Questions for the CryptoComics Crew: Matt

by Matthew Russell - Posted 9 months ago




Welcome my CryptoComics Compatriots. In an unprecedented twist of fate (and perhaps a touch of scheduling mishap), I find myself in the unique position of being both the interviewer and the interviewee


That's right, dear readers, in a world where waiting for email replies has become a test of patience akin to watching paint dry, I've decided to take matters into my own hands. Why wait for the team to submit their responses when I can delve into the riveting complexity of my own psyche? 


As I mention in Frey's interview that came out last week, (Check it out here at "Questions for the CryptoComics Crew: Frey"), I was able to come up with these questions after rewatching countless hours of our YouTube videos and created a questionnaire to help the public get to know our team a little more.


Welcome to what may be the first-ever self-conducted interview that (hopefully) promises to be as enlightening as it is entertaining.


For those of you who've followed my antics on various YouTube shows, you're probably thinking, "What more is there to learn about this person?" Well, prepare to be surprised—or at least mildly amused. 


In this blog post, I'll be answering the very questions we intended for the whole team, providing insights into my thoughts, preferences, and maybe a few secrets I've inadvertently revealed to myself during this introspective journey. It's a chance to get to know the person behind the persona, in a conversation that's as close to a solo performance on the keyboard as one can get. 


The doctors might show up at my house for this one with a special jacket that makes me give myself a hug.


So, as we wait for the rest of the team to emerge, let's embark on this solitary exploration together. Who knows? By the end of this, you might find out things about me that even I was surprised to discover. 


Buckle up—it's going to be a bumpy ride.


What is your position at Crypto Comics and what comic character best showcases your job?

I'm not even sure anymore. I'm kind of all over the place. Booster Gold - I can see the future, but I'm always getting yelled at. 


If you could have any superpower to help you with your work at CryptoComics, what would it be and how would you use it?

Same as Cyborg from DC Comics - Interface with technology! My God, that would make every part of my life easier. I just want to be able to talk with computers. That or freeze time so I can get caught up on stuff. 


What's the one comic book that has influenced you the most, and how does it inspire your work at CryptoComics?

Batman Vol. 1 Issue 386 from August of '85. This was the first comic I ever saw and it completely changed my life. From then on, I knew I had to work in comics.


Then when I was about 7, I found Dan Cote's Intergalactic Ninja at my local comic shop (shout out to Cliff's Comic World outside Seattle). I'm not sure exactly what issue it was, but this was the first time I had ever seen an Indy comic and I knew that it was possible for any creator to make their own comic books. I went home that day and started making my own. My God, it was bad (I was 7 years old) but everything started to come together.


What song best represents your journey in the crypto and comic book world so far?

Weird Al's Dare to Be Stupid. I don’t feel like I need to say anymore on this subject.


If you could be any comic book superhero while working at CryptoComics, who would you be and why?

Cypher AKA Doug Ramsey (MARVEL). I would love to be able to talk with anyone in any language. I'm starting to notice a strange trend with communication. I need to be able to do it better.


Which comic book character do you think most resembles your personality at work and why?

Mix between Jimmy Olsen and Woozy Winks (both DC COMICS). 


If you could collaborate with any comic artist or writer, living or dead, on a blockchain project, who would it be and what would you create?

I would love to see a story from Rodolphe Töpffer and art by Alex Ross. The man who created comics and art by the man who perfected it. I’m not sure what I would do on this collaboration, other than enjoy it.


Share a moment when you completely geeked out at work. What was it about?

The time I met Tony Todd. I squealed like a little girl and ran across the convention floor while on crutches for a chance to talk with him. Lets face it, talking to this man was a version of me facing my childhood demons.


What's one behind-the-scenes aspect of working at CryptoComics that would surprise fans?

Jared (AKA Bug Magnet) can actually be calm. I'm kidding, I love the guy. Honestly I would have to say that the biggest surprise is all the people that are behind the scenes. There are so many more people that deserve the spotlight but generally don't get it because they stay in the shadows and make everything run.


Imagine having an AI companion inspired by any comic book character. Who would it be, and how would they assist you in your daily tasks or work?

Oracle (DC COMICS) would make the absolute best companion that could help wrangle these cats. As far as a personal assistant, Batman...he would just threaten me every time I slowed down. The MCU's Jarvis would be pretty cool too. I could always use a sarcastic butler that will keep me in my place.


Imagine creating the ultimate CryptoComics comic book crossover event. Which characters or universes would you bring together and why?

