The re-release of a self-published work always brings a new legion of fans to a project, and Alabaster Pizzo’s “Mimi and the Wolves” is no stranger to this concept. The success of the series saw it go from a small, hand-printed run in 2013 to a beautiful new hardcover collection released through Avery Hill this month. Despite its passionate fanbase, there are sure to be some who have yet to discover the wonderful world of anthropomorphic animals, their lives, their loves, and the darkness that lingers on the edges of their world. We caught up with Alabaster to see what its been like growing as a creator with this series, as well as all the things that go into making it work.
Hi Alabaster! “Mimi and the Wolves” is a wonderful series that seems to take inspiration from all manner of folk stories and fairy tales, but it also feels like a very personal project for you. What made you want to mix the fantastical and the autobiographical in this way?
Alabaster Pizzo: It’s a lot easier (for me, anyway) to tell a personal story through a filter. I think it makes it more accessible to others, too. The themes in the story are open to interpretation.
This new book from Avery Hill collects the first three volumes of the series, and while it’s sure to gather a whole new fanbase, it’s been a part of your life since 2013. How has it been growing as a creator and as a person with “Mimi and the Wolves?” Have you felt your style and approach to the book evolving over the years?
AP: I’ve evolved a LOT in this time. Looking back at some earlier pages can be tough! But I choose to think of it as a project that’s been able to grow with me. Even the way it’s been available has changed twice. Originally I was hand-making 200 editions of each Act at a time, and when supply exceeded demand, I had perfect bound copies made 1,000 at a time. I meant to see this through until the end but I’m pretty bad at self-distributing and when Avery Hill asked to take this burden from me (and do a way better job- the books are beautiful!) I accepted. I’m still going to make the hand made version for the remaining Acts so people can complete their collections.
Apart from “Mimi and the Wolves,” you also worked on a weekly comic for Vice called “Ralphie and Jeanie.” I imagine a weekly comic is a lot of pressure! What did you learn about yourself as you worked on that project?
AP: This was a great exercise because I was required to write a cohesive story, draw and color it in such a short amount of time, 14 times in a row. I learned that it could be done. In 2016 I released two 60+ page comics in book form and these. It certainly set a standard, which I haven’t kept up since because life gets in the way, but it’s cool to know I could put out 200 pages of comics in a year if I put my mind to it. I was putting out “Ralphie and Jeanie” while I was making my mind up to transition to working in animation, and those comics are episodic the way a TV show would be. I thought I could write that way, but until then I hadn’t actually done it.
You also provided background art for the fantastic Tuca and Bertie, what was that experience like for you?
AP: Ahhh so amazing. That too was a crash course in a lot of new skills, since the pace for TV animation is so fast. Being on a team making something so innovative was a chance in a lifetime. I’m so proud of the show.
While “Mimi and the Wolves” looks on the surface like a family-friendly adventure, there is a darker side to the series which, as you read through the story, adds a wonderfully unpredictable edge! How important has it been to strike the right tonal balance throughout the series?
AP: I’m often asked if I was trying to intentionally create a contrast between cute imagery and dark themes, and I wasn’t really. I like to draw “cutely,” I guess, but I want to write emotionally compelling stories. Aside from the themes of the story, I like cozy home interiors and village-y city streets, so those settings are featured a lot. A lot of what Mimi has already at the beginning story is an ideal (from my perspective, anyway): a treehouse home/studio on the edge of a major city, a stable relationship, a few close friends, access to art supplies and farm-fresh food; and yet she decides to put all of that at risk in pursuit of a somewhat dangerous notion that she might be destined for something “more interesting.”
This new hardback collection includes the first three volumes of “Mimi and the Wolves,” and while it ends in a satisfying way, there’s undoubtedly more to the story. What can fans expect from the series moving forward?
AP: I don’t want to give anything away! The honeymoon phase of Mimi and her wolf companions is certainly over.
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add about the series for those who are curious about picking up the book when it comes out?
AP: Uh, just a “thank you!” if you do!
Thanks for your time!
“Mimi and the Wolves” volume 1 is available for pre-order now via the Avery Hill website
