Michelle Lodge is an illustrator and comic artist whose signature styles include both a stark black and white noir, and a contrasting comedic cartoon genre. She has drawn the comic series The Black Wall and the all ages series Whiz Bang the Boy Robot as well as the semi-autobiographical webcomic strip Moementality, and she is just about to launch a Kickstarter to compile it; get more info here!
Her story for GREEN INFERNO, Disposable, explores the possibility that maybe, just maybe, we’ve let the garbage pile up a little too high…
GI: Your sequential art runs a wide gamut, from Calvin and Hobbes-esque whimsy
to chiaroscuro-drenched noir, and all points in between. How do you tap into the
emotion of whatever you’re currently working on? How do you approach a
Horror story like Disposable versus, say, Moementality?
ML: I try not to work on lighthearted stuff and noir at the same time, so I can really
lean into the mood and tone of what I'm trying to create. I'll dedicate a week to
Moementality or other lighthearted art; the following week I'll work on a noir
project. I make sure each project has some breathing room so that I'm able to
focus my creative energy.
Music and podcasts help set my mindset. If I'm working on one of a
Moementality strip, I'll play upbeat music or comedic podcasts to move the
energy in a light direction. If it’s a darker piece, then I'll set the mood with
dramatic music (looking at you, Clint Mansell!) or true crime podcasts. Working
on such different projects definitely keeps me on my toes creatively.
GI: Did anything in particular influence Disposable? Ever been tempted to bury a
litterer in trash?
ML: Oh absolutely! I think of all the garbage that humans have created, and it's
overwhelming. I have no idea what we’re going to do about the trash littering
the oceans; I think that's what haunts me the most.
I also feel culpable. I'm part of this human race who creates garbage and
expects it to disappear when the trash truck hauls it away. [But] it doesn't
disappear; it's multiplying. And it's only a matter of time before we have to deal
with it in a real way, or it will swallow us.
GI: You’re based out of Asheville, N.C., a city that has taken a pretty aggressive
approach to combat the climate crisis... at least compared to much of the United
States.
ML: Asheville is a great city. My husband has lived here since he was young, and
he's noticed that December feels warmer than it used to. There used to be more
snow days. He's been able to see the effects of climate change within his
lifetime, which is hard to face.
We try to do our part. I used cloth diapers on my kids; we bring our own bags to
the grocery store; recycle and eat plant-based. We’re always searching for ways
to reduce our carbon footprint.
GI: How have you been coping with the 2020 shitstorm?
ML: ...Whew. Yeah. It's been a hell of a year. I've coped by burying my head in
projects and hanging out with my BFF, Red (a Moementality reference: Red is a
personified glass of wine). I'm definitely looking forward to science helping us nip
this thing in the bud. Fingers crossed.
GI: I was going to rephrase the next part so it would sound like I asked you
something clever, but I think I’ll just print your “miscellaneous bio stuff” verbatim,
because your parents sound amazing:
ML: Some random tidbits about my life:
My Dad used to be a magician and was in the Guiness Book of World Records
for card throwing. He used to throw playing cards at my sister and me when
we'd get into trouble and he couldn't reach us. It didn't hurt; we got a kick out of
it! I grew up watching him cut my Mom in half. She was, of course, his assistant.
My Mom is a painter; to this day she fills her studio to capacity with canvases.
My love for Calvin and Hobbes is so strong that I have the pair tattooed on my
ankle. My favorite graphic novels are Blankets by Craig Thompson and The
Sculptor by Scott McCloud.
GI: GREEN INFERNO is sub-titled, The World Celebrates Your Demise. How do you
feel your piece relates to this sentiment?
ML: The story is literally about garbage, and how humanity can be garbage, seeing
everything as disposable. Our garbage will eventually kill us, both literally and
figuratively. [And] the Earth would be better for it.