I'm going weird on this one, I'm thinking Joe Spicer's Corn Dog somehow heads over to the absolutely fantastic Metalcult Series from the Spatular Stache. I just want to see him pop over once and freak out and leave. I love both series so much. 


In all seriousness, I would have to say Vivid Publishing's DreamKeepers crossing over to the exotic and strangely organic RE universe from Dan Cote or vise versa would be an interesting combination. I know that it would make absolutely no sense, but with those 2 creators, they could make it work. Throw in a special cover by Chad Hardin, and you have pure gold.


How do you imagine a comic convention in the future, where virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain technology are fully integrated? What would be the highlights?

With the advancements of VR, I would love to see a fully generated Comic Convention built exactly like the dance hall from Ready Player One. You could buy anything using cryptocurrency such as a comic or swag. You could hold it and feel it in your hand. Wait a few days and you can hold it in the real world too, as shipping would begin the moment the transaction completed. Make it look and feel exactly like the real thing, just without the smell or the Comic Crud. I'm guessing that this is the exact same answer that the rest of my team is giving.


What's your go-to snack or beverage while enjoying your favorite comic or working on CryptoComics projects?

Slim Jim and coffee while reading. When working it's just a ton of water with a bottle of Jack in the distance (just out of reach). When I get done for the day, I can finally have it. Unfortunately, when I finally get to the Jack, I’m usually so full of water that I don’t drink it.


If you could organize a panel at a comic convention, what would the topic be, and who would you invite as speakers?

I would do a panel like "An Independent Comic Book Creator" and have several writers and artist that have successfully leveraged platforms like Kickstarter to fund and distribute their work. This would include Comic2Movies's Shaun Keenan


I might also host a panel like "A Renowned Digital Artist/Creator" An artist who has embraced digital tools and platforms to create and distribute comics. This could be someone like Fiona Staples, the artist behind "Saga," who has pushed the boundaries of digital art in comics. Her perspective on how technology influences art style and storytelling would be invaluable.


How do you envision the future of comics and blockchain technology? Describe it as if it were a comic panel.

This will probably be the most long winded answer ever…


Imagine a vibrant comic panel that serves as a window into a futuristic world where comics and blockchain technology have intertwined, creating an immersive and interactive experience for readers and creators alike. This panel, rich in color and detail, captures a bustling digital marketplace alive with energy and innovation.


In the foreground, a diverse group of artists and writers collaborates around a holographic table, designing characters and stories that are immediately minted into unique digital tokens, each representing a piece of the comic's universe. These tokens not only serve as collectibles but also grant owners access to exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes artwork, augmented reality experiences, and interactive storylines where readers can influence the plot's direction.


The middle ground of the panel shows fans browsing a digital gallery, where they can purchase and trade these tokens. Their expressions are full of excitement as they unlock new levels of engagement with their favorite stories, diving into AR adventures where they can explore comic settings in 360 degrees or participate in virtual meet-and-greets with creators.


In the background, a large, transparent ledger displays the blockchain, glowing with activity. It tracks the history and ownership of each token, ensuring authenticity and rarity. This ledger not only safeguards the rights of creators and collectors but also fosters a community of trust and shared passion for the art of storytelling.


Above this scene, digital speech bubbles float, containing conversations between fans and creators from across the globe, discussing story arcs, sharing fan art, and speculating on future releases. This global community is united by their love for comics, enabled by blockchain's power to connect, protect, and inspire.


This comic panel encapsulates a future where comics and blockchain technology create a dynamic ecosystem that enriches storytelling with interactivity, immersion, and a strong sense of community, transforming the way stories are created, shared, and experienced.


If you could add any feature to CryptoComics, what would it be and how would it enhance the marketplace?

If I could introduce a new feature to CryptoComics and Joe wouldn't kill me for the added coding, it would be the "Storyworld Builder": a comprehensive suite of tools designed to empower creators and fans to collaboratively expand comic book universes within the marketplace. 


This feature would leverage blockchain technology to create a decentralized, interactive platform for building and exploring immersive comic book storyworlds.


What kind of tech invention would you wish to bring to life from any comic, and how would it benefit society?

The Arc Reactor is a powerful energy source that generates an enormous amount of clean energy from a small device, theoretically based on a form of cold fusion or another advanced, sustainable reaction. 'Nuff Said


If you could step into a virtual reality world based on any comic book, which world would you choose, and what adventure would you embark on?

Easy, I would head to OA and have ANY adventure with the GLC. Fly to Rann or Thanagar. Explore the ruins of Krypton. and then try to survive a trip to Mogo. 


