“You’ll be safe. My tuna always pack a punch… Or a slap. Depends on the mood.”
– Tina the Tunabear

Inspiration and author’s notes

As highlighted in Timmy Mede’s bio, TINA’S adventure began as a simple story my older brother told me in the early 1990s:

“Little Timmy was sleeping in his bed when two burglars broke in through his window and kidnapped him. From out of the nearby lake arose Tina the Tunabear, dual-wielding 15 lb. tunas in each massive paw. She beat the robbers up and saved him. Giving him a ride on her back all the way to his home.”
– Bill Beebe

The vision of an enormous bear smashing villains with two tuna fish tickled me to the core, and lived rent-free in my mind for years. But what made her tick? How could I evolve her to make her my own?

My brother and I didn’t just play video games. On weekends, we would travel to his friend Jeff’s home to play Battletech, or Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) in secret.

In our very conservative Christian home, playing the adventure role-playing game was forbidden, akin to practicing witchcraft. This was largely due to the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s, in which D&D was painted as a “cult recruitment tool, inducing youth to suicide, murder and Satanic ritual abuse.”

And, while my brother and I never sacrificed any virgins or goats, we did have a lot of fun vanquishing demons and smiting devils as we played our fantasy personas.

I was always in awe of my brother’s role-playing skills. With every social interaction, choice or even battle tactics, Bill infused life into his characters. Yet, more often than not, they would meet their ultimate demise in an act of selfless heroism.

Inspired by his characters’ valor, Tina the Tunabear would occasionally make guest appearances in the “Holly the Holly” and Spookaluca comics from my high school years, often facing off against a sinister, claymore-wielding clown. In contrast to today’s Tina, this version used a single, dead tuna fish as her weapon – something that would horrify poor Clive and Percy today.

Tina the Tunabear versus Punkface – circa 1994

Making a “mama bear” roar

When writing the Spookaluca trilogy, Tina evolved into something well beyond her initial introduction in the 1990s.

She became a holy crusader, infused with aspects of the heroic characters my brother played in D&D all those years ago: Selfless, gallant, valorous, honorable, devoted, resolute, compassionate and sincere.

“By the light of love, and will of Spookaluca, I promise to protect you… even from your terrible decisions. ”
– Tina the Tunabear

Rounding out her personality with mannerisms, habits, and quirks, I looked for inspiration from amazing women in my life who shared the same nurturing and “mama bear” energy as Tina.

Joelle Beebe, my sister and gift giver extraordinaire

First, my sister, Joelle, who finds joy in giving gifts to others – sometimes beyond her means! Like Joelle, Tina expresses her love for others through her thoughtful gifts and tokens; whether it’s a delicious, freshly picked meatflower or a beautiful shell she’s discovered along a shoreline. When Joelle and Tina give, it’s imbued with powerful love.

Kate Wonsul, a good Judy and guardian of my workplace sanity

Next, Kathy Koths and Terry Berry – incredibly brave women I had the pleasure of working with at Ford Motor Company. Former executive security officers, they found themselves working with the Ford Volunteer Corps on programs that connected Ford employees with volunteer opportunities in the community. Overcoming incredible obstacles and defying odds, these courageous women were beacons of truth and justice to me. I see pieces of them in Tina when she faces mythical monsters and ancient evils without fear.

Finally, Kate Wonsul, a dear friend who worked with me at General Motors. Her wisdom, warmth, sense of humor, and quirky life moments, like realizing at work that she’s wearing her clothes backward, can be seen in Tina’s interactions with Timmy, Kya, and Bolivar. Yet, it’s her selflessness that I truly see in Tina’s personality, as I often witnessed Kate prioritizing her three kids’ needs above her own. Kate will forever be the voice of Tina in my head.

These women inspire me to be a better person; always doing what’s right, giving freely, speaking the truth and selflessly crusading for others.

And, while I won’t give any specifics or spoilers how this sweet gentle giant became the great guardian of Spookaluca, writing it was both gut wrenching and heartwarming. Tina is truly my favorite character of the entire series, and I suspect she, Clive and Percy will become fan favorites.

Designing the Golden Guardian

Concept art by Francesco Sala

Tina’s design needed to exude ferocity, warmth, love and compassion. I think readers will find her golden fur comforting and familiar, a’la Winnie the Pooh.

Yet, it goes far beyond that: a plot point of her origin story, and a warning to those who intend to harm. Plus, it contrasts quite nicely with Clive and Percy’s color palettes.

My original design for Tina, Clive (right, with monocle) & Percy

For her body proportions, I was inspired by Disney’s Baloo from the animated cartoon, The Jungle Book, and Saturday morning series, Tailspin. Coming in at more than 8-feet tall, Tina is rather large and in charge.

As for her clothing? That was a challenge. How does she carry Clive and Percy when she’s not wielding them as weapons? Does she wear pants? What about her tail? Do female cartoon bears have boobs? It was a rather serious conversation I never expected to have.

After several iterations, we settled on a leather harness with a buckle or fastener in the shape of an owl, Spookaluca’s holy symbol. In the back, Clive and Percy could be sheathed, yet still interact with Tina and her allies… whispering in her ears like an angel and devil… more on that in a future update!

Clothing options for Tina. Concept art by Francesco Sala.