Oni Press has earned a reputation for publishing quality books with diverse narratives and empowering talented creators. In the process, they have garnered multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, affirming their excellent work. The latest addition to their collection is the original graphic novel ‘Eat Your Heart Out, Volume 1,’ by creators and co-writers Terry Blas and Matty Newton, artist Lydia Anslow, and colorist Claudia Aguirre. This fashion fairy tale follows a young girl named Blanca who chases her dream of becoming a fashion designer by moving to New York City from Boise, Idaho, unbeknownst to her mother, who had other plans for her life. It’s a story of self-discovery, bravery, chasing one’s ambitions, and finding family in the most unexpected places.
Recently, we had the opportunity to talk to Co-Creator Terry Blas about their beginnings, this book, and how it all came about. So, let’s welcome talented writer and creator Terry Blas to GVN Talking Comics.
Creative Background
GVN: Thank you for sharing a bit of your time, Terry. Since this is the first time we have had the pleasure of chatting, let’s delve a bit into your creative background. When did you take an interest in drawing and writing comics and whose work inspired you toward that end?
TB: I’ve always enjoyed drawing, ever since I was little. I was always making up characters and coming up with stories for them, but I always felt my focus was drawing. I went to art school and got an illustration degree. When I was done with school, I started doing comic covers and some interior comic pages, but I realized that my strengths were really in coming up with stories and planning them out, so I started studying writing and pitching ideas. And that’s how my career in comics began.
Helioscope
GVN: A couple of other quick things before we get to your upcoming book from Oni Press, ‘Eat Your Heart Out, Volume One. I saw that you are a member of Helioscope (formerly Periscope Studios). How did the collaboration come about and what did you see as the benefits at that time of coming together with other talented creators like yourself?
TB: After college a good friend of mine who was already a Helioscope member invited me there to draw and work. I knew I needed to show up, be professional and not be a distraction to anyone. Eventually they asked me to be a member. Just being there, I learned a lot, and it was interesting and inspiring being around so many other comic book writers and artists. Also, frankly, it was easier to make connections and find jobs in comics by just being in that room as well.
Hispanic VS Latino
GVN: In my research, I found a wonderful 2016 Vox article where you explained the differences between being Hispanic and Latino. You broke it down into simple terms that even an old guy like me (who does confuse the terms) could understand. What made you decide to explain the differences and in such an entertaining way?
TB: Well, I live in the Portland Oregon area and it’s one of the whitest major cities in the United States. I found many people would use the terms interchangeably and I always felt that they didn’t mean the same thing. I would never tell anyone else how to identify or what terms to use, but I wanted to make a short comic explaining what those terms mean to me and which ones I use. In the years since that comic has been used in textbooks and college lectures and that’s pretty astounding to me. I also made another comic explaining what the term Latinx means, which is a very divisive term to some people. But I think the best thing we can do as people is refer to others the way they want to be referred to.
Eat Your Heart Out, Volume 1
GVN: So, let’s get the reason we are here: Your upcoming book at Oni Press, Eat Your Heart Out, Volume 1, co-written by Matty Newton and with art by Lydia Anslow. An entertaining story about being brave enough to put yourself out there to explore your passions. While along the way, opening yourself to the possibility of creating a new family that supports those ambitions. What was the genesis of this story and how did Matty and yourself come to partner in its creation?
TB: Matty and I have been friends for a long time and for almost as long as we’ve known each other we’ve had this idea. At first, it was just a fun way to pass the time and come up with ideas but pretty quickly it started to become something we couldn’t stop thinking about. Initially we were inspired by many things. Fairy Tales shows like Ugly Betty, things I experienced in New York, and my desire to see more people of color and LGBTQ people in fantastical stories set there. Matty and I have very similar brains, and we often think of the same thing or will hear a turn of phrase, and it will remind us of the same movie quote or scene from a show. So, writing together was fun and natural.
Controlling Mother
GVN: I think one of the strong elements in the narrative, besides the diverse group of friends that Blanca meets, are the reactions of her mother. Parents always want what’s best for their children but sometimes have a difficult time separating what THEY think is best for them. Was this always a main part of the narrative or did it develop as the story progressed?
TB: A controlling mother (or stepmother) is a big part of a few fairytales, so it was necessary to the story, and it made for a good catalyst in Blanca running away. We wanted to introduce Reina as a very surface level, telenovela style villain but the more you get of her character, especially in Volume 2, you come to see how layered and interesting Reina is. In Volume 1 you know that she lost her husband. You see a flashback of her mother, Blanca’s grandmother, and see how she was very different from Reina too. Hopefully people pick up a little on the fact that Reina may have had to become the way she is in order to raise her daughter with a sense of safety and security. She’s just taking it a little too far.
Lydia Anslow
GVN: Lydia did a wonderful job on this book with a look that almost screams for animation. As an artist yourself, do you have any reservations about turning your work over for interpretation and how closely did you and Matty work with Lydia about the look you wanted?
TB: Lydia is incredibly talented and hardworking and does great storyboarding work for animation. As an artist, part of what inspires me to make more art is seeing the art other people create so it’s not really hard to hand a script over to another artist. I find it pretty exciting. Matty is an incredible artist as well and he did some really inspiring set designs for the brownstone our cast lives in. We did work pretty close with Lydia, providing a lot of reference and asking for a few specific things considering there were actual places in New York we would see and actual fashion that was shown at the Met.
Oni Press
GVN: You are working with the good folks at Oni Press for this book. How did that partnership come together?
TB: Oni published my first book, Dead Weight, and I had gotten to know some editors and creatives there, so when Matty and I thought of pitching Eat Your Heart Out it was the first logical choice.
Eat Your Heart Out, Volume 2
GVN: Thank you for some of your time today, Terry. Before I let you go, I want to give you an opportunity to talk about this book and perhaps Volume 2? I also want to give you the chance to promote any other new projects you have upcoming.
TB: I’m really excited for Volume 2. It’s where all the stories that have been set up in Volume 1 get wrapped up and come together. And like I mentioned, much more development for Reina, Blanca’s mother. With the way that Volume 1 ends, you’re going to see the resolution of that big reveal as well. As for other projects, right now I’ve got a fun Mexican superhero series coming up called The Thirteen for Chispa Comics. I also just pitched a new book I’ve been thinking about for years, and it would be the first graphic novel that I write AND draw so cross your fingers it gets picked up.
Oni Press Eat Your Heart Out, Volume 1 by Terry Blas, Matty Newton, artist Lydia Anslow, and colorist Claudia Aguirre is available now where you buy great books.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
