Tomas Zobak was Franz Bonaparta's editor at Moravian Publishing Company during the early part of Franz's career in picture books.
The two had a creative relationship that ultimately didn't work out. Franz pitched Zobak on a story concept—a monster falling in love, blending elements of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty"—but Zobak rejected it. Fans have speculated the idea may have drawn from Franz's personal life and his relationship with someone named Viera, though Franz never confirmed this. Their final meeting came when Franz showed up at Zobak's door with yet another pitch: a story centered on a door that must never be opened. When Zobak asked what could possibly be behind it—paradise or another monster—Franz simply said no one would ever find out, because the door had to stay closed. That was the last time they saw each other, sometime in the summer of '81 or '82. Zobak apparently wasn't moved by either concept, which may have soured things between them.
Despite the creative friction, Zobak clearly understood who Franz was. He knew Franz worked for the government and was aware of his unusual position—an official from the old regime who carried himself entirely differently from his peers, with a distinctive style and manner of speaking. Beyond picture books, Zobak also knew Franz was a psychiatrist, psychologist, and neurosurgeon.
Zobak's daughter once remarked that Franz was an intimidating presence, though the specifics of why aren't clear.
Years later, a man named Tenma came to Zobak looking for information about Bonaparta. Zobak recognized Tenma from a newspaper article and reported him to the police after he left.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
