Austin Erickson’s conversation with Fargo artist Troy Becker
FARGO, N.D. – The art of a Kevin Smith fan shows the Riverdale gang and Jay and Silent Bob’s love for a local comic and cards store.
Troy Becker was contacted by Paradox Comics-N-Cards owner Rich Early to do a store exclusive cover for “Archie Meets Jay and Silent Bob”. It’s written by Smith, the director and screenwriter of the View Askewniverse films like Clerks, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Becker originally started sketching a parody of the poster for the 1995 movie “Mallrats” which was filmed in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
“At first it was approved by Archie and Kevin Smith, but it turned out that one of Kevin Smith’s personal comic shops was already doing one, so we went back to the drawing board,” Becker explained.
Becker then pivoted to drawing Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jay and Silent Bob on top of the Quick Stop convenience store next to a Paradox billboard. Characters Dante and Randal closed the store to play hockey on the roof in Smith’s first movie.
“Including hockey, that was in Clerks, and hockey obviously has deep roots here, so it seemed like a good fit,” Becker said.
Becker called it surreal to have Smith approve his work to be a cover to his comic.
“I never thought it’d be a project I’d get a chance at, but it’s a lot of fun and I can’t wait to actually see the finished product,” Becker said.
You can pick up your copy of “Archie Meets Jay and Silent Bob” for $19.99 only at Paradox on Wednesday, July 9. The book is also available for preorders by contacting the shop. You can also meet Becker from 10 AM to 2 PM Wednesday and get a signed copy for $39.99.
If you’re a huge Archie Comics fan, feel free to travel to Riverdale, North Dakota to read the book. Sadly, you won’t find Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppe there.
Becker’s love of art started with comic books in his hometown of New York Mills, Minnesota.
“It was really the earliest form of art that I graduated towards. I grew up in a small town and seeing Archie and the Marvel comics on the stand at the grocery store was what really drew me in and I became a lifelong fan at a young age,” Becker explained.
You may have also seen Becker’s work in The Forum, at The Rourke Art Gallery and Museum in Moorhead and at Plains Art Museum and The Spirit Room in Fargo.
“A lot of my work draws inspiration from comic books. You can see those bold colors. I’m also drawn to nature. You’ll see a lot of birds in my work,” Becker said.
Becker has also drawn posters advertising for Free Comic Book Day at Paradox. They include Magneto ripping off the Fargo Theatre sign, The Incredible Hulk helping staff move the comic book and card store to its current location on Main Avenue and Joker putting Robin into the woodchipper from the Oscar-winning film “Fargo”.
Becker says it’s been a great relationship with Early.
“He really gives me the opportunity to go with whatever pops in my head. It’s fun to try and keep things local. The woodchipper just came to mind and I thought including The Joker with that would be a fun idea. It maybe made some of the younger kids take a second look,” Becker said.
