What inspired the creation of “Mister Universe?
” Vassilis Gogtzilas: I always had problems in my personal and social life because I read comic books (and sometimes because I like to draw them). You know, when I was younger I had my parents telling me that I would have to stop reading them, that it’s a waste of time and money. They never had problems with me drawing them, but they didn’t like that I was reading them. I mean, I still have people asking me, “Are you still reading comics?” Or, “Oh, you’re an artist. What do you do? …comics? What’s wrong with this guy?!?” I wanted to make this the subject of a comic book. In Greece, I’m not considered a normal guy – I’m a freak. You see, if you are a creative person, you have problems. And that’s what Tommy is in this story: a creative person. But if you are different, people want to discriminate against you because of this. I always felt that I ‘m from a different planet. I always felt that I don’t belong anywhere. That’s where this story came from. Page from “Mister Universe”K.I. Za
