Dan Fogler – Brooklyn Gladiator

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) Well, I love your new comic book Brooklyn Gladiator. How did you come up with the concept for it?

A) That’s a good question. I was in New York when 9/11 happened and so that kind of shook me to the core. And ever since then I’ve been kind of on a quest for truth. So, John Miller is on a similar quest. I basically as we got closer through this time period that we’re living in right now. [laughs] I guess five years ago I started sensing, wow, we are heading into some interesting times here. So, I took all of the headlines and I took all the conspiracies that were out there and I said, “You know what? They’re all true.” And we jumped to the future. We tried to dial up on all the headlines and then we’d go, I’d say, “What’s that look like fifteen, twenty years in the future?” So, if you can imagine the government tomorrow said, “We have experimental technology that is going to be our savior. It’s nanite technology.” This is actually something that’s been talked about recently in the headlines. The nanite technology being a possibility to be injected into our bloodstream so there won’t be any more diseases. There won’t be any more virus. The microscopic robots will detect any kind of disease and fix it and people will be able to hear again and see again. And it sounds really wonderful actually. And then you inject that into the police force and you don’t need a million zillion cops in the street, you only need a few because each one of them can take on twenty guys, you know? And they have the strength of, you know, twenty men. That’s wide control right there. And you sprinkle it into the ocean, the nanites into the ocean and that’s where you get your wall. The nanites just use the materials and the elements inside the microscopic level for everything in the ocean into a wall. [laughs] And it sounds like magic, but you fast forward fifteen, twenty years and it’s in everything. The technology is embedded. You can’t say, “You know what, I don’t want nanites anymore.” Too bad. [laughs] It’s like they’re multiplying and they are in everything. And so, John Miller has rejected all the technology, all the redacted information, and I guess he is a version of me where I’m just trying to find the truth. But he’s really an homage to like all the action stars that I grew up watching and loving.

Q) Where does the concept then for the Smog come from?

A) Free of charge, it’s a Methadone clinic or something. It’s like they’ve been outlawed and it’s just another way to control the public. So, it’s like super addictive cut with all sorts of chemicals that stimulate the pineal glands. [laughs] And it basically gives you an incredible psychedelic trip. But because it’s so addictive, you become a prisoner to it. And there are strict laws, so you can’t smoke it on the street. [laughs] So, you have these addicted chunky crack head maniacs lining up breakfast, lunch and dinner to get there Smog just to fucking get back into their home, their tiny little jail cell home, so they can smoke this Smog and watch their videos. And it’s a threat to society. That’s their gruel, you know? Um, it’s a self-proposed curfew and God forbid you can’t get home before you have to smoke something. If the fucking nanite cops catch you, they’ll fucking rip your arms off. [laughs] Yeah, it’s great. Uh, yeah. So, that’s where the Smog comes from and like I said, another method of control. The know people are going to… People love their alcohol, people love their weed, they love their drugs. But because everything is rationed… And the walls of America have been closed off, so the powers that be have made sure that they outlawed everything and are totally in control of every aspect of society.

Q) And the pollution in the air that looks like smog?

A) Smog is something that really exists as far as the cloud stuff. Is that…That happens over like San Francisco and obviously a lot of industrial places. In the book there’s also the Smog. Then, there’s the Smog which is the drug that they hand out three times a day. But also, there’s a chem fog which is a… You know, the whole conspiracy theory of chemtrails? Suppose there are planes flying overhead crisscrossing our skies with chemicals and… if you believe this kind of thing. And I thought, you know what? It’s true because it’s…I wanted all conspiracies to be true in Brooklyn Gladiator world, so by 2030, 2032, it’s not just chemtrails – it’s a chem fog. It’s just this constant fog of this chemical haze that they use to hypnotize. It has many different purposes. So, they use it to hypnotize masses to keep them dull and stupid and inactive and impotent. And it also blocks out the sun.

Q) Cassie and John’s relationship is quite unique. What is the back story on their relationship?

A) Of course. It’s homage to Chapterhouse and Heavy Metal Magazine. Okay, so she’s like the opposite of John. And she said, “You know what? I love this technology shit. I love this nanites stuff.” And she has gone head over heels into the technology and she thinks that everybody should get into it. And she thinks that John should take some nanites – that they would do him some good. She, I thought, represented a very strong feminine soul. And she turns out to be the strongest, probably the most powerful presence in the book. I wanted her to get just totally in love with herself and who she is. She’s totally comfortable. And where before she used to get cold, now the nanites regulate your temperature. She can wear whatever the fuck she wants. She can go walk around naked. It doesn’t matter. She’s totally free. The nanites have made her free, that’s how she sees it. And, yeah, she’s a fun character. She’s got hair that changes color to her emotions and got tattoos that do the same. There’s something going on historically, cyclically. The yin and the yang represent pretty well where the yin and the yang in the cycle, okay? It’s a wheel and we have been in the yang energy for quite some time, which is the male energy for whatever thousands of years. And there’s is a change of conciseness, there’s a turnover. We’re now heading into the yin energy – the feminine energy is rising. And it’s becoming very powerful.

Q) What is it about to you about the city of Brooklyn that makes it so beloved?

A) I grew up in Brooklyn. I have a place at Park Slope that was rater close to Flatbush Avenue and a bar place entered during the protests. And I got two little girls, so I’m happy that we were here in the UK and we weren’t in the middle of the heat of all that. But I would’ve been there. I would’ve been right in the middle of it and that’s my town. That’s my city. I love New York. It’s made me…me. I wear it as a badge of honor. Anywhere you go in the world, they know Brooklyn, you know? And either they think it’s super cool or they’re scared shitless of you, you know? [laughs] Either way and it works, you know? I’ve had an education growing up on the streets of Brooklyn and so I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world.

