Hi folks! Kev “Kota” Hayman here. I’m the official “biographer guy” here at the Scienteers. As such I figured it would be a good idea to, instead of bios, go with interviews of each of the Scienteers. I figured it would be a good idea to start with the boss himself, Dave Davis. And so, let’s begin.

Kota: Right, let’s start with an introduction for all the wonderful people. Tell us who you are and what you do, comic-wise and with in the Scienteers.

hpk: My name is David Davis, and I am a cartoonist. I do several webcomics and freelance for print whenever I get a change. With The Scienteers I suppose you could call me the founder. I mostly panic at everyone in the group until things get done, then proceed to panic again.

Kota: Panic is aways an effective management tool I’ve found. Let’s talk about the comics first. We know you do Cosmic Dash and Galactic Hub Serreven, so why don’t you tell us a little about where those came from.

hpk: Cosmic Dash is based on me needing to find a set up for a character I developed when I was younger. I was always intrigued by the Space Opera, so I gave it a shot. Galactic Hub Serreven is a spinoff of Cosmic Dash in the sense that I can delve more into the universe without interrupting the flow of Cosmic Dash.

Kota: I know you’ve mentioned GHS being influenced by a video game? Which one was it again?

hpk: The game is Startopia, made by a now-defunct developer called Mucky Foot. It’s essentially a sim-game set in a Ring-World Space Station. Your goal as the Administrator was to manage these stations and residents. I borrowed a lot of stuff from the game since I loved the concept.

Kota: Micromanagement seems to be pretty addictive. Since we’re on influences, who are some of yours?

hpk: Well, I’ve always loved Shigeru Miyamoto because of how he’s managed to create so many universes and characters. Art-wise however, I’d say Genndy Tartakovsky, Stan Sakai and Ben Caldwell.

Kota: How about writing? Who do you see yourself following in their footsteps?

hpk: Writing-wise? I honestly don’t know. I could name my favorite writers, but I don’t know if they quite qualify as my influences.

Kota: No problem. I understand where you’re coming from. How about other web comics? What are you reading these days?

hpk: Well, aside from my fellow Scienteers’s work, I’ve taken a real liking to Dave Roman’s “Astronaut Elementary”, Dean Trippe’s “Butterfly” and Les McClane’s “Jonny Crossbones”.

Kota: Very cool. So what can we be expecting from you in the future?

hpk: Well, hopefully more Cosmic Dash and Galactic Hub Serreven, since I am always trying to push myself to improve. Also, hopefully more of my stuff in print. I have a few ideas I am throwing around, maybe one will stick?

Kota: Let me go on and thank you for this and ask you some quickies to finish off with.

Kota: First, boxers or briefs?

hpk: Animal hides.

Kota: Heh.

Kota: Second, favorite childhood cartoon?

hpk: Dexter’s Lab

Kota: Lastly, seeing as we’re both MiSTies, Joel or Mike?

hpk: I like them both. Though Joel is more deadpan, which I see myself leaning towards.

Kota: Cool. Thanks again man.

hpk: No problem.

Tags: Cosmic Dash, David Davis, hpkomic, interview, Profile, The Scienteers

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