The Stela app has been host to a number of really interesting series since launching last year, but none of them have had a shrinking bear assassin. At least not until “Codename: Ursa Minor” showed up on the scene last week. Written by Dennis Culver (“Edison Rex,” “Robocop”) and illustrated by Denis Medri (“Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven,” “Red Hood/Arsenal”), the book is about a Soviet-era assassin who has been in a state of stasis for years, but is unleashed when tensions rise up between members of the United States and Russian governments.
Of course, that assassin can shrink down to the size of an action figure, and turn into a grizzly bear.
We spoke to Culver and Medri about the book, which is exclusively availble via the Stela app. New installments drop every Tuesday for the next ten weeks.
So, I know this question is asked in just about every interview about any comic, but why a shrinking bear assassin?
Dennis Culver: Don’t ask me how my brain works man because I don’t know. My original concept for “Codename: Ursa Minor” did not involve espionage or assassination and it didn’t quite work until I added those elements.
It is funny to say this, but this comic feels oddly relevant to our world at the moment. When was the idea conceived? Did the idea of having a Russian operative in Washington seem novel at that time?
DC: It’s been in the works for a while and I had pitched it around before it landed at Stela about a year ago. I had no idea how relevant it would be when it came out!
Denis, how do you balance the need for Ursa Minor to be both frightening but also, you know, tiny, and therefore adorable?
Denis Medri: Speaking with Dennis, the idea I cam up with was to make a character that was a mix of a real threatening grizzly bear, a teddy bear, some anthropomorphic elements such as the facial mimicry, and some attitude in the movements that gives him an original spin
Creating a book for the Stela app is obviously different than writing for other formats, due to the way the strips are arranged. From both a writing and artistic standpoint, how does that change the way you approach the book?
DC: Denis and I truly collaborated on the creation of this book. We also laid the book out so that it can be later printed as a book. From a writing standpoint I had to think a little differently about structure as each chapter is about a third of a regular comic and pretty much every single panel is a page turn for the reader. It was challenging, but once it was in Medri’s hands he nailed it. I’m really proud of our work!
DM: It was the first time for me working on a comic book planned directly for digital fruition, and formatted for a smartphone or tablet. Dennis and (series editor) Jim Gibbons were helpful in explaining the differences between traditional comics and the app and I quickly became familiar. It’s also been really helpful working with Dennis (who is also an artist) because in addition to the written script, he provided some quick storyboards to help me better understand the composition of the screen.
There is something wonderful and really specific about Soviet-era architecture and technology, and the book reflects that nicely, especially in the sunken Soviet headquarters. What is it about the iconography and design of that era that stands the test of time, at least in fiction?
DC: That hammer and sickle is so iconic and the red and gold is a great color combination but really I think what you’re responding to most is Denis Medri. That guy is a GREAT designer. his characters all have distinct personalities and he puts things in the environment not suggested in the script that really enhance the story. Again he nailed it!
DM: It’s been fun to me working on the creation of this universe, thanks to Dennis, who is always available to discuss things and gives me all the freedom to put my ideas into these concepts. I think that we both as kids growing up in the 80s, have lived through the “cold war” so we had the chance to live the era of movies and entertaiment were it was represented. Rocky IV, or Danko etc. So we’ve got a specific iconographic idea of the soviet union that feels familiar but different from reality.
Usually my inspiration comes from my experiences, my memories, and what is around me. I think that an artist has to be as a sponge that absorbs information, images, ideas, sounds etc, and the result of this mix is a brand new thing. As I said, I’m grateful to Dennis and Stela, for giving me the possibility to work as I wanted. It’s the conditions that I most love, and usually when I feel free and I love what I do, the results are good. This project allowed me to experiment with a new technique It was the first time I’ve applied it to an entire comic book. It’s been fun and interesting and I think I will use it for other works too.
