Being a comic fan, I check out a variety of comic formats. From comic books to comic strips, to political cartoons, to webcomics, I’ve explored them all. I may not always like them, but I like to see what’s available. One of the funniest webcomics out there now is “Least I Could Do,” the brainchild of writer/creator Ryan Sohmer. It’s an almost daily strip that follows in the hilarious adventures, romantic conquests, and mishaps of one Rayne Summers, a self-centered yet charming fellow, as he makes his way through life, usually, to the chagrin of those around him, check it out here: www.leasticoulddo.com. The strip never fails to makes me laugh. Due in no small part to Sohmer’s writing (as well as the beautiful and expressive illustrations provided by the talented Lar DeSouza). Recently, I was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with Sohmer, a man who’s as hilarious as his writing. What follows is that interview. Enjoy.
Steve Magnum
Steve Magnum: Is Rayne your id given illustrated form? Or are there other influences for his character?
Ryan Sohmer: Rayne is a very, very idealized version of me when I was younger. I took some of my worst traits, and some of my best, and magnified them to make this character. Sadly, I had to grow up eventually, but Rayne never does.
Aside from me though, I’d have to say that Rayne is a little bit of every man. We all have our piggish thoughts, we all have healthy imaginations and we all enjoy sex (if you don’t, I’d recommend seeking some professional help…or a hammer to your temple). Rayne is all that, but without the self-control, or desire for that self-control, to restrain any of his impulses. What he wants, what he feels like, he goes for.
SM: Has your sister or any other members of your family read your recent "Rayne's Sister" storyline? If so, what did they think of it? Did it open any old wounds or did it do the opposite and help some members begin the healing process?
RS: While I have no hesitation what so ever to mock any of my friends or myself, I did actually check with my mother first to make sure it was alright if I did the arc, and introduced the character.
My mother was very happy with how it came out, and both my brother and father enjoyed it as well. My sister has yet to read it, but we did have a good chat about it, and our relationship, a few weeks ago.
As for old wounds, I think there definitely was some lingering resentment towards my mother for not telling me earlier, even though I understand where she was coming from and why she handled it the way she did. Mostly, it brought up my own guilt for never making an effort with my sister and her family.
I’m trying to rectify that now.
SM: You've said that Issa is based on someone that you know in real life. And we know that Lar has made appearances in LICD from time to time. That being the case, is there a Cyndi or Summer Raynes in real life? Or are they amalgamations of some of your ideal women?
RS: Funny enough, Cyndi is based on a fantastically gorgeous woman I dated back when I was in my late teens. It was going incredibly until she introduced me to her parents. Apparently, she had told them earlier that I was of Asian descent.
Also apparently…I’m not.
SM: What about the other characters (such as Mick, Noel & John), do they have real life counterparts? If not, how did you come up with them? What inspired their creation?
RS: Truth be told, I’m quite the hack when it comes to the cast of LICD.
All the main cast are all based on people in my life, or who were in my life at some point or another. John for example was a former roommate and one of my closest friends on the planet before we drifted apart. That resulted in John making less frequent appearances in the strip.
SM: How did you come to the decision to do a web-based comic strip? How have you and LICD been received by others in the web-comic community?
RS: I started off on the web primarily because it was a great place to learn, to experiment. I used to write for several newspapers in North America, and the presence of an editor always weighed heavily upon me. I’m not much of a fan of someone who tells me what I can or can’t do, what I can or can’t write.
Setting up a site, doing a strip, the limitations were endless.
It’s still a learning process, and with the constant feedback from my readers, I hope I continue to improve.
I’ve never really felt part of any web-comic community, and to be honest, it seems more like a dozen or so high school cliques then it does a real community. The drama and the pettiness I often read about really kills any motivation I might have to get involved. A community should be proud and supportive of its member’s accomplishments, not jealous or overly competitive.
It’s a bit tricky navigating those waters, so I thought it would be best to stay a little isolated.
SM: In addition to, the daily (except for Sunday) strip, you’re also working on an animated LICD series. How is that coming along? Will we see it come to life anytime soon? And what else are you working on (that you’re able to talk about)?
RS: The series is coming along wonderfully, and I wish I could talk more about it (very much so), but Randy would bitch slap me.
There could very well be some interesting news in the near future though.
SM: While we’re on the subject, have you ever considered going to work for others (like maybe Aaron Sorkin) writing material for other media (such as novels or TV series)? Or would you prefer to work on your own creations?
RS: I would give a Kidney (Lar’s) to work with Sorkin, but I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon. ;)
I love more then anything to work on my own stuff, and I do have a couple non LICD projects coming out in the next few months. That said, I do also enjoy working with talented people as much as I can, and if someone else’s project grabs my attention enough, or I see the opportunity to learn something, I’d jump at it.
Novels though, I just can’t do. I’m decent with dialogue, but novels are way outside my skill level. I’m not a good enough writer that I can do the trick without the pretty pictures. Comic Books, TV Series and Movies are definitely more my game.
SM: Given the nature of Rayne and the focus of some of the storylines in LICD, have readers ever asked you or Lar (or Chad) about just getting it over with and showing nudity in the strip? If so, how do you respond to that?
RS: We used to get the requests a lot more a couple years back, but they’ve died out lately, except in jest.
I’ve always been of the mind that you can do a lot more with suggestion then you can with actual nudity. Seems like a cop out to me.
SM: You recently began collecting your strips into book format. However, I found it strange that you began the collections, not at the beginning of the strip, but when Chad began handling the art. Why is that? What made you choose not to include those earlier strips?
RS: When Trevor and I started, we didn’t so much know what we were doing, and thus never saved the images in the proper resolutions to produce quality printed work. That, and the fact that the strip really began to attract people when Chad joined up, it seemed like that would be the way to go.
I’ve got to admit though, that I’m more excited for the upcoming Book 3 then I was for any of the others. You’re going to love what we put together for this one.
SM: Have you ever considered writing LICD in a comic book format (not a joke per strip, but one full 22-page story)? Do you think that Lar could handle that type of time commitment?
RS: There’s nothing Lar couldn’t do or handle.
Bra-man #1 went on sale a few weeks ago. It’s 24 pages penciled and inked by Lar, with colors by the talented (and patient) Marc Brunet. It’s completely new content, and tells the story of Rayne’s super hero alter ego, Bra-man.
It’s being delivered to us by the printer on July 10th, and I can’t wait to hold it in my hands. It’s fantastic.
SM: How would you like to be remembered with regard to your work? What are you most proud of accomplishing? Is there anything that you want to achieve that you haven’t yet?
RS: I’d like to be remembered as doing work that entertained, pushed boundaries and also had some heart. Can’t ask for anything more then that. Well I could….but I probably wouldn’t get it.
That’s a tough one, what am I most proud of accomplishing. I would say it would have to be a toss up between our books, holding those things in my hands is bliss, and the animation. Seeing Rayne wink at me for the first time made me quite giddy.
Speaking of, that leads into your next question, what I haven’t achieved yet. An animated series on television. That’s what I want.
SM: Have you ever thought about handing the writing reigns over to anyone else when/if you retire? Or will Rayne’s adventures come to an end at that time?
RS: Hell no. The adventures of Rayne will continue to be written by me until they shove me in a box.
Afterwards though, I’d be flattered if someone took the reins and continued what we began. But be sure I’m dead first.
SM: Last Question: Will we ever see John’s romance with the Rebecca, the redheaded single mom develop any further? And will we ever see Little Vader appear again?
RS: Yes, to both questions.
I just need to figure out a way to bring Vader back without Lucas suing our arses.
