When space travel and research projects are too expensive, finding enough funding leads to desperate measures. For scientist Christine Ocampos, the answer is filming sexual exploits with different races around the galaxy and posting them online for anyone looking for some alien porn entertainment. That is the Money Shot.

From the mind of writer Tim Seeley (Grayson, Revival, and Hack/Slash), the comic is co-scripted by comedian Sarah Beattie and illustrated by artist Rebekah Isaacs (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel & Faith). Colorist Kurt Michael Russell (Hack/Slash, Glitterbomb) and letterer Crank! (Rick and Morty, Curse Words) complete the creative team.

Seeley and Isaacs chatted with The Beat about how the naughty series got started and why it’s okay to read a book about sex.

Deanna Destito: Tim, what inspired Money Shot?

Tim Seeley: It was a combination of things…an article I had read about porn leading the majority of the entertainment innovations of the last 50 years, a friend lamenting the difficulty of getting federal science funding, and something my wife said about f*cking aliens. Hey, ya take inspiration when it comes!

Destito: You’ve been quoted as saying “it’s not porn. It’s about porn.” Can you talk more about that and why this book goes beyond just sex with aliens?

Seeley: Well, porn exists just to titillate generally, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, this book is a sci-fi story that happens to be about characters working in the porn industry. There will be titillation of course, but the focus is on the characters and the themes of science and sex. You’re going to read this book for more than five minutes is what I’m saying.

Destito: Rebekah, when you were approached to draw this, what were your initial feelings about the subject, and why did you decide to join?

Rebekah Isaacs: My first thoughts were simply, this is f*cking hilarious. But I initially turned down the pitch because I really wasn’t too keen on drawing another large ensemble cast. The thing that changed my mind is that I couldn’t wait to read the finished product. I’ve never wanted to read a book more than this one. I figured that was a good sign that I needed to be drawing it. I actually didn’t give much thought to it being a book about porn until my parents asked me what I was working on next! I’ve had a couple nervous episodes about it since then, for sure, but that’s only reinforced my belief that it’s worth doing.

Destito: How has it been working with co-scripter Sarah Beattie?

Seeley: Fantastic. She’s the funniest person I know…jokes come out of her like hair comes off the top of my head. She’s full of perspectives I would never think of, and her input is invaluable. And offensive. Horribly offensive.

Destito: How does a book such as this apply to our world today?

Seeley: I don’t think it could be more timely. It’s becoming harder and harder to fund scientific innovation in America, and more and more we see people turning to crowd-funding for everything from pet projects to cancer treatment bills. I also think we’re reaching a cultural touch point concerning sex in general….some of the old prudish stuff still holds on, while a younger generation is a lot more pragmatic and open-minded in some ways.

Isaacs: Besides what Tim just mentioned, I think it’s really important to have more representations of sexuality that isn’t presented as dirty and shameful or exclusively fetishistic in all American media, but especially comics.

Destito: Some might feel embarrassed by the adult themes. If you were to sway the most conservative person to read this, what would you say to them?

Isaacs: I don’t think the most conservative will ever be in our target demo, but I’d say that anyone who’s ever enjoyed an HBO series will have no problem enjoying Money Shot.

Seeley: Sex is good. Sex is healthy. When performed safely, sex is the best thing. This is much better for you and your well-being than more violence. Hell, it’s better for you than the evening news or social media. Read. Relax. Laugh. Enjoy!

Money Shot #1 is slated to release on October 23 at your local comic shop. Stay updated on the series by visiting Vault Comics’ website.