Interview with our reader MAT
Here is a new interview about Sandra and Woo with one of the Sandra and Woo fans that received a poster package, our reader
MAT
Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
> Hello, I’m MAT, and if you don’t believe that I’m 37 years old, I won’t blame you. I even don’t believe it myself. I’m into science, roleplaying games, My Little Pony and overall “internet culture” (including webcomics, obviously). I’m a weirdo, I know it, and I’m proud of it.
When you read Sandra and Woo for the first time, what grabbed your attention the most?
> The similarities to Calvin and Hobbes, of which I’m a great fan.
Is the thing you mentioned above still your favorite part of the comic, or do you like something else the most now?
> The similarities to Calvin and Hobbes captured me, but Sandra and Woo definitely developed into something of its own. As a mere example, Sandra and Woo is way more successful in developing background characters.
Who is your favorite character and why?
> It’s hard to favor a single one of the characters, but I find Larisa particularly interesting, because she’s… no, she’s not crazy. She’s just herself – which is often seen as crazy in this world. Otherwise, “ninja mom” Ye Thuza is a great carrier of unexpected humor.
Do you have a favorite story arc and/or a favorite single strip?
> I’d rather say, some story arcs which are particularly memorable. At first, I’d think of the storyline about Larisa’s diabetes starting with her insulin injection in school. That one developed hilariously!
You have read Sandra and Woo for many years now. Do you think the comic has changed in any way since the beginning?
> It has. Of course. It broadened its focus, gave different characters their opportunity to shine, develop and present themselves, and touched a lot of unexpected subjects.
Sandra and Woo is sometimes criticized for lacking focus. Is there an aspect of the comic that you’d rather get rid of?
> Granting the spotlight to others than the title characters is not a bad aspect in my eyes. Go ahead! The touching of several serious and “less humorous” subjects baffled me at first, but it didn’t deter me. Quite the contrary, I’ve begun to respect the courage with which the comic handles such “unpopular” topics.
Is there a topic you’d like to see getting addressed in a longer story arc?
> Hm, I don’t know… maybe about the discrepancy of gender equality by law and in reality. A topic which I dealt with myself for a while quite intensively. In general, uncovering social biases is something that interests me.
What are your wishes for the future of Sandra and Woo?
> Go on and evolve!
Is there any other webcomic which you’d like to recommend to our readers?
> There are several webcomics I read, though most are targeted towards fantasy fans and roleplaying gamers, like Order of the Stick, Yet Another Fantasy Gamer Comic, Looking for Group, Dork Tower, Weregeek, and Friendship is Dragons.
Do you have anything else do say? Here’s room for it:
> If you ever notice someone around the web who calls himself “DM’s Choice” (spelling may vary), that’s probably me! Hello to everyone who encounters me 🙂
