STUFFED BEASTIARY: MIKE BULLOCK ON LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant
Everyone's been a kid once – for some people, maybe even twice – and all of us have the felt the fear and apprehension of going to bed in a dark room. Maybe it's what's underneath your bed, or what's inside the recesses of your closet, or maybe even what lurks behind your dresser. For some parents, stuffed animals are used as companions for growing boys and girls, but if those stuffed animals could do what they do in Lions, Tigers and Bears… well, those parents might have second thoughts.

Lions, Tigers and Bears debuted in February 2005, following a young boy named Joey Price that finds out his stuffed animals can come to life – and do, to protect him from monsters in his closet known as the Beasties. In a review of the series by Newsarama's own All-Ages Reads column, writer Tracy Edmunds describes it as "a simple, old-fashioned good vs. evil story" with stuffed lions, tigers… and yes…. Bears.

Created by writer Mike Bullock and illustrated by Jack Lawrence and later Paul Gutierrez, two volumes have been released so far – with a third planned for later this year. The series has seen success in the all-ages comics market in the United States as well as abroad, being one of the few American-made series to achieve numerous awards at the main European comics convention, Angoulême.

With the collected edition of volume 3 due in February and a new third volume coming shortly thereafter, we talked with the series creator and writer Mike Bullock for more.

Newsarama: Two volumes under your belt and a third on your way, Mike, what's your thought on this series you created going this far?

Mike Bullock: I feel blessed. I can clearly remember a time when I thought the first issue would never even come out, much less make the splash it did. It's nice to know people appreciate all the hard work that's gone into this series from all involved.

NRAMA: With two successful volumes, I have to ask – when is the third volume coming and what's it about?

MB: You should see Volume 3 #1 later in 2008. I don't want to let too much out of the bag, but I can tell you there are new characters (human, stuffed animal and Beastie) and it involves pirate adventure on the high seas.

NRAMA: For those who haven't read Lions, Tigers & Bears, what would you say it is about?

MB: It was originally labeled "Monsters Inc. meets the Chronicles of Narnia", and then called "The absolute best all-ages comic series out there." For me, it's just the most fun I've ever had using my imagination.

NRAMA: Lions, Tigers & Bears has a big following in Europe, going so far as winning a major award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. Tell us about the response from overseas.

MB: That sort of came out of left field. When the initial comics began selling out so fast, the European comic publishers began to take notice. First Italy Comics licensed it, then Egmont and several others. Before long, it was selling all over Europe and we were receiving letters of praise from more countries than I can remember at one time.

I remember sitting at my desk one day and getting an email notifying me of a private message on the Image Comics message boards. I logged in and found a PM that said, "Congrats, you've won!" Having no idea what that meant, I replied asking for clarification and the gentleman was kind enough to fill me in that we'd won the Discovery Youth Prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival.

NRAMA: In 2005, the series was optioned for film. Can you tell us how that's going now?

MB: The first company to option it was Union Entertainment. They were very enthusiastic and had wonderful plans, but the company went through some sort of reorganization soon thereafter and the option lapsed before they were ready to move. While we get offers constantly, the current WGA strike in Hollywood has everything at a standstill. I hope that once the strike is resolved, the property will get some legs under it and start moving forward in that arena.

NRAMA: Volume two came out in 2006 as a miniseries, and the collected edition is due in stores this Spring. Do you have any special signings or convention appearances planned this year for that?

MB: I'll be attending the Emerald City Comic Con with copies of both Lions, Tigers & Bears trades and the soon to be released Secrets of the Seasons: The Gimoles trade paperback (which comes out a month after Lions, Tigers & Bears volume 2) on hand for a signing party. I can't urge people enough to attend Emerald City Comic Con, hands down the best show of the year every time I've gone.

[Bob LeFevre]

I love these books!!! I'll be buying the volume three for sure!

[Blackbeard]

Great interview, Mike and Chris! I'm looking forward to volume 3.

[ArchonComics]

Glad to here about the new volume. I absolutely love these books! I first saw Jack Lawrence's work in LTB Vol 1. I liked his art so much, I asked him to do a cover for my comic, The Goblin Chronicles (in stores Feb). He was nice enough to agree and here's what he did:



Sorry for the side plug, Mike, I couldn't resist! It's kinda on topic.
Now go out there and buy Lions, Tigers and Bears Vol 1 &2 right now people!

[CitC]

That's good news.

I will soon be getting vols 1-2 (and 3 when it comes out) for my grade 3 classroom. Two years ago I had the same kids in grade one that I have now and we read a 10 page LTB comic that Mike has up on his site. They loved it back then and I actually had two of the kids ask to read it last week. We all read it together today on the Smartbord.

[Kevenn]

These are great! Looking forward to Volume III.

[comicfanuk]

Oo! I loved LTB! I didn't know a vol3 was comming out! Yay! Looking foward to that!

[CoreyB]

Who's going to be the artist? I'd love it if Jack Lawrence returned.

[ssava]

Congrats Mike and gang!

Wishing you continued success in all things buddy.

[Mike Bullock]

Thanks for all the kind words, folks.

The cover above is done by the amazing Kevin Myers (as are the character designs of Grillus & Captain Scurvy). You can check out more of Kevin's work in the Image POPGUN v1 anthology (it's near the Tiger-Man story by yours truly, featuring the same TM tale Joey is reading in LTBv1!).

Kevin is going to be the new LTB cover artist. The interior work is being done by another amazing new artist, who I won't mention just yet, as we plan to let everyone know once we have some of his eye candy to show off.

[FIG]

I think this is the perfect series to introduce kids to comics. I'll be buying all the trades I can find for my nephews so they can get into comics when they get a little older. I also want to comment on how solid the art and story are. Its like I'm watching a cartoon by Disney and its also inspiring to me as an artist.

[Mike Bullock]

I just noticed the pic of Grillus isn't up there. Click here to check him out.

Anyone have any questions about the current series or v3?

[idkidd]

Anyone have any questions about the current series or v3?

I have a couple general marketing questions on the book:

1) Have you considered at all making the issues available online either at a pay site like eyemelt.com or at the advertiser supported wowio.com? I'd like to know what conclusions you came to.

2) Do you have any kind of introductory, outreach packet that you mail to either comic shops or libraries? LT&B seems like a natural fit for the young adult or children's sections of a library and, at least with my local library, it seems they gravitate toward the "mainstream" Marvel/DC offerings unless you really point an independent out to them. I'd be happy to forward such a packet to the lady in charge of my library's graphic novel ordering (7 branches plus book mobiles).

[Mike Bullock]

Originally Posted by idkidd

I have a couple general marketing questions on the book:

1) Have you considered at all making the issues available online either at a pay site like eyemelt.com or at the advertiser supported wowio.com? I'd like to know what conclusions you came to.

2) Do you have any kind of introductory, outreach packet that you mail to either comic shops or libraries? LT&B seems like a natural fit for the young adult or children's sections of a library and, at least with my local library, it seems they gravitate toward the "mainstream" Marvel/DC offerings unless you really point an independent out to them. I'd be happy to forward such a packet to the lady in charge of my library's graphic novel ordering (7 branches plus book mobiles).

Hi idkidd,
Here's some answers for you:

1) We had LTBv1 #1 on Drunk Duck for a little while, but took it back down. While it received lots of solid feedback, there was really nothing to indicate that it translated into books sold.

2) We don't have a standard package, but shoot me an email and I'd love to discuss getting into your library. Right now, it's in a lot of libraries and schools, but not nearly enough.