The following is an interview with writer Ricky Lima regarding the upcoming release of the graphic novel, Undergrowth, through Top Shelf. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Lima about his shared creative process in working with artist Daniele Aquani to bring the story to life on the page, how he hoped to open a conversation about the way that we process grief, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Undergrowth! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the premise of the story?
Ricky Lima: The official tagline is “The world is being ravaged by four terrifying robotic monsters. One fateful night, four friends venture out to watch a meteor shower and come face-to-face with doom…only to find that their story is just beginning.” I tell people it’s the story of how we all deal with grief and trauma wrapped in a warm blanket of cool robot battles and environmental dread. While giant robots are the flashy draw of the whole story, the heart of the story is how individuals cope with trauma both in a good way and a negative way.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist Daniele Aquani to bring this story and larger-than-life characters to life on the page?
RL: Daniele is an absolute champion! He instantly understood the world of Undergrowth and developed it far beyond anything I could have dreamed up. He took my initial ramblings on characters and worlds and developed a unique visual language to represent the world. I’m impressed by how alien the world looks while at the same time feeling very familiar and grounded in an “Earth-like” look.
When I collaborate with an illustrator on a book, I place all of my trust in their skills. I want the book to feel just as much a part of them as it is of me. Daniele inspired me, with his designs, to push the characters even further. His visual elements helped to shape the way the characters spoke in my mind and their actions in the story itself. Collaboration is always a living thing, and while I had a story originally in mind Daniele’s designs influenced my writing process entirely.
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 this story may connect with and impact readers?
RL: While writing, I wanted to explore different ways people deal with grief. I was hoping that in doing so I would be able to find my own ways to cope with the world. I recognize I am very privileged to feel safe in my life. I do find that oftentimes it is difficult to just live day-to-day. Through Undergrowth, I was hoping to explore the theme of grief and trauma to see if I can find some truth for myself. I am hoping that exploration could also connect with readers.
I try not to present any answers in this book, and I think that’s very important. My goal was to present the situations, show people dealing with their lots in life (and death) and then turn back to the reader and say, “So, what’d you think?” A successful story to me doesn’t give you answers but rather looks to make you think about your own truths and find answers within yourself. That’s what I hope people take away from this book, a sense of their own truth.
BD: What makes Top Shelf the perfect home for this story?
RL: For as long as I’ve been making comics, Top Shelf has been putting out fantastic books. Books and creators that are important to the medium, but overall accessible books that just kick ass. I wanted to be a part of that! I had never met Chris Staros (the publisher at Top Shelf), but when I met him and we talked about the book, I knew immediately Top Shelf was the right home for Undergrowth. I’ve been self-publishing comics for over 12 years now. So to me, independence is very important. Chris understood that he always champions the independent spirit, so I felt comfortable trusting him with the book.
I was given the perfect amount of guidance and space to create the product I wanted to see in the world. The people at Top Shelf encouraged the book’s growth and guided me through the whole process. I’m lucky to be there and very happy about it all.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
RL: I always have little schemes in the works. I like to work on multiple things at once as a way to keep my brain engaged. Typically, I’ll have one big project that I work on with an artist and then other little, small ones I tend to work on by myself. Currently, I’m working on a book with a Brazilian artist who goes by ALK on a book called Soda Pop Pirates. In classic me fashion, it’s about generational trauma and the push and pull between duty, tradition, and moving forward. As a general overview, it’s about a group of pirates who get increased abilities by drinking a special concoction made up of their liquified enemies. I describe these pirates as “vampire-adjacent” (haha). The story revolves around the Captain of the ship not wanting to use this special concoction anymore, but her father who has been turned into a boat relies on it to stay alive. It’s a wild story, let me tell you, and the art is even more wild!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Undergrowth and your other work?
RL: I post everything related to my comics on my Instagram (@King.K.Rule), and I sell all my books at www.limepressonline.com, though I would highly suggest purchasing Undergrowth from your local independent bookstore or comic shop. Give them some business! Browse their shelves and see if anything else jumps out at you. Get Undergrowth plus another book. Treat yourself, you deserve it!
