APE Games: Interviews

We were extremely fortunate to get artist Drew Tucker (Magic: The Gathering(tm), Jyhad(tm)) for our game based on the Salem Witch Trials, Anathema. Drew's eerie, dreamlike style was perfect for the game, and this is some of his best work. We got a chance to talk to Drew recently and he agreed to share his thoughts on the game, life, and the holiday season.

APE: We at APE Games are all totally bowled over by the Anathema art. You surpassed our expectations! How did you research the subject of the Salem Witch Trials?

I did an enormous amount of reading on the trials themselves and general social history. I also watched a historically set movie or two for costume ideas. The image of the puritans that most of us have in our heads is incorrect: The black clothing, big buckles, and such were really more Victorian. The Puritans wore very drab, ordinary clothing. Anything slightly flamboyant would certainly not have been accepted. More than anything though, I enjoyed reading about the trials themselves.

APE: I think there's more to these cards than meets the eye. For instance, the card with the hawk holding the card and talking to the girls. What's the story behind that?

Well, for starters the Hawk is a symbol of degeneration, lurking above baby birds ready to snatch them, like a ne'er-do-well approaching young children and leading them astray. Growing up, I remember some families in our church that forbid the playing of cards. Idle hands breed idle minds and swiftly move to the casinos. So for us here it's cards.

APE: Do you want to tell us about any of the other cards?

Well, the Wart card is somewhat interesting. When I was finished working on this particular piece -- mainly for a joke to me about the sanitary conditions of the outhouse - I developed an extremely serious case of plantar warts that I feel was overtly sympathetic. My feet were totally covered in them, huge and deep. Almost every place there was a wart in the painting I had one too. It took about a year and a half to get rid of them.

APE: We took an informal poll on our site last month asking people what their favorite card was (of those we had on our site). Full Moon won. What's your favorite piece?

My own favorite is CREEPING ROT. There is not a good story behind this one for me and there are funny jokes in quite a few of them but I am drawn to this one for the textures and colors. I also like Tituba's Mirror.

APE: So I hear there's a new addition to your family?

Yes, that would be Cricket (Maeve), born August 14 2003. She's a sweety head & a little fiesty, but thats the way we likes 'em.

APE: I'm guessing that keeps you pretty busy, but do you have any other coals in the fire?

Babies keep you hoppin' (stinkin' babies) but at the same time, that's one of the best things about the little ones, that and their smell and everything. Oh, yes, and their soft little heads.

APE: What did you ask Santa for this Christmas?

World peace and a Dome of Suffocation! No, I asked for the soundtrack to Kill Bill and a DVD of Spirited Away (one of my favorite movies). Yey Santa!