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Today's adventure: We learn about greasing meta-fiction.

This month, my column will feature a series of interviews with comic book artists and creators going to STAPLE! THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA EXPO (Saturday, March 3rd). Staple is an annual event in Austin Texas to promote independent creative media: comics, art, animation, and self-published literature.  In its third year, Staple is the must-attend convention for any self-respecting fan of indie comics.

This week, I talk with Dean Haspiel, Staple’s featured guest. Dean is a talented and acclaimed comic book artist. I first read his work in Project Superior from AdHouse Books, and later as the artist for Harvey Pekar’s Quitter. He’s part of the Act-I-Vate community, and the creator of Billy Dogma and Opposable Thumbs.

How did Billy Dogma come about?

HASPIEL: In 1995, I was at a critical juncture in need of an avatar to express my intermittent feelings about love and life and BILLY DOGMA was my creation to serve that purpose.

How did growing up in New York shape you as a comic book creator?

HASPIEL: NYC keeps my meta-fiction greased with gritty romance where walls are constantly redefined by attitude and desire as evidenced by a bruiser gone gaga over his dame in my super-psychedelic romance comix.

Can you tell us about your involvement with ACT-I-VATE?

HASPIEL: I launched ACT-I-VATE, because I wanted to cultivate a comix blog culture for like minded cartoonists and creating a virtual studio/anthology was the next logical step.

What are you working on right now?

HASPIEL: I recently launched FEAR, MY DEAR, the sequel to my first online graphic novel, IMMORTAL, at ACT-I-VATE. I just completed drawing two short stories for Harvey Pekar’s next AMERICAN SPLENDOR mini-series, and I’m about to illustrate Jonathan Ames’ original graphic novel,
THE ALCOHOLIC (both for Vertigo).

You are the featured guest at Staple. What do you enjoy most about small press conventions?

HASPIEL: Small Press conventions shine a beacon of light at the diamonds in the rough where passion prevails over hype. Where the marketing is guerilla and the content is street. Nothing beats a heart better than a grassroots love affair and I look forward to STAPLE!

To learn more about Dean Haspiel, check out his website, a look at Immortal, and of course, Act-I-Vate. Dean will be at STAPLE! on March 3rd. On Thursday, we interview Girls with Slingshots creator Danielle Corsetto.