The following is an interview with comics creator Claus Daniel Herrmann regarding the recent release of the YA graphic novel, Pink Monsters, with Oni Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Herrmann about the genesis of bringing the story and characters to life on the page, the themes that he hopes may resonate with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Pink Monsters! What can you share with us about the genesis behind this project, and how would you describe its premise?
Claus Daniel Herrmann: The story of Pink Monsters is based on experiences I had as a teenager with cult-like structures. Monster drawings and colors played a big role in it, so turning it into a comic seemed a good idea. My alter ego is the teenager Frank. His father, Georg, is severely depressed, and there seems to be no cure through conventional medical means. So Frank’s mother, Sandra, invites Thea, a holistic healer, into their home; at first, she seems to bring “good energy” into the house. But Thea’s “energies” soon prove toxic to young Frank, making it harder for him to come to terms with his homosexuality, which his family is not yet aware of.
BD: Graphic Medicine is an emerging genre that combines the field of medicine with the medium of comics. How do you feel that Graphic Medicine stories like this one can allow readers to process their own struggles with their sexuality and identity?
CDH: I think comics are very good at bridging gaps between people by sharing different perspectives. In Pink Monsters, you see how a boy faces hardship because of his sexuality but remains true to himself, and ultimately emerges from the experience stronger than before. As a teenager, stories like that would have helped me realize sooner that the way I am might be hard for others to understand, but that doesn’t make it bad or wrong. If Pink Monsters can give some LGBTQIA+ people courage today, I’ll be very happy.
BD: What makes Oni Press the perfect publishing partner for Pink Monsters?
CDH: Oni Press has a strong lineup of comics in the young adult and LGBTQIA+ genres, and I’m truly delighted that Pink Monsters gets to be a part of it. From the very beginning, Managing Editor Christopher Cerasi gave me the impression that he was personally committed to making my comic accessible to an American audience—a feeling that was evident throughout our collaboration. Plus, “Oni” are monsters, too—it’s just a perfect fit.
BD: For any readers who may be struggling with their sexual or gender identity, are there any resources or advice that you would like to offer?
CDH: Feeling left alone with identity struggles is the worst thing. But you can reach out to others! As a teenager, I was lucky that there was a youth center for queer people in my city, Cologne, that I could visit. The people there made sure I was doing okay, and I was able to build a network with others who were facing similar questions as I was. I would turn to the youth center again in a heartbeat, and I support the organization today. I would advise young people to look for similar organizations.
BD: As this book marks your US debut, are there any additional projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers who would like to learn more about your work?
CDH: I’d love to highlight “In Our Garden,” a short comic about how my brother and I buried our family dog in the garden. It’s a brief collection of beautiful and bittersweet memories told in just a few words, and it makes a wonderful gift! The comic was published in English by Jaja-Verlag Berlin and has already brought many pet owners to tears.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Pink Monsters?
CDH: Frank draws dark monster pictures for his crush. A key experience Frank has involves painting over his monster drawings with pink paint. The healer Thea even turns this into a kind of ceremony. The color pink therefore plays an important role in the comic and symbolizes various ideas as the story unfolds. I’d be very interested to hear how you perceive the color while reading!
