About the recent greek publication of ASTRO.
The Star of Vassilis Gogtzilas
The acclaimed comic artist talks about his hero, the young Astro
© Vassilis Gogtzilas
By Babis Kalogiannis
Issue 974 — October 22, 2025
From Thessaloniki to Mount Olympus
Vassilis Gogtzilas and his new comic Astro
When passion turns into a profession, the moment it all began becomes hard to pinpoint. That’s how it is for Vassilis Gogtzilas, who has been drawing for as long as he can remember. Comics were always around him — at his music school, in attics, on bookshelves. That early exposure led him not only to collect them but to start creating his own stories, featuring both established and original characters.
At just 14, he began contributing to comic publications such as Boomerang and later illustrated for Thessaloniki-based media. A pivotal moment came when he started working with ATHENS VOICE and the magazine Soul. He also became known in the city’s music scene through collaborations with Mora sti Fotia (Stelios Salvadore’s band), Rusty Cadillac, and D. Batistatos.
In 2007, Gogtzilas began creating and illustrating for IDW Publishing and Image Comics in the U.S. International recognition followed with The Adventures of Augusta Wind and The Bigger Bang, as well as his inclusion in Illustration Now! Vol. 2 by Taschen and his work with Heavy Metal magazine.
Astro: The Myth Reimagined
One of his most important heroes is Astro, a young boy who embarks on a long journey through ancient Greece to find missing children, as kidnappings spread across the land. Written by Onri Koban, Astro is filled with adventure and twists — a story about belief in myth and imagination.
The comic has just been released in Greek by Enati Diastasi Editions, and Gogtzilas spoke with us about its symbols and his artistic approach.
How did the idea for Astro come to you?
“The main inspiration came from my walks along Thessaloniki’s seafront, where I can see Mount Olympus. The contrast between people discussing everyday problems — political or social — and the mythical, otherworldly view of Olympus gave me the feeling that myth had been forgotten. I wanted to create something out of that feeling: gods and demons battling for Olympus’ power while dramatic human events unfold.
“Another source of inspiration was my childhood summers — reading Jack Kirby under a beach umbrella. The contrast between his fantastic stories and the Greek landscape always sparked ideas for new tales.”
The symbolism of children in the story
“Children represent innocence — the way I believe we should all face reality: with courage and heart. Life is a miracle; each sunrise is a new adventure. Young people are the future, and we all have to support and understand them.”
The Titans and mythic beings
“I wanted to show empathy even for the Titans. Everything destructive in the story happens because it’s in their nature — they can’t help it. But there are also mythological beings who aid Astro in his quest.”
What is the ‘cosmic joke’ mentioned in the story?
“It’s the Titan’s dark reflection on his own nature — the futility of existence. It contrasts with the positive outlook that drives us to fill life with what makes us feel alive.”
The creative process
“My storytelling is primarily visual — I think in images, sounds, and motion. I design the pages first; the whole story unfolds visually. For dialogue, I usually collaborate with writers. In this case, I worked with Onri Koban, with whom I had previously collaborated on his comic Marx, A Tale of Neglect. I would send him scene descriptions, character notes, and what I wanted each image to convey. I believe the result turned out beautifully.”
Artistic influences
“I love everything — from the most roughly drawn work to the most polished. I find deep charm in the act of drawing stories on paper, and I see comics as the most complete expressive art form.
“Among Greek artists, I’d single out Yannis Milonogiannis, who has mastered narrative flow, and Kostas Kyriakakis, for his sensitive line and refined drawing. From abroad, I greatly admire Sam Kieth and Bernie Wrightson. Of course, there are countless talented creators, and my influences come from across all the arts.”
Ambition and what comes next
“As for ambitions — I think I’ve made peace with them. My only real goal now is to wake up and draw every day. I’ve collaborated with wonderful writers and major publishers in Greece and abroad, and I continue to work with great people. I just hope I can keep doing that for many more years.”
“As for what’s next — there are a few projects and collaborations in the works. I’ve also completed a romantic fantasy comic called Johnny Rocket, which I’d love to see published in Greek, just like Astro. I try to be selective about what I take on. Some stories take years to mature before printing — others develop alongside them. There’s no shortage of inspiration; the world offers plenty every single day.”
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