Oregon coffee chain publishes comic book
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Being a self-proclaimed "comic geek," Brant Boersma always wanted Dutch Bros. to have its own action-packed full-length comic book.
So he rounded up his cousin Jason Hetzer, illustrator Jeff Egli and letterer Tom Mintun to bring his idea to life.
"I just have the vision, not the ability to draw or write it out," said Boersma, son of late Dutch Bros. co-founder Dane Boersma. "They put it to life and they did a great job. I'm super stoked about it."
Dutch Bros. first comic book "Dutch Bros. Freedom Fighters" was released last week and 50,000 free copies are being distributed at 159 coffee stops in seven states, while supplies last.
"It's a legit comic, not cheaply made by any means," Boersma said. The comic book was printed by Milwaukie, Ore.-based Dark Horse Comics, which has printed popular comics including "Star Wars," ''Hellboy" and "Buffy."
Boersma was the mastermind behind the popular Dutch Mafia character, which was inspired by the popular mob movie "Donnie Brasco." After watching Dutch Mafia and other characters like Fro and Mullet, who were first introduced on Dutch Bros. stickers, achieve cult-like followings, he decided to take it a step further.
Boersma and Hetzer, who wrote the comic, brought the storyline to life using a cast of characters that include old favorites Dutch Mafia, Fro and Mullet. The comic book also introduces a female superhero named Penny Princess, and a dragon who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed without his morning coffee.
"We have a batch of characters that we have made stickers out of and we gave them all personalities," Boersma said. "We wanted to direct it toward kids but it's something kind of fun for everybody out there."
When Boersma's favorite childhood hangout, Iguana Comics and Gifts in Grants Pass, re-opened last year after a 12-year hiatus, he approached Egli, who owns the store, about illustrating the comic book.
"Jeff's store was a home away from home for me growing up, and both Jeff and Jason know the heart and culture of the Dutch Bros. business, so it was incredible to work with both of them," Boersma said.
Egli, an artist who has illustrated other works including comic strips and children's books, said it was ambitious for Dutch Bros. to complete such a large project.
"It takes a whole company to put a book out like this," Egli said. "It's pretty amazing they found the time to do this."
Copies are going fast, but Boersma said comic books are still available at most Dutch Bros. locations.
Boersma said Hetzer already has ideas flowing for a second installment of "Dutch Bros. Freedom Fighters."
"I want to see how well it's received across the board and make sure it's something people dig," Boersma said. "He's already got another story brewing in his mind to continue on the adventures. This is not the end."
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Information from: Daily Courier, http://www.thedailycourier.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
