Genre fans and creators love trivia, but have you ever needed your knowledge of esoteric facts to protect your life and solve a murder mystery?
Kevin Shinick (known for his writing on W.E.B. of Spider-Man, The Flash, Robot Chicken, the Star Wars: Force Collector novel, and as the TV gameshow host of Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego?) explores this problem (and the benefits of a brain full of trivia) in the new Host Morten graphic novel.
Host Mortem, currently available to back on Kickstater, is an irreverent, time travel, POV-switching metafiction mystery starring himself and friend Greg Lee (the host of Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?). The hijinks begin when the two former gameshow hosts are transported to 1947 by a time portal at Comic-Con (where else?). The pair soon find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery involving Humphrey Bogart’s The Big Sleep, and random trivia might be the key to solving this Hollywood Noir tale. Host Mortem is illustrated by Damien Torres and Andrea Schiavone, colored by Pippa Bowland, and lettered by Taylor Esposito.
We spoke to Shinick about his new project (and some of his previous ones) in this exclusive interview.
The plot for Host Mortem is unique to say the least. Where did the story come from?
Kevin Shinick: Oddly enough, the idea of two fake detective game show hosts from the 1990’s having to solve a series of real murders in the 1940’s seemed like a no brainer to me. Granted it took me a while to get there (which is probably why I wouldn’t make a great detective in real life) but as a writer trying to create an original detective character, it dawned on me that I couldn’t get any more unique or specific than ME! – having played myself as a time traveling detective on the 90’s series Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego? And since I knew I wanted this story to take place in 1940’s Los Angeles I figured that the element of time travel (that exists both in Carmen Sandiego and Host Mortem) would give me the ability to accomplish that. The fact that Greg Lee played himself as a classic 1940’s gumshoe on his show only solidified the idea.
What was it like writing yourself as a character in the graphic novel?
Shinick: I’ve learned I’m a real pain to work with. Such an ego on this guy. But seriously, it’s been fun to craft a character that is me, but also a side of me that people don’t usually see. It’s true that Greg and I were children’s television game show hosts, but like most people we have a deeper, darker side. And since the audience that grew up with us is older as well, I think they’re going to really enjoy having a more mature adventure to go on.
What was the creative process like between you, Greg, Damien, and Andrea?
Shinick: Greg Lee is my muse, Damien Torres is my life force and Andrea Schiavone is my secret weapon. The only reason this project got off the ground for me was because I loved the “odd couple” idea of two fake detective game show hosts trying to accomplish the ridiculous task of solving an actual murder. So when I came up with that premise I knew that the most logical person for me to pair up with would be Greg Lee, the host of Where In The World is Carmen Sandiego? His show was focused on geography and mine was focused on history. But can those two things (or people, even) work together to solve a murder? Plus Greg and I had only met once before (A good twenty years after Carmen aired, mind you) so it was essentially like calling up a stranger and saying, how would you like to go back in time together to solve crimes? And for better or worse (better for me, worse for him) he said yes. But since we really didn’t know each other very well at the time, it was easy to write that odd couple dynamic.
In fact, the great Tony Randall (Felix Unger in the original Odd Couple TV series) was a friend and mentor of mine, so I find it fitting that this type of dynamic fuels the Host Mortem storyline. And I’m happy to say that Greg and I have since become as close as Tony and Jack Klugman (who played Oscar in the original Odd Couple TV series). On the other hand, Artist Damien Torres (Marvel: Crisis Protocol) is my savior because I was looking for a very specific look for this book and he has given life to my ideas in ways I didn’t even think was possible. The work is beautiful while also capturing the moody noir feel of 1940’s LA.
