The following is an interview with writer Fred Kennedy regarding the upcoming release of the action/comedy comic book series, The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacres, with Mad Cave Studios. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Kennedy about his shared creative process in working with artist James Edward Clark to bring the story and characters to life on the page, why it’s vital that readers learn to fear the hippopotamus, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of the off-the-wall action/comedy series, The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre! What can you tell us about the series’ overall premise, and what, pray tell, led to its genesis?
Fred Kennedy: It’s a tongue-in-cheek love letter to every over-the-top DARE video we watched in class.
Basically, I took an anti-drug movie but smooshed it into an action movie…it’s a mountain of tropes and insanity really. There’s a bit of anger in there, too, of course, as Joan Rivers said every joke is an attack, and I think that holds true here.
I was actually texting with Adam Gorham about insane concepts and then…this one came up. We also talked about dinosaur astronauts, so…maybe that’s next?
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist James Edward Clark to bring this wacky world and characters to life on the page?
FK: It was really casual. He bought in right away. He likes grindhouse and I like silly, and I think together we threw both aspects in a blender nicely.
BD: This series will clearly serve as a very necessary and impactful awareness campaign about the dangers of the hippopotamus. What do you hope that readers will take away from this public service announcement?
FK: I think there’s a lot of tongue-in-cheek in this book, because I dunno how many people remember how virulently the “anti-commie, and anti-drug” sentiments were a few decades ago…
BD: What makes Mad Cave the perfect home for this series?
FK: James Emmett. Our editor believed in us. And he supported us. And I think a lot of people would have passed over the book cause it is…out there. But he said that it was so different it made him take note. He said he liked it TOO much when he first read it.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
FK: Mud79
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre?
FK: Mad Cave’s website…and mine and James’ (artist James, of course) social channels!
