|
Can you tell
our readers a little bit about yourself?
A long time ago, I got stranded on Earth. I've taken on the form of
an asian female and called myself "Nina Matsumoto" ever since. It's
nice here, but I'd like to amass enough money to afford a trip back
to my home planet, where the other space coyotes are.
Coincidentally, there was a space coyote on an episode of "The
Simpsons," but I am not related to him. I get asked all the time if
I am.
How did you feel when everyone started paying so
much attention to your Simpsons drawing?
It felt weird and oddly embarrassing since it wasn't meant to be
seen by so many eyes. It was a quick joke picture I did for laughs.
But it's gotten me some great job opportunities, so I'm glad I put
it up. I think it's great how people who work for the Simpsons and
Matt Groening liked it. Unexpected, but great.
A good source tells me you
once frequented the Simpsons web community and posted on No Homers
Club. Why did you drift away?
I was hugely involved with the community back in around '97-'99. The
online fandom was way smaller back then, and I was part of a
closely-knit circle of Simpson fansite webmasters. I think this is
referred now as the "First Generation?" Being female and only 12-14
years old, I was an oddity among the group. I've owned three
different sites: Little Pwagmattasquarmsettport, The Ullman Era
(which later got moved to Evergreen Terrace, which turned into No
Homers Club), and Springfield Art Exhibition (a shoddy fanart site
that's still online).
I became part of the Evergreen Terrace staff, in charge of keeping
up with cast member info; however, I barely did anything and I
eventually drifted away before the site turned into No Homers Club.
I left because, well, I'm not sure. I recall the community getting
larger and larger, and other Simpson webmasters disappearing. These
things happen, I guess. I haven't posted in the No Homers Club forum
at all, except for one time when someone was looking for me.
I haven't kept contact with any of my friends from those times
except for Phil Reed (of Springfield Denizens Analyzed). So if my
old buddies are out there and reading this (Eric, Adam, Bryan,
Brian, Lee, Nate, and, uh, the rest): please contact me 'cause I'd
love to hear from you guys again!
Quick: favorite episodes.
Lemon of Troy, the PTA Disbands, A Milhouse Divided, Treehouse of
Horror V.
Do you still frequent any
Simpsons websites?
I haven't frequented any sites since I left the community. 10 years
ago, I lived, breathed, and ate Simpsons. Then I grew up, school got
harder, life got harder, I started getting interested in other
things, blah blah blah. I didn't have so much time to devote to my
fanaticism anymore.
A lot of fans believe Al Jean is in a boring rut.
What do you think about the current episodes? Should the guards
change?
I'll be honest here: I haven't seen any episodes past season 12. For
years, I didn't watch any television at all, and at one point, I
didn't even have a TV. I kind of watch TV again now, but I'd rather
wait for the DVDs of the episodes I haven't seen to come out so I
can watch them in a proper order.
As for Al Jean, a certain source (let's call him "J. Lovitz") says
he is lovers with Mike Reiss. Confirm or deny?
What is your favorite movie?
I rarely watch movies, but I like anything written by Charlie
Kaufman. I also enjoy American Splendor, The Fifth Element... wait,
why am I being asked this?
Do you own The Simpsons DVD sets? Will you buy
every season?
I have all the sets save for season 9, and yes, I'll try to buy
every season. Or rather, I'll wait for someone to buy them for me.
I'm cheap, so most of my DVD sets have been presents.
Who are your some of your biggest art influences?
Matt Groening was a huge influence when I was younger, but I then
started getting more interested in manga. My favourite artist and
biggest influence is Fujisaki Ryuu. Currently, I'm into manga by the
old masters, like Osamu Tezuka and Go Nagai.
The Simpsons Movie is due in July. Any thoughts?
If John Swartzwelder is involved, then it should be at least
somewhat good.
Do you have any interests outside drawing?
I play games occasionally and read manga and go running, but asides
from that... not really. My life revolves around art, now that I
think about it. Especially now that I do commissions full time.
Is South Park currently better than The Simpsons?
I don't know; I don't watch South Park. Is this the hottest topic of
debate in the fandom right now?
It's one of the
common bickerings. If you were stuck in a bunker for one-hundred
years which three people would you bring?
I wouldn't want to be stuck in a bunker with ANYBODY for a hundred
years.
Cheerios: good or bad?
It matters not whether they are good or bad, because Cinnamon Toast
Crunch is superior.
Any final words?
I just received the script for the Simpsons manga. It is hilarious.
Keep an eye out for it in the summer!
|
Webmasters
- Nina Matsumoto