Scott Saavedra and Java Town

ss: Java Town actually began way back in 1987 as a four page strip for Suburban High Life, a comic book published by Slave Labor Graphics and created by Frank Cirocco. This original story was actually a last-minute-gotta-make-the-deadline quickie that just happened to "click." Later, in 1992, my publisher, Dan Vado, and I were looking for ways to make some fast money (don't Three Stooges movie shorts start that way?) and so we decided to reprint a bunch of my older, short comic book material from Suburban High Life and other sources in one volume.

up: What do you consider Java Town to be?

ss: The first issue of Java Town was mostly cartoons but has since evolved into the odd (robust?) blend of cartoons, commentary and weird treasures in a somewhat traditional comic book format. Java Town reflects my various interests and opinions including my interest in graphic design (both it's history and execution).

I used to describe Java Town as a comic book but the latest issue only has about 7 pages of "traditional" comic book pages out of 24 pages of editorial material. I guess it could be considered a 'zine but the physical format is, and always has been, that of a comic book. I find myself calling it my little "publication" or "periodical."

up: Why are you doing it and what, exactly, is it you're trying to do?

ss: Part of the reason I'm doing "it" is because my last comic book creation, Dr. Radium, was stagnant both creatively and in terms of sales (so now, naturally, two cartoon studios are negotiating with me about a possible Dr. Radium cartoon show).

My goals for Java Town keep changing. I'm kind of a private, keep-to-yourself kind of guy but I'm really trying to have Java Town reflect my passions, concerns and personal take on things. I also just like making a funny magazine. I tend to want to make it look good more than I want it all to really mean anything. Actually, I don't know what the heck I'm doing. I'm really just flying by the seat of my pants and correcting my "flight" each issue.

up: Who is your audience? Is it who you expected it to be?

ss: I'm writing it for me, mostly, but I do want others to enjoy it. I think anyone who enjoys reading comic strips in newspapers would like it. Coffee-drinkers who like old toys and comic books like it. Anyone bored with a couple of free moments would like it. Tea drinkers like it. Readers write in and almost always tell me about their love or hate of coffee. Java Town is a bridge of understanding for people of both the Coffee and Tea nations.

up: Obviously you're the primary creative force..but maybe you could talk a little bit about how the level/content of involvement of the other people listed in your masthead?

ss: Oh, absolutely, I am the Lord High God of Java Town but I couldn't do it alone. Dan Vado (friend, best man) is the president of Slave Labor Graphics, a small-press publisher of comic books. Craig Pape is now the publisher and handles much of the really fun business stuff. James Masente handles shipping and order-fulfillment. And, most importantly, my fabulous wife proofreads each issue and is a spring and sounding board for ideas. I do everything else, like take all the credit.

up: Why coffee? (Is there any way to ask that without it being rhetorical?)

ss: It just seemed like a funny idea at the time. A good "hook" to hang the jokes on. Early in my commercial "art" career I was helping a friend of mine, Joe Chiodo, draw "Masters of the Universe" package art. To help us keep awake during long, long nights working we'd drink plenty of coffee. Joe always called it "java." I realize that Joe didn't invent the term but I think I heard him use it first and it always cracked me up.

On a related note: Joe and I used to listen to Wolfman Jack while we worked. Everytime an Elvis song was played Joe would call out "ELVI!" That, too, cracked me up (it was late and I was always jacked up on coffee and tormented by images of He-Man and all the other muscle-ed up Masters of the Universe - I laughed at everything and you would too) and so when I created Dr. Radium I also created a strange group of aliens who worshipped "the King" and called them the Elvi. If Java Town crashes and burns I'm going to have to start hanging out with Joe again.

up: What is "Slave Labor" (the publishing company credited on the back cover)?

ss: Slave Labor publishes comic books and has done so for almost 10 years. Slave Labor has started to make inroads into non-comic shop markets and that's why you can now get Java Town at Barnes & Noble superstores. We're sorta the publishing world's version of a pretty good garage band.

up: Anything else I should be asking?

ss: Yes, you should ask yourself, "How can his little magazine be so gosh darn amusing when Scott, himself, is a walking Snooze Button?" You could also ask, "How could I get Java Town and end this interview?"

Good question. Java Town can be ordered directly from Slave Labor Graphics at 979 South Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128 or credit-card orders can be taken bia our toll-free phone 1-800-866-8929.

I also have a little photocopied zine about weird old comic books called "Comic Book Heaven." For more info on that you all can e-mail me at scottjava@aol.com.

Thank you all kindly for reading this far into the interview. It's all over now, though, so you can now go look at something else.

(All images from _Java Town_ courtesy of and copyrighted by Scott Saavedra.)