Like many greats, Tim Sale left us way too soon. He left a legacy of thoughtful comics and a distinct art style that is one of the most recognizable in the history of comic.
Sale’s first full-length comic book work, Billi 99, is now available in a limited edition color version from Clover Press on Kickstarter, bringing a fresh new version to fans everywhere.
We got a chance to speak to Billi 99 writer Sarah Byam about the exciting new project and what it means to her and her memories of working on the original Dark Horse Comic with Sale in 1991 in this exclusive interview.
It has been a long process to bring Billi 99 back into print, and in a new deluxe format. What has this journey been like?
Sarah Byam: Goodness! I think just like Billi 99’s original pilgrimage, heartbreaking, provocative, and humbling. About three years before he passed, Tim, Patty Jeres, and I started talking about an archival version of Billi 99. We wanted to bring Jose Villarrubia on board, most of all. Ultimately, like the story, we just didn’t give up. We looked to several publishers, all of which were very supportive. It became clear that the coloring was only going to happen with crowdfunding. David Hyde introduced us to Hank Kanalz at Clover Press, and with us all, we had the resources to bring this together with the craft and promotion we needed.
How did you originally get involved in the project and how did you meet Tim?
Byam: I used to write urban folk tales. As it happened, Tim liked experimenting with the comics medium. Tim loved the idea of portraying that kind of hero, and her community.
Meeting Tim was almost inevitable. By 1989, Tim and I lived and worked in the same neighborhood. We studied similar illustrators. We signed with the same agent. I first saw Tim’s work at my neighborhood comic book store. From what I saw there, Tim was doing something utterly new.
What is it about the story that is still so timely today?
Byam: Well, unfortunately, in 30 years, Billi 99 is pretty up to date. Chances are pretty good that our readers are struggling to hang on more than they would like to be. You know, one paycheck away from disaster. Or they know someone who is. From our point of view, the world is at a turning point between sustainable communities and a continued steep decline. There are valid, real reasons for hope, but those require courage and action. Optimism is hard, but it is a survival choice.
You enlisted José Villarrubia to color the comic. What do his colors add to the atmosphere and look of the book?
Byam: The story of Billi and her community is about the hard work of a transition from despair into light. Jose’s color brings in key, subtle augmentations of the mood and character of the book.
Tim loved Billi 99, but was never truly satisfied with the duo shade results, especially after printing techniques got better and he mixed all of his own shades of ink. With Jose Villarrubia, Billi 99 is brought closer to Tim’s original desires for the book.
Memories of working with Sale on Billi 99?
Byam: Tim was so great. Even as talented as he was, he was a humble man. Tim makes room for his collaborators’ vision. We worked in his sweltering attic studio, and later in his own home. We talked about a defined sense of place and characters. I don’t think in pictures, and I was amazed to find how spot on he was every time. He was a feminist. In this story, Sometimes people say they can’t tell if she is a boy or a girl, that’s intentional.
Why do you think Kickstarter has been so successful with comic-based projects?
Byam: In addition to being wonderful, experienced, supportive people to work with? I think the audience is choosing what they want to read. Kickstarter allows for a broader range of stories in the medium. Comics are such a great way to tell a story, I think everyone deserves a seat at the table. Kickstarter can help create the opportunity for the work to find its audience.
Do you have some special tiers for fans who elect to back the project?
Byam: They are keeping me in the dark and feeding me mushrooms. But seriously, there are a few wonderful bonus rewards. Beautiful prints, signed limited editions of the book, pairing of pristine hardcover black and white books with the full-color books – there will only be a few of those, and we might also have a few pieces of original art. We shall see.
Billi 99 is available to back on Kickstarter until March 14, 2024.
Thank you for the interview!