thriller Welcome to Hoxford and something you have heard us speak about extensively here on Sonic's Ring; Wormwood: Gentlemen's Corpse. He is currently working on a Doctor Who one-shot with Leah Moore and John Reppion due for release later this year.

When I spotted Ben was on Twitter (@Templesmith) I made a beeline in his direction and asked him for a wee interview. He kindly accepted. Here goes nothing...

You disturb me. What are your influences for Wormwood and for your writing in general?

'I disturb me too. It started when I woke up in a cold sweat one night & there was a dead hooker next to me. Well, half of her was next to me. Most of her internal organs were on the other side of the room. What's up with that?

Influences for Wormwood are basically the old Doctor Who TV show, especially the Douglas Adams written episodes... a dash of Hellblazer and the general "monster hunter" genre of things, of which there are numerous examples. I generally try to take the piss out of all of it in a quirky fashion. It's basically my version of Doctor Who, but with demons and he actually has slept with some of his companions.'

Out of all the fucked up comic dudes out there, you rank highly. But what comics do you read and which writer and artist fuck-ups are you always on the look out for new stuff from?

'My mother says "thank you". My comics "coming of age" was reading things like "Transmet" and "Preacher"...I'd read superhero stories before that, but it wasn't until I stepped outside of reading adolecent power fantasy that I realized you could do pretty much anything in comics.  These days I still try to read anything Warren Ellis puts out, but am huge fan of the writer/artist as one, so Mike Mignola , Paul Pope and Geoff Darrow (with Shaolin Cowboy that never comes out alas) are people I immediately follow with new works. I actually don't read too many comics these days though.'

I used to get off to regular porn. Now when I jerk off, my mind drifts off to leprechaun strippers (thanks for that mate!). What approach do you take to drawing women in your books?

'Well, I'm not a Yank. I've noticed American men in general seem to think "bigger is better". The US is the land of fake big boobs to me. Why? WHY?? I hate them. I'm a big fan of living with what you can grow yourself. I have done life drawing since I was 15 (not that it shows I know) but have always preffered the skinny, lithe, small/natural breasted types. So many comics have impossibly proportioned women, with huge spherical breasts and tiny waists. Not for me. I actually want to get more into photography at some point and do a book of nudes. No peroxide blonde huge fake boobs for me in that though. Just "real" women. Larger or small.'

Maybe it isn't your fault you have these issues. Maybe it is where you were raised? Do you feel being brought up in Austrailia has held you back or helped you in any way?

'Coming from Australia but currently living in the USA just means I have a different perspective. On all things, including lifestyle and politics too. I mean, it's why I like public transport, taxes, that sort of thing. Because in my country you actually get things out of it, or it works properly. Outside of NYC, public transport seems like a dirty word in the US. Which is sad. I hate the amount of dependency on jammed freeways and the prison cars become in California.

Coming from Perth in particular (which is as far away from the rest of Western Civilization as we know it) has probably made me more independent. Lots of creatives/actor types have come out of Perth. We simply have to leave to get anywhere because the rest of the world is so far away. The net makes things easier, but you still need to go see these places to network or do some work. I see it as a strength though and adds to our character.'

You bastard! You stole our idea for the Hi-Ex comic convention here in Scotland. Isn't it true that you're just working with Leah Moore to get to her dad?

'No idea what the "Hi-Ex" comic con is. Do they sell meth on the side? How do you get high at the con? I just use coffee myself. I know you Scots do things a little differently up there!  Nope, am not working with Leah just to get to her dad. Infact, I have not mentioned her dad to her at all that I can remember. I'd imagine she gets that a lot and it may bug the shit out of her. I can't fault her pedigree though, but John and her have been exceptionally nice to me, and I thought it'd be real fun to bring them in on a Doctor Who thing, since they'd obviously be very familiar with the source material and be able to do it justice!'

We're guessing that you are a bit of a coward given that you have yet to tackle any of the big-gun superstars. Which comic book character would you like to tackle most in the future?

'You consider coming up with your own original ideas and putting out your own comics, essentially taking risks and working for yourself being cowardly? I'm sure I could beg Marvel or DC for some work and change my style and work on some of the big corporate characters for some decent money, but honestly, that's not what drives me and that's the easier option for many people in the industry. Creator owned and generated work is the way to go. Being just another name working on a 50 year old character is not. Not that it's bad, there are some great books and talented folks out there, but I reject utterly the idea that it's "cowardly" to not do them. I consider it the exact opposite infact. I wish more talented folks would try their hand at new creations, like at Image comics etc etc.

I just spent a whole paragraph on your use of the word "cowardly" heh. Oops. Anyways, if I was to do some "superstar" characters I guess Batman, Lobo, Ghost Rider etc...would always be fun, but again, they're not what drives me. They'd just be fun diversions if I ever got to tinker with them.'

Oh, look at you with your Big Budget Hollywood Extravaganza(TM)! How did you feel 30 Days of Night turned out? Are you proud of it and would you have changed anything?

'You know, I've never been asked that question before. Heh. yes I was very happy with it. Especially considering, how many people even get the option to have a film made off their original creation? I'd be a right bastard if I said I was unhappy with it (well, unless it turned out to be as good as The Love Guru or some crap) but David Slade did a bang up job. Visually, he really honoured me and the raw visuals I created. I owe him muchly.'

Well Templesmith, you have ungodly abilities now with both the word processor and the paint brush. Which do you prefer working on and can you always see yourself both drawing and writing in the future?

'Doing both seems natural to me, though I can do art on it's own with other writers just as easily usually. There are a few people I definitely want to work with, but other than that I am more than happy to work on my own things. I plan on never writing anything unless I'm also drawing it though. I don't think I'm that good. I prefer to craft the whole thing and have it suit my own art really.'

Should we be nervous about any new projects you have coming in the future?

'No, you should just contact your local authorities and warn them basically. Mutant crotches in Groom Lake will probably get the new book banned in several places. But you Scots are a tough bunch. It's not like you're from the bible belt in America and get freaked out by nipples right?'

Finally, can good neighbours every really become good friends?

'You tell me. England have been giving you blokes up in Scotland crap for centuries! Hey, I watched Braveheart and Rob Roy! Australia just prefers to have a drink with everyone. So long as we're not waking up with no pants, it's all good no? having said that, I probably offended numerous groups in this interview ( large fake breasted blondes in particular ) but hey, I prefer being honest.'

To say Ben was a complete star throughout this process is the understatement of the century. We had his replies back from him within 24 hours of sending the interview and I think the sense of humour he displays so cynically in his writing is pretty apparent here . I hope you all jump out and snaffle up some of his work, including the sublime Wormwood and new Doctor Who. Thanks again Ben.