Later on, I decided I wanted each of the four issues that make up this 180 page graphic novel to have a different distinct look that would match each of its character’s noir narration (Mine, Greg’s, our fast talkin’ receptionist and a mystery narrator). So when a friend recommended artist Andrea Schiavone (Gangsters Versus Monsters) for what I consider his “golden age” touch, I knew I had my secret weapon. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t include my colorist Pippa Bowland (Judge Dredd, Project Cryptid) and my letterer Taylor Esposito (Red Hood and The Outlaws), because everyone’s work has made this book a real piece of art. It’s being distributed by Clover Press which I think is a perfect fit with the caliber of their prestigious works. Incidentally, I need to add that none of my collaborators know who the murderer is yet because I’ve purposely withheld that bit of information. Each of them is working on this in real time, because I didn’t want it to influence how they approached their work. Especially Greg who would easily blab for the promise of a burrito.
What type of trivia are you best at and has it ever gotten you out of (or into) any real life trouble?
Shinick: My brain is filled with so many random facts that I’ve always wished I could put them to better use than just, “Hey, did you know the series What’s Happening Now? ran longer than its original predecessor “What’s Happening?” Which is why my character in Host Mortem is determined to do something more altruistic with that knowledge like solve a murder. And while I can’t say my knowledge of history facts has ever gotten me out of trouble in real life, it has gotten me out of jury duty. I used some facts to connect my family history to the case being assigned and they decided not to pick me because of what they perceived as a conflict of interest. On the flip side, knowing so much trivia has gotten me into some trouble because I discovered people don’t like to be challenged about the things they think they know. In fact, 83% of arguments start over someone correcting someone else. (That’s not really true. I made that up to prove my point.)
Many fans have fond memories of Carmen Sandiego. What do you think the legacy of the show is after so many years?
Shinick: I think Carmen Sandiego was able to educate audiences in a way that was both entertaining and adventurous. There are always going to be things we need to learn, but by creating a mysterious femme fatale who is actually stealing those very things, I feel they’ve created a genius way to get people engaged. And while Host Mortem is not for kids, nor is it educational, readers will learn things along the way. Will they be things that can help solve a murder? Probably not because [Spoiler Alert] we’re not that great at being detectives. But readers will be entertained, because Greg and I both learned a thing or two being hosts. To this day, I’m still approached by people who watched Carmen Sandiego or were contestants on the show and they all say what an impact it had on their childhood. Those types of shows definitely have a legacy. My personal education was definitely influenced by a lot of those Schoolhouse Rock interstitials, so I’m happy to hear that we contributed in some way to the next generation.
Who was easiest to work with: KISS or Mike Tyson?
Shinick: KISS was easiest to work with, but I’m more afraid of Mike Tyson so I’m going to say Mike was easiest to work with. But really they were both such delights to collaborate with. And what’s become evident is that I was clearly working my way toward creating Host Mortem by honing my mystery skills as the writer of Scooby-Doo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery and helping launch the Mike Tyson Mysteries.
Thoughts on the Kickstarter platform and crowdfunding?
Shinick: I’ve always been a fan of Kickstarter, because I think it directly connects fans with what they want. As a consumer I always go to crowdfunding because I want to be supportive and I believe that’s also where some of the most unique and fulfilling projects are being created. As a backer I feel I’m on the ground floor of what could be the next big thing. And as someone who is launching Host Mortem on Kickstarter, I also understand my community and have had a great time coming up with special rewards for the various tiers that backers can choose from. We’re offering everything from art from the book and chances to get murdered in the story to more unique offerings like opportunities to meet Greg and I, script feedback on your comic book and even my offer to perform voice over narration for someone else’s project, to name a few. But we’re definitely trying to meet people at their interest level.
Upcoming projects?
Shinick: 2025 is definitely shaping up to be the Year of the Host for me, because just as I was getting Host Mortem off the ground, I got cast as legendary American Bandstand host Dick Clark in the upcoming Michael Jackson movie, Michael. People can learn more about that and all my other projects by following me @KevinShinick across all social media. In the meantime, all my efforts (not to mention all my trivia) are going into making Host Mortem the best graphic it can be. And that’s a fact.
Host Mortem is now available to back on Kickstater, featuring covers by Torres, Kelley Jones, Tony Foti, and Timothy Anderson (and a tier that includes original art from the book).
