The following is an interview with Craig Yoe regarding the recent launch of the Kickstarter campaign for the graphic novel, Woman & Man+, in collaboration with Clover Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Yoe about his creative process in documenting his own personal journey on the page, the incredible back rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the Kickstarter campaign launch for Woman & Man+! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the story’s premise?
Craig Yoe: Thanks! Extremely surreal comics, both in content and form which uses bizarro symbolism (to protect the innocent) to tell the true story of my narrowly escaping the United States. First, I joined up with a cell of “underground cartoonists” (in truth, wild-eyed revolutionaries) in Berlin, then I hid out in the caves of the Canary Islands, and finally the Philippine government saved my sorry ass by giving me asylum. Along the way, my heart was horribly broken, my health took hard hits, and I suffered some hair loss—that being a tragic thing for an old hippie.
BD: What can you tell us about your creative process in bringing your own story to life on the page, and did you find the process of documenting your own journey to be more exciting and/or challenging than your more fictional and historically focused work?
CY: For Woman & Man + I drew a page a day for 160 days to tell the harrowing, true tale. Trance-like, I delineated my deep emotions on paper to document in feverish comix each harrowing day for a small distraction from my fears and peril.
My previous 100+ books celebrated comic artists and comics history. Turning the light on myself, and honestly documenting my trials, was at the same time painful yet cleansing, it greatly helped me begin my steps to recovery.
BD: Likewise, what has been your experience in collaborating with Clover Press, and what makes them the perfect home for this story?
CY: OMG, I love my friends Robbie Robbins and Hank Kanalz at Clover! I couldn’t be more happy with their obvious talent and professionalism and their belief in me and my work. I so appreciated the freedom they afforded me to create something so weird, psychedelic, erotic, and anti-authoritarian. They’re bravely challenging the laws, themselves facing possible deportation to publish Woman & Man +. God bless them and keep them safe!
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any specific backer rewards that you would like to highlight for readers?
CY: The fun aspect of Kickstarter is being able to offer something special to backers they can only get on the campaign. I am offering original art by moi. My favorite exclusive are the very limited original art pieces where I will draw a faux comix cover using the backer’s name as the logo.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that your story may connect with and impact readers?
CY: I’ve been told by the voices in my head that, yes, this is a mind-warping collection of psychedelic underground comics that is a fun read on the surface. But, for those who are willing to dig in deep, it will serve as a cautionary tale with a whiff of humor and hope. They say Woman & Man + will be quite relatable to many who are on their own perilous life journey.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
CY: Co-conspirators have warned me about revealing my next moves as Interpol has me under scrutiny, so, no, sorry.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Woman & Man+?
CY: Two way, sign up for Clover Press email blast at www.CloverPress.us, and check out the Kickstarter page.
