What’s better than some sexy comic book pinups by Stéphane Roux? How about pairing them with cocktails? If that was your first thought, well, congratulations on being psychic, because Roux has teamed up with writer Jeremy Staples to pair pinups and drinks in a book that could only be titled Cocktails & Curves.
“About a year ago Stephane shared an idea he had for a pinup art book – one that not only showcased his diverse pinup styles but also served a practical purpose,” Staples told Comic Book Club over email. “Our first though was a pinup-themed cookbook. But then we though, what’s even more unique than that? How about a cocktail mixology pinup book!”
Now on Zoop, the project pairs twenty pinups with twenty cocktail (and mocktail) recipes for the perfect chill time at your own home bar. To find out more about the project, as well as a preview of some of the pairings, read on.
Comic Book Club: Which came first? The pinups, or the cocktails?
Jeremy Staples: About a year ago Stephane shared an idea he had for a pinup art book – one that not only showcased his diverse pinup styles but also served a practical purpose. Our first though was a pinup-themed cookbook. But then we though, what’s even more unique than that? How about a cocktail mixology pinup book!
Stephane already had a few cocktails in mind, along with their corresponding pinup concepts, that he knew he wanted to include in the book. I put together a list of about 35 additional cocktails categorized by spirit, along with some mocktails, so he could choose the ones that sparked the most inspiration. We narrowed the list the down to 25, then finalized the perfect 20 for the book. So the pinups are what drove the book.
What makes a perfect pairing of pinup with cocktail?
Stéphane Roux: Intrinsically, the concept of chilling while enjoying a drink of mixed spirits with juices or other ingredient stems from certain social class habits and behaviors. Historically, I doubt – I could be wrong – cocktails originated from the hard-working blue collar work force. I think cocktails were invented to pull high-society party-goers out of their drinking boredom. The concept of recipe for drinks itself implies a certain etiquette, rules to follow.
On the other hand, the concept of pin-ups strongly suggested, early on, either a notion of festive moments, fun, sometimes in somewhat ” select ” settings: a night out, with gown and tuxedoes, the intimacy of a well-maintained bedroom or any sophisticated environment. In some logical way, the two were bound to pair-up. I don’t know if it had been done before, on this scale, but it seemed so obvious to Jeremy and I.
Was there any switching around?
Roux: Not once. I had a few pinups I started knowing they would go perfectly for this or that cocktail, and for the ones I had to draw after Jeremy had gathered the recipes, I either went on with the ideas that came to mind from the nature of the cocktail itself ( the Spy, for example, literally drew itself! Same with the Blue Lagoon or the Corpse Reviver.)
Otherwise, I tried to suggest, with the image, the strongest point the cocktail itself would make on one’s palate (strong in alcohol, sweet and smooth… ) or occasionally hide an easter egg that connects it to pop culture, cinema, magazines, comic strips or cartoons.
Talk about designing the cocktail recipes… How much experimentation went into that?
Staples: Of course, quality control was essential – so some taste-testing was required, for science. In all seriousness, some recipes were known to Stephane or myself, and the rest were researched. One thing I love is the rich history and trivia behind some of the world’s most delicious cocktails – many have interesting, unexpected, or even outlandish origins. So, beyond just the ingredients and instructions, we added fun facts or alternative cocktail ideas for each drink. What’s better than beautiful art, a refreshing libation, and learning something fun?
So you’ve got the recipes, you’ve got the pinups… What goes into bringing that together as a book?
Staples: First and foremost, Cocktails & Curves is a celebration of Stephane’s renowned pinup artistry. His work is recognized worldwide for its stunning variety, and this book is a true reflection of that versatility. To bring this book to life, he illustrated twenty brand-new, full-page pinups, each highlighting a different style. From classic 1940s pinups, playful cartoon-inspired pieces, pop art, and sultry cinema femme fatales – every illustration is a visual delight.
What can folks expect from the Zoop campaign?
Roux: We decided to mix pinup art add-ons with some art I’m also known for from the mainstream comic book industry . These add-ons are a nice mix of cool affordable art pieces, along with some higher-end pieces, and even a few commission opportunities. For fans and collectors that can’t make it a convention, this is a fantastic way to get some great original art. We also have some fun Cocktails & Curves unlockable rewards, complimenting the book like coasters, pinup stickers, and more…
Comic Book Club Live Info:
Discover more from Comic Book Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.