Gary Tro

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Tuesday 15th January 2019

One random comedian, eight random questions: it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week's heroic participant is Gary Tro, one half of comic-book-loving comedy duo the Just Us League (alongside Javier Jarquin, who actually has a superhero-like alter-ego: Card Ninja!)

The JUL are a lot more entertaining than their super-powered DC name-alikes; certainly a much better use of your tenner than that Justice League movie from a couple of years ago. Although their new tour is actually about the other side of the big super-studio rivalry.

MarvelUs: All the Marvel Movies... Kind Of is fairly self-explanatory - they cram as much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's mighty decade into an hour as is (super) humanly possible. And very enjoyable it is too, particularly their lo-fi, onesie-wielding special effects, which are still more convincing than the ones in Justice League.

The tour kicks off at East London's aptly-named Mirth, Marvel and Maud on Friday night; meanwhile Tro will also be doing his solo show, Idoit, at the Vault Festival next month. But for now, Gary Tro, your Random 8 await.

Who was your childhood hero?

Robin Hood... but the Disney one. The fox. Ooh de lally, was that dude a smooth criminal. I must have watched that film 100 times as a kid and, I think, he was probably my gateway drug to my love of superheroes.

Modern superheroes are just our contemporary myths, fables and folklore... it's also just occurred to me that Robin Hood has a lot to answer for in regards to my anti-capitalist stance! Although, the closest I've ever come to robbing the rich is trying to eat so much pizza from a buffet that I create a deficit.

Who's the most interesting person you've ever met?

I did a show a while back with Brian Cox, Richard Dawkins and Robert Winston, and they were all absolutely fascinating. Two of them were so, so lovely; one of them was not... I'll leave it up to you to guess.

What's the worst job you've ever had, outside of stand-up?

I've always hated bar work; working nights, dealing with drunks. Urgh.

Thank God I found stand up comed... oh.

Which film/TV show would you love to have been in (and which part?)

Fight Club. Tyler Durden. I don't care how arrogant it sounds to want to play a character who's the embodiment of perfection - I'd be awesome!

Or I'd be one of the Fab Five on Queer Eye. I'd love to be the only straight dude on the team who has nothing to offer the person they're helping.

Or playing Spider-Man! But that's just a matter of time.

What should be Britain's new national anthem?

The theme tune to the 90s X-Men cartoon. I think a wordless national anthem is the future, people can just make electric guitar noises instead:

Nilla nilla na na na
Nilla nilla na na na
Nilla nilla na na na
Na na

What's your favourite shop?

Any comic book shop. My first encounter with comic books was when I found some of my dad's old ones. I loved them but thought they were this rare commodity.

I remember the first time I walked into a comic book shop and saw a place that sold hundreds of them. I must have been about 10 years old and genuinely got a bit emotional because I realised that there was a community of people interested in the things that I was interested in.

I'm welling up just thinking about it...

Which place you've visited was the biggest anti-climax?

I was slightly disappointed with the Giant's Causeway. It was cool but it was much more of an isolated area than I thought. I thought these amazing rocks were going to stretch to the horizon.

Like, do go, it's cool, but it's small.

What's the very best thing you ever saw?

I feel like I should say, the first time I saw my wife hold our new-born child but I don't have a wife or a child, so I'm going with anytime I see anything at the cinema.

Even if it's crap, the cinema is 100% my happy place.

Unless there are people talking. Or with their feet up on the seats. Or eating too loudly. Or looking at their phones. Or there.