24 comics in the making

How a man from Graz combines two hobbies into one magazine

Bernd Trübswasser with the first three issues of "Link Fighters" in his office.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Bernd Trübswasser has realized his childhood dream: at the age of 45, the man from Graz is launching the first three issues of his comic series "Link Fighters". He worked tirelessly on it for four years, drawing strength from another passion.

Seeing like an eagle or being as strong as a bear: powers that children dream of become reality in Bernd Trübswasser's comics. "The story is about two brothers, one eleven and one 17, who desperately want to become Link Fighters," explains the Graz native. "Link Fighters" are fighters who can take on special abilities from animals. Because the two boys' father died in a fight for the world title, they now want to follow in his footsteps.

The 45-year-old has spent a whole four years drawing and writing in his room before now releasing three of the 24 volumes to the public. He is fulfilling a long-awaited wish: "I drew comics as a child. I was a big fan of Garfield, Lucky Luke, Asterix and Batman - I really wanted to be able to do that too."

Trübswasser does a lot of his work with graphics programs on the PC - but some of it also has to be drawn by hand.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Trübswasser rummages in his office cupboard and pulls out a loosely bound notebook. It contains smudged pencil drawings of the cartoon cat Garfield, dating back to 1987. Whereas back then he imitated other artists, today he puts his own creations on paper. His second great passion is Chinese martial arts. "I ran the Shaolin Temple in Graz for eleven years, and my students inspired my writing," says Trübswasser.

Shaolin kung fu as a daily practice
This hobby also has its origins in a childhood figure - the Karate Kid - and continues to this day. After breakfast with his wife and his first drawings for his comic series, he rolls out his mat every day at 10 am. Just under an hour of Shaolin practice gets him physically and mentally fit for the day. "Shaolin was never like a religion for me, but more of a guide. The meditative character is particularly important to me."

Trübswasser ran the Shaolin Temple in Graz for eleven years.(Bild: zVg)

In order to focus on "Link Fighters", Trübswasser quit his day job as a graphic designer. "I am convinced that it always makes the most sense to do what is close to your heart." Realizing the project alongside a 40-hour job would hardly be possible. He sits in front of his paper and computer until late into the evening every day, rarely working less than ten hours. "It's not only an insane amount of work, but also an exercise in patience. Time and again, I have discarded pages and pages of everything," says the man from Graz.

His big goal is to work full-time and long-term as a comic artist. The first three issues of "Link Fighters" are now available to buy, with 21 more to follow - suitable for anyone aged eleven and over. He has also launched a funding campaign to mark the publication. Over 2,700 euros have already been donated by interested parties via Kickstarter. Trübswasser wants to finish the series in the next five years - he is also considering a card game, a video game or even an anime. All based on his childhood dream of being as strong as a bear.