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Gen:  To a point.  We had a lot going on and car trouble as well, so not all the money went into our business.  However, we did sacrifice a lot for it.

J:  If you could go back and do it over again, what would you do differently?

G:  Well, we jumped into self publishing with both feet, not really knowing anything about it.  We learned as we went along.  I guess I would have saved more investment money before actually going to print.  When we started, we didn't even have a computer, had never worked with Photoshop, and didn't know where to go to get our comic printed.  We gathered information at the San Diego Comic Con where we met Richard Dominguez who inspired us.  We also talked to other independent publishers about the printers they were using.  If I could go back in time, I would get the equipment we needed (and still need) first, then start producing.  Because of how we did it, we have had to go back and take care of the basics after our comic has been already out there.  It means big delays between books and probably some frustration for our fans.

J:  Have you gotten any negative feedback from people who are waiting for your books to come out?

G:  Actually, we haven't.  Our fans are the best.  They're patient.  They ask when the next one is coming, but they also understand the position of the independent publisher.  Fortunately, most of them have internet access and can go to our website for their Pineapple Man fix.

J:  The website gets updated regularly which is not the norm for independent publishers.  However, I noticed that the Pineapple Man section hadn't been updated in awhile.  There's always new stories up of the other titles, though.  Why is that?

G:  Well, unfortunately, Sam got really busy with other projects.  He had freelance jobs and got into storyboarding and there just wasn't enough hours in the day.  Instead of having someone else draw it, we decided to wait until he could at least finish out the storyline.  The good news is that he's working on it now.  On the June update, we help the readers get caught up with the story so far, and in September, the story will continue.

J:  What are the plans for the website?

G:  We're planning a new design for March 2002.  We're going to expand the gallery, put up a web cam and create a goodie section with downloads and e-cards.  We're always on the lookout for new games to put up, and of course we'll still have new episodes of our online comics, perhaps even more titles if we're lucky, and periodic updates of bio pictures.  We'll continue on with our features such as articles, reviews, legends and Patty-Boy's View, and there may be even more articles and such, as we're accepting submissions from other people.

J:  Speaking of bio pictures, I really like the fact that on the artist bios, there are drawn pictures of everyone and when you pass the mouse over it, you can see the photos.  Does each artist draw their own bio picture?

G:  Usually they do.  The exception on the June update is Sam's picture that was done by Jennifer Tashiro.

J:  Are we going to find out more about Isamu's history and Luk Fun's origin?

G:  Definitley.  Luk Fun's origin will be posted on the revamped website next March.  We'll have an Origins section where we'll have information on most of the characters.  Isamu's story needs to be told as well and will probably come out as a webisode or maybe a printed comic.  We haven't decided yet.

J:  Any chance of a preview of new stories coming up?

G:  Well, it's hard to say.  You can pretty much bet that there's going to be cultural elements to any story we do.  Right now we have several stories lined up.  King Kamehameha the Great is involved in one.  Then we have Japanese plantation workers, ghosts, and the Yakuza in another.  We like to touch on history and legend which makes our stories fuller.

J: While we're on the cultural subject, what exactly is Isamu's ethnic background?

G:  Well, he has Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino and Caucasian in him.  I know, your next question is about his Japanese name.  Well, his grandmother gave him the name for a reason.  That may be revealed in the his origin story, or a future issue or webisode.  We also have his grandmother very involved in future storylines.

J:  Lets talk about love interests.  Are Miyo and Isamu going to get together again?  Were Miyo and Luk romantically involved?  Are there going to be any love affairs in the coming issues or webisodes?

G:  First of all, there's no plans for Miyo and Isamu to resume their relationship.  They had something special, but it's left in the past.  As for Miyo and Luk, you'll have to find out what their connection is in Luk's origin story.  As for love affairs, we have one coming up for Isamu and later, one for Miyo as well.  Both are going to be complicated, of course.

J:  Any idea when Pineapple Man #5 will go to print?

G:  I don't want to say yet.  It's become bad luck to give out a day, month or even year.  Let's not jinx it.  However, when it does come out, it'll be available on our website and I'll let you know so you can post it up here.

And there you have it.  Any new publications of Pineapple Man will be heralded on the home page as soon as they come out.