Who Is TUTTZ? An Interview with Eric Nocella D.
when they cross paths in this spooky mythological space opera.
Welcome to the Universe of TUTTZ!
Since my earlier teaser feature, collectible/designer toy-maker come independent publisher Eric Nocella has launched BOOK2 of "THE 6TH PRINCE" with "The Ferals" (on August 6th) currently available online via argonautresins.bigcartel.com!
I had an opportunity to have a eChat with Eric online, and as well featured here are images and video of Book1 and Book2, plus resin toys folks on TOYSREVIL are familiar with!
TOYSREVIL: From Designer Toys to Graphic Novels - How did this evolution come about? Or was it the other way round?
ERIC NOCELLA: I had always planned to tell more of the Tuttz cat story in some form or other since its inception in 2010 as a collectible figurine. It was just a matter of how to actually do it and do it effectively in a storybook graphic format to be honest.
The little story card that came with each resin cat collectible was made specifically to keep that potential concept of producing different media related projects in the collectors and supporters minds for the future.
ERIC NOCELLA: I wanted to try the story in a regular 2D art style at one point but I really didn't want another ordinary looking comic book concept. I always tried to be innovative with anything related to the Tuttz cat because it became popular very quickly with that mindset and approach as I built up the brand. It took me three years to do all the concept art for The 6th Prince (2016 to 2019) and find the right look and design work for what you now see in the graphic novels.
TOYSREVIL: In the closing page of Book 1 - you stated the origins of TUTTZ and the book - Anything you'll like to add to that? Since publishing that?
How do you feel NOW, for what you wrote and published that then (how long ago was that written)?
ERIC NOCELLA: I actually had 3 of the 5 books completed before I wrote that little retrospective about the whole idea of where the Tuttz cat came from in the back of book one. That was another major reason for me not publishing the books in 2019 or 2020. I wanted to have a few full issues done before I even thought about publishing anything. Plus the development delays along with the pandemic just threw everything out of whack continuously. So eventually that writeup in book one would hold up for all five of the books. I don't think I can add or elaborate on that any further even after finally publishing books one and two.
TOYSREVIL: How has the journey of this book been? I remembered posting a teaser from 2016 (video above) - what happened in between Book One and then? I reckon COVID continues to fk with it too, beyond personal issues...
ERIC NOCELLA: I'm very methodical and go over everything numerous times to make sure I feel right about what gets released online. It's very hard to take things back if you misstep with anything along the way. My friend Robert Garrett (RIP) from Xmoor Studios was going to help me write the series but the week we planned to sit down and get to that he passed away unfortunately.
I had about 80 percent of the images done for book one at the time. Then the book started getting bigger too as I figured out I could do some better more involved sequences for it overall. I went from 50 pages to 68 pages then I had to write it all myself so that was a bit daunting to be honest. I can whip up a story treatment pretty fast but dialogue and character development is way more complicated and time consuming if you have a big universe to work with.
ERIC NOCELLA: The journey working on the books was incredibly enjoyable as I felt I was learning a new way to be even more articulate with my art and concepts. I always wanted to tell stories in a printed graphic format since High School and have tons of projects in various stages going back many years. It was my first love in art as I was originally a cartoonist that ended up in animation way back when.
TOYSREVIL: And while I've always remembered you for sculpting, and resin toy production (then) I am also reminded of ""GALTOW, and joining your contest, and even won a statue from you! I've always enjoyed the crossover and synergy of what seemed to be different genres, but ultimately within the same waking-consciousness, IMHO.
And now seeing TUTTZ manifest as a comicbook character and story - It's both fascinating, but none too "surprising", at least for me. I cannot imagine what other folks might react to this evolution/development tho ... Have you had any feedback from fans and folks?
ERIC NOCELLA: I don't sculpt as much as I used to, but I'll always have some collectible figurines coming out with Argonaut Resins for sure. I just needed a break these last few years because the chemicals from the resin castings and silicone molds always gave me grief physically as I am severely allergic to them. Sinus and upper respiratory infections are not fun, even as I covered up with gloves and respirators it still got to me occasionally.
"El Diablo" designed by Robbie Busch & Made by Argonaut Resin (2009-2011)
ERIC NOCELLA: The time off did me well and working as a publisher now has been incredibly fun and rewarding. Plus the feedback on the first 6th Prince Tuttz cat graphic novel was pretty good and quite surprising to be honest. I don't think the fanbase was expecting to see what I had planned at all and the innovative look probably caught a lot people off guard. I don't think they were expecting Tuttz to be standing on two legs and be neck deep in an outer space opera.
(Above 8.5" x 11" Art Print by Eric Nocella D. That comes with BOOK2)
ERIC NOCELLA: My overall goal was to make it feel like you were reading a movie in book form and try to go very cinematic with the entire series. It was like I was telling you a story with the actual collectibles trying to keep the fan base connected to the brand in some shape or form. The 5 books I have planned are more like a prequel for Tuttz before he ends up on Earth as a four legged cat. I really love cinema movies dearly and hope to one day make one, who knows, maybe!
