Interview--Shaquil Hickman

Interviewing the folks I follow on twitter or watch on youtube has been a trip for me.  Some folks, it has been a great look behind the curtain of who they are since they talk shop, and aren't too personal.  For others, like today's guest, its a great time to get some depth on who they are because they are too brilliant  for just one tweet.  I think Shaquil was one of the first non-authors/artist/industry folks I started following.  My only regret is that I didn't follow him first.

Let's Unmask @shaqforDCCOMICS

CBP-Can you give us a brief bio of yourself?
SH-Well I am an Air Force veteran. I did 8 years Active Duty and got out due to some disabilities. I am Currently going to school for Business Management. But to go even further I was born in Harlem New York City May 4th 1993. I have a twin sister, and Little sister who are very near and dear to my heart. I have beautiful amazing wife as a best friend we have been married for 5 years this up and coming September. We also have two beautiful kids and currently live in San Antonio Texas( not sure if it will be permanent but we will see we can’t wait to own a home) 

Follow Shaquil on Twitter

CBP-I know you just had a second child (I've got three!) how's the adjustment to having a second kid?
SH-Oh boy okay it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT lol we knew it would be hard, but not this hard. I mean My daughter absolutely does NOT sleep like at All! She was a lot bigger than my son when he was born and requires a lot more milk than my son but it is all worth It. 

CBP-What brought you to comics?
SH-So it’s actually kind of a somewhat sad story. My dad wasn’t much of a talker. He only said two words to me at max. However he enjoyed the Batman 1989 Movie and whenever he’d watched I like to sit and hone in on the action and We would also Watch Batman the animated series together as well. It was a very strange bond we had but it was the only one we had. 

CBP-Have you ever taken a break from reading/collecting? If so, why? What brought you back?
SH-Honestly I haven’t never really stopped reading comics like ever. Lol But I did stop collecting for only a moment due to me moving and trying to get life established outside the military. But once I got back on my feet I got the ball rolling again. 

CBP-Do you have any other passions/obsessions outside of comics?
SH-The only thing that I am passionate about is being a great dad, comics and Video Games! (Playstation to be clear)
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CBP-You are incredibly knowledgeable about all things comics, have you ever thought about youtube, a blog, or do you prefer Twitter over everything else?
SH-Actually yes I want to start a podcast within the next couple of months. That would be a dream come true to have it actually take off one day. You know? Success is only a piece of bread away depending on how hungry you are. [author's note] Any time you want to write something here, or you wanna zoom to talk shop, we can grab some folks and give it a go! I bet there are zillions of folks who would be willing to hear all of your opinions play out!

Talkin' Comics

CBP-What is the first comic you remember purchasing/reading?
SH-The first comic I Ever remember purchasing was Batman Dark Detective back in 2005 by Englehart, and Rogers where the Joker enters this election where his campaign slogan was “Vote for me or I’ll Kill You” Now this was one of the stories that got re released from the 1970s so at first I was quite taken by it but the more I read on the more I start to love the idea of the comic book.
 
CBP-Do you still own that book? Why/Not?
SH-I do not unfortunately, sadly this book only cost maybe 5 bucks I got at a used toy bin at KB toys when they were still around. So the book was already falling apart and eventually I threw it away. 

CBP-What character/series etc. holds a special place in your heart? What character/franchise will you die on a hill defending?
SH-I know this is probably a GIANT majority of DC Comics fans but I will always live and breath to defend batman. Batman came through for me in some really dark, and depressing times in my life. Even as an adult when at one point I questioned my purpose on this very earth thinking if it was even worth living anymore. Batman and his stories came through for me. Now of course my wife, and family also Help me stop from going over the edge but when I needed an escape from reality Batman and others was always there to calm my nerves. 

