Talking Dark Horse’s ‘Skate Ali’ With Co-Writer Sam Humphries
by Rachel Bellwoar
Skating may be illegal in the future, but that’s not going to stop Ali from getting on a board. In the new series from co-writers Kelly Sue DeConnick and Sam Humphries and artist Natacha Bustos, Ali is used to making her way ’round the streets of LA alone but maybe that’ll change in Skate Ali. With letters by Josh Reed, here’s what Humphries could talk about with regards to Ali’s adventures:
Rachel Bellwoar: In the press release, Sam, you bring up that Skate Ali is an idea you’ve been developing with Kelly for over 10 years. It sounds like the character of Ali was the seed around which the rest of the series grew but why a comic about skateboarding, and do you skateboard?
Sam Humphries: One time when I was skating around Hollywood, I ate shit and hit the street so hard this other skater who I didn’t even know offered me a hit off his blunt, and I think that’s beautiful. That moment encapsulates so much about why I wanted to do a skateboarding comic.
That, and Kelly Sue and I really wanted to make a comic book together. This was over ten years ago! We wanted to do something fun and funny, combining influences including cyberpunk, YA, and manga. We came up with the concept and story together, and then we couldn’t really get it off the ground. Except for Skate Ali‘s godfather, Daniel Chabon at Dark Horse. He always loved the concept and kept reminding us that it could be great. Thank you Daniel!
Bellwoar: Right out the gate, Ali isn’t skateboarding at your usual parks. The locations feel more extreme and unexpected. Was it fun getting to experiment with those settings?
Humphries: Yeah skateboarding “grew up” in empty swimming pools and abandoned concrete and the cast offs of urban infrastructure. From harsh conditions grow strong roots. I wanted to take that element to the next level but augment it with things like roller coasters and magic powers. Ali herself starts off as a loner, a street skater, someone who has mastered the geography of Los Angeles. When she runs into the Skull Clan (literally), she sees what they can do with the magical force known as the Rush. Suddenly, a whole next level is revealed to her. Unfortunately, right away, she sucks at it.
Bellwoar: What about the skateboards themselves? How important was it to customize those?
Humphries: If guns were bigger, gunslingers would paint them cool colors and put awesome stickers all over them. Skateboards aren’t just extensions of a skateboarder’s will, but an extension of their identity, too.
Bellwoar: It should be noted that Skate Ali takes place in the future. Was there a specific look you were going for? For instance, certain panels reminded me of Knightriders and a medieval future aesthetic but then there’s also the poppy color scheme?
Humphries: I wanted it to feel like Akira or Blade Runner, but candy colored. The city Ali lives in is broken down, divided by wealth, and overrun with enforcers. But despite all that, people still find a way to make things beautiful. Or, at least, fascinating.
Bellwoar: I’ve said it before but one way you know a character’s look is working is when you can picture the Halloween costumes. Ali has such a signature style. The boa in particular (and the attention to detail, in that it’s always shedding feathers) is genius. What was it like coming up with that outfit?
Humphries: Give all the credit for the outstanding visuals to Natacha. She’s an incredible talent and collaborator. I threw around some influences and ideas. Natacha ignored the bits that needed to be ignored and added a bunch of ideas to the rest. PS: I think she might secretly be Skate Ali.
Bellwoar: Whereas Ali’s a lone wolf, we also get to meet the Skull Clan in the first issue. How coordinated did you want their attire to be?
Humphries: We’ll see in future issues how other clans are much more coordinated. The Skull Clan is fun because they’re a gang of misfits. I wanted them to have the vibe of the coolest costume party ever with the most fashionable kids you know who always look dangerously on the verge of starting the fight. And all those things are pretty much true.
Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Sam!
Skate Ali #1 is on sale now from Dark Horse Comics. Issue #2 goes on sale July 22nd.
