5 minutes with Tim Bollinger – Comicfest feature

Comicfest 2015 is here! Head over to the Facebook event for all the details and to receive event updates. There are panels and workshops for comic-lovers of all ages, and don’t forget to come along to the Central Library on Saturday 2nd May to pick up a free comic book on Free Comic Book Day, courtesy of GRAPHIC!

Tim BollingerToday we’re talking to Tim Bollinger about his comic work, and what we can look forward to at his Comicfest panels. Tim Bollinger has been drawing and self-publishing comics from his home town of Wellington since the early 1980s. His work ranges from 40-page ‘funny animal’ and political parables to shorter satirical and autobiographical pieces, many set in a fictionalised urban landscape based on the geography of his home city. He is a regular contributor to international underground arts magazine White Fungus where, as Comics Editor, he also publishes work by veteran New Zealand comic writer Barry Linton. Tim has extensively researched New Zealand’s nascent comics history, and through his articles and exhibitions has helped shine light on many otherwise little known comic book artists and publishers of yesteryear.

What is the first significant comic related job or project you remember working on?
‘Joe Sputnik and the Mystery of Ravioli’s Father’ a year-long serial for Victoria University’s student newspaper Salient in 1979. (Actually, ‘The Hevs, the Rads and the Straights’ for the Onslow College school magazine in 1975 – but I don’t really talk about that…)

Tim BollingerCan you tell us about your current, or most recent project?
Apart from the odd 1-pager, the last big story I drew was a 20-page comic for White Fungus Issue 13, called ‘Dovetail’, a year or two back. I’m currently working on a long-form narrative in three parts as well as completing a couple of the older stories like ‘Little Eye’. Not to mention my ongoing endeavour to document New Zealand’s undiscovered comics history.

What is your favourite part of your working process?
Drawing comics is the most satisfying, but the hardest work, that I have ever done. My favourite part of the process is looking at the finished pages.

What or who are your favourite NZ comics or creators?
Toby Morris, Chris Slane, Sharon Murdoch, Dylan Horrocks, Hayden Currie, Indira Neville, Brent Willis etc. etc. (too many to name – you know who you are!)

Do you have another job outside of comic creation, or any significant hobbies you enjoy?
Like most NZ comic artists, I have a day job, 9 to 5. Plus I write a lot for other people and spend time as a community activist. My favourite thing is reading other people’s comics.

You can catch Tim at his Comicfest panels at these times:
Thursday 30th of April 6 – 7.00pm – Panel: From cartoons to comics
Friday 1st of May 7 – 8.00pm – Panel: The current and future state of New Zealand comics
Tim Bollinger