CBP-Is there a popular book/character that you just loathe, you don’t get the hype behind them?
SH-Honestly now I respect the legacy and what this character has done for comics as a whole and it can never be taken away. But Spider-man is EXTREMELY boring and gets wayyyyyyyy to much hype. The whole kid becoming a man, while juggling school, relationships, and bad guys like I get it but its all very plain to me. Nothing special. Fun Fact I actually used to love Spider-Man more than Superman but as I started to read Spider books they were very Good but nothing spectacular. Keep in mind I also think Ultimate Spider-Man is the greatest version of the spider we will ever see! 11. What are your “grail books/titles?” So I just recently got a Signed copy of Killadephia #6(Out june 10 2020! MUST READ) I have never ever got a signed copy of a brand new book before and a popular on at that. So I look at that as a gift I will cherish until I die. And that’s on the great one above. Rodney Barnes is not only an extremely talented Writer, but he is extremely down to earth and for someone to almost be comic book royalty go out of their way to send you something as grand as that. The feeling is UNMATCHED [authors note] I'll agree that Barnes is amazing, he talked shop, covers, grading, and other purchasing in a long thread on twitter the other night, and I still think it was amazing!

CBP-Ok, I have been on team Killadelphia with you from jump, and I’ve loved watching you hype that book up to fools who didn’t pick it up from Issue 1’s initial release. Here is a chance for you to drop some knowledge on me...I have NEVER read any Ice Cream Man...tell me why I should pick it up?
SH-Damn okay great question. What makes Ice Cream Man so special on top the stunning, and haunting art by Martin Morazzo. It is the premise of the entire comic book series. You have this Godlike being whom for whatever strange reason just decides to hand out his own different types of Punishments, Or Blessings upon these random strangers. Each Tale is different and unique to where there is always something fresh(pun intended) to be read each issue. Its just Maxwell K Princes’ s Sharp writing to make all these iconic and ironic pieces of storytelling come to life almost. Lastly the beautiful mystery of the Ice Cream Man hasn’t vanished and this series has been going for a while now. Usually comics get stale around that number.
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CBP-I see you all over DC and Other pubs books, but why only...as your bio says “occasionally Marvel?”
SH-Because honestly I only have 2 marvel books on my pull list that I grab physically and that is the masterpiece that is Immortal Hulk and Wolverine( my second favorite Mutant #1 is Cyclops) however I read Thor, and Daredevil which are very good titles. It’s funny besides some 2003 Hulk books, and Ultimate spider-man I never really liked marvel comics that much. They always felt safe nothing really out worldish and bold. Crazy back when spider-man 2 came out i actually prefer Marvel over DC but that never stuck lol. 

Talkin' Community!

CBP-Who are some of your favorite folks to read/follow/etc.
SH-Honestly even though I disagree without a lot of folks. I really enjoy everyone. Even the annoying, or really dumb takes people have lol if I am still following I actually enjoy the stuff they put out. 

CBP-What’s your coolest interaction with a follower and/or an author/creator?
SH-Honestly anything with like my favorite artist such as Gary Frank, or Liam Sharp or Morazzo, Brad Walker, Fabok, JS Alexander. But anything with Rodney Barnes is instantly my favorite. 
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CBP-What piece of advice would you give to someone trying to create their own twitter presence?
SH-My most important advice is to always stay true to yourself. Don’t sell yourself over some twitter following. The followers will come. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a massive following like other accounts. Ambition ran off jealousy will always end in unhappiness. 

CBP-Anything Else?
SH-I just want to thank you guys for allowing me to get candid a little. Often times I get so caught up in comic book talk I don’t ever just stop and think about other things. And READ KILLADELPHIA!!!!

In the end...

I want to say thank you to Shaquil for taking the time to answer all of my questions. He is fun to follow on twitter, his ability to find information on new books/variants, and watching him occasionally poke the bear with folks he disagrees with is hot content.  I really hope he can find the downtime (if his daughter ever goes to sleep) to start writing or a podcast! He'd be one of the folks I'd never miss a post, never miss an episode because I respect his thoughts and opinions that much!