Welcome to Noteworthy. I’m Will Scott and it’s my job to highlight projects, publications, and artists that Sequential Highway believes, due to the quality of their work or the creative message they’re sending, warrant more attention from the comic book market. This installment: Travis Hanson
A friend sent me an email one day. The subject line read, “Check this out.”
The link I clicked on led me to Travis Hanson’s Beanleaf Press. I was immediately struck with the innocence and charm of Travis’ work. It made me smile. Take a look; I’m sure you’ll become a fan too.
Image may be NSFW.
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Will Scott: Please tell our readers a little about yourself and your comics project, The Bean.
Travis Hanson: My name is Travis Hanson and I write and illustrate the Epic fantasy tale of a dishwasher called the Bean. It was nominated for an Eisner in 2011 and I am currently working on the fourth book of the series. I also draw fantasy prints dedicated to the importance of using one’s imagination.
WS: Is The Bean an all-ages book?
TH: Yes, I wrote it for my kids. I have heard it described as Bone meets Lord of the Rings.
WS: Sadly, there are less and less comic book stores stocking alternative material. Did you choose to offer The Bean as a web comic series because of the challenges of promoting indie books to retailers and publishers in the current comics market?
TH: It was such an uphill battle that I saw no other opportunity for me in the beginning. I figured that if I put it online, I would have a much better chance of building an audience, than if I had just tried to get it into stores through a broken distribution model in the comics industry. People used to tell us we were insane for giving it away for free online and that no one would buy the books. They turned out to be wrong. We found our fan base—which is constantly growing—very supportive and very excited about having a hardcopy as well.
It didn’t happen over night. It has taken comic shows, social media and a lot of patience to see it happen, but I am quite pleased. We have had far more success than had we gone through a small indie publisher. And since I deal directly with my fan base, it makes the whole experience far more personal. No middleman.
WS: Does the web offer you the opportunity to build an audience more quickly than does the traditional distributor-to-comic-store-to-reader model?
TH: Yes, but it still takes time. You still have to promote and you end up working the comic convention scene a little harder. I believe it is the way of the future for indies and small press.
WS: Have you considered marketing The Bean directly to libraries and schools? Have you been approached by libraries and schools to carry The Bean?
TH: Not yet. As a one-man show, I have limited time. So I focus on what works right now to gain new readers: social media, regular and consistent updates and conventions.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
WS: What is it about the fantasy genre that attracts you to it? And why use the comics medium to tell your story?
TH: I love fantasy, I grew up with it. The Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit was a huge influence for me as were Elf Quest, Bone and several other European comics. I love the way stories are told using the comic form. Since I am an artist—and a comic artist—it was very natural for me to tell it this way. I think that art and the written word together can be a very powerful tool if done right. It really allowed my fans to see my vision, the world as I envisioned it.
WS: How have people generally responded to The Bean series? Has the comics community embraced it?
TH: The reaction has been really positive. The Eisner nod for best digital in 2011 helped. Even though we didn’t win, it gave us credibility and good exposure.
WS: Currently there are three volumes of The Bean in print. Are they sold in retail outlets or exclusively on your web site? Can retailers contact you about stocking them in their stores?
TH: They are sold in some store, but mostly exclusively through my store. I sign each one and add a drawing to it, to personalize it a bit. It adds to the experience [of the relationship] between fan and creator. I like that.
Retailers, though, can contact me direct. Makes it easier for them. We offer 55% of the msrp price so it makes it worth it to deal direct with the creators.
WS: Who—or what—most strongly influences you or informs your work?
TH: My influences are all over the place. Each one has influenced different aspects of my art. Mike Kunkel (Hero Bear and the Kid), William Stout, James Owen (Star Child), Richard and Wendy Pini (Elfquest), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Pascal Campion, Jeff Smith (Bone), David Peterson (Mouseguard), Daniel Davis (who with his wife runs Steam Crow) my parents and my wife and kids, plus so many others. It’s a constant growth experience and I still meeting new people out there that inspire me.
WS: How can your readership help promote your project? Tweet? Blog? Facebook?
TH: All of the above. Just by sharing updates and liking posts, encouraging others to read—that is a big help. I am very active on all social media, but the central location has always been www.beanleafpress.com. I am always promoting something new.
WS: Lastly, if you could choose one or more artists other than yourself to draw your stories who might you choose?
TH: William Stout, Mike Kunkel or Aaron Pocock, an awesome Australian artist who needs to be discovered out here in the U.S. Yet that would be my top three.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.