Curt Pires is a Canadian comic writer who has self-published works such as LP and Electric Love. His next foray into comics, Theremin, will be digitally released on April 10, on Comixology in conjunction with MonkeyBrain Comics. Along with artist Dalton Rose, Pires seeks to tell the story of the lost years of inventor Leon Theremin’s life. It’s action, it’s adventure, it’s sci-fi, and so much more. Curt was kind enough to tell a bit more about how Theremin’s lost years could’ve been spent and how the invention that bears Theremin’s name could’ve changed the world.

Theremin #1 Cover
Leo Johnson: For anyone who hasn’t heard of Theremin, what’s the elevator pitch?
Curt Pires: Theremin is basically SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE meets JAMES BOND. Historical figure Leon Theremin discovers that when you hit a basic frequency on the instrument that bears his name, it’s possible to travel through space-time. It changes his life. It takes him from scientist to super spy. It explains the gap in what we know about his history. It tells the lost narrative of a war that cracked space-time in two.
LJ: Leon Theremin was an inventor who invented one of the first electronic instruments, the theremin, in the early 1900s. What made him the right hero for this book?
CP: Well, the book doesn’t exist without him. This book is at its core about his personal journey. The book sprung out of unintentional research I conducted into his life, and forced itself into existence from there. So really in a lot of ways the book is about the overlap between our fiction and our reality, and the strange way these two impose themselves on each other.

Theremin #1
LJ: You’re working with MonkeyBrain to release the book on Comixology. What was behind the decision to make this digital first, even digital only, instead of printing it up?
CP: Digital: Infinite space, Infinite Horizons. There are no page count costs; no ad’s to factor in. Digitally space is a non-issue, so that eliminates several of the hurdles that come with doing a print issue format. I don’t honestly understand the fear of digital that some people seem to have. Digital and print are both beautiful mediums that will continue to grow, and evolve and co-exist and intertwine in ways I don’t think most people can imagine. A print collection in some form or another will happen at some point, but it’s way too early to talk about that.
LJ: Lately, it seems like there have been an influx of comics both mainstream and indie that are historical fiction/alternate history. Was Theremin something of a result of this, or just a story you felt needed to be told?
CP: I can see THEREMIN definitely fitting into this mold of alternate history titles, and I welcome it, there are some phenomenal books coming out, Manhattan Projects comes to mind first. But to answer your question, I didn’t create the book with the goal of writing within this subgenre, the story came first. It seems the story always comes first. I’m not the type of person who can just say,” I want to write this genre”, and make it happen. The story needs to find me.

Theremin #1
LJ: In addition to just being crazy cool, the theremin has other unique properties in the comic book universe. Want to tell us a bit about that?
CP: As I alluded to a bit earlier, besides from serving as instrument, it seems to have some sort of function that enables space-time travel. It also function’s as a detection device. People will need to read more to find out though…
LJ: If all goes according to plan, how many issues of Theremin can we look forward to?
CP: The first series or run–will be eight issues. I have a notebook with plans for volumes two and three, if all things pan out. It’s a big story in my head. Hopefully we get to tell all of it. We can’t do it without you.

Theremin #1
LJ: With all the comics on the market, what makes Theremin one worth reading? What makes it special?
CP: Well first off, and very obviously, the book is gorgeous. Even if you hate my writing, it’s worth ninety nine cents to look at Dalton’s work. Ryan Ferrier is doing some amazing lettering in this book also. People don’t seem to pay enough attention to lettering but it makes or breaks books.
As for my writing, what can I say? I put everything I can into making this book. I try to leave everything on the page. It’s the best comic I can write as of right now, and I’m trying to push myself to my creative limit. I’m always trying to get better, be a better writer. This book has made me jubilant, depressed and everything in between while working on it. If you might be interested in witnessing what that looks like on a screen that might also be worth your ninety nine cents.

Theremin #2 teaser
LJ: Where can you be found on the vastness of the internet?
CP: Twitter: @CurtPires
Tumblr.com/curtpires
That’s mainly where I live online.
For anyone interested, Theremin can now be pre-ordered on Comixology here. At just $0.99, there are lot worse things you can do with your money. This comic reader will definitely be checking it out.