Q) What do you think it is about graphic novels or comic books continue to hold such a special place in your heart?

A) Yeah, he’s got a lot on his mind. His first love of his life is this woman named Hope and you find out more about their relationship. But that was his first love. And he’s never gotten over her. And so, his relationship with Cas is strained obviously because of that. She loved him very much. I don’t think he can really…He can’t get over Hope, so it’s impossible for their relationship to really work, as hard as they try. I mean that’s how I learned how to read. [laughs] I found my love of reading. Before it was chore and then I found comic books and that spawned my love of Dungeons & Dragons. And you’re encouraged to create your character, the backstories, and give all their powers, their build and everything. And so that’s A) the foundation of making your own comic books, and B) the foundation of acting. Creating characters, giving them backstories giving them unique abilities. And I remember John Belushi saying he read comic books, doing all the voices and that’s what I did. Like comic books and Heavy Metal Heavy Metal was the first book that I picked up and obviously I was like ten years old. [laughs] I was not the right age to read that book. It had an incredible effect on me. Like my book Moon Lake is a huge homage to Heavy Metal. And it’s just so surreal and so wonderful and makes the 10-year-old kid that was me, very, very happy about working with them. I can’t believe it. It’s crazy. Yeah. Comic books, huge influence on my life. It’s very, very special to me. Very special.

Q) We love you on “The Walking Dead” and you look amazing. What have you personally taken away so far from your time working on the series?

A) Well, that was another comic book that I love. And when they reached out and they said, “Hey, you wanna do this character Luke?” I was like, “Yeah!” And because playing a character that exists in the comic books for me is like so cool and I thought I was only gonna be there for a season, you know? And I thought that I was gonna end up on the pike, which was the story was in the comics. But I’m continuing on. I hope I can walk a long, long time on those ragged courses and I love it. I love that new weapon they gave me, man. Oh, man. And it’s like a motorcycle gear mace and I had to learn sign language. It’s totally educational, yeah. The heat has allowed me to sweat my brains out. [laughs] And take off the pounds, for sure. That was good, too. It’s been a great; a great experience and I hope I stay on for as long as I can, really.

Q) We love every time you make an appearance on “The Goldbergs.” I know you’re busy with “The Walking Dead.” You have such great comedic timing. So first, what’s it like for you to be on such a hit comedic series? What does it mean to you to be a part of such a hit comedic series and has comic timing just always been an easy part of your life or have you worked at it?

A) Yeah, I mean, I grew up watching “Looney Tunes” as a toddler and I was like copying all those characters and those are great teachers, great, excellent, excellent comedic timing – Bugs and Daffy. And I kept that my entire life. It’s just I guess within my blood and so going onto “The Goldbergs” is awesome because I did Fanboys and they had a “The Goldbergs” connection. And to be able to work with Adam [Goldberg] again and then I love the ’80s. Like any time that I can get to do a homage to the ’80s is amazing. And I’ve gotten to do just great stuff on that show and drive the DeLorean and do John McClane and homages and that was like Sylvester Stallone the last time. [laughs] I can’t believe – it’s like I get to drive the coolest stuff. I drove the Kitt car, that was my favorite episode. I got to drive the Kitt car. I can’t believe it. That had just been a real pleasure every Thanksgiving to jump on that show. I love comedy. And that show, they asked me to be louder and fast and funnier. It’s like they love the dial turned up, so I’m happy to oblige.

Q) Well, is there anything I didn’t touch on about Brooklyn Gladiator or about the projects you’ve been recently working on that you want make sure we mention to our readers?

A) Well, I got Brooklyn Gladiator, I got Fishkill and I got Moon Lake. These are the comic books I got coming out from Heavy Metal Magazine. And Fogler’s Fiction at wwwwww.foglersfiction.com and foglersfictions on Instagram. You can go to either of those places and you’re gonna find everything I’m working on. I’m just hunkering down. We’re supposed to get started on Fantastic Beasts 3 at the end of the summer, hopefully. That’s why I’m here in the UK and, hopefully, we’ll get some word about “The Walking Dead.”

Please know in addition to Brooklyn Gladiator he also has  FISHKILL and MOON LAKE will be released by Heavy Metal Comics and his podcast, DAN FOGLER’S 4d Xperience- “For people who smoke pot and love movies!” Join the smoke circle with actor and comedian Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts, Fanboys, Balls of Fury) as he gets high with celebrity guests and discusses the latest movies he’s seen — in 4D. *Hella spoilers!* will continue to release new episodes this summer https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-foglers-4d-xperience/id1145191833

Dan’s podcast called “4d Xperience” is now a videocast through the company Nerdbot.  When he launched the show he would invite celebrity guests to join him to discuss the latest movies he’s seen—in 4D, now that we are in the COVID era his format has shifted to conversations to the latest headlines, pop culture and much more.  He will continue to release new episodes this summer.  Past guests have included: Eddie Redmayne, Josh Gad, Zach Levi, Jay Pharoah, David Krumholz, Jaime King,  Seth Green, Jay Baruchel, Cary Elwes, Maggie Q, Colleen Atwood, Jeff Garlin, Alison Sudol, Bob Odenkirk and Topher Grace.  The show also just began to air live episodes every other Saturday on the  Nerdbot Facebook page and Nerdbot YouTube channel.  Here is Ep 1 on Facebook and Ep 1 on YouTube.