The following is an interview with Arianna Margulis and Dru Radovich, co-creators of the well-known Instagram account-turned-comic book series, But Like Maybe? from Bliss on Tap Publishing. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Margulis and Radovich about the premise of their new series, the evolution of their story from social media to the sequential art medium, their process in working together, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of But Like Maybe? through Bliss on Tap Publishing! For our readers who may be unfamiliar with the story, how would you describe its premise?
Arianna Margulis and Dru Radovich: Thank you!! Oh, well let’s see… something like… the humorous ups and downs of a millennial woman, struggling to find her true self – and a boyfriend. A life led by mistakes and learning from them, she moves to New York City because that’s where she believes all the important stuff happens, and she needs to be a “somebody” – soon.
BD: The comic book had a very unique beginning in that it evolved from a wildly popular Instagram account. When did you discover that the Instagram account had become such a hit, and how did you decide to adapt it to the sequential art medium?
AM: I think the first time I felt that @butlikemaybe could be more was when it got its first spotlight on Cosmopolitan’s snapchat channel. A friend of a friend of a friend put one of the cartoons up, and I gained 27,000 followers in one day.
DR: We wanted to explore and further develop But Like’s world, introduce new characters, and expand on her story, so comic books felt like the natural next step. Comics are such a special culture and community, and we’re excited to finally be a part of it. We geek out at comic book stores now.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in working with one another on the writing and the artwork?
AM: A bi-coastal love affair. We really are in a serious, committed relationship. I draw with a sharpie, take photos of my art, scan it into Dru, who writes and compiles the comic book on some archaic Japanese computer program. We had no idea what we were doing, but we wanted to bring her to life, so we made it work. We had literally met one time in person before creating the book – a girl power fairy tale.
BD: What do you hope that readers will take away from the comic?
AM: I think they will take away some serious laughs and the feeling that they’re not alone. Everyone makes mistakes, texts too soon, stays out too late – but it’s how we get up and keep going after these missteps. It’s all going to be OK.
DR: Hopefully, they will NOT take away my misspelling of “rehearsal.” THE AGONY!!! Actually, I take that back… BUY OUR BOOK TO FIND THE MISSPELLING.
BD: What makes publisher Bliss on Tap a great home for But Like Maybe?
AM + DR: Bliss on Tap is real, and it’s a family business—and we’re a little family now, too. Brian Phillipson, Alex Murillo, and Phil Phillipson are comic veterans and have been incredible mentors to us. Their passion for comic books and the creative process in general is contagious, and it’s been amazing working with them.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
AM+DR: Well, for sure book 2!!!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about But Like Maybe? and your other work?
AM+ DR: We hope you will follow the Instagram, Twitter, snap — @butlikemaybe. You can find fun goodies on www.butlikemaybe.com, too!