TOYSREVIL: How's the toy-front doing? Are you "retiring"? I've constantly seen you posting your toy-art on socials, but of more "archival" than "upcoming promotions" - What is your current though process for that?
ERIC NOCELLA: I'm still plotting and planning more resin collectibles for the future for sure and will have a few that will be based on things that will show up in the graphic novels if everything stays in play.
I want to keep all of the new endeavours under the Argonaut Resins banner for now and not start making all sorts of extra websites, etc. It's hard enough to keep up with all the social media pages I have now.
ARGONAUT RESINS BLOG+SOCIALS:
argonautsresin.blogspot.com
instagram.com/argonautresins
twitter.com/ArgonautResins
facebook.com/argonautresins
ERIC NOCELLA: The rehashed image posts online lately were mainly for all the newer folks that have found Argonaut Resins recently that may have missed the much earlier works. I did so much resin collectibles work going back to when I formed the company in 2008 that I was worried that the newer collectors and supporters would not be able to see the detailed evolution of the brand and its rich history. I'll never retire from art, but it will change for me as I get older for sure and I'm really leaning towards a more mainstream approach to expand the brand.
You'll get to see what I mean when I start showing the next few projects down the road. I'm not in any rush and want to show out a bit more to the world than just to the nichey art designer scene. I also have other graphic stories and different types of books planned that I'd like to get out there next to the The 6th Prince series. If the conventions and shows start back up in a safe way, you may see a big surprise or two at my table, just saying, wink wink.
TOYSREVIL: I am all for an archival look (AKA "Reminder") for folks - especially new(er) folks who have either stepped into the toy-collecting culture, and having the opportunity to be eased into the game (to me, much like attempting to jump unto a comicbook series but with a huge back-history might seem daunting to be able to catch up with).
A lot of times, folks want the NEW, the NOW, but forget about where it was before, and your posts continue too remind me of the toy-journey to has taken, and I certainly hope folks will be in for the ride and continue on, although I'd understand some might choose to only jump on and move only forward... And like looking for "back issues" of comicbooks, this also helps educate folks, IMHO.
Had a blast on the last day of the #LittleLibrary #liveevent at @littleislandnyc Lucky visitors got some free books & awesome swag at the end of the event. Big huge thanks 2 @LockettDown & @WinCNYC for the invite & letting me show out my #Tuttz #cat #graphicnovel #The6thPrince! pic.twitter.com/IaJ3LUe3Gz
— END (@ArgonautResins) July 31, 2021
TOYSREVIL: The first question I had wanted to ask (as a friend) was: How Are You Doing? The last Q&A we had with you was in end-2018, where I myself subsequently fell into the maw of COVID-depression, and couldnt even muster up the energy to celebrate the blog's 16th blog-birthday this year... So, How Have You Been Doing, E?
ERIC NOCELLA: I'm actually doing better than I thought I would mentally in this new crazy scary pandemic era. We always read about these bizarre events in the past world history but when it's right on top of you the perspective is frighteningly different.
I also lost a few close friends the last three years which was very heart breaking. My health is holding (knock on wood) and I'm trying to stay in shape just in case things clear up and the shows and conventions start up again.
The three and four day shows can be gruelling especially the ones that are further out from me like in other states. I did start taking a break from the shows the last few years to focus on the graphic novels so that lined up nice being locked in because of the pandemic. I took full advantage of that, sad as hell, but it worked out in a strange way.
The #littlelibrary on @littleislandnyc is in full swing today from 3 to 4 pm. Come thru!@LockettDown @WinCNYC pic.twitter.com/lwspLJzdI0
— END (@ArgonautResins) July 30, 2021
ERIC NOCELLA: There were days when I would work around the clock on the books when I hit a major groove and didn't want to stop. It was a little depressing too, not being able to see family and friends but thank goodness for cell phones and the internet.
I'm hanging in there like everyone else hoping the damage from the pandemic on the economy won't be too permanent and we'll find some form of normalcy sooner than later.
TOYSREVIL: Stay Healthy and Stay "Negative", Eric! Tell us - "WHO is Eric Noella?" And What Do You Do, and Plan To Do...!
ERIC NOCELLA: I'm an artist and new author seriously committed to growth and finding new ways to innovate creative ideas whenever possible. I always wanted to be a storyteller and now that door is opening so it's where I'm headed for now. I hope the work I'm creating will inspire people and make them curious and excited enough to support what I'm doing so I can keep on doing it.
Thank you very much Andy, you've been one of my biggest supporters and heroes since day one of Argonaut Resins and the Tuttz cat brand. Epic man, keep on doing what you do!
