Alex Segura is a novelist and comic book writer. He is the author of the Miami crime novels featuring Pete Fernandez, Silent City and Down the Darkest Street (Polis Books). The third Pete Fernandez book, DANGEROUS ENDS, arrives in April 2017.
He has also written a number of comic books, including the best-selling and critically acclaimed Archie Meets Kiss storyline, the “Occupy Riverdale” story, and this year’s Archie Meets Ramones.
He lives in New York with his wife and son. He is a Miami native.
Alex was interviewed by Thomas Logan for Sliver of Stone Magazine.
Thomas Logan: As both a novelist and a comic book writer, you’re very versatile. Tell us a little bit about your background. How does one become a talented and successful writer? When did you start calling yourself a writer, and what drives you to create?
Alex Segura: First off – thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I was born and raised in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents. I was a pretty voracious comic book reader, and I also loved true crime and sci-fi, along with gangster movies and novels (like the Godfather) as a kid. That evolved into a love for crime fiction and the work of writers like Raymond Chandler, James Ellroy, Laura Lippman and Dennis Lehane to name a few. As I started reading more modern crime fiction – stories with a strong sense of place and protagonists that were flawed and more human – I started toying with the idea of writing my own. That’s when I started writing my first novel. Silent City. That’s when I first felt like a writer, though I’d spent years trying to write different kinds of stories, songs and stuff like that. I’d always written – whether it was journalistic work, press releases or reviews. But when I started writing that novel, that’s when it felt more real.
TL: Aspiring writers want to know: How late is too late when it comes to make a name for oneself as a comic book writer?
AS: I don’t think it’s ever too late. That great thing about writing is that you can continue to get better and there’s no age limit. With comics, it’s just a matter of building a body of work and improving. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to put in the work, pay your dues and hope your stories reach the right audience.
TL: How did you land the Archie gig? Archie Meets KISS—an interesting intersection! How did that come about? What about the upcoming Archie Meets the Ramones? What is your dream “Archie Meets…” storyline?
AS: The idea for Archie Meets KISS came up in the office – I work as Archie’s head of PR in addition to writing. Our CEO, Jon Goldwater, mentioned it and I threw my hat in the ring. At that point, I’d written a few standalone Archie issues, so I wasn’t coming out of left field. The Ramones crossover came via co-writer Matt Rosenberg, who had a connection with the Ramones team. They were interested, which opened the door for Matt and I to hash out the story.
My dream Archie Meets? I’d love to do an Archie Meets the Beatles. I think that’d be fun for everyone.
TL: Marvel and DC are bigger than ever. Have you thought about trying your hand at superhero stories? Any crime/noir comics project?
AS: I have a few crime/noir comic pitches in various stages of completion. I’ll keep you posted! I’d love to take a shot at some of the more established heroes, definitely. I have a big fondness for Marvel and DC’s stable of characters.
TL: Future plans? Stories in the works?
AS: I’m finishing up work on the third Pete Fernandez Miami mystery, Dangerous Ends, which hits in April from Polis Books. I’m also working on some comic stuff and trying to keep up with our 8-month-old baby. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me!
Sliver of Stone Magazine 