Exclusive Interview by Geno McGahee

(Interview conducted in 2012)

“I’ve always envisioned Yoto as a trilogy.” – Joshua Viola

Joshua Viola is the author of THE BANE OF YOTO. The book has been getting plenty of attention as of late and has quite the following. With awards ranging from the 2012 New York Book Festival to the 2012 Hollywood Book Festival, the future looks very bright for this novel, which will perhaps be the beginning of a franchise.

Viola was a professor of Game Art and Design and now has the position of Art Director for Leviathan Games. He is bringing his vision, talent, and art to the masses and they are reacting positively. The artwork alone is compelling and the storyline has been turning heads.

With the popularity of the fantasy genre, video games, and more, Viola had plenty to say. He shares his quest, the quest of his characters, and much more in this exclusive interview…

GM: You have just released the Bane of Yoto. Can you tell us a little bit about the book?

The Bane of Yoto is a two-time award-winning science-fantasy epic that centers on an alien species, called the Numah, who are enslaved by a brutal, superior race known as the Olokun. Both species fear the return of the god-like Arbitrators, who destroyed their home world, and are now building a giant shield to keep them safe from the threat.

The book focuses on two brothers: Eon and Yoto. Eon is a rebel leader, intent on bringing down the Olokun with his band of followers. Yoto, on the other hand, works with the Olokun in order to keep his life simple, leading to various problems between the two siblings.

Yoto is eventually targeted for assassination and stabbed in the heart by a traitor. Unbeknownst to both Yoto and his attacker, the blade that pierces Yoto’s heart is actually an ancient Arbitrator relic, and rather than killing him, the dagger transforms Yoto into a giant monster.

Now Yoto must decide what to do with his newfound abilities: help his people and his brother or annihilate them?

GM: There is an interactive comic book that goes along with this novel. The artwork is outstanding. Is this something that you intend to become a graphic novel as well?

Thank you. The 3D Comic App makes use of technology we created specifically for Yoto, called “Dreamotion,” which responds to the user’s movement of the device. When you tilt your phone or tablet, the world moves and comes to life in a 3D-like way. As someone who’s worked in the game industry for years, it’s become apparent that mobile technology is the way of the future. My goal is to take Yoto to new places in that medium.

The app is a very personal project and largely self-funded. It is based on the book and we’re releasing it in episodes. Each episode pulls inspiration from various chapters of my novel. My current plan is to focus on the 3D app and continue to try and push the boundaries we’ve already set with the first episode. A graphic novel would be great, but right now, my focus is entirely on the app and the sequel(s) to the book.

GM: There are a lot of fantasy franchises. Considering the success of your novel thus far, are you planning on follow ups?

I’ve always envisioned Yoto as a trilogy. I’ve begun writing the sequel and have book three outlined. I also just finished editing part one of a three part prequel to The Bane of Yoto, which is titled Bloodmoon, by my good friend and fellow author, Keith Ferrell. Part One: Birth of the Beast will be available in eBook format this November.

GM: Is a translation into film or perhaps cartoon on your agenda?

I would absolutely love to see Yoto both turned into a film and anime. I’m a huge movie buff and anime fan, so that’s always been a major goal for me. I’m currently speaking with someone in Hollywood, who I can’t yet name, and things are very early – but my fingers are crossed.

If the opportunity for a film arises, I’d love to see a CG animated flick. That’s how I’ve always envisioned Yoto….something along the lines (visually) of the recent CG RESIDENT EVIL films (NOT the live-action ones) with a strong focus on the characters and world in which they live.

GM: I read that you are the Art Director for Leviathan Games. Do you plan to turn the Bane of Yoto into a video game?

I started developing Yoto more than eight years ago while in college for game design. So Yoto originally started out as a video game concept. That’s always been the plan. We, at Leviathan Games, even developed a playable Yoto demo and have spoken to various big-name video game publishers about it. But getting a game off the ground is no easy task, nor is developing a budget to support it. So, for now, the focus for us is to continue developing the comic app until the right opportunity arises for a full-fledged video game title.

GM: Celldweller is a band that is featured alongside your book. Can you tell us a little about this band, the music, and where to find more information about them?

Klayton is Celldweller. He’s a one-man band whose music is a true hybrid of multiple genres. From rock/metal to electronica and dubstep, his style is very unique. Celldweller has been defined as the sound of the iPod generation and I couldn’t agree more. His tracks have been featured in various movies, TV and films, from Dead Rising 2 and Enter the Matrix to Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol to Spiderman 2/3 and Iron Man. The list goes on. He’s all over the place.

Klayton also owns the record label, FiXT, who published The Bane of Yoto. And on top of that, the Yoto app only features his music.

You can find out more on Celldweller here: www.celldweller.com

GM: Who are your inspirations? When was the first time that you said ‘I want to do that,’ regarding your venture into this art/writing?

Well, I like to call myself a pop culture whore. I’m inspired by a multitude of different movies, comics, anime, video games, books and music. I can’t say there’s a specific one or two that led me down this path, it’s really a bunch of different things thrown into a blender.

I’ve always been creative, so art/writing has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. From drawing Ghostbusters and Ninja Turtle characters as a kid to writing short story sequels to my favorite movies in middle school (Jurassic Park, Aliens, The Crow). I grew up with this stuff. It’s like an extension of myself. It all feels natural.

Now, that being said, there are masters in various genres that I look up to. I’m a huge fan of James Cameron, long before it was trendy with the release of Avatar.

Terminator 2 is my favorite film. Aliens a close second. Graphic novels such as Wormwood and The Sandman stand out. Anime such as Akira and Princess Mononoke. Novels like Ender’s Game and The Last Apprentice. Music the likes of Tool, Linkin Park and Celldweller. And video games – so many video games. The Legend of Zelda series, Halo, Deus Ex, Mass Effect and more. I could keep this going for a while.

GM: Video games are one of the most popular things in the world. What do you think of the current state of video games and what games stand out as your personal favorites?

I was born in ’83. One of my first Christmas memories was unwrapping my own NES. Video games have always been with me and I’ve followed them religiously my entire life. I can’t think of a single medium that has evolved so much in such a short amount of time. I don’t think any of us can really say where the industry is going with certainty. Video games are still very young and they’re just now starting to discover what they really are.

When the N GAGE released awhile back, one of the first mobile phone gaming platforms on the market, people largely rejected it. Most assumed the concept would not survive against the likes of Nintendo’s handheld market. And they were right, but they were also wrong. The N GAGE didn’t last. It was ahead of its time. But look at the market now. Console gaming is declining. PC gaming is declining. And mobile games are sky-rocketing. The iPhone redefined the market.

I personally prefer story-heavy console games and I’m not much of a multiplayer gamer (besides Halo). But I don’t like to exclude anything. I definitely download and play my fair share of mobile games (when I have the time). I’m interested to see how these kind of games play in a few years. It’s new. I don’t yet think they’re comfortable in their own skin. The mobile market is pretty saturated with some less-than=stellar titles.

I have a lot of favorites, as mentioned earlier, but I tend to stick to RPGs, FPSs, survival horror and action/adventure games.

GM: Wii U, Playstation 4 or Xbox 720…which one are you planning on picking up and why?

Honestly, I’ll buy them all. I’m a collector. I’ve got *nearly* every console released to date. I like to experience as many original titles as possible. You’re only limiting your experiences by limiting the platforms you purchase – and as an artist, that’s a no-no.

GM: I’m guessing you are a horror/sci-fi fan. What are some of your favorite horror and sci-fi flicks?

Huge fan. As I mentioned earlier, Terminator 2 and Aliens are my favorite films. But I have a lot of favorites: Bladerunner, Alien, Star Wars, District 9, Donnie Darko, Trick ‘r Treat, Pumpkinhead, Carrie, Halloween … Again, I could keep going.

GM: What do you think of the current state of horror and sci-fi?

I’m a big fan of original work. Everyone says that nowadays, but I don’t think a lot of people mean it. I actively search for lesser known films that don’t get the kind of eyeballs the mainstream stuff does.

I can’t deny that I haven’t enjoyed a recent prequel or reboot here and there, because I certainly have, but I’d really like to see more original work.

I love smaller titles like Moon, Sunshine, Trick ‘r Treat and VHS. I find those films refreshing. They don’t tell rehashed stories, which is fairly prominent in Hollywood today. I’d really like to see more of that – films that take risks.

GM: I saw some photos of you holding a blade. Are you a collector?

No, not really. Those photos were promotional, focused on the concept of Yoto being stabbed by a mythical dagger. My brother is a collector though. I think his collection is more than enough for the both of us.

GM: Outside of the Bane of Yoto, is there anything else that the readers should be looking for?

I’m working on a Halloween story right now. I hope to have it released near Halloween of next year. I’m also working on a various projects for Leviathan Games and also directing Celldweller’s music video for the single, “Unshakeable.”

GM: Is there anything that you would like to say in closing?

Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, I really enjoyed the questions, and thank you to all of you for reading through my ramblings.

Watch the trailer for my app and book here

You can download episode one of the Bane of Yoto 3D comic app for free (iOS) here: http://bit.ly/zstjnZ
Read the award-winning novel (eBook/paperback) from all major online retailers or here: www.fixtstore.com/yoto

And visit my website here: www.baneofyoto.com

Happy Halloween!