One of the most exciting things in wrestling is when a fan favorite brawler that’s been out of the game for a while comes back with a bang. The theme music kicks in, the crowd pops, and the wrestler steps into the spotlight, ready to open a can of whoop-ass on anyone stupid enough to still be in the ring.
That’s what getting a new The Motherfucking Fucker comic feels like. The gloriously purple bruiser, written and illustrated by Max Alan Fuchs, is back for a Spring Fantasy Special anthology comic that has already been fully funded on Kickstarter and is still going strong. Stories include a struggle against an evil sunscreen scheme that requires The Fucker indulge in some corporate sabotage, and a fetish-filled match that takes place inside The Fucker’s mind.
Those who are already acquainted with the MFF know that his story is shared with that of a female wrestler called Tigoria, his romantic partner in the tag team of life. She features heavily in the Special and makes a strong case for having her own comic. She’s that strong a character. Those who read The MFF’s first comic will remember their union takes place in the ring, in front of millions of fans. Their romance needed to be accepted by the wrestling gods, requiring a ritual that invites these deities in to finalize their partnership.
If it isn’t obvious by now, Fuchs has built a formidable story world bursting with potential. Awesomeness is squeezed into every panel and nothing is devoid of that rare wrestling magic that’s hard to replicate in any other story or genre. Add in elements from Sam Keith’s The Maxx in terms of character design and a whole lot of sexual energy and you get one of the most electrifying wrestling comics around.
I corresponded with Fuchs (who’s also worked on the excellent IDW Original Killmore) on this new chapter of The Motherfucking Fucker and what the future might hold for the duo that puts the figure-4 in romance.
RICARDO SERRANO: The Motherfucking Fucker is the kind of character you can build on for years of storytelling, both in terms of continuity and self-contained adventures. What do you see for your Motherfucking character in the long run?
MAX ALLAN FUCHS: The Fucker is this beautiful thought-form thing. I feel he can do anything, become anything. I can pour all my wildest ideas into him, and they all manage to fit. The current (rough) plan is to continue the main story from issue #1 into a 4-issue series. I have a bit of it mapped out in specific, and a bit more of it just taking shape in my imagination. The conclusion of that particular arc is 100% set, though – and it’s a world-shaker, baby!
SERRANO: The interest in keeping wrestling very much a part of the character is apparent in this new entry. What other ideas have you entertained including from the world of Sports Entertainment?
FUCHS: Wrestling is always at the heart of this series, and I like to imagine it as a world where all the outlandish stories in wrestling are real. So, for example, if a character like Papa Shango exists, then voodoo must be real, and The Ultimate Warrior must really be cursed to vomit all over the ring. So, in the same vein, I want to mix in more crazy gimmicks that have real, in-world implications. An immortal slasher wrestler, like if Jason Voorhees came to the ring and had a finishing move that really finished you. A wrestler made completely of some natural element, like a Swamp Thing type of deal. A wrestler of a species that’s not human. No limits!
SERRANO: This Spring Fantasy Edition continues the romance between Tigoria and the Fucker. What do you envision for this character? Will she get her own comic down the line? Part of a Motherfucking Universe?
FUCHS: Tigoria and The Fucker are tied together forever, as far as I see. I’ve always billed this project as a wrestling romance, so their relationship is central to the narrative. The latter half of my main story arc will be heavily focused on Tigoria. Also, I want to introduce more women wrestlers. I love a tough, ass-kicking lady, and I’m mad at myself for not having more of them already.
SERRANO: Your Kickstarter campaign got fully funded almost instantly. What’s worked for you in terms of getting eyes on the project and an audience that’s hungry for it? Any particular lessons?
FUCHS: I was lucky to get a good start on this campaign. Honestly, I don’t know that there’s any one special trick to getting noticed. Social media is less helpful these days. Seems like engagement is down, down, down. I begged all my best friends and collaborators to boost my signal, and many were gracious enough to do so. I also maintain a small email list of past and current supporters. And as far as all these hungry supporters, what can I say? I’m just stupidly lucky that people respond to my big, purple wrestling boy. I could never, in a million years, plan for this. I didn’t sit down and say “today, I shall create a character beloved by the people!” You all just love him, and I love you all for it.
