Scifipulse recently had the pleasure of interviewing Emma Vieceli. Emma has worked as a professional writer and artist in the comic, book, game and TV industries since 2007; after starting as a hobbyist with Sweatdrop Studios in 2002. Since then, Emma has provided art for the Vampire Academy graphic novel as well as co-creating the webcomic BREAKS with Malin Ryden. Additionally, in 2007 she was co-presenter of the Anime Network segment on the Propeller TV satellite channel. More recently, Emma has written the musical Unfolding; a song from which won the Stiles+Drew song prize. Emma discusses this during our interview, as well as her advice for aspiring comics artists and whether Supergirl could beat Captain Marvel in a dance-off.
SFP: I understand that you got your start in comics through releasing your own series, Dragon Heir. Please would you tell us about that?
Emma Vieceli: Yep! Dragon Heir was my first taste of holding my little, printed, 20-page issue in my hand and it was a feeling I wanted more of. It’s a magical thing, to print your first comic – no matter how much you still have to learn. I was lucky to be able to take that first step as part of Sweatdrop studios, long before we actually set up as a full publisher with ISBNs. We were a comic circle, able to support and promote each other’s work, which was so important, as it’s not easy to sell yourself, eh?
Dragon Heir is a solid heroic fantasy story set in a world called Spiratu, and it’s a story I’d love to go back to one day and make the second part of. Four human bearers of the last dragon’s soul are on a journey, together with a chosen spirit binder, to help send the soul on its final journey. Like a lot of fantasy stories, it touched on real-life relevance as a tale about living in an oppressive society that dictated your place in it. It definitely has some elements that ring more and more tragically true every day at the moment.
SFP: You’ve also written the musical Unfolding. What was your creative process like when you made that? And did it differ at all from writing comics?
Emma Vieceli: I could genuinely offer a Ted talk on this subject, so it’s hard to condense down, but – in short – there were absolutely similarities, yes! I found it fascinating coming back to writing a stage script after so long in comics. How page beats and motifs translate to the stage, etc.
But also, getting to dig back into my musical roots and songwriting. It’s been an entirely unexpected and magical experience so far. A door has opened in me and I don’t want to close it! Being based on an idea I’d had for a comic, Unfolding is still very much a me story…human inner workings and how we can heal. But with award-winning songs thrown into the mix!
Seeing my work on stage, with audiences…that part is very different to comics, for sure. But so entirely rewarding! Watch this space for its next steps!!
SFP: You were also the writer for the Life Is Strange comic adaptation. What were the challenges of transforming the game into a comic series?
Emma Vieceli: Balance.
Balancing how much I loved the title as a fan with approaching the job as a professional.
Balancing the myriad different ways I know people play the game and how to respect them in the comic.
Balancing my many mad ideas with working for the people who own the license, and of course, should have final say on it.
Balancing my innate desire to please everyone with the knowledge that you simply can’t.
But I loved writing that title, and I’m always going to be immensely proud of the result. We took a game tie-in potential for a title that (at the time) wasn’t really being talked about very much, and we made it into its own creation. Few game tie-in comics have achieved a four-year run and a comicverse that feels like its own living, breathing story – and I’m super proud of us for that.
SFP: How has the comics industry changed since you started?
Emma Vieceli: I feel like things exploded with social media. There was a boom. The high days of ‘Twitter’ – when it was Twitter – were a playing ground. Networking, discovery. It was suddenly so much easier to find work, to share work, to connect – while at the same time being that much harder to be seen for the trees. But it was vibrant and exciting. Now, I feel we’re contracting in many ways. The new voices, the outside titles, the lesser-sung creators…they were the easiest bits to lose when the social media world started its decline and world state started forcing cutbacks and limitations. I know I feel cut off now from that world, and I’ve been in the game for 20 years, so I’ve no idea how hard it is for new creators. I worry that we lost something very special, and I hope we can get it back one day.
What we haven’t lost is the creativity, of course. Independent comics are thriving and thank goodness for that. In an increasingly bleak and hard world, comics and the stories they tell aren’t just a hobby or entertainment – they’re necessary.
SFP: Do you have any advice for aspiring comics artists?
Emma Vieceli: Artists, specifically? Learn the rules so that you can break the rules. Learn foundational techniques so that you can build on them with your own voice. Challenge yourself and trust that the feeling you get when you look at your work, and you’re not happy with it is just your perception levelling up ahead of your hands. And remember, we’re storytellers, first. All is in the service of the story.
SFP: Who are your biggest creative influences?
Emma Vieceli: Ooooh, many. I’m inspired by creators as much as I am by their work. And often, thankfully, inspiring people make inspiring work. Becky Cloonan is one of my foundational inspirations, long before we were friends. Her passion is infectious. Paul Duffield and Kate Brown – always pushing boundaries and thinking outside of boxes. Amy Reeder – her attention to detail and process. Dan Berry – his freedom on the page and how he captures the world. Rachael Smith – her willingness to be vulnerable on the page, and her comedy! John Allison – prolific and hilarious. Paul Cornell – his thoughtfulness, dedication to the form and to elevating up creators who don’t get talked about as often. To so many creators who show immense passion and love for a form that can make them have to fight for their place in it.
Right now, in my musical theatre world, too, I’m constantly inspired and amazed at the work and passion that so many creators put into their projects. Dreams and dreamers are inspiring as hell.
SFP: What is one story above all others that you would love to tell?
Emma Vieceli: Right now – Gods & Graces. Out on sub at the moment (hit me up, publishers!): Gods & Graces is a historical, fantastical queer romance. Gods and magic meet the birth of London’s molly house scene in the dawn of the French Revolution. Historical characters mingle with my own creations in a tale built around an ancient artefact with the power to bestow godhood. It’s a story I’m looking forward to drawing when we find the right home for it ^_^
SFP: And finally, who would win a dance-off between Supergirl and Captain Marvel?
Emma Vieceli: Hmmmmmmm.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Supergirl.
Scifipulse sends our most heartfelt thanks and warmest best wishes to Emma Vieceli for so graciously taking the time to answer our questions.
Emma’s website: Emma Vieceli | Words, Pictures & Theatre. Writer/Artist
Her Instagram: Instagram
Emma’s Bluesky: Emma Vieceli (@emmavieceli.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Her Facebook page: Facebook
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