Ovi Nedelcu: An interview with the creator of Pigtale

They say that no one living in Portland (Oregon) is actually from Portland. It’s the kind of place where many of the residents didn’t grow up in the area. That’s certainly true for myself and its also true of Ovi Nedelcu. Born in Romania, raised in the United States, Nedelcu came with his family to the Portland-area a few years ago, but he’s already shown his appreciation for the city by making it a supporting character in his new comic book, Pigtale.

This series chronicles the adventures of Boston Booth Jr, an aspiring private investigator, and Clyde, a talking pig. Yet, when you look around his wonderful cartoon-like characters, you see the landmarks of a real city. The Ash Street Saloon. Ringler’s Annex. The Steel Bridge. Real places, that I go by frequently, transported into a comic book. Now I know how New Yorkers must feel.

Prior to his new series, Nedelcu worked in animation for studios such as WB Animation, the Cartoon Network, and Vinton Studios. His previous comic book works were a few pages for DC’s Big Book of Vice and a short-story (written by Tom Sneigoski) in Hellboy: Weird Tales # 4 for Dark Horse.

When asked about his influences, Nedelcu can cite a distinguished and diverse collection of people that include the “nine old men” of Disney’s Studios, Will Eisner, Chuck Jones, Mike Mignola, Brad Bird, and many many more.

Nedelcu was kind enough to answer a few questions for TGC.

Zubi: Considering how your readers are scattered around the country, why was it important to make Pigtale take place in Portland? If you were still living in SF orLA, would you have made the story take place there?

Nedelcu: Most likely. Haha. I love the city of Portland, I think it’s a great city, but it would be pretty hard to do a story based in a city that I didn’t live in. I think it would feel contrived. I’m all about the details.

Zubi: You've mentioned that you originally planned to do Pigtale as a series of short-stories, but you switched to making it part of a longer story arc. What caused you to make the change?

Nedelcu: Um, I just didn’t want to keep having to write new stories for these characters. I have so many other things I want to do. I’d feel handcuffed if I had to keep doing Pigtale. Plus, I like one arc stories, it’s like a film. I like the fact that you can read a story and finish it. I made the mistake with Pigtale of making it an on-going bi-monthly book. Looking back, now I wish I would have just done it as a GN.

Zubi: I was impressed to read that you were able to getPowell's [a large independent bookstore] to carry copies of Pigtale when they don't usually sell single issues of comic books. Was it difficult to convince them? Were you able to do it with other local businesses?

Nedelcu: Yeah, Powell’s is great. I'm very happy and grateful they picked up a few copies. Yeah, they usually don’t pick up single issues. It wasn’t too hard to get them to pick up the book. At first they were unsure if they should or not but eventually decided that it was a book they could move, since it was based in Portland. I also took the book to Reading Frenzy, which is a great indie place for local talent.

Zubi: Besides Pigtale, are there any other projects that you have coming up? Are there any creators that you hope to collaborate with in the future?

Nedelcu: Yeah, definitely. I can’t really talk about them since they are “HUSH HUSH”, but yeah, I always have something brewing in the studio. Creators I'd like to collaborate with? Yeah, Brad Bird is one. Mike Mignola is another, and Tim Sale and James Jean would be really fun.

Zubi: Is there anything else you'd like to add about your work?

Nedelcu: Not really, my work pretty much speaks for itself. I just wish Red Bull was good for you, cause I drink a lot of it. Thanks, it was fun doing this.

Pigtale is an ongoing series printed in black and white. It’s published by Image Comics on a bi-monthly basis. The third issue will arrive in May. Checkout the Pigtale Home Page for more information.

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