The following is an interview with Austin Basis regarding the release of the middle grade graphic novel, The Kinetix and the Glowing Orb of Gorthon. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Basis about the shared creative process of bringing the story and characters to life on the page, what readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of The Kinetix and the Glowing Orb of Gorthon! For those who may be new to the story, how would you describe its premise?
Austin Basis: The Kinetix and the Glowing Orb of Gorthon is a 200-page graphic novel about a team of unlikely tweenage heroes. When they discover a mysterious orb hidden beneath their school, these sixth graders learn that they have been chosen to defend Earth from the evil overlord, Gravitron… No pressure!
Previously, Joules, Bobby, Rosario, and Daryl felt marginalized because of their disabilities and chronic illnesses. Now, it is those very conditions that allow them to tap into the Potential Energy Force emitted by the orb. Secretly guided and trained by their enigmatic science teacher, Dr. Guttles, they must balance homework, crushes, bullies, and saving the world! These newly minted superheroes – Deadlift, Cyabetes, Aftershock, and Brainstorm, respectively – come together to form The Kinetix, a ragtag team of rookies who must face off against the inter-dimensional villain, Gravitron, and his evil horde. In the process, they’ll uncover hidden strengths, face their fears, and learn that being different isn’t a weakness… it’s what makes them super.
Bursting with humor, heart, and high-powered adventure, this full-color graphic novel is perfect for fans of Dog Man, The Last Kids on Earth, Epic Zero, and The Goonies.
BD: The development of the project has experienced a unique journey, as the story began as a mini-series (as The Kinetix) and evolved into a full graphic novel. What can you share with us about your decision to adapt the series into a longer, more in-depth narrative?
AB: When we initially conceived this project, we mounted a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $11,000 to produce a 4-comic series that told each character’s origin story. We distributed over 5,000 comic books to kids all over the world, as a result. This led to discussions of developing the story as a TV series with such powerhouses as DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television…And then the pandemic hit – along with structural, directional, and personnel changes at these studios.
But we didn’t let that stop us. We persevered. We expanded the world, developed the story-arcs, and crafted the characters to be a team of three-dimensional middle schoolers with disabilities and chronic illnesses who still turn their perceived “weaknesses” into their greatest strengths. All with a goal towards bringing this to a younger audience in a format conducive with the standards of how middle grade readers consume these types of stories. We’ve worked tirelessly since our last publication to adjust and adapt to this new graphic novel format. New art and new adventures have found their way into the established mythology of The Kinetix multiverse. Technically, The Kinetix and the Glowing Orb of Gorthon is now intended for readers 7–12 years old, but we believe it’s a really fun read for both children and adults of all ages.
BD: Returning to the project as creative partners were Dave Maulbeck and Josh Taub. How would you describe your shared creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page?
AB: As friends for over 20 years and now writing partners, Dave, Josh, and I have our individual talents and tastes that we bring to each project we cultivate. For this particular collaboration, it helps that we share a sense of humor and determination. We met in 2002 doing improv and sketch comedy together in New York City, so writing together is nothing new. But there’s something about performing improv on stage with someone in front of a live audience that allows you to trust them at a deeper level than normal. There’s no net. The other person has to be there for you at every moment. I feel that trust translates to our creative process- especially when it comes to writing a 200-page book together!
Specifically, for this evolution of The Kinetix, Dave Maulbeck took the “bull by the horns” (so to speak), incorporating all the mythology we had built up over the years and translated all those ideas into the images that make up our graphic novel. Josh and I focused on editing the story, text, and plot, while giving Dave constant feedback on the visuals. The foundation for this version of our story was based on years of crafting different inceptions of The Kinetix story – from an animated TV series to a YA comic book to a live-action series to the 4-issue origin comic books we released in 2018 and 2019. Most of those episodes and plotlines have found their way into our story. And those that haven’t will likely be revealed and expanded upon in our next book in The Kinetix series…! Creatively, we’re at the point where we’re not even sure who thought of what! It’s almost like we all have our hands on every idea and our imaginations have melded a bit into the same “mind matter.”
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 this story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it may inspire?
AB: I think it will help readers to know that this idea came from a real life encounter I had in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada), in 2012. As an actor in the public eye, living with Type 1 Diabetes for over 40 years, it’s been important for me to inspire the next generation of people living with this autoimmune disease. As such, I have been an advocate, a celebrity ambassador and I’m currently on the Los Angeles Board of Directors for Breakthrough T1D (the world’s leading fundraising organization for diabetes research). But back in 2012, I was just an actor with T1D talking to kids with T1D. I found out that one of those kids liked to tell his friends he was a “cyborg” because he wore an insulin pump, rather than explaining what diabetes was to another 8-year-old. It was much cooler to say, “I’m part machine – part boy” than to say, “I have an incurable disease and have to wear an insulin pump 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the rest of my life!” That touched me to the core. What if there was a way for someone with T1D to actually be a superhero…? In that moment, The Kinetix was born. This book is for him, and anyone like him.
From that ignition point, Dave, Josh, and I explored how potential energy can become kinetic energy when looking at it through a T1D kid’s eyes. What are their strengths and superpowers? How can we inspire kids with chronic illnesses, disabilities or anyone that feels different to fulfill their potential and know that their condition isn’t a weakness but their greatest strength?? The Kinetix and the Glowing Orb of Gorthon seeks to do just that – whether the reader is in the T1D community or they know someone with a limb difference or have a family member on the autism spectrum or are friends with someone who speaks sign language and is deaf or hearing impaired. Within our book’s pages, you will find superheroes you’ve never seen before; kids who use humor to deflect hurtful words; middle schoolers taking on great powers and great responsibilities with a whole lot of heart; four 6th graders vying for normalcy but becoming extraordinary, while overcoming their fears in the process; and individuals who felt alone or apart finding a team that they can trust and depend on – just like Dave, Josh, and I have.
The conversation we’re hoping to inspire is to shift the reader’s perspective from what they can’t do, to focus their energy on what they CAN do. I truly believe that having Type 1 Diabetes has been my secret weapon, my superpower… Read our book, then ask yourself what YOURS is.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
AB: We are in the early stages of creating the next incarnation of The Kinetix graphic novel series – using several of those storylines that we couldn’t fit into this “Orb of Gorthon” edition.
As an actor, I’ve done a lot since last we spoke, including a major recurring role on the final season of the Emmy-winning comedy series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I also have a new movie coming out nationwide on 2-6-26 called MIMICS that’s a bit of a horror throwback. It’s a creepy, little love story about a comedian-turned-ventriloquist – starring Kristoffer Polaha, Stephen Tobolowsky, Chris Parnell, Mōriah, and myself.
I also wrote a children’s picture book a few years ago with my brother, Jeremy Basis, called Zoo’s On First that Dave Maulbeck also illustrated. It was inspired by my nephew’s love of baseball and the animals at the zoo.
Find out more about me and my career on IMDb – https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1648016/
or at my website – https://www.austinbasis.com/
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Kinetix and the Glowing Orb of Gorthon?
AB: The graphic novel is now available in hardcover or paperback, and there are links to purchase the best option for you at our official website: https://www.kinetixbooks.com/
To JOIN Team Kinetix, LIKE and FOLLOW us on social media for updates, specials and sales:
https://www.instagram.com/kinetix_books/
https://www.instagram.com/the_kinetix/
https://www.facebook.com/kinetixbooks/
https://www.facebook.com/TheKinetixTeamPage/
And thank you, Barbra, for taking the time to talk with us about The Kinetix! Dave, Josh, and I truly appreciate being able to share our story with you.
