Interview with Johanna Gustafsson

1. Tell me a little about yourself. How long have you been active as a comic artist and what have you been up to?

I have been drawing and making comics since I was little, but it was in high school that I started getting into comics more seriously and discovered alternative comics. Last year I graduated from the comic art school (Serieskolan) in Malmö and my graphic novel for children called “Stora Björn och Lilla Björn” (“Big Bear and Little Bear”) was published by Ordbilder Media. I have also been freelancing, published comic strips and participated in a couple of fanzines and exhibitions.

 

2. Why did you want to participate in this project?

I like adult comics, but until learning about Swedish Comic Sin I had never thought about the possibility of making one myself. Then I read the previous anthologies and got inspired to make my own erotic comic and be a part of the project! I want to try out all different kinds of comic genres, and I thought making an erotic one could be a really fun challenge. I also think Swedish Comic Sin is a great concept, and the anthology can be a good introduction if you’re interested in reading erotic comics.

3. Have you drawn any erotic comics or incorporated sex in your stories before?

I like making comics about people and everyday life so you’d think I’d portrayed sex before, but I haven’t.

4. What has been the most difficult and challenging thing about this project?

It was challenging to draw cunnilingus in an angle that actually shows the vulva and drawing two people kissing without it looking like they’re just smashing their faces together. It was also a bit of a challenge to write in English since my comics usually are in Swedish, and to portray two people having sex and being intimate and trying to capture a spontaneous, natural mood - I didn’t want it to seem “scripted”.

5. What has been the most fun part?

Drawing lips and naked bodies, writing the script, reading the other comics in the anthology, and just getting to be a part of a really great anthology.

6. What are you up to now and where are you heading? Any plans?


I have applied for the second year at the comic art school in Malmö and am currently keeping my fingers crossed and living in Karlshamn where I work in the municipality with concept designing and developing information-brochures. I am also an active member of the comic collectives “Dotterbolaget” and “Ritualen”, and those may be good to keep an eye on if you want to see some of my upcoming works!