‘Knuckleheads’ comic-book series has sitcom feel
Robert Wilson IV, left, and Brian Winkeler, right, the creators of "Knuckleheads."
Their comic book series is inspired by sitcoms, but you could compare how comic book creators Brian Winkeler and Robert Wilson IV began working together to a platonic, comic book store “Dating Game.”
Winkeler, of Yukon, is the writer, and Wilson, of Oklahoma City, the artist, of the comic book “Knuckleheads,” now available to order online or on the shelves of Oklahoma City comic book stores.
A page from "Knuckleheads."
Brian “Buck” Berlin of New World Comics, 6219 N Meridian Ave., played Chuck Woolery to this pair of comic book creators. Wilson, a fan of Winkeler’s work in the “Popgun” anthology from Image Comics, expressed to Berlin that he’d love to work on the anthology someday. Berlin shared Wilson’s enthusiasm with Winkeler.
“Finally, they were in the store one day at the same time,” Berlin said. Shortly after, the pair began discussing possible ideas for a new series, and “Knuckleheads” was born. Wilson’s Mike Allred-inspired pop enthusiasm and Winkeler’s “30 Rock”-style sardonic wit combined to create the story of Trevor Trevinski, who is accidentally given a powerful alien artifact intended for his more heroic roommate.
Trev mainly uses the Crystal Fist to steal cable and cheat at video games, but when a monster attacks the city, he may have to man up after all.
While Winkeler’s “Bastard Road,” created with Dave Curd, was partially inspired by Jack Kirby comics from the 1970s, Winkeler said he and Wilson drew on a different set of influences for “Knuckleheads.”
“Since it’s more a sitcom kind of feel, (it’s) like the early ’80s ‘Justice League,’ the funny ‘Justice League’ with Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, and maybe even Ty Templeton’s ‘Legion of Substitute Heroes’ stuff, which is brilliant, and ‘Stig’s Inferno,’ and Kyle Baker — that kind of comedic comic stuff,” Winkeler said.
Wilson said he hopes to bring a strong sense of craft to “Knuckleheads.”
“I want to draw comics that are cool-looking and fun-looking but most of all tell a story and (be) technically solid,” Wilson said.
Berlin says the book has been moving well for him at New World.
“It kind of sells itself once you mention that it’s local,” Berlin said. “The hardest part is to break it to them that there’s not a second one out right now,” Berlin said.
- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
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