The following is an interview with Humberto Avila regarding the upcoming Kickstarter campaign launch for the comic book, Dumb Reminders, in collaboration with publisher Rolling Squid Bones. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Avila about his 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 upcoming Kickstarter campaign launch for Dumb Reminders! What can you tell us about the genesis behind the story, and how would you describe its overall premise?
Humberto Avila: Thank you! The idea of Dumb Reminders was inspired from reflecting on my experience interacting with people after I was discharged from the hospital following my rollover car accident. As I was new to living with my disability, I met (and to this day) well-international people who want to talk/interact with me. After the initial “Hello” I’ve been me with “Wow, that chair looks comfortable!”, “Is your ride street legal?” or “Can I get a ride? My feet hurt.” I understand that it’s not meant with ill intent, but these statements only serve to remind me of the permanence of my disability but also the trauma and heartache that comes with losing a former sense of self.
I also became aware of how little (if at all) or plainly represented people with disabilities are written or portrayed as “inspirational” or needing saving instead as characters with agency. So, I took it upon myself to express my experience.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing this story and its characters to life on the page?
HA: It took months of introspection and gave myself a hard look in the mirror to determine how I was going to address sensitive issues regarding relationships, medical diagnosis, and managing a tight budget. So, I had to fit years of experience and the medical aspect in twenty-four pages. It was daunting and bittersweet to look back at better times. Skillfully, artist Kat Penrose was able to capture the feeling and aesthetic of the book with her artwork!
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums and genres. 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?
HA: Comics as a medium is fantastic in discussing sensitive topics such as disability, loss, and slice-of-life genres! Medical diagnosis, symptoms, and the terminology by its very own is cold, sterile, and matter of fact. With comics/graphic novels, the artwork acts as the bridging conduit to reveal the humanity of those with medical diagnosis.
I’d also like everyone who reads this to be more aware of the world that they inhabit includes people with disabilities. With that, I’d like to add that I, too, was able-bodied and living an average life independently. Until one day, in the blink of an eye, it forever changed. One never knows what life has in store.
BD: What makes Rolling Squid Bones the perfect publishing partner for this story?
HA: Rolling Squid Bones is the perfect publisher because they understand that real life can be terrifying in its own unpredictable way. As a small press publisher, they understand that alone it’s difficult to progress and have support in bringing stories like this to light. When pitching this book they welcomed the story enthusiastically and I couldn’t be happier.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
HA: Yes! I previously had self-published a horror comic called The Reckoning and while I successfully crowdfunded the book and spent a year tabling at conventions, I took in the experience and feedback to improve the story. The Reckoning is my first attempt and after hiring a wonderful writer Wells Thompson to edit the story. I am excited to show a fully realized story under his critical eye. I also hired a phenomenal artist in Dave Fowler; it’s coming together very well, and I am excited to share it with the world!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Dumb Reminders and your other work?
HA: We can be found at:
rollingsquidbones.com
Dachcomics.com
Instagram: Dachcomics
Bluesky: Dachcomics
Kickstarter
