This summer, Pittsburgh families are falling in love with a silent hero whose actions speak volumes. Milo the Mime, the brand-new children’s book written and illustrated by Pittsburgh cartoonist Chas Chasler, is now live on Kickstarter and already capturing imaginations.
 We sat down with Chas as part of a special Incubator Productions spotlight to learn more about his journey into cartooning, what makes Milo unique, and how this local project grew from a character concept to a fully illustrated book filled with heart and humor. |
| On Drawing, Laughing, and Finding Your Voice |
Isaac Fisher: Chas, how did you first get into cartooning and illustration?
Chas Chasler: As a kid, I always loved drawing. I used to draw a lot in the margins of my old notebooks in school. I’ve always been a fan of cartoons and comics — mostly the comedy and action genres. But when I started seeing some behind-the-scenes shows on the history of animation, I knew I sincerely wanted to be a part of the commercial production of cartoon art.
IF: What kinds of characters and stories inspired you as a kid?
CC: I was into anything action-packed or comical — or both, even better. Characters like Bugs Bunny or Yakko, Wakko, and Dot always got a laugh out of me. I also enjoy characters with a bit of an edge, like Donald Duck, or lovable simpletons like Homer and Goofy. I think I’ve always gravitated toward characters with wit, moxie, or just plain heart.
| Milo the Mime |
IF: Tell us about Milo the Mime. Who is this hero and what makes him so special?
CC:Milo is a mime who goes about his day without making a sound. Whenever he wants to communicate or do something, he does so by gesturing. It’s a way to show that he’s intelligent — he just shows it differently.
IF: Where did the idea for Milo come from?
CC:I remember an episode of Dexter's Laboratory called The Laughing. Dexter becomes a clown, and Dee Dee has to stop him by becoming a mime. That got me thinking about how mime is this art form that relies entirely on the imagination. I was fascinated by how people pretend to do things, and others have to guess what they’re doing.
IF: So… why a mime?
CC: I figured a mime would be simple for kids to attach to and find appealing. Kids already use their imagination to experience the world — I think kids would understand Milo and learn his central message better than they would as adults.
IF: What can families expect when they open this book?
CC:A good moral message about acceptance — but not in a way that’s too preachy or “woke.” It’s filled with humor and has appealing artwork that’s pleasing to the eyes.
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| On Meaning Beneath the Makeup |
IF: Milo is a pretty unique kind of hero. What message do you hope kids take away?
CC:Try to understand those who have awkward quirks. And realize that you, too, might have something different about you — so don’t be a jerk.
IF: How do you hope Milo connects with kids who might feel different or unheard?
CC:It’s hard to say, to be honest. I don’t want to give people false hope or act like this book is some sort of cure. I just hope it gives them the motivation to keep moving forward — one step at a time. Just one step.
| Behind the Book |
IF: Let’s talk process — how did Milo the Mime come together, visually?
CC: I started making rough sketches of Milo, playing with different head shapes. I tested him as an anthropomorphic character at first, but ultimately stuck with him being human. For backgrounds, I was inspired by shows like The Powerpuff Girls and My Life as a Teenage Robot — I wanted them to be simple, stylish, and appealing.
IF: Did you collaborate with anyone along the way?
CC: I did the drawings myself, but I asked for help here and there — mostly with perspective and story setup. For the writing, I got feedback from friends, family, and eventually my editor, who helped me make some corrections and prepare the book’s packaging design. I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to work with Mireya and Gianna, the editorial assistants at Incubator Productions. They’re amazing and have been able to help me transform the project from just a book to animated shorts, public workshops, and even an audiobook narrated by rising star in voice acting, Alex Rochon.
IF: Any surprising challenges or joyful moments during the making of the book?
CC: The biggest challenge was making sure the drawings had flow — so readers would know where to look, what order to go in, and how to experience the story visually.
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| For Pittsburgh Kids & Parents |
IF: How do you envision families enjoying Milo the Mime together?
CC:I think parents will read it to their kids, and maybe some kids will even learn to read with it.
IF: Any advice for young artists or storytellers?
CC:Learn from the styles and stories of your idols. Buy “how to draw” books. Learn from your teachers — and from life. You gotta know the rules before you break them.
IF: Where can readers find Milo the Mime, and how can they support your work?
CC:You can buy and support the book through Kickstarter. We’ve got other merchandise available too — like keychains, bookmarks, and stickers. And an amazing audiobook narrated by Alex Rochon, the voice of Caine from The Amazing Digital Circus.
IF: Any events coming up where fans can meet you?
CC:Yes! On August 2nd, I’ll be at the Beaver Area Memorial Library in Beaver County. I’ll have Milo merch and a few prints available. And you’ll be able to get a sneak peek of the book! I’ll also be touring local books stores and libraries and doing more events with Macaroni Kid Pittsburgh in the coming year. You can stay tuned on my appearances by visiting the Milo the Mime Website and following our socials @milo_the_mime.
If you’re looking for a fresh, funny, and heartfelt read to enjoy with your little ones — and want to support a homegrown Pittsburgh artist while you’re at it — consider backing Milo the Mime on Kickstarter today. You can also follow Incubator Productions and Macaroni KID Pittsburgh for updates on Chas Chasler’s upcoming appearances and events.
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Actions speak volumes — especially when it's coming from Milo.
Support the book at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/incubatorpro/milo-the-mime-the-silent-hero-saves-the-day
Learn More About Milo the Mime
Learn More About Incubator Productions
Interview by Isaac Fisher, Director of Incubator Productions. Special thanks to Macaroni KID Pittsburgh for supporting local creators.
