Cully Hamner
The Outhouse got an interview with Cull Hamner (Blue Beetle and Down). Read on to find out what inspired the new Blue Beetle’s costume, if Ted Kord is coming back, and why his parents named him Cully (or not).
When designing the new Blue Beetle costume, what inspired it? Did any other characters besides the previous Blue Beetles inspire it?
Couldn’t say, really. I had a set of parameters based on what he’d need to be able to do in the series, but that’s it, really. They had sent me a couple passes at designs that other artist had done, but they were very bulky and Transformers-looking to me. I couldn’t see myself wanting to look at a book like that every month. That’s really the important part, more so that pleasing fans: Pleasing myself. I think that people can tell if you don’t like what you have to draw every month. So, I just did something that made sense to me. It wasn’t something that Keith, John, Joan, or DC necessarily had in mind, but they warmed right up to it.
And I’ve seen the comments that I must have been looking at the Guyver or Beetle-borgs or something… sorry, but I’m not really into anime or manga at all; in fact, I’m pretty ignorant about it. If you asked me to draw the
Guyver from memory, I wouldn’t know where to start. I had no idea what a
Beetle-borg was until I saw it mentioned on the net about this book! No, my influences on this costume had more to do with looking at pictures of *actual* beetles…
What made you accept art chores for Blue Beetle?
A number of things: Working with Keith; it sounded fairly interesting; and I was asked right at the time I was about to start sniffing around for my next project. This whole thing was a lucky break.
If you could have your image on any U.S. currency, what would it be?
Two-dollar bill, of course. People always keep two-dollar bills.
Are you going to introduce any new villains during your stint on Blue Beetle?
Pardon my French, but hell, yes. I’ve been designing characters like crazy. There’s a whole mess of ‘em in the first six issues.
Cully’s kind of an unusual name. Did your parents ever give a specific reason why they named you Cully?
You know, I’ve never gotten a really straight answer on that one. One time when I asked, they just sort of shared this look, laughed, and wouldn’t say anything else about it. The only time I’ve heard anything concrete is that they were sure I’d be the last kid, and my dad wanted to name me something unusual. Oh, how he marked me.
What’s the next work you have coming out?
Dude, it’s the Beetle for the foreseeable future.
Who are some of your inspirations art-wise?
Oh, geez, I can’t type that much. I mean, there are the illustrators like N.C. Wyeth and Rockwell, through Robert McGinniss, up to Bernie Fuchs and Bob Peak. There are comics guys like Eisner, Miller, Mignola, and all my fellow Gaijinners. Actually, though, I get more overt influence as a storyteller from film directors and writers, of whom there are too many to list. Always look for outside influences if you want to bring anything to the comics party.
In your opinion, who’s ears are pointer; Black Adam or Namor the Sub-Mariner?
Karl Story. Definitely Karl Story.
What type of music do you like?
I’m relatively eclectic. I know that’s what everybody says, but I don’t care. Examples from my Ipod: Aerosmith, Al Green, OLD Billy Joel, Count Basie, Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra, Hanoi Rocks, Jane’s Addiction, Stones, Living Colour, Miles Davis, Mother Love Bone, Nirvana, Orbital, Ozzy Osbourne, Parliament/Funkadelic, Ray Charles, OLD Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Roth- era Van Halen, Audioslave, Velvet Revolver, AC/DC, Perfect Circle, Duke Ellington, Gorillaz, a lot of film scores (especially Goldsmith’s late 60’s stuff)… that’s a smattering.
Who’s more annoying; Richard Simmons or Kevin Federline?
Federline, by a mile. Simmons seems like he’d be fun to be around for a few minutes, at least. Ferderline’s a no-talent gold-digger in need of a bath. Stop reproducing, Kevin!
Who’s side are you on?
The side of all that’s good and right with the world. In other words, the side that’s losing.
Will you bring back Ted Kord (the previous Blue Beetle)? (This is one of the poster’s questions. Be gentle 
)
Nope. Let the death threats commence!
What’s your current favorite joke?
Okay, this kid is sitting on his lawn with a box of puppies one morning. George Bush is out on his morning run, accompanied by some Secret Service guys. Dubya asks the boy what kind of puppies is in that box. The little boy says, “Republicans.” The President grins from ear to ear, pats the boy on the head, and says, “Atta boy!” A few weeks later Bush’s jogging again, this time with Dick Cheney in tow. Bush stops at the boy’s house, winks at Cheney and says,”Hey kid, what kind of puppies are in that box?” The boy says, “Democrats!” Bush looks wounded and says, “What happened? A few weeks ago they were Republicans!” The boy says, “Well, now their eyes are open.”
Which news anchor do you think has the biggest stick up his/ her butt?
Bill O’Reilly, without question. Of course, saying O’Reilly requires a loose definition of “news” anchor…
Anything you want to pimp?
Okay, I’ll bite: Check out the Gaijin Studios website, at http://www.gaijinstudios.com./ Also, join our message board. Other than that… buy the Beetle!
Which version of the JLA is your favorite?
Hmmm… All-Star Squadron.
If you could go to a bar and get drunk with any comic book character, who would it be?
Tony Stark, man! I mean, I know he’s got a problem and all, but think of the night you’d have!
What should we expect from Blue Beetle series?
Expect the unexpected. Ain’t I just a coy sumbitch?
To discuss this interview, go here.
