Couri Vine Blog Posts
Couri Vine co-creator Vanessa Shealy was featured on Episode 24 of the awesome weekly comics podcast, For the Love of Comics, hosted by David Gallaher and Adam Vermillion. They discussed Couri Vine, writing, the Muppets, Staple!, NYCC, and more!
FANBASE PRESS INTERVIEWS VANESSA SHEALY ON THE COMIC BOOK SERIES, COURI VINE
In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Vanessa Shealy about the inspiration behind her projects, how theatre influences her approach to writing, her shared creative process in bringing stories to life, and more! READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
INTERVIEW EXCERPT
BD: What can you share with us about your creative process in working [on COURI VINE] with co-creator Leah Lovise, as well as artist Liz Lathem and colorist Indigo Rael? In addition, what have been some of your creative influences?
VS: Leah and I grew up in Oklahoma City, and we’ve known each other since we were kids, so our long friendship makes collaborating feel natural. Leah has a career in Austin as an illustrator, graphic designer, motion graphic artist, and animator, and I’m in New York City. I had been working as an actor and a playwright, and I’d made a few films – but neither of us had ever worked on a comic book. Our process from the beginning has been highly collaborative. We spent almost a year tossing around ideas and details about the world of the book and the characters, and eventually the story. She’d send me some sketches, and I’d send her long chucks of descriptive text, and we’d talk about all of that. Leah is a good writer, and I was an art minor in college, so we both have a pretty good eye for what the other is doing.
Our work on the book has had to be in fits and starts, over almost five years. When we started, we assumed that we’d have the entire thing done in about a year or so. But we both have day jobs, plus each of us has two kids, so finding time to work on an indie project has taken a lot of time and discipline. We have to sneak in the work whenever we can. Bringing in more help with the art made it possible, and assistance from Indigo Rael on Books 1 & 2, as well as Liz Lathem, Dorothy Shaw, and Julia Zipporah on Book 4, was invaluable.
I think being a theatre practitioner for so many years (both onstage and off) gave me a leg up as a collaborator and made me a person who appreciates the insights and input of everyone. It takes a lot of practice to stop feeling like, “Oh, that just isn’t the way I would have done it,” and instead feel like, “Awesome! That isn’t the way I would’ve done it!”
As far as personal influences… some of my favorite graphic novels are Blankets, Roller Girl, Zita the Space Girl, Only Living Boy, and El Deafo. There are more, but those are the ones I’m thinking about right now. My main writing influences are playwrights like Carol Churchill and Timberlake Wertenbaker. That’s my background – theatre, and I’m never really far from those roots.
The Couri Vine series recently received two raving reviews from two separate comic fan sites – and we are over the moon!
Have a look at these great quotes below, and click through to read the review in full!
“Couri isn’t unfortunate… she’s extraordinary! . . . Where writer Vanessa Shealy has concocted a story full of interesting situations, artist Leah Lovise makes it shine! . . . This is a title to pick up if you’re a parent whose little person is interested in reading a comic about hijinks and adventure, with a relatable hero in Couri Vine. She’s the ultimate kids’ hero, loyal to her family and friends and determined to discover all that she can despite the obstacles and challenges in her path. The bonus here is that Couri Vine is a pretty painless read for any adults who might be reading along with their kids.” READ MORE
FROM BUT WHY THO, reviewed by Lizzy Garcia
“Couri Vine has a lot of whimsy for a space adventure. And while the reading level of the comic skews fairly young, the fact that it features a disabled protagonist makes it endearing and relatable for me, a grown woman. Couri’s adventure is a thrilling journey of self-discovery.” READ MORE
We’re so excited to announce that Couri Vine Book 4 “Sacrifice” is debuting at Staple! Independent Media Expo this weekend, October 12 & 13, 2019 in Austin, Texas.
We are at Table 46 with – for the first time ever – ALL FOUR books of the Couri Vine Series!
Here is the amazing Leah Lovise, Couri Vine Co-Creator and artist, standing at our table…
And Couri Vine writer Vanessa Shealy with Book 4…
And Liz Lathem, who did amazing line work on Book 4…
Thanks to everyone who has followed this series at Staple – we are honored to be here!
Hello Friends and Fabulous Supporters,
We’ve owed you a “COURI VINE” update for a little while, so fasten your seat belts because a lot has been happening.
Since our second Kickstarter was funded (Thank you!) just over a year ago, we did a small print run of Book #3, Hostages. This book will SOON be available on ComiXology, along with Books 1 and 2.
Book 4 (the final book in this story) was expected to launch in the fall of 2018, but we’ve had some other LAUNCHES that have taken our full attention, namely… TWINS!
A hearty congratulations to Leah Lovise and John Van Lowe, who gave birth to a son and a daughter in January! We are over the MOON about these Wonder Twins.
So while Book 4 is taking a little longer than we initially planned, please stay tuned. We hope it will be worth the wait. Slow and steady wins the race, (that’s what they say) so sit tight and expect to hear more about the final Couri Vine book later this year.
Thank you again for your ongoing support, and for sticking with us on our comic book space adventures.
Best,
Vanessa (and Leah)
PS. If you don’t already, please keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where we post news and art as it happens. And please SIGN UP on our mailing list!