Gravity Falls’ creator can’t believe his new, cursed book got published

Gravity Falls, Disney Channel’s quirky paranormal animated adventure show, ended eight years ago. But Bill Cipher, the inter-dimensional demon bent on taking over the multiverse, is back in action — or at least, he’s back in a new book penned by Gravity Falls creator, Alex Hirsch.

The book is basically Bill’s tell-all, where he spills a whole host of insights, including, but not limited to: a guide to taking over the world, embarrassing Pines family secrets, complex riddles and ciphers, and apparently a whole chapter on Silly Straws.

According to the Disney books website, The Book of Bill is for mature readers, but that doesn’t mean it’s super explicit. From Bill’s perspective, things are gonna get a little darker and edgier than the show. After all, the golden triangle just wants to wreak havoc across the universe with his willy machinations.

In a completely, totally serious email interview, Hirsch got as candid as he could with a demon lurking over his shoulder about writing this deeply cursed book and returning to the twisted mind of Bill Cipher and the world of Gravity Falls.

Image: Disney

Polygon: What was it like returning to Bill specifically?

Alex Hirsch: Bill is a little bastard, and little bastards are fun to write. When me and my pals published this cursed anti-Bible from the perspective of a literal chaos demon, I genuinely couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.

What makes this book in particular “deeply cursed”?

Probably all the curses. Please wash hands thoroughly with Holy Water after touching.

Bill’s a character that has left a legacy on animation, particularly with villains. Have you felt that impact? Was it something you ever anticipated?

Bill appeared in my head the way he appears in everyone else’s- unannounced, screaming, inexplicable. I wasn’t sure if audiences would “get” this guy, let alone be tattooing him permanently on their bodies a decade after he entered the collective unconscious. My best guess at his enduring all-ages appeal might be that he combines the things little kids love (bright shapes) with the things adults love (terrible choices.)

What’s something you were able to do with this book that you weren’t able to with the show? The content warning says it’s for older readers, so I’m curious about what flexibility that might’ve allowed.

Honestly I don’t think this book is that different tonally from any other Gravity Falls product, beyond the fact that it’s the first ever mass-distributed book that’s printed entirely in human blood. RE: demographics, if someone were to ask me the right age for this book, I’d say it’s “too scary for kids, too dumb for adults, just right for you.”

Gravity Falls itself did get pretty dark sometimes — what was it like to lean on these horror elements but still keep it pretty PG?

A story isn’t a story without stakes, and stakes are more believable with a villain who would be happy to snap a few necks if you let him. I just try to keep things interesting and let someone else worry about the rating.

When it comes to future animated projects, do you find yourself more drawn to one or the other (family friendly vs more mature)?

That’s a great question, unfortunately my lawyers have advised me that there is now a sniper dot on my forehead and I must move to the next question

In recent years, I feel like there’s been more and more serialized, genre animation for adults out there. As someone in the industry, why do you think that is?

It was inevitable. Animation as a medium can fit any story style imaginable. The question isn’t why are these more long-form, high-stakes animations finally popular in America, but what took so long?

What’s been the most surprising reaction from fans of Gravity Falls to you after all this time?

Apparently “Summerween” (the fictional holiday we made up in the show to excuse having a Halloween episode in a series set in the summer) is actually becoming….a thing? Multiple people have sent me video clips recently of people celebrating real Summerween parties. If I accidentally contrived a new holiday into existence through sleep deprivation and deadline sweat I will be shocked and really delighted.

Is there another Gravity Falls character you’d most like to get their own book?

50 Shades of Soos. America is ready.

Image: Disney

The Book of Bill is available now.