A few months ago Matt and I made our way to an event that essentially worked as speed dating but for artists and writers of comics. There we met Chris, Adam, and Mimi. Chris and Adam were the creative minds behind the Rapture Burgers comic and were desperately looking for somebody to put a face to their characters and world. After reviewing their first two issues, I had to interview them. Thanks again to Chris, Adam and Mimi for dealing with my technical difficulties!
So all three if you met at the [Creators] Conference? How was that experience for all of you?
Adam: Well Chris and I knew eachother before that, but yes, we met Mimi at the creator conference.
Chris: Right, we did meet there. Our goal, from the outset, was to find someone to replace my sister, who was our original artist. It was an interesting event, which is that is was basically speed dating for an artist.
Mimi, how did you enjoy the conference, as an artist?
Mimi: When I explain it to people I use the term “speed dating” as well. I thought it was a really great experience. I got to see a bunch of other artist and what was out there in addition to getting actual work. It was an awesome way to well… get commissions. I wouldn’t have met Chris and Adam with out it.
So, how did they go about asking you to be their artist? Did they have to woo you a bit?
Mimi: Not really. Their project seemed fun and my art style was close enough to what they were looking for.
Adam: I did wink at her pretty suggestively. I don’t think that’s what did it, though.
Chris: We were talking about whether or not we wanted to go forward with things, because Mimi sketched out Camille on the spot, which was totally cool. I think my words were, “…If we can afford you.”
How did the money negotiations go?
Chris: I think money negotiations went pretty well. I offered what I thought was “right” basically on the spot. We followed up with some emails and talk about schedule of pages per week. Typical stuff, I imagine.
Sounds like that the Creators thing worked out wonderfully for all three of you. So you have two issues out, what are your long term plans for RB?
Chris: Really, when we started, it was planned to be a typical, weekly webcomic that had a punchline at the end of each page/strip, but over the years that it took to get anything actually produced, we evolved into a full-fleshed story that we wanted to pitch to publishers.
WHY is it no longer a weekly webcomic?
Mimi: I know Chris as a specific answer for this, because I’ve asked the same thing.
Chris: Well, like I said, it started that way. I suppose it veered away from being a 4-panel strip into full pages. Back then, it was less of a story and more of a general premise that was going to be exploited for laughs, then eventually get some kind of continuity.
Adam: A lot of the first chapter was original written in this webcomic format. A few jokes survived from that period.
Chris: But, as we continued to work with it and evolved, I guess I got the “I want to publish this” bug and really pushed for full pages and a continuing story.
How has it been working with each other for writing, and Mimi, How is it drawing something that is not your story/vision?
Adam: It’s pretty easy as far as colaborations go. We have complimenting strengths when it comes to storytelling. He has the big ideas and the clear vision, and I provide the specific words for them.
Chris: And also, he’s a much better techical writer than I am, and usually adds the funny to my jokes.
Mimi: These two are actually very liberating to work with as far as most commissioners go.
Why so?
Mimi: I mean, I can do almost anything I want with the background enviornment and character, and even add some sight gags.
Adam: Mimi has contributed quite a few of my favorite sight gags.
Mimi: They give me a script and then I can just have fun with it. Of course some times there are a few issues, like some character’s hair needs to be different, or Camille looks a little too angry in this picture and I fix it. I’m glad when I get those notes, because I want these pages to be what they want.
Chris: That’s actually one of the things we wanted/encourage. My sister wasn’t very uhh…obedient? Is that a good word? We’d call something out in the script and she’d just do whatever she wanted instead, and it was usually funny.
Adam: Ha ha ha. Obedient is not a good word, and I hope she doesn’t read it.
Mimi: Hmm, this is to imply that I am.
You guys all recently met, and started working together, and it appears to be going well for everybody with a solid plan in the future. What do you think is the most important factor to keep that positive feel good feeling going?
Adam: Company retreat, maybe? I’m thinking Disneyland. But for real, I love that we each have our ideas, and everyone gets an input into the comic. Our various senses of humor have gelled into a project I’m pretty proud of.
Chris: Yeah, I agree with Adam. I think we have good communication and rapport these days. I trust Mimi to meet the deadline or let me know if there’s going to be a delay, and we know what to expect from her art.
Mimi: I think just making sure we all understand what is going on and being communicative. This is the best job ever.
[End Interview]
