30. August 2010

Get it. Read it. Wear it. Support it. BEANPIE.

August 30, 2010 at 3:20pm

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(Up N Coming ONLINE MAG)

Get it. Read it. Wear it. Support it. BEANPIE.

Interviewee: BEANPIE COMIC

Written by: Shaun Bolden & Illustrated by: Dino Diaz

An independently created and published comic by two talented men Shaun Bolden, writer & Dino Diaz, illustrator have distributed this underground read circulating the urban streets of Toronto. After shows of persistence and hard work people are starting to take notice of their 44-paged BEANPIE Comic Issue #1. Shaun and Dino are passionate about what they do and are working on making it successful brand on a larger scale. They have been promoting BEANPIE for two years going to events such as: Beats, Breaks, and Culture, Caribana, Comic Conventions, Internet EST. The master plan is to make BEANPIE Comic Issue #1 continuation a graphical novel Called: Beanpie The Bootleg Hustler, which will be released December 2010. Here is a short outline of the comic:

BEANPIE is about- a Yale University drop out, named Beanpie (main character), who had to take care of his little brother once their parents passed away. After working a “good” job Beanpie decided he wanted to start his own venture independently. Taking a leap of faith he goes for what he wants!

The story has funny parts, it has serious parts, and it appealing to the eyes, easy to read, and it’s new! The four main characters are relatable- they are everyday people, living their lives; maybe you know someone like them, or maybe they remind you of yourself in a similar situation. People say that the comic industry is a dying trade; one read of BEANPIE would change your mind! Read what Shaun & Dino have to say in their first interview ever with HOOKEDUPB:

How did BEANPIE get started?

Shaun Bolden- Um, it’s originally from/ started in Connecticut (USA) and I joined up with my cousin Kris in the year 2000. It was a home video about a drug dealer, he (my cousin) made a video, a video named: BEANPIE. It was hilarious, because he used a British accent; he wasn’t British so his accent sucked (lol), and he was really funny! So I thought it would be great to make it a Youtube skit. I obviously didn’t want him to be a drug dealer (cause I have kids you know, and don’t want them picking up that and thinking my Dad writes that..) so I changed the character to a regular hustler.

But then I moved to Toronto Canada, so you know I had the script of the first chapter but it was never going to be shot on Youtube so I read it for my wife and she urged me to keep going. So I started posting stories online and people loved it! I started with stories with- out picture but it’s hard to get people to read with out pictures so we decided to make a comic book and searched for artists to draw the pictures for us and we found Dino! Actually he was working at a store my wife frequented, and I added him on Facebook. I saw that he had drawings up (on Facebook) they were good! So I asked my wife if we should ask him to draw for us, and now we have a comic! We are like a family now and we made it together so neither of us feel like either person is better or more important than the other.

Do you have something in common with the characters in the comic (ie. BEANPIE & Ice Juicy), I noticed the character kinda look like the both of you?

Dino Diaz- Lol…

Shaun- Ya, Shaun (Ice Juicy) is actually me. Everybody on our team is a character- my wife is Lisa (BEANPIE’S girlfriend).

Dino- I was graphic designer at the time, and it was failed project after failed project; I know its kinda cliché but I was just doing it to get by. I know how it feels being in a struggle and everyone is doubting you- in every aspect it was a real story! I could relate to the character too because I was going through a similar situation. Doing your thing and there’s a girl…

Is the storyline based on a true story, if not where did the story line come from?

Shaun- The Youtube skit was originally suppose to be silly but when I came here I continued on with writing stories. I’m into Japanese anime so it’s deeper than the regular comic or cartoon that’s out. After the first chapter that’s how it was formed and gained direction and gained success; it will be a graphical novel, it comes out in December 2010! The story shifts by the fifth chapter and gets outrageous- ‘cause it’s a comic book…and I can.

Dino- It becomes less hamburger and more steak! Silly funny.

There is a lot of use of British “wording” used in the comic (mate, bugger est.), where is the story located?

Shaun- He has a terrible British accent! I’ve written side stories for fun, when it gets animated you can tell; it’s in Connecticut- New England (LOL).

Can you tell us who the “target market” is for BEANPIE comics?

Shaun- We’ve been trying to figure that out that out cause everyone can read it…Caribana on the Harbourfront, there was this kid, he was 10- 12 years old he read it and came back and he was coughing and wheezing

Dino- He was excited. We love kids reactions- their so pure- He said its an awesome story, and he told us that he wanted to write his own books, we saw this kid as a mini version of us! It’s a dying trade…but he sees the product like this- read the story not just pictures he could feel it!

Shaun- We also have people in their 50/ 60’s and type of life experience. The new story I will have to change all the “tongue and tooth” jokes out. We love the kid, was want to teach ‘em early, let them know so they can lead the way.

I know Rappers, musicians in Toronto, and we promote to them too, and they like it! Nobody else is really doing this (comic & graphic novel) in that industry so we’re the only ones, and it’s good!

Is the comic meant to inspire the reader (re: message)?

Shaun- It was meant to make the reader laugh originally, but then we changed the story and I can see how people could be inspired to do what they want to in life. Doing an independent project is hard with everyone telling you can’t do it and stuff like that, but if you have the passion and keep at it, you can do it!

Dino- Once we started getting attention and success…it gives me the chills when people say that to me/ us; its like getting a gold star when your good at school, or when its your birthday as a kid and you ask for a He-Man toy and everyone gets you a He-Man toy but one friend gets you that special edition He-Man and it feels good!

Shaun- Ya

You have a full product line of BEANPIE (comics, hats, shirts, pens, pins) can you give us any information on where to purchase these?

Shaun- e-Bay, our store, we do certain events for women, we only made a few panties- about five! But it’s really about getting the story out. We walked around taking pictures with the BEANPIE t-shirt before the comic was even out yet… to create a buzz. Ya, my brother and cousin took pictures with the t-shirt- it was about getting the story out, not about getting the money (t-shirt sales). We got about 300 people holding the T-Shirts for us! It’s not about the clothing; just want people to know the story.

Our prices are good too, because you get the comic, pen, and pin- as a package.

Archie comic books were my personal favorite growing up, what were yours?

Shaun- Your not gonna like my answer… I didn’t start to read comic books…I hated reading, it wasn’t ‘till I san Japanese Anime that really got me! One of my favorites is: Gantz!

Dino- I was really into Spiderman, again I could relate to Spiderman ‘cause he was just a regular kid, with a cool costume. My Mom used to say if I was good the whole week she would buy me comic books at the end of the week. I never wanted to wait till the next week to see what happens in my favorite TV shows so I would write my own endings- just wrote the stories. I didn’t get into animation ‘till later. Drawing started with my fascination with graffiti- but definitely Spiderman.

I really enjoyed issue #1; when will the Graphical novel “Beanpie The Bootleg Hustler” be released to the public?

Shaun- The graphic novel releases in December 2010.

Dino- We will be at the comic convention at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre this year, and other book signings.

Shout outs/ last comments?

Shaun- Team BEANPIE for sure!

-HOOKEDUPB

-My Wife (Shay)

-Urbanology- we were on Onyx Barbershop,

-And anyone and everyone who has bought or supported us

Dino- Family too- Momma Bolden, and all 400 of our family members

Contact BEANPIE COMICS:

Website: