Fans of “Sailor Moon” Need to Know About “Flavor Girls” [Interview]
Interview with artist and writer Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky.
Calling all Sailor Moon Fans! Flavor Girls should be on your TBR this summer—I know, summer is almost over, but good news, the second volume: Flavor Girls: Return to the Mothership, is now available as a trade paperback collecting issues #1-3. Find it at comic shops, book stores, and request it at your local library. The thrilling series that blends magic with science-fiction, following an all-woman group of fruit guardians, is good for fans of Sailor Moon, She-Ra, and Steven Universe.
The first story arc of Flavor Girls debuted in 2022 following a group of fruit-themed Earth guardians called the Flavor Girls—Noako, Camille and V. They defend the planet from aggressive alien occupants called Agarthians. This epic story truly begins when Sara unexpectedly becomes the latest (and last) member of the Flavor Girls. Her dream was to join the U.N. to make a difference, but she was thrust into the dangerous world of the Flavor Girls after an Agarthian attack that left one of her friends in the hospital. While she has been called to action, Sara is reluctant to accept her new destiny—she has a lot of growing to do to become a hero that the world needs. Flavor Girls balances whimsical humor with darker themes, especially themes of grief and loss.
The second arc, Flavor Girls: Return to the MotherShip, follows Sara continuing to adjust to her new role while discovering and exploring her Pineapple powers as she is pulled into a new quest—investigating an ancient civilization that might be connected to the Agaethians. This mysterious civilization might be the key to Earth's survival. Volume two goes further in depth with the world building and lore while focusing on the humanity and backstories of the individual Flavor Girls.
Flavor Girls is written, illustrated, and lettered by triple-threat comic creator Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky, known for Persephone, also published by BOOM! Studios. Locatelli-Kournwsky is joined by colorist Angel De Santiago, known for I Heart Skull-Crusher and The Fade, both also published by BOOM! Studios.
The DeMonster got to chat with Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky about all things Flavor Girls—from plot and inspiration to the creative process of being both the illustrator and writer! Here is what Loïc has to say!
First of all, what is Flavor Girls for those new to the series? What genres would you define it as?
Flavor Girls is a magical girls series that gets its inspiration from—what I consider to be—the golden age of animation (the 80/90s). So if you liked Sailor Moon, Evangelion and Saint Seiya, you’ll be on familiar ground!
What is the inspiration behind the series? Especially with the potent lore and mythology prevalent in the story.
What I like about the series I mentioned previously - and with comic/anime series in general—is how the universe and the lore expands as the series unfolds. It can start as a very light shonen/shojo but suddenly gets heavier, with the tone of the show exploring darker events while still proposing a world that’s appealing, for the reader to want to spend time in. So, I wanted to have this very “fresh” start too for Flavor Girls, more on the funny side at first, and progressively bringing more serious and dark themes to the mix.
Since volume two just wrapped, what would you say are some of the differences between volumes one and two?
Volume 1 was kind of the “Act 1” of the story, from what we refer to in storytelling as the presentation of the characters, the world they live in, to the call to Adventure, and the crossing of their first thresholds. This second book is, no surprise, the “Act 2”. We’re learning more about the heroines’ past, their enemies, and I’m trying to deepen the mysteries surrounding them.
How do you balance the dark subject matter with fun and comedic moments to create the tone of the series?
This is a tricky part, and I don’t know if I’m doing a good job or not! It comes with the writing flow. I try to put myself in the shoes of the reader the best I can. If a scene needs to keep a dramatic tone, I’ll try to keep it all the way, until it’s finally time to release the pressure. I usually don’t really like when emotional or serious moments are defused with sarcastic jokes, that’s just not my thing. I’m not on the cynical side of the road with Flavor Girls, it’s just pure magical girls/90s anime vibe!
What is it like creating this story as both the writer and the artist? What is your creative process like?
It’s difficult ! Because I struggle just as much with drawing it as with writing it!! But I enjoy it a lot, honestly. Writing the dialogue takes me the longest, because putting myself in the shoes of girls in their mid-twenties is not an easy task, and I’m afraid it could sound very odd. So, I’m watching and rewatching shows with characters that I feel close to mine, taking notes, and then I have to wrap everything up in English, a beautiful language but still not my mother-tongue. But it’s also very rewarding. I mean… I have the chance to publish my very own Magical Girls comic series. If you don’t have fun doing this, you’re doing it wrong (it’s a quote from Chester Bennington!)
What has been your favorite aspect about creating Flavor Girls? Anything you are most proud of?
Flavor Girls is my first series. Before that I only made one-shots, so I guess… if not proud, I’ll have a sense of achievement when I’ll wrap up the final pages. But mostly I’m proud of my girls! They do all the fighting and the talking!
What do you want people to take away from reading Flavor Girls?
I want them to have a fun time. The same way I had fun when reading comics when I was younger. Sitting with a coffee on a late afternoon/in a bus/or going to bed at night with a smile, knowing that for the next hour it’s just you and your book, escaping all the sh*t from the real world by plunging into crazy adventures and whimsical characters.
Now, a fun one! What type of fruit would you be if you were a Flavor Girl and why?
You know, the weird thing is… I don’t really like fruits! Except bananas. Banana is the king of fruit (this time it’s a quote from Only Yesterday; if you haven’t seen this movie stop reading this and go watch it!)
And lastly, what is next for Flavor Girls?
The next step for me personally is finishing my work on two Japanese anime starring both strong female characters/magical girls. I can’t really say more for now, except that I’m very excited because the directors are great and the art direction will be a bit different than modern anime. After that, the next step will be drawing the next Flavor Girls! The story is already done, as well as the first 10 pages…
Find a local comic book shop or book store near you and pick up volumes 1 & 2 of “Flavor Girls”. Follow Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky on Instagram at @loiclocatelli. Check out the publisher BOOM! Studios on socials at @boom_studios.
