INTERVIEW WITH DAVIEN WATKINS: SUPERHERO ENTERPRISES OWNER & CREATOR OF NOTES

And now an exclusive interview with the Owner of Superhero Enterprises and creator of NOTES, Davien Watkins. 

by Frankie Rodriguez

Thank you for the interview Davien. Let's get started.

1. Superhero Enterprises is a big undertaking. Would you mind explaining it for our readers and how it came to be? 

Superhero Enterprises™ is the symbol of contemporary youth culture in America today. The company publishes and merchandises various consumer products from its library of proprietary characters. We manufacture superhero characters! "Notes"© is the company's flagship character.

I launched Superhero Enterprises with the inspiration from a logo I'd created while creating and arranging music back around 2004. This logo was originally intended to be an emblem of instant recognition for the music I'd been recording and producing. 

It evolved into an entrepreneurial effort during my second year of business school at Pepperdine University. Prior to my higher education I’d had more than a decade of experience marketing various types of consumer products successfully in the entertainment industry. Business management literally came second nature to me as we [Superhero Enterprises] collectively began strengthening our resources to form the elite team of talented individuals working with us now. 

In 2007 with the interest growing for Superhero Enterprises our Notes property, we decided it was time to upgrade the website to a fresh design. At that stage, with the support of a few of my alum backing the concept of “Notes” and the vision of Superhero Enterprises I received a suggestion to tell a back-story for “Notes” as a superhero character. That was the beginning.

2. Your most visible concept right now is "Notes", dealing with a fusion of music and super powers with "a socially responsible figure that symbolizes 'DO THE RIGHT' thing"; including 4 pages of the Origin of Notes. How did you come up with the concept and what background can you tell us about Notes himself? 

I mentioned earlier that “Notes” was originally inspired by a logo I'd created for our music division. I am also a record producer and I wanted something that would identify my musical sound, “visually”. So, I got the recommendation to contract (commission) the illustrator ultimately selected to draft the concept art of "a music superhero" character. With a microphone in one hand and a recording mixer in the other, "Notes" was created. 

The character "Notes" himself is our most powerful science fiction superhero and a highly-skilled pioneer in music technology, whose purpose is to transform and enhance the experience of making and editing electronic music. 



The unique mythology of our superhero "Notes" interprets, and answers cultural....questions related to the principles, elements, and culture of music and Hip Hop; relative to individuals, businesses, organizations, communities, and also other countries. 

3. What insight can you give us about some of the other characters within “The Origins Of Notes“?

I definitely want to have your readers keep their eyes on “Duplicate” the archenemy, archfoe, archvillain, and arch-nemesis of “Notes”. He has literally cut, copied, and pasted his way into infamy. There’s a love interest to “Notes” by the name of “Melody”, a broadcast journalist whom frequently infiltrates the entertainment community to get involved in undercover work and reporting. E MC2 is a former recording super-producer, now memorable mentor to “Notes” who’s become an eccentric American Inventor inventing, some amazing technically advanced music artifacts. 

This is just a few of the compelling characters populating the fictional record industry universe. Visitor’s to the Superhero Enterprises website will certainly have an opportunity to learn more about many of the other interesting characters of the cast there.

4. What is the most important thing you want readers to take away from Notes? 

“You got to do the right thing, and just had fun!” I think that’s a universal message that fits hand and hand with our “Music is the universal language” theme. Comic book superheroes are supposed to provide role models that are potentially used by kids, teens, and adults in developing self images. “Notes” symbolizes these qualities of high moral character, courage, generosity, and honor of a noble spirit.

5. Notes seem to be very much influenced by music, particularly hip hop; what were some of your musical influences?  

Yes. “Notes” is influenced by the universal music culture. I myself as a music executive / producer grew up similarly influenced by the international hip hop awareness groups. Guys like A Tribe Called Quest. Many whom began to organize events for the youth and would become known as the various elements of hip hop culture.  

6. What are some of your favorite comic books & creators and how did they influence you? 

I’ve always been the collector of comic books more so than a reader…so the favorites for me tended to be the ones that increased in value with the best ROI (Return On Investment). Last year I’d learned about "Action Comics" No.1 becoming the most expensive to ever sell at auction, when it sold for $2,161,000. That really excited me.

Related to comic creators, I’ve got lots of respect for many of the contemporary creators, but of course I do have an attachment to the charismatic Stan Lee. He has certainly provided a nice solid foundation for new superheroes with the creation of his fantastic marvels. On the business side, I believe the success that many of the industries renowned creators have enjoyed with their own comic book properties, has influenced me the most.

7. What other projects and/or initiatives does Superhero Enterprises have planned for 2012?  

We’ve actually got a couple in the works, that I would rather show rather than tell your audience about, so for the moment I’d asked that your readers to stay tuned to our social network websites for the latest news and updates.

8. I noticed a submissions guide on the Superhero Enterprises homepage. What would you like to tell potential creators who want to join Superhero Enterprises? 

Be the best if you want to join Superhero Enterprises!

9. Finally, any parting words you want to say to our readers? 

I would simply want to thank you and your readers for their support in bringing this modern-day superhero narrative to the lives of many, now and into the future.

Thank you again Davien.

For more, go here Superhero Enterprises & NOTES.