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You've Never Heard Of… Terry Parr

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Senior Boricua Correspondent Marco Lopez writes,

The purpose of You've Never Heard Of… is to shine a spotlight on self-published creators who release their work in print or digital and creators who work for publishers that don't rank in the top 10.

We're in a golden age of comics right now and in an age of geek none of us could have ever imagined, but with the good comes the bad. As our geek news sites become more corporate they tend to focus less on comics and in some cases less on independent creators. Which is why this series was created. As you all know Bleeding Cool is a popular site and has never shied away from giving a soap box to those starting out and trying to carve a niche for themselves.

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Today I am interviewing Terry Parr. A fantastic artist hailing from Fort Worth, Texas who with wife & artist, Halo Sama (Colorist for Aerobicide) run Shonuff Studio! Late last year Terry ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to get the first issue of Aerobicide The Extreme Ninja Workout released in comic shops via publisher Ape Entertainment.

And if you want to know more about Aerobicide The Extreme Ninja Workout then check out the summary below.

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It's the 1980s. Venice Beach has been taken over by Weightlifting gangs, yuppies, and evil ninjas. An 18-year-old dance instructor, Sheri Ken, has inherited the skill of a ninja by the way of ancient chants on a cassette tape containing Heavy Metal music. She must use her ninja skill to annihilate any foe who threatens her dance studio and to make it in time for her next Hollywood audition.

Now with that out of the way onto the interview.

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Marco: Let kick things off with a bit of fun. Aerobicide is the hit indie comic of the 80's. It's taking the comic book conventions by storm. Who would play Sheri Ken back then and in the present-day remake who would play her as well? AND name some songs that you feel would represent Sheri Ken and the world of Aerobicide.

Terry: Haha yes. In the 80s I think Maggie Cheung would have made an awesome Sheri Ken. I really loved her in Heroic Trio. She was such a badass character and I think she would have done a great job. In our alternate reality and Hollywood wanted to reboot Aerobicide. I think Karen Fukuhara would be an excellent choice. She played Katana in the recent Suicide Squad movie. She was one of the best parts of that movie and I really wanted to see more of that character. I also think Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim) would also be an amazing choice.

Songs that would best represent Sheri Ken and Aerobicide? Probably Scandal's "The Warrior". I love that song and the music video is super 80s cheesy. Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with Your Best shot", and Iron Maiden's "Sun and Steel". I think if a movie would ever be made we could have a killer 80s Soundtrack! Right now, we're working with Tekforce to create an entire soundtrack for the comic and it's entirely 80's inspired. You can check out music by Tekforce at tekforce.bandcamp.com.

Marco: With that bit of fun out of the way tell us about yourself, Terry. What made you fall in love with comics? And tell us about your journey getting into this business we all love so passionately and the formation of Shonuff Studio.

Terry: As a little kid, I was always loved drawing in the back of books or wherever I could find a blank page. I think it was natural to be fascinated by comics. Something about telling stories visually appealed to me. Swamp Thing was one of my favorite characters and that started the idea to become a comic artist. It wasn't until I saw Jim Lee's X-Men is when I really wanted to draw comics!

I am still in my journey getting into the business. I have drawn lots of indie books in my life. Halloween Man, El Peso Hero to name a few. I am also a caricature artist and that really helps make ends meet. Shonuff Studio was formed when I started dating this cute girl. She was also an artist and we learned early on that our favorite movie was "The Last Dragon". We decided to work together and name our studio after the villain, Shonuff since he's a MASTER!

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Marco: That's a great story man. Shonuff bringing the love together. Okay so for Aerobicide what's the plan? If this comic is successful will we get more? Is there a beginning middle and end to Sheri Ken's world? Maybe a series of miniseries like Hellboy? Tell us what you would like to see happen if the stars align just so right.

Terry: Right now, it's going to be a 3 issue series. I was not sure how people were going react to it but I am glad to say it's been really positive. I think a series of miniseries or one-shots would work best for Aerobicide. Right now, I finished a bonus issue called "Pump up the Jam" and it features a crossover with Eve from Dusk Publishing (a fellow Dallas/Fort Worth creator). I am having way too much fun coming up with ideas right now to think of ending the book anytime soon! I already have an idea for a One-Shot that I want to do after the third issue. It's somewhat based off a crappy Sega CD game (not Sewer Shark lol).

If the stars align just right. Having an Image Logo on the cover would be awesome. I would really love to see a movie made. Something in the line of Turbo Kid. I loved that movie and I think they got the 80s vibes just right. Would also love to do some parody workout videos!

Marco: Now per the information, I perused on the SHONUFF! Site you and Halo work in graphic design and you mentioned caricature work. Outside of comics what are some of the projects you've been involved in? And within comics but not counting Aerobicide what are you working on whether personally or work for hire?

Terry: For the past 3 years, I have been doing illustrations for Camp Fort Worth. So, you can see my artwork on bus benches around Fort Worth during the Spring. We also have worked with musician Andrew Delaney for some T-shirt designs and we even designed the logo for Project A-Kon (3rd biggest Anime convention in the U.S.). Within comics, I am really focused on creator-owned projects. I have been helping out other creators for a while and it's really nice coming up with my own world. I am always open for a cool comic project though.

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Marco: So now it's time for the wrap-up and while I have enjoyed talking with you and reading that sweet Aerobicide preview we must call it an end. But before you go I'm giving you a moment to pimp your stuff! Explain to our audience why they should be checking out your work, perusing the SHONUFF! Website and why especially why they should check out Aerobicide when it hits their local comic shop or ComiXology.

Terry: Everyone should totally check out Shonuff Studios! Halo and I really try to do something different with our artwork and even fan art! Halo has her "cartoony" style and I have my own "comic" style. We try to tell a little story and really just have fun. With Aerobicide… I really wanted to project my love of the 1980s and put it into this comic book. Ninjas, Aerobics, Weightlifter gangs, Heavy Metal, Breakdancing, BMX to name a few things that will appear! Aerobicide The Extreme Ninja Workout will have some high impact action, humor, and some 80s cheese. I really want to make this comic a fun read. So please check it out!

And that's a wrap. I want to thank Terry for giving me the opportunity to interview and I hope you Bleeding Cool readers enjoyed and found a new comic to follow. Don't forget to check Halo and Terry's website, Instagram, and twitter account @shonuffart.

Marco Lopez is the co-owner of the website Atomic Rex Entertainment. Where you can find the ongoing weekly webcomic Massively Effective, that Marco describes as Bill and Ted in tights. Also, hosted on the site is Marco's web strip series Orion's Beltthat follows an Afro-Latino family of adventurers in space. Marco has also written for Zenescope Entertainment and Lion Forge Comics.







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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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