Stand up: Will Power Comics

“They’re big, they’re black, they’re sturdy.” Cartoonist Will Moore points me to his neat set of black pens with which he creates Will Power Comics. He recently launched a spanking new website. His pal ‘Ablu’ the monkey (who didn’t wish to be interviewed – he was too tired from a shoot with Vogue) as well as his real life friends inspire his quasi-autobiographical, bi-weekly comic strip about his romping adventures as a student in St Andrews.

 

Let’s start this like a conversation in Fresher’s week – what’s your name?

William Gillachrist Moore

Where are you from?

East Sussex – Etchingham

What do you study?

Jesus, etc. 

What’s your best St Andrews memory?

I’m trying to think of a really funny answer – but it’s probably just one of the after parties for a play I’ve been in… As You Like it, probably.

Who’s your style icon?

Ablu my blue monkey is my muse. Someone used to make costumes for him actually. He has a grey suit and a tux even.

Tell us about your main character Will Power – would you say you live vicariously through him?

I would call Will Power comics quasi auto-biographical, but the most important thing is that they are funny, no matter if they are actually about me or not. 

What inspires them?

My first Will Power cartoon was conceived with my friend Jonathan, who is the inspiration for the Jonathan character. Will Power started as a very flamboyant and inept pirate captain. All my Will Power strips are basically an enthusiastic, compounded catalogue of my time at Uni. On the new website, each of the comics can be read by themselves, but it’s nice to see some linear progression.

Your website is very lovely.

Thank you. My cousin James did the programming – I just gave him handrawn style, he made it all ‘clickable’ – I love it.  Web comics are a good way of telling jokes and stories. It’s just about having fun and portraying the sarcasm, awkwardness, directionlessness of me and my friends time here at St Andrews.

Will and Jonathan

You upload cartoons twice a week – that’s a lot of work. How long does it take you normally?

I have stock images from different angles for all main characters. From there, I edit their expressions individually. It’s really just a question of coming up with the jokes and plots.

Do you remember your first cartoon?

My first ever cartoon was based on a circus, about a strongman who was actually very weak. It wasn’t very funny and about 52 pages long. 

Do you think Will Power and his friends will graduate this year with you?

I want the characters to still be at Uni even after I leave. But when it gets to the stage where I’m out of touch with what’s going on with Uni life – they’ll graduate and get jobs…

His phone rings in the middle of his answer – “I’m in the middle of an interview right now- can I call you back?”

To The Stand – “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

Short ‘n sweet now. Acting or cartoons?

OH GOD. That’s my Sophie’s Choice of questions. Can I take 3 days and get back to you?

May Dip or Raisin?

Raisin. I like getting drunk with idiots, but when I’m dry.

Taste or Café 1413?

I’ll go for an out-of-the-box choice. The Ladyhead café on North Street. There’s old ladies and homemade cake.

Chicks or baby ducks?

What has that got to do with anything?! Uhh, if it’s juggling, baby chicks because they are rounder.

 

Photos: © Ben Kenny for The Stand

All cartoons © Will Moore