Can you tell that I'm a huge DC freak!


How do you envision the workspace of the future, considering advances in technology such as augmented reality, AI, and remote collaboration tools? Describe a typical day.

Your day begins with a gentle wake-up from your AI-powered smart assistant, which has analyzed your schedule, emails, and project deadlines to prioritize your tasks. Over breakfast, you put on your lightweight AR glasses (totally indistinguishable from normal glasses), which display your agenda in a comfortable, unobtrusive manner alongside the morning news, personalized to your interests.


A team meeting is scheduled in a virtual collaboration space that mimics a real conference room, but with advanced features. Participants, joining from around the globe, are represented by realistic avatars. I’m picturing the Jedi Council from Star Wars: Phantom Menace. The AR environment facilitates a shared virtual whiteboard where ideas are brainstormed in real-time, documents are reviewed and annotated, and prototypes are virtually manipulated. AI assistants take notes, assign action items, and translate conversations in real-time, breaking language barriers.


Dedicated focus time is enhanced by AI, which manages notifications to minimize distractions, while adaptive background noise and lighting adjustments in your physical workspace are optimized for concentration. Complex data analysis tasks are streamlined as AI algorithms process information, suggest optimizations, and even draft reports, which you review and refine through voice commands and gestures.


Your AI virtual assistant handles the more repetitive tasks such as data entry, scheduling, client follow-up, data analysis, shopping, bill payment, and so much more. 


I think that at this time it would communicate with the doctor who would analyze personal data such such as weight, BMI, workouts, steps taken throughout the day, screen time, and so much more so that I would rarely need to actually see the doctor but they would be able to get real time feedback on everything about me and make recommendations, all without my actually being there.


Lunch breaks offer an opportunity for social interaction in virtual social spaces, where you can meet with colleagues in a variety of virtual settings, from a peaceful garden to a bustling cityscape, fostering team bonding and mental breaks from work.


The afternoon involves more hands-on tasks. Designers and engineers work on physical products using AR overlays that provide real-time simulations, feedback, and adjustments. Education and training benefit from AR and VR, offering immersive learning experiences that are engaging and effective.


As the workday ends, your smart assistant gently reminds you to wind down, suggesting activities based on your personal interests and wellness goals. Professional development is supported by AI-curated learning paths and virtual workshops, easily accessible from your home workspace.


When my workday ends, my assistant would suggest that I take a break from the virtual world and make sure that I am entering the real world where I am forced to interact with actual people and I get to see my family and hang out with them. 


Now, doesn't that sound relaxing and productive? I think this would actually be a reality within my lifetime. Well, I hope that it does.


After blockchain technology and AI, what is the next major step forward in the tech field that could change the world?

I truly believe that after AI, the Nuclear battery will revolutionize everything. Think about a cellphone and tablet that doesn't need to be charged. A laptop that never dies. Self driving car that never needs to stop. A battery powered yacht that can sail around the world and only needs to port when you're out of food. This is the life I long for. 


After talking with Jared about this, he asked “What happens when 2 cars get in a wreck? Would that cause a nuclear explosion!?!” My only answer to this was “My GOD, I hope not.”


Beyond its financial applications, how do you envision blockchain technology impacting other aspects of our lives in the future?

Imagine stepping into the future where blockchain isn't just for crypto enthusiasts hoarding digital coins like squirrels with nuts. Instead, it's everywhere, revolutionizing the mundane to the extraordinary, from guaranteeing your pizza is genuinely organic (because blockchain-tracked tomatoes are a thing) to ensuring your roommate did indeed pay their half of the rent on time, without the awkward kitchen confrontations. 


Your socks could even be blockchain-certified to never lose their partner again—though, let's be real, some mysteries might remain unsolved.


Beyond transforming pizza provenance and domestic finances, blockchain could turn voting into something we might actually trust more than our favorite weather app, making "I voted" stickers digitally collectible (and potentially a new form of social currency). Imagine bragging about your civic duty with as much enthusiasm as showing off rare digital art. 


Blockchain might not fix every problem—like convincing people pineapple DOES belong on pizza—but it could make many parts of life more transparent, trustworthy, and yes, a little less susceptible to the whims of forgetful humans and their sock-stealing pets.



apogeeINVENT 9 months ago
Ha! Great one Matt: The doctors might show up at my house for this one with a special jacket that makes me give myself a hug.
apogeeINVENT 9 months ago
Ha! Great one Matt: The doctors might show up at my house for this one with a special jacket that makes me give myself a hug.