Interview: Jeff Parker enters ZOOTOPIA

Disney and Dynamite are continuing to add new titles to their lengthy comic collaborations. In January 2025, Zootopia will be the latest installment, marking the first time the property will be an ongoing comic series. 

Writer Jeff Parker and artist Alessandro Ranaldi lead the book featuring magical anthropomorphic characters where every animal in Zootopia is “free to strive to realize their full potential.”

DEANNA DESTITO: What attracted you to work on Zootopia?

JEFF PARKER: It’s frankly one of the most interesting Disney movies of the past 30 years at least. Under all the clever humor and satire, there’s a lot of big ideas about society and community.

DESTITO: Where in the timeline does this story take place?

PARKER: Pretty soon after the events of the movie, Judy and Nick are work partners taking on whatever Chief Bogo will send them after, and of course more if they can get away with it. You get to see Nick trying to settle into this new role of public protector.

DESTITO: How was it adding your own voice to this universe?

PARKER: I think readers will have to judge that. I try my best to make this feel as close to an extension of the film and not draw attention to my writing.

DESTITO: How was it working with this creative team?

PARKER: The best! Alessandro is absolutely nailing these characters. You can hear Bogo’s booming voice, you can feel Judy’s over-eager devotion to her work, and Nick’s wry humor, it’s all there. You can’t do that without an artist who can inhabit the characters the way he does. And I’m working once more with the major talents of Dearbhla Kelly on color and Jeff Eckleberry on lettering; this is a dream team for me. I’m biased, but I think we’re making it feel like the world of the movie.

DESTITO: What will fans of the film recognize and what’s new?

PARKER: Clawhauser is BACK! I know that’s what you’re hoping for, right? And there are a lot of new characters to round out the cast this time as we get to see Hopps and Wilde go out busting crime. I wanted to revisit ex-Mayor Lionheart but there isn’t room in this first storyline. He’s a character I like better every time I watch the movie. We get some looks at other locales within the city I think readers will find interesting. Oh wait, there’s a brief appearance by Yax too!