Utsumi is one of those cartoons. You know that species. You walk thinking it’s one thing, but it turns out to change your life.
For those who don’t know, Utsumi, previously titled Mare Internum, is a science fiction comic by Der-Shing Helmer. Originally published online in 2015, two scientists, Dr. Michael Fisher and Dr. Bex Egunsola, are on a catastrophic cave on Mars. Instead of being crushed from the cave’s collapse, the pair lands in a closed ecosystem beneath a cave filled with life.
With awe at the scientific discoveries that can change their lives forever, they begin to find themselves literally and more sub-phorically buried beneath the surface than they were first seen. To talk more about the new edition, I interviewed the creator himself, der-shinghelmer!
Eb Hutchins: What inspired the change in title from a mare to an inland sea?
DER-SHING HELMER: We hope the title change will improve readability for new audiences who may not know this story. “MAREINTINUM” follows the Latin Naming Convention for Geological Characteristics. Usually, “mares” refer to the low or relatively dark areas of the Moon or Mars, but the comic wink refers here to the liquid reservoir. A significant portion of my webcomic readership is a big nerd so it’s fine, but I hope the title update avoids kicking new readers (or letting them think about horses)!
Hutchins: How did successful award-winning comics have an impact on your career, for better or worse?
Helmer: This validation has primarily helped me expand my career in comics. I’ve been in web comics since 2006, and in my experience there’s a bit of a recognition basin between self-published digital artists and artists working in standard publishing. I didn’t know if my skills were transferred or if it meant anything other than my digital bubble. However, the positive reception helped me build the nerves to apply for the editorial position for Vault Comics, which I still occupies today. And it was the best experience I’ve worked with other comics experts and creatives.
Hutchins: In an interview with Multiversity Comics in 2020, we discussed how work with Meek and The Internal Sea leads to some of your bright and dark emotions and some of the major events. Do you carry that art therapy approach (or aspects) into your work as a managing editor?
Helmer: Yes, I mainly understand that the creators I work with have a story to tell, and that they are fighting to tell them through comics. I feel very fortunate to be part of that process with my editing skills.
Hutchins: Fisher’s story begins with what appears to be the end of his life when he makes a groundbreaking discovery. Mars has water and life. Living on other planets has been the appeal of many authors for decades, so why choose Mars? Also, there is another planet that you were interested in seeing life, what is it? (My personal favorite is IO because I love extremes)
Helmer: When I was developing this story, I was in the sad sack stage of my life, and Mars was shining like a beacon, as it is frankly a very melancholy planet. I was quite inspired by a completely patos-focused direction… We see it as inert and dusty, which once had a melting heart and had flowing water that once had a magnetic field. I’m still incredibly romantic and the idea that a ghost planet is haunted by my own memories was too good for me to resist. I am at another time in my life, tinkering with different planets and different stories at very different stages. But for now I’ll keep that secret!
Hutchins: Motherhood is portrayed as the end of her life in BEX’s mare, just as the end of her career is for Fisher. As a woman, I am deeply grateful that it is not portrayed as a moral failure to not be overjoyed by the outlook of motherhood. Are you planning to explore these ideas more in future works?
Helmer: I’m going to do that, yes…it’s been a topic that has been before my life in the last few years, and it’s been a difficult journey with some harsh recognition along the way. And honestly, these subjects are very difficult to talk about. It is sometimes easier to passively communicate those ideas via comics than to risk putting the experience into words to someone who is not always living, rather than to start a socially acceptable conversation. I have been surprised many times to hear how many people are involved in the complex and messy issues of motherhood and the disproportionate emotional expectations placed on people who generally have women. More importantly, I am pleased that the empathy expanded by the fictional characters in the comic has allowed some readers to extend that empathy to themselves.
Hutchins: Are there any recent themes you would like to explore through future projects? If so, what are they and how do you approach them?
Helmer: At this point, my mind is very much on two subjects: the balance between life and death and the social concept of “equity.” I have lost both my parents in traumatic ways in the past five years and have not distanced myself from intentionally involved in further losses. For example, I started raising poultry for food and sometimes had to take their lives. I have pondered deeply the meaning of my instinctive response to death and the importance of being actively involved in life that harms others (as we all have to). Of course, I also have terrible needs to make myself laugh, so I expect anything that makes this idea to be as weird as usual.
Hutchins: After Utsumi, do you have personal projects lined up? If so, which one?
Helmer: As for comics, I’m going to go back to the work of the long form of science fantasy webcomic baby, meekness, the newborn project above. These are self-published web comics that were first posted online for free as long as I can do it (as well as all my other personal jobs). Outside of the comics, I will start a rare plant nursery with my husband (this will cover the remaining time I’m not spending on my lovely day editing work at Vault). As you know, you can’t make a good cartoon without messing your hands a little.
Utsumi can be pre-ordered from your favorite retailer and available in store on September 9th!
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