Actor. Director. Comic Book Creator. A Conversation with Vashmere Valentine
“Growing up, there wasn’t a lot of representation, so it left an open space for me…The characters in Pepper Piper and the other comics we’re working on are reflective of a world where everyone’s story matters, not just the typical ones we’re used to seeing.”
- Vashmere Valentine
Storytelling is often a gift that presents itself in a very particular way. Whether it’s art, photography, or writing, many creators find their niche and rarely step beyond their comfort zone.
For Vashmere Valentine, the craft of telling rich stories has grown to several outlets. From acting, to directing award-winning short films, Valentine has set his sights on comic book writing, and it’s clear his knack for storytelling knows no bounds.
Valentine’s debut comic book, Pepper Piper Monster Hunter Vol. 1, has been published through Next Step Comics—and while the company may not have the same gravitas as publishers such as Image Comics or BOOM! Studios—the production value, story, and art within the comic book compete with many of the major companies.
Pepper Piper Monster Hunter Vol. 1 earned high praise with Pages and Panels with the review noting the comic book being as a punk-fantasy story full of rich lore and energy that introduces one of the most likable and exciting characters as of late.
Valentine took time to talk about his love of fantasy, advocacy for diversity, and what his plans are for his latest character of Pepper Piper.
Seth: Let’s dive right into it. I know your journey started from actor, filmmaker, and now comic book writer. How has that transition been for you?
Vashmere: It’s been a long road. I would say it began when I was a child, watching different TV shows. I was always a huge fan of fantasy. Growing up, there wasn’t a lot of representation, so it left an open space for someone like me to jump in and create characters that looked like me. I wanted to see characters like myself in the spaces I enjoyed so much.
Where do you think your storytelling side comes from? Is it something that’s always been part of your family or something you naturally grew into?
There’s a funny story there. My mother is against any type of violence or gore you can imagine. While other kids were watching RoboCop, I was watching The NeverEnding Story. My love for fantasy started young. Titles like Peter Pan and a lot of the Grimm stories really struck a chord with me. I used to be jealous of writers who could come up with such amazing worlds that didn’t exist before. As a kid, I would try to create my own worlds and write them down, constantly practicing until I could create something worth reading.
As a storyteller, what does your creative process look like, especially since you’re transitioning between different mediums like film and comics?
I take a page from Stan Lee’s book. He [Stan] would often come up with a concept first and then develop characters based on that. Like how he described Fantastic Four as a family with issues or Spider-Man as a typical teen with typical problems. I usually start with the character’s problems and build the story around that, making sure the character is relatable.
You’re an actor, filmmaker, and now a comic book writer. Did you start writing comics before connecting with Next Step Comics, or was it something that developed afterward?
During the COVID era, the film industry slowed down. I spent more time at home with my family and began developing Pepper Piper. Initially, it was meant to be a film, but after pitching it to studios with no luck, I realized it might work better as a comic. That’s when Next Step Comics came into the picture. They were looking for a story like mine, and that’s how Pepper Piper came to be.
Next Step Comics has a mission to bring in diverse creators, which aligns with your background. Was that part of your decision to work with them?
Absolutely. It felt like a relationship that was meant to happen. They genuinely wanted to do something different, not just tick a box for diversity. New York City is a melting pot, and it was important for them to reflect that in their comics, which is why Pepper is based in New York. They were interested in authentic representation, which resonated with me.
Now let’s get into Pepper Piper. Who is she? What world are you building?
The story starts 600 years ago with the Wicked War between humans and demonic creatures—vampires, werewolves, witches, and demons. A mysterious man known as the Piper helped save humanity, using a power passed down from one Piper to the next. This power, called a “fable,” allows the Piper to control people and creatures with music. Now, Pepper, a 16-year-old punk rocker, is the last Piper. She doesn’t yet realize the full extent of her powers, but she’ll have to learn quickly because the demons are preparing for another war.
I love that the chosen one in this story is a female character. What can readers expect from her journey?
Pepper’s fable is called the Dance of Death, and it’s a deadly ability that allows her to make her enemies destroy each other. However, her mother passed away before teaching her the full song. So throughout the series, she’s on a journey to learn the song, with notes revealed on the last page of each comic issue. By the end of the series, readers can piece together the song themselves.
This interview has been edited for clarity. For the full interview, see the video below.
Vashmere Valentine is a multi-award American film director whose fantasy Short film The Wish and the wisp holds 84 awards, 54 nominations, and 170 official selections from film festivals worldwide. Valentine is also writing and spearheading the comic book, Pepper Piper Monster Hunter, from the exciting new publisher Next Step Comics.
Be sure to follow Vashmere on Instagram: @vashmerevalentine