The Roman Nose, Book 1
Written by Seth Kushner
Art, Colors, and Letters by George Folz
Cover by Darwyn Cooke
Available at Comixology
Release Date: April 22, 2015
Cover Price: $1.99

So Seth Kushner emailed me a couple of weeks ago about his newest project called The Roman Nose, Book 1. An unusual title, I must say. So I followed the link and snagged a copy to read. It’s nothing like his SCHMUCK comic, a pseudo-bio about life in the Big Apple. I was expecting a similar style book but I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Set in Rome in 2114, we find our “hero” enjoying the local scenery. I use the term hero quite loosely because, while he does have a power of sorts, it’s not one of those more conventional powers like flight or super strength. This guy has hyperosmia, also known as a heightened sense of smell. He gets downright Sherlockian in his deductions and uses it to stay one step ahead of trouble. There are some odd moments, obviously pointedly reminding us that this story is set in the future. There are some Dalek looking “Goombots” that are sent after him early on in the story. Luckily he is able to escape on his…Vespa? By breaking down a gate? The Vespa has gotten some serious upgrades in the future, let me tell you! Throw in mafia wives, ex-girlfriends, and evil popes to get one hell of a fun ride. There is a plot to overthrow the people in power and only our hero (known by the moniker The Roman Nose) is able to stop it!

When composing an obituary, it is customary to include life accomplishments, surviving relations, and generally create a bubble in which to compress a person’s entire life, so that the reader gets a synopsis of who the real person was beneath it all. I am choosing to walk a different path today, while I talk to you about Seth Kushner. Seth was a great photographer and a spectacular writer/creator, make no mistake about that. His peers and his friends have been properly forthcoming on his Facebook page, and in other social media. But what struck me most about this amazing guy was his genuine love of his family, and of life itself.

I was recently given the opportunity to write up a Kickstarter Spotlight for something called SCHMUCK: A Graphic Novel and, as it so happens, I was granted a chance to have writer Seth Kushner answer a few questions about his work on the project.

SCHMUCK is a semi-autobiographical collection of stories based around Seth’s quest to find love in the Big Apple. This graphic novel promises to be an entertaining read and one with which I can personally empathize. Check out the gallery after the interview for a sample of what’s in the comic itself! Without further ado, continue below to see what Seth had to say and to check out some preview images.

Everyone has had awkward moments in life, right? Some people are afraid of public speaking, others are troubled by social interactions. I’ve even met a person who can’t seem to make eye contact, no matter what. But probably the most common issue out there is dating. That’s what SCHMUCK is all about — it’s one guy’s quest to find his perfect (or near-perfect) match. Set in New York City, it’s a semi-autobiographical compilation of comics telling the story of Adam Kessler (based on the life of writer Seth Kushner) as he tries dating in the big city. Containing tales that range from the hilarious to the heartbreaking, this anthology tells Adam’s (or is that Seth’s?) story in a way in which we can all relate. Sounds cool, huh? And since this is a Kickstarter, you can even help get this bad boy published!