Talking ‘Jim Henson Presents’ And ‘Fraggle Rock’ With Shannon Watters And Max Sarin
by Rachel Bellwoar
To Boober, making radish onion pie is a holiday tradition — but is it a tradition his Fraggle Rock friends want to see continued? Part of Boom! Studios’ new anthology series, Jim Henson Presents, writer Shannon Watters and artist Max Sarin have contributed a Fraggle Rock story for the first issue. With colors by Lisa Moore and letters by Jim Campbell, here’s what Watters and Sarin had to say about their festive tale:
Rachel Bellwoar: Was there a Jim Henson series or movie you gravitated towards as a kid?
Max Sarin: I was obsessed with Muppets Christmas Carol and loved Muppets Treasure Island. The Christmas Carol one is still my favorite version of the story.
Shannon Watters: I’m with Max, I loved Muppet Treasure Island and the Muppet Christmas Carol as a kid. I also thought that the Fraggles were so cool. I remember in middle school in like 1996 cutting up a cheap ringer tee and putting the Fraggles on it. As you know, the Muppet gang is very punk rock.
Bellwoar: What do you think sets Fraggle Rock apart from other Jim Henson properties?
Watters: I love the world-building of the Fraggles! That they have a whole gorgeous set-up underground. And I love a good “fort”…I thought that the caves and their little rooms were a dreamy way to live.
Bellwoar: Is there a Fraggle Rock character you enjoyed writing and drawing for the most?
Watters: I have a lot of affection for Red’s sweet bombast.
Sarin: I like Boober a lot. His fashion sense aka the hat and scarf are very sentimental for me. I used to have the same kind of hat (my late granpa’s) as a kid and always loved to draw it on characters. Plus Boober is such a little cutie!
Bellwoar: “Beauty is in the Pie of the Beholder” is set during the festival of the bells. Had you always wanted to tell a holiday story?
Watters: Yes! Gosh, I love a holiday special. Every year I feel like I discover new, weird ways that creators had their characters celebrate the holidays, and no matter how terrible they are, they’re perfect.
Sarin: I always wanted to make a Halloween holiday story! This warm winter holiday one was lovely to do, though.
Bellwoar: A big plot point involves Boober’s tradition of making radish onion pie. Are there any dishes you love to make this time of year?
Watters: I’m a big cook and baker, so I love an excuse to make something (or, many somethings) special for a holiday! One of my favorites for the winter holidays is The New York Times‘ guava twist cookies … the folks I love look forward to them all year!
Sarin: Fruit Salad with whipped cream! My girlfriend’s tradition, which I have adopted happily. (Strawberries, sweet cherries from a glass jar, bananas, papaya, grapes, apples and tangerines) As for a meal dish, Boober is my man again: Mushroom pie, this time enjoyed by the whole family (forest mushrooms, cream, onion, herbs, cheese and cheesed base pie).
Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Shannon and Max!
Jim Henson Presents #1 is on sale now from Boom! Studios. A second printing of the first issue will be available February 12th and feature a new cover by Danny Luckert.
