Review Fix chats with ‘ANTICUCHO & Other Peruvian Cyberpunk Stories’ writer and artist Gustaffo Vargas, who details the adventure and why you should check it out.
Check them out on Kickstarter today!
Review Fix: How did you know a career in comics was for you?
Gustaffo Vargas: I always wanted to draw comics, but I didn’t think that was on my cards. I learned by doing it. When I arrived in the UK in 2016, I started going to festivals and showing my portfolio to small publishers, Accent UK was the first one to offer me to draw one of their stories. And before I realized it, I was drawing more stories for other publishers and writing and drawing my own comics. Once I started I never stopped.
Review Fix: Who inspires you creatively?
Vargas: That’s a very long list that changes constantly, so many creators I discover and also that I keep on coming back. I belong to a group of creators: the SKRAWLLORDZ, those guys inspire me all the time, and basically the whole UK comics community.
Review Fix: How are your comics different or special?
Vargas: Two words: Peruvian Cyberpunk. They are a fresh take on cyberpunk, biopunk, technocultures, postcolonialism, crime life, hi and lo-tech, pre Incan influences, all mixed in the same world. My stories are a wild trip to all the parts of Peru, jungle, mountains, sand dunes and dangerous cities.
Review Fix: Why is this Kickstarter important?
Vargas: This is my first graphic novel anthology, and the first time I grow into a bigger format, previous books were A5 size, and this one is Album size, close to an A4 size, it’s a very exciting format.
Review Fix: The Kickstarter was funded in a day- What happens next?
Vargas: Well, I need to finish the book and do my best. It’s a fun challenge. The funding will end in August and the book should be finished by December. Fulfillment should start in February, can’t wait to have my book in hardcover format!
Review Fix: What about this comic? Sell us. Sell us hard.
Vargas: Discover a world where robotics and biotechnology are accessible to many and where corrupt governments and criminal organisations constantly struggle over power. My books are traveling to Peru, the one that lives inside my head, you will smell and taste different flavors, get marveled with vibrant colors, calm and chaos dance together, but you have to be ready to duck whenever trouble comes around a corner.
Review Fix: Who do you think will dig it the most?
Vargas: Anybody that likes adventure, science fiction, fantasy and crime, that enjoys the taste of a different and fresh idea.
Review Fix: How do you want your books to be remembered?
Vargas: Like a calm and wild south american ride, with a pumping heart in the middle.
Review Fix: What are your long-term goals for your work?
Vargas: This book is the first step. I want to collect my books and keep on exploring and developing more Peruvian Cyberpunk stories. I also want to keep on working on different projects with writers.
Review Fix: Why should someone support your work?
Vargas: If they’ve never seen Peruvian Cyberpunk, this is the perfect time to have a taste of this world!
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Vargas: Just that I will keep on creating more stories.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Vargas: I have more Peruvian Cyberpunk stories and anthologies planned. I also just had my first collaboration for Marvel’s Voices X-Men with Al Ewing and Lauren Amaro, and that’s got me pretty excited, the book comes on August 16th. I’m also working on a hi-octane Cyberpunk project with an amazing writer, that still has to be announced, and that’s got me incredibly excited!
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Vargas: I’m on most social media platforms. I also have a substack Newsletter called The Spicy Peruvian where they can keep updated on my latest works and see some behind the scenes.
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