5 Important Writerly Questions with Brandon Hicks
The trilogy…is complete! With The History of Human Achievement, cartoonist, humorist, and cartoons editor Brandon Hicks has finished his hilarious triptych of dark and delightful not-quite-for-children-children’s-books starring lowly demons Beezle, Buzzle, and Barb. It’s available right now, so let’s get to know Brandon and his book a little bit more.
1. Who are you? What are you doing here?
My name is Brandon Hicks. I’m a writer/cartoonist. Since that’s my job title, I’m here for the free food.
2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book?
I’ll have to blame Humorist publisher, Marty Dundics, here. Back in 2020, he asked me if I could transmute these paper towel cartoons I was doing into a short picture book. He was looking for something with original characters we could build a series around. So, after our call, I went to the park with my notebook, sketched up some demons and developed the concepts behind all three books in a single sitting. I’m hoping this one doesn’t sell well, because I haven’t had a good idea since.
3. How did you keep writing this book?
Pure hubris. I thought we had a concept that could support an entire series, and I was bound and determined to see it through. Three books later, I feel more like I’m bound and gagged.
4. Any darlings you had to kill?
There was once a fourth demon, actually, but we carved him up at the Humorist Books Xmas Party back in ’21. I believe you had the right hoof, didn’t you? I had the tail, of course. Author’s privilege.
5. What are you working on now?
Myself, mostly. I’m just one surgery away from attaining that perfect Joan Rivers look. In terms of books, though, I’m currently finishing up “Go South,” a novel in pictures about a bird who breaks his wing and has to migrate on foot, which should come out later this year. I also have a collection of journal comics called On The Border, which will be released by Conundrum Press in 2024. Is it okay to promote other publishers here? I also like Knopf, Scholastic, and Hustler, for the record.
