Ryan Danny Owen & Kat Simmers at Calgary Expo 2022 (Image credit: Chris Doucher/GeekNerdNet)
This interview was conducted by Chris Doucher, Editor-in-Chief, Writer and Comic Panel Moderator for GeekNerdNet. (Image credits to: Kat Simmers, Ryan Danny Owen and GeekNerdNet) - *If you would like to use any clips, screenshots, or images from the interview and/or written post below, you must have permission from GeekNerdNet.com to do so.
The Calgary Expo was back in full force for its 15th anniversary and it didn’t disappoint when it came to showcasing unique and original creator-owned work. For instance, I stopped by the table of Ryan Danny Owen and Kat Simmers to talk about their latest instalment in their Pass Me By series, titled: Pass Me By: Electric Vice. Their first book was Pass Me By: Gone Fishin’. The one thing that stopped me in my tracks when I first saw their Gone Fishin’ work, as well as Electric Vice, is the striking colours and absolutely incredible presentation of art and story in the way they executed the books. The “WOW!” factor is quite profound.
The next thing to give you pause when reading these books, is the story of its main character, Ed, as he deals with early onset dementia and his life as it is as an old man in Pass Me By Gone Fishin’, and then the flashback story in Electric Vice set in 1973 exploring first love, queer identity and gender. My goodness, these two books combined weave such a beautiful, heartfelt story. I cannot do it it the proper justice it deserves so please hit play and listen to these two talented creators talk about their work, which is published by Renegade Arts Entertainment.