David “D.B.” Andry, Tim Daniel, and Maan House’s new nautical nightmare series from Oni Press is bound to make you stay away from the sea and old churches.
Estuary: A Ghost Story examines a series of secrets buried deep beneath the surface of a Mission built atop a rocky cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Known as one of California’s oldest and most haunted historical sites, the 400-year old structure has even more surprises in the bowels connected to the sea.
We spoke to Andry about the new four-issue series in this exclusive interview with the writer.
How did the idea for Estuary develop?
David D.B. Andry: My co-writer, Tim Daniel, and I were talking about doing a relationship drama, a bit like the first self-published comic I made and at the same time I had an itch to do a ghost story. Tim suggested we combine those ideas and Estuary was born. I really don’t remember when the religious elements started to get added in, but it was early in the process. We put the new romance of the two main characters, Maris and Hunt, into this haunting and mystery of this ancient Mission on the California coast and everything started falling into place. We both have a past of being raised religious and spending a lot of time on the California coast, so Estuary really has a lived-in feeling that is born from personal experience.
The story has elements of haunted history and a nautical, sea-faring vibe as well. How do these elements work together in the story?
Andry: Well, the sea is scary and ghosts are scary. Put them together…double scary! But seriously, the sea is ancient, the stories that have sunken beneath the waves are endless and feel haunted to me. The same with the California missions. They have been the site of atrocities and terrible acts in the name of religion. It really felt natural to link them together.
You wrote the series with Tim Daniel. What was it like collaborating with another writer on a comic? Do you both have designated roles or is it more holistic?
Andry: This is Tim and my sixth series as a writing team, as well as several shorts for anthologies and other projects. I absolutely love working with Tim. We were friends for many years before we started working together, each making comics separately. But it’s so much more fun working with a friend. We have a great working rhythm that just developed naturally. Tim is an expert at coming up with visuals for the project, outlining, researching, looking at the big picture, working through the beginning, middle and end of a story. I like the scripting process, putting the words to the page, coming up with dialogue and character relationships. So we both lean into our strengths and I think the work proves it’s a great collaboration.
What does Mann bring to the story in terms of the artwork and is there an image that really stood out to you in the first issue?
Andry: Estuary isn’t Estuary without Maan! He brings the entire vibe of the book, the creepy mood, the haunted feeling. He’s great at making even the calm moments feel heavy with ghosts and dread. In the first issue, the flaming car which people can see in the preview pages that have already been shown and the very last page, are just stunning. That last page will definitely bring people back for the second issue.
Do you have any favorite nautical ghost stories that you used as inspiration for Estuary?
Andry: There is a little of the “Lady in White” ghost story in Estuary. Not necessarily a nautical story, but sometimes she appears near a lake. Hopefully, Estuary will be people’s favorite nautical ghost story after it comes out!
Upcoming projects?
Andry: Tim and I are working on a big project that should be announced sometime next year and a bunch of new pitches that we’ll be sending out soon so keep those fingers crossed for us!
Estuary: A Ghost Story #1 will be available at your local comic shop on April 8.
