The following is an interview with the creative team Owlin (Lin Visel and Joseph Bergin III) regarding the recent launch of their Kickstarter campaign for the graphic novel, That Sexy Bear!, in association with Iron Circus Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Owlin about their shared creative process in bringing the satirical story to life on the page, the backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the launch of your crowdfunding campaign for That Sexy Bear! What can you share with us about the premise of this tongue-firmly-in-cheek graphic novel?
Owlin: Thank you! TSB! is about advertising’s effect on nature. Cartoon Bears Ginger & Yaya are accustomed to living off of human trash. Rangers Eggs Benedict and Ricardo Hazelton are doing their best to help these fuzzy girls and keep the human influence on the park to a minimum. All while a shadowy corporation tries to profit off of everything it can.
BD: In light of your years of collaboration, when tackling a project like this one, was there anything that specifically guided or propelled your approach to bringing the story to life on the page – narratively and visually?
Owlin: We were heavily inspired by Ed Benedict’s designs & Gene Hazelton’s Yogi Bear strips. (Hence the last names of our park rangers.) Black & white nature photography and ’50s/’60s television shows like I Love Lucy for the backgrounds.
Lin grew up with friends & family who work for the national parks, so there were a lot of stories to draw inspiration from. Stir that up with a morbid curiosity for how advertising works & you get That Sexy Bear!
BD: How do you feel that That Sexy Bear!’s juxtaposition of campy fun with the satirization of our collective existential anxieties may connect with and impact readers?
Owlin: We’re hoping it’s a nice reprieve from your daily worries. Something to remind you that nature will be here longer than capitalism will. If we treat our planet/bodies with respect, we’ll be able to thrive together!
BD: In addition to the fact that Iron Circus has a stellar catalog of titles and an amazing stable of creative talent, what made the publisher the perfect home for this graphic novel?
Owlin: Lin sent the initial joke drawing of a park ranger interrogating a bear woman about a missing picnic basket to Spike Trotman, and they loved the idea enough to green light it immediately. We felt TSB! fits in with all the horny rebellious misfits in Iron Circus’ library.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any specific backer reward tiers that you are most excited to share?
Owlin: There will be a bear-themed commission tier! Lin would love to draw you as a bear person (Bearsona) or something Bear related to go with your copy of TSB!
We’ll also be designing a unique book plate for people who back the Kickstarter, along with a stretch goal of a shiny cover!
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
Owlin: We’ve published an adorable beginner’s guide on smoking weed called How do you smoke a weed? Check out the Smut Peddler series, Owlin has short erotic stories in a couple editions: 2012, Silver, My Monster Girlfriend.
Owlin also creates weekly comics for the adult comics site Slipshine: https://www.orgymania.net/
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about That Sexy Bear! and to support your Kickstarter campaign?
Owlin: Visit the campaign here!
