The following is an interview with writer/artist Francis Bonnet regarding the recent release of Set Sail to Fail: A Suburban Fairy Tales Collection, the ninth collection of his critically acclaimed comic strip. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Bonnet about his creative process in bringing the story and its characters to life on the page, having the series syndicated through King Features, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Set Sail to Fail: A Suburban Fairy Tales Collection! For those who may be new to the series, what can you share with us about the story’s overall premise?
Francis Bonnet: Suburban Fairy Tales is a humorous comic strip that follows classic fairy tale characters living in modern-day suburbia. When I first started the series, the characters were all in high school, which created a fun backdrop for exaggerated teenage drama and classroom antics. Over time, the focus has shifted to the Three Little Pigs, who are now out of school and living together as adult roommates. One major plot point is that Little Pig #3 has started dating the Big Bad Wolf’s sister, which has sparked a lot of comedic tension and new storylines. I believe it’s important to let your comic evolve over time, because that’s what keeps it fresh and engaging.
BD: As of last year, Suburban Fairy Tales is now being syndicated by King Features. What can you share with us about your experience in expanding your audience and having the opportunity to continue the series for such an incredible length of time?
FB: It’s hard to believe that I’ve been working on this series for almost 20 years! I was so young and inexperienced when I started it, but over time I got better, more refined, and eventually my audience grew. Syndication had always been a goal of mine, but it was tough to break into, especially when I was first starting out. So, I focused on building a following on different websites and on social media and refining the strip to be the best it could be. After submitting to King Features and connecting with their editors over the years, I finally inked a deal with them in January 2024, and the strip officially launched with them two months later in March. It’s an incredible honor to be part of such a legendary syndicate that’s been distributing so many iconic comics for over a century. Thanks to their Comics Kingdom platform, my work is now reaching more readers than ever, and I couldn’t be happier. Everyone at King Features has been amazing to work with!
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums – no matter the genre. How do you feel that the stories and characters of Suburban Fairy Tales may connect with and impact today’s readers?
FB: These days, people are constantly busy and bombarded with distractions, so I write Suburban Fairy Tales so that you can jump in at any point in the story and still enjoy a quick laugh. Most strips are 3 panels, occasionally 4 panels if the idea calls for it. Each strip ends with a punchline or gag. But there are also ongoing storylines where characters face conflicts that, while exaggerated and whimsical, sometimes reflect real-life situations. For example, Little Pig #3 is in a relationship with Wolfette, the Big Bad Wolf’s sister. A wolf that’s dating a pig deals with a lot social disapproval because the other wolves see pigs as food and the other pigs see wolves as predators to be avoided. It’s a humorous take on the challenges of dating someone who doesn’t fit societal expectations. At its core, the strip uses fairy tale absurdity to reflect real emotions and experiences, all wrapped in humor.
BD: Are there any additional projects—past or current—that you’d like to highlight for our readers?
FB: I have some other projects that I’ve been working on – one is a children’s book that leans heavily into humor and the other is a graphic novel set in an a post-apocalyptic future that’s very different from anything I’ve ever done before. Both ideas are in the early stages of development, so I don’t have much to say about them yet. But if I were to talk about past projects, I do have 8 other Suburban Fairy Tales books that I did before Set Sail to Fail that I’d love for readers to check out if they like the new book.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for readers to learn more about Set Sail to Fail and your other work?
FB: The best way to support Suburban Fairy Tales is to pick up a copy of Set Sail to Fail on Amazon or by signing up for a subscription to Comics Kingdom and listing Suburban Fairy Tales as the reason you signed up. Reading my comic strip on Comics Kingdom directly contributes to its success, and I’d love to keep sharing these stories with even more readers!
