The following is an interview with Patrick Horvath regarding the recent launch of a Zoop crowdfunding campaign for the first-ever print edition of his webcomic, Free for All. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Horvath about his experience in revisiting the webcomic in preparation for the print edition, what readers can anticipate in terms of backer rewards, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent launch of your Zoop crowdfunding campaign for the first-ever print edition of Free for All! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the premise of the story?
Patrick Horvath: Thank you! I’m excited for the chance to actually hold this book in my hands. It takes place in a future Earth where nearly all of the needs of the people are taken care of, and it’s provided for by a league of nations that subsidizes the expenses of living for everyone. This utopia is paid for by a lottery that chooses wealthy people at random who are given the choice of either donating half of their assets to the league, or fighting to the death in order to keep it all.
BD: As you look ahead to the print edition, what has been your experience in revisiting the webcomic and preparing it for new audiences to discover?
PH: It’s been fun to look back over this book. I made it a while back, and I’m still really proud of it. I originally just made it for fun, and to have an example of some sequential art to show editors and writers. I was pleased to see that it held up great.
BD: Likewise, in revisiting the series, was there anything new or intriguing that you took away from the story that you hadn’t anticipated when originally creating it?
PH: I don’t know if anything has caught me off guard, but it feels like the zeitgeist of the times that inspired it back in 2016 has only gotten more intense, and perhaps it hits a little harder as a result.
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 the gladiators’ story may connect with or impact readers?
PH: That’s a good question. I never know how it will land with readers, but I put the story of Ted and Luella together to stir up all these emotions at the heart of the conflict of humanity/love & capitalism/wealth. There’s a lot of pride and revenge at the root of these knee-jerk reactions. I doubt any billionaires will read th, but for the rest of us, it’s a very tongue-in-cheek way to imagine a better world for us in the future. One that obviously should have a lot less killing.
BD: Are there any specific backer rewards that you’re most excited about with the campaign and wish to share with readers?
PH: I’m excited to have some new art that’s part of this project. It felt necessary to have an element of something new to go along with this book, and the cover (which is also available as a print) was a blast to work on. In addition, we have some exclusive Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees covers that I’m excited to share.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
PH: For now, I’m mostly involved with wrapping up the last issue of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees and sending off the last bits that will be included in the collected trade.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Free for All and your other work?
PH: The best way to keep up with everything else I have going on is through my newsletter or social media, all of which you can find on my website at patrickhorvath.com.
