Meet Fasil Kassa | Comic Book Creator & Animator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fasil Kassa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fasil, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always wanted to tell my own stories. As a kid, I would draw and staple together my own fan version of Batman or Power Ranger comics. When I was in college, I had a running list of stories I wanted to tell. I realized that I didn’t just want to create stories through comics, but that I also wanted to incorporate animation, and eventually video games into the mix.

Kassa Studios tells stories about everyday people brought into the most extraordinary of circumstances. With Kassa Studios, I want to create projects that highlight Atlanta’s rich history and culture. By creating my own business, my own brand, I could tell the stories that I was interested in, on my own terms, and not be limited to the confines of the established mythology of characters from Marvel or DC.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Everything I create is loosely based on my own personal story. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio in the 1990’s as the child of Ethiopian immigrants. I was immersed in my parents’ culture, learning everything from history to music. I learned the importance of knowing where you come from. It was a challenge sometimes growing up not quite feeling like I fit in one place or another, having to explain things to my family or my friends. I think what I gained the most from that upbringing, was the ability to empathize and connect with people different from me. I also spent a lot of time at home doodling and watching cartoons after school. That duality of experiences and culture, influences everything from the types of stories I write to the visual style I choose for the story.

I went to college and studied architecture at the suggestion of my parents. While I did well in school and started working professionally, I always had this nagging feeling that architecture wasn’t for me, so I decided to take the plunge and pursue comics. It has been a challenging, but rewarding experience. Like most artists, I have a day job so I’m limited to working on my art at night and on weekends. I have to wear multiple hats at Kassa Studios, everything from being an artist, writer, editor, and advertiser.

I’m inspired by the engaging and action-packed Saturday morning cartoons of the 90s. With Kassa Studios, I want to recreate the kinds of stories I loved as a kid for the kids (and kids at heart) of today.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would be remiss as a former architect if I didn’t include an architecture tour on the itinerary. Atlanta is a large sprawling city, so can be a challenge to see all of its eclectic, variety of buildings in a short amount of time. The best selection of the city’s architecture is located in the Downtown area. I would check out the Bank of America Building, the Flatiron Building, and the Marriott Marquis (just to see the atrium). Hangout in Piedmont Park and people watch for an hour or two. For Breweries, I recommend checking out Monday Night Brewing or Wild Heaven. For sports, go to an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena.

For comic books, I would to go to either Challenges in North Dekalb Mall or My Parent’s Basement in Avondale. Go to Victory for sandwiches and Jack & Coke slushies. For pizza, I would say check out Jack’s Pizza and Wings and get their Buffalo Chicken Pizza.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I could not of started Kassa Studios without my wife Katie, who gave me the confidence to go after what I wanted, and who generously edits everything that I write. My mom, who is the most supportive, entrepreneurial person I know. My friends and siblings, who act as my unofficial fan club and brand ambassadors. And finally, my dad who wasn’t able to see the end of my journey into comics, but was there at very beginning, reading Peanuts comic strips to me.

Website: www.kassastudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassastudios/