The following is an interview with David Hedgecock and Chase Marotz on the recent Kickstarter campaign launch for the sci-fi comedy comic book, Sugar Bomb: Portal Potty, with publisher Fun Time Go! In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Hedgecock and Marotz about their shared creative process in bringing the off-the-wall story to life on the page, the exciting backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on your recent Kickstarter campaign launch! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the story’s premise?
David Hedgecock: Sugar Bomb is a glitter-fueled, chaos-blasted sci-fi comedy about a cybernetic superhero and her wildly inappropriate dolphin sidekick. It’s either the greatest superhero comic ever made or the weirdest fever dream I’ve ever had.
Chase Marotz: Buxom cyborg and lascivious talking dolphin gallivant through multiple dimensions with hilariously disastrous results! We’ve tried to make it an action-packed thriller that will keep you laughing at the edge of your seat.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist Juan José Ryp to bring this off-the-wall world and characters to life on the the page?
DH: Juan José Ryp is one of the best interior artists working in comics today. He’s worked on some of the biggest projects at the “Big Two” and is ALWAYS in demand. So… how do we collaborate? Get the hell out of the man’s way and let him COOK.
We handed him the script and designs and then just continuously had our jaws hitting the floor in awe of the amazing stuff coming off his pencil. I am not sure we had a single note for him that wasn’t some version of enthusiastic and exuberant cheering!
CWM: I’ve been a fan of Juan since he drew RoboCop all the way back in ’03, so being able to write something that he drew was definitely a teenage dream come true. The script is very joke dense, not only in the dialogue but in the things happening within the panels themselves and little inside jokes, etc., and Juan not only delivered above and beyond our wildest expectations, but elevated the material by bringing his own suggestions for page layouts and character acting into the mix. An artist who can do visual comedy in comics is a rare and special thing, and Juan is one of the best at it – incredible given that’s not usually what he gets to show off with his more mainstream work.
BD: This marks the third title in Fun Time Go!’s catalog of Kickstarter Exclusive comic books. Why do you feel that crowdfunding has been such a valuable resource to ensuring the success of today’s comic book creators and publishers?
DH: As a publisher, Kickstarter offers a cheaper, more effective, wider-reaching distribution platform than traditional Direct Market models. It makes zero sense to try to compete in an environment that is supremely invested in making sure two companies retain 80-90% of the market share. The game is rigged and it ain’t in our favor.
More importantly, Kickstarter has the unique benefit of allowing us to communicate directly with readers. This allows us to create graphic novels and comics, as well as foster a fun community of Fine Folks and VIPs that we get to talk to and “Wow” on a regular basis.
CWM: My love affair with comics began when I was but a wee lad, all the way back when floppies used to be on the spinner rack at Fred Meyer and my mom would buy them because it was an easy way to shut me up while she shopped. Since then, I’ve watched as the industry has consolidated into specialty shops that in many places can be few and far between. And this isn’t to say that I don’t love comic shops, but for me, Kickstarter provides a way to reduce the friction of customers actually acquiring a comic book. We can bring people something they want through the mail without the overhead costs that having the infrastructure to do direct market sales requires. It definitely democratizes who can access the market in a good way.
BD: In light of the crowdfunding campaign, are there any particular backer rewards that you’re most excited to share?
DH: I’m particularly excited for the 3-D version of the comic. Our dumb, fun, slightly horny, totally amazing comic coming at your face in three dimensions makes me laugh every time I think about it.
CWM: We’re doing what we’re calling the Juanjo Edition, which is an extended version of the book featuring Juan’s absolutely glorious gray wash pages along with the original script, layouts, etc. For people who are interested in how the sausage is made, it’s a real treat!
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
DH: The next Sugar Bomb story title, “Milk Run”, is ALREADY written AND DRAWN (with interior art by legendary BART SEARS this time), and we are well on our way to finishing the third book titled, “Work Sucks, I Know.”
Outside of that, we are just wrapping up the third graphic novel on Super Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go!, as well as Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians. Both have proven to be rock solid sellers for us, and we have plans to continue both series for the foreseeable future. The first two graphic novels of each property are in print and available at our shop – FunTimeGo.com.
CWM: During COVID, I wrote, drew, and printed a comic called Dark Room featuring three stories of desperate weirdos trying to navigate a dark and godless world, but funny. I leave it in bars, laundromats, and Airbnbs wherever I go. Keep your eyes peeled for it in the Portland metropolitan area. I also hid a bunch in an abandoned train outside of Jacumba in the California desert. If someone finds one of the ones out there, I’ll send them the cover art for free!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about the Sugar Bomb: Portal Potty campaign and your other work with Fun Time Go!?
DH: Go to the Kickstarter! It’s a party… EVERYONE IS INVITED!
