Monday, September 15, 2014

My Heroes Have Always Been Nerdy: An Interview w/ The Gay Comic Geek

Ok. So, I think I have a bit of a crush The Gay Comic Geek. If you are unfamiliar, here's a quick rundown. The Gay Comic Geek (and his not-so-mild manner alter ego Paul Stafflebach) is pretty much the go to guy for all things gay and geeky. For more years than I care to count, he has been doing honest, straight-shooting video reviews of the latest comic books, graphic novels, toys, adult movies, gay adult comics, and more. His reviews do a great job giving us a fair and accurate account of the good, the bad, and the ugly. And when it comes to the adult stuff, he makes sure to give both a PG-13 and XXX recount of all the action!

He is also part of the YouTube team A Gay Collab in which he shares part of his life with us on a weekly basis. A Gay Collab is a group of gay YouTube celebs who pool their talent into one channel and often spend an entire week discussing a pre-selected theme, each taking turns giving their take on that week's topic. It is here that you get to know a lot more about Paul's personal life, phobias, turn-ons, and a great deal of insight into his workout routine and how he stays so incredibly ripped.

Paul brings the same no-nonsense approach when speaking about himself. His bio reveals this best:
It’s just me. I’m not a cute geek, that would require me to get a better hair style. I’m not a nerdy geek, haha that would require me to be smart. But I’m not the dumbest fish in the barrel either. I’m far from being the top dog, but I can usually see the top from where I’m standing. I make videos on comic books, movies, toys, and anything that really catches my eye. I can’t do as many videos as I want to do but I do my best. Life sometimes get in the way of enjoying everything but it does for everyone. So it’s no different for me. I try not to focus on negatives but they do pop from time to time. I take constructive criticism pretty well, as long as it’s not meant to be a simple insult. So if changes need to be made, I’m always open.
I can assure you that I am not the only one with a bit of a crush on the gay comic geek.  His videos have compiled millions upon millions of views. He has been the subject of a massive amount of fan art, comics, and quite a few hilariously filthy gifs. He takes the time to answer fan mail in his videos and social media. And, he gets sent tons of gifts, both comic related and risque, both of which he always acknowledges and loves to show off. Oh, and don't let me forget to mention someone wrote a theme song for him, too!

I reached out to The Gay Comic Geek to see if he would take some time with us to do an interview. Thankfully he said yes.




Q: You have a shocking amount of fan art drawn in your honor. Is there one piece that stands out as your favorite?
Paul: The first piece that was ever drawn of me is probably the one I remember the most. This was a Christmas Elf that was made by the famous Brian Douglas Adhern, better known as Brizy Comics. He did the likeness so well, that I actually saw myself as the character.

Q:  Were you disappointed the Gay Comic Geek action figure wasn’t endowed like a Billy Doll?
Paul: HAHAHA! I never thought of that. It can be done! I can do it myself I think. But if I put a request out for it, I bet there's one individual out there with the skill to make that happen.

Q:  You often profess your love for porn parodies of superhero and pop culture movies! What is your favorite parody thus far?
Paul: Well there's not much to choose from in the gay parody porn world. I would probably say that the best overall is the straight parody - Batman XXX. This is a take from the 1960s Adam West Batman and the actors have it down. The sex is good, for hetero standards, but the story itself almost seems like an actual episode of the 1960's Batman.

Q: Your cosplay outfits are pretty amazing. Do you make your own stuff? Also, how do you keep in shape so well to make the costumes look good?
Paul: I make almost everything myself now. I used to enlist the help of an excellent tailor that made most of my suits. His name is Leman Yuen and he's pretty damn awesome. I still get his help for the hardcore sewing that I need since I'm still not at expert level of using my sewing machine yet.

The keeping in shape part of my life is just religiously working out almost every day and eating low carb food while also eliminating alcohol and junk food (mostly). P90x actual does work if you do it and stick to it. It won't make you huge, but it'll keep you in shape at least.

Q:  Between your website posts, your YouTube channel, and the videos you do for A Gay Collab, you share an awful lot about your life. Is there any topic that is off limits?
Paul: The only thing I'm vague about is my family that I was born into. Not because I am ashamed of them or that I'm afraid of what they think of me. I just had a lot of bad experiences with them and I don't talk about it very much since that part of my life is over. My new family is my real family and I talk about them all the time.

Q:  Did you have to special order your Transformers bed sheets?
Paul: I'm pretty sure I got them on Amazon. Haha, I think. Maybe it was Ebay.

Q:  How miserable would your life become if you had a poltergeist that unmade your bed every day after you left the room?
Paul: I'd have to move. Or sleep on the couch and just give up the room to the poltergeist.


Q:  What comics are you religiously following?
Paul: Wow, that literally changes from year to year. It used to be Teen Titans when the old DC Universe was still around but when the new 52 came out, I dropped almost all of the titles. Later it was several of the X series, then it was Spider-Man. Now surprisingly, it's the Transformer series. They make sudden changes a lot but I still have a soft place for them.

Q:  How do you feel about the current lot of gay characters in mainstream comics? Good representation of what gay comic fans want to see, or just a pandering attempt to diversify?
Paul: Eh, what gay characters? I mean we got a couple here and there but really they seem to be gay in terms of saying that they're gay, but that's about it. I can't stand Bunker from Teen Titans. They gave him a fracking huge energy fist as a power. That's almost like an inside joke to everyone. Northstar is still around, I guess, but where's his husband? He's barely been mentioned since their marriage. Earth 2 Green Lantern Alan Scott is the most boring character that they have. There's a few X characters that are gay or bi or sexually challenged, but again, nothing of real noteworthiness. Bring back Wiccan and Hulkling to a new, good Young Avengers. Then I'd be happy.

Q:  What is your least favorite comic book movie franchise?
Paul: There's a lot of those. Avengers has as many titles as the X titles now and I think it's really all just to play up to the movie universe. I don't mind 2 or 3 books of different teams, but it's getting to be in double digits with Avenger titles, or solo Avenger titles that are still marketed as an Avenger title for some reason.

Q: You are pretty much the ultimate connoisseur, so maybe you can settle this debate once and for all. Marvel or DC?
Paul: Well I'm going with Marvel, but I'm biased. I've been doing more Marvel costumes lately, so I go with them just for that reason alone. Before the New 52, I totally would have said DC without a doubt, just because I was such a huge Batman and Tim Drake - Robin fan.

Be sure to visit and explore the world of The Gay Comic Geek on your own! Here's his Website (adults only), YouTube Channel, Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook!








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*Art by Christian Ashler, Brizy Comics, Skyboy16, and uncredited.

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