Clover Press introduces their new creator-owned comic and graphic novel line The Fourth Leaf with a new original graphic novel from Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard titled I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits!.
The new graphic novel from Wagner and Hillyard contains all of the the hilarious and horrifying aspects they are known for in previous comic series such as Plastic and Narco, and it is now available to back on Kickstarter.
We spoke to Wagner and Hillyard all about I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits!, the honor of being the first title for the new The Fourth Leaf imprint, and why they both need a new Murder Chickens card game in their lives.
You are both well known for quirky and irreverent horror comics. How is this one similar and different?
Doug Wagner: I think readers will recognize a lot of the DNA that’s been in Daniel and my books for years. It’s still got the dark humor, over-the-top horror, ridiculous situations, and, hopefully, a surprising amount of heart beneath all the insanity.
Where AZM takes a different turn is that we fully embraced the supernatural. Our previous books have generally stayed grounded in the real world, no matter how outrageous they became. This time we threw the doors wide open. Suddenly you’ve got skinwalkers, roller-skating archangels, psychics, immortal murder chickens, cults, hillbilly Jesus freaks… and somehow they all exist in the same universe.
The fun challenge wasn’t coming up with bizarre ideas. It was making all of those wildly different elements feel like they belonged together. By the end, I hope readers don’t question any of it and they just buckle up and enjoy the ride.
In terms of your process, how would you each describe how you work together best?
Wagner: After working together for nearly twenty years, I don’t think either of us really thinks about it anymore. There isn’t a point where we consciously decide, “This is where Daniel pushes me,” or “This is where I push Daniel.” It’s just become part of the process.
I’m constantly writing with his strengths in mind because I know what he’s capable of, and then he takes those scripts and elevates them in ways I never expected. There are moments where I’ll get pages back and think, “Well… now I have to rewrite the next scene because what he did is even better than what I had in my head.”
Daniel Hillyard: I think that’s one of the massive pluses of working side-by-side like that.
Wagner: Neither of us is precious about our ideas. If something can be funnier, scarier, more emotional, or just plain better, that’s the version we want. The only thing we’re really trying to protect is the story. At this point, it feels less like two people collaborating and more like one creative conversation that’s been going on for the last two decades.
Hillyard: And it really does feel like a conversation sometimes. If you’ve ever had one of those late night talks with a friend where you just nerd out about something you both love and time just disappears, then you know what it’s like when Doug and I are making a book. Especially the time vanishing bit; I can’t believe it’s been nearly twenty years!
I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits is the first creator owned, original title for Clover Press’ publishing imprint, The Fourth Leaf. How did you become involved with the new imprint?
Wagner: I’ve known Hank Kanalz for years, and we’ve always had a lot of mutual respect, but there wasn’t some grand plan for me to become part of The Fourth Leaf.
When Daniel and I started putting AZM together, I showed Hank what we were working on. I don’t even think I got very far into the pitch before he stopped me and basically said, “I’m in.” I like to joke that he greenlit the book with the words “murder chickens,” but honestly… that may not be far from the truth.
What really excited me, though, was hearing his vision for The Fourth Leaf. It isn’t about forcing stories into a particular publishing model. It’s about figuring out what format best serves each project. Some stories should be single issues. Some should be graphic novels. Some might be something else entirely.
AZM was never meant to be a traditional monthly comic. It was always envisioned as a big, prestige graphic novel, and The Fourth Leaf was the first place where I felt like the format and the story were perfectly aligned. That made it an easy decision.
Is it difficult to juggle the humor and horror both in terms of the script and visuals?
Wagner: Honestly, it doesn’t feel difficult at all anymore. Daniel and I have been working together for so long that we have a very similar creative sensibility. We both love horror, but we also love movies like Army of Darkness and Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, where the horror and comedy are completely intertwined.
That’s probably the biggest thing. We never sit down and say, “Okay, this scene needs a joke,” or “This page needs to be scary.” We’re just trying to make every scene as entertaining as it can be. Sometimes that means you’re laughing. Sometimes it means you’re horrified. Sometimes it’s both at the exact same time.
Visually, Daniel is incredible at knowing when to lean into the grotesque and when to let a ridiculous expression or reaction sell the joke. We trust each other’s instincts, so it all feels pretty effortless at this point.
I think if you’re treating the characters honestly, the humor and the horror naturally support each other. One makes the other hit even harder. In our minds, they’ve never really been separate ingredients.
What can we look forward to in the Kickstarter campaign?
Wagner: We’ve got a lot of fun things planned. Obviously, the centerpiece is the hardcover graphic novel, but we wanted this Kickstarter to feel like more than just buying a book.
One of the things I’m most excited about is the Murder Chickens card game. Readers kept falling in love with these ridiculous immortal chickens, so we thought, “Why not let people take them home?” We designed a fast, chaotic card game that’s every bit as unhinged as the comic itself, and I think people are going to have a blast with it.
Hillyard: It’s honestly the thing I never knew I needed in my life until Doug pitched the idea.
Wagner: We’re also offering a Creator Edition, which is a second hardcover collecting the entire script alongside Daniel’s layouts. If you’ve ever wondered how a comic evolves from a script into finished pages, it’s a really cool behind-the-scenes look at our process.
On top of that, we’ve put together some beautiful collectible editions, including a slipcase that houses both books, a limited Chris Bachalo variant dust jacket, signed editions, and a few surprises we’re saving until launch.
At the end of the day, we wanted the Kickstarter to feel like an event. Whether you’re here for the story, the artwork, the collectibles, or because you desperately need a Murder Chickens card game in your life, I think there’s something for everyone.
Hillyard: It bears repeating; I need a Murder Chickens card game in my life.
Upcoming projects?
Wagner: There’s a lot going on, but I have to be careful not to get myself into trouble.
Right now, all my attention is on I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits. Daniel and I have poured everything we have into this book, and I honestly can’t wait for people to finally get their hands on it.
After that, readers can look forward to YUMI, my anti-spy thriller, which is another project I’m incredibly excited about. It’s a very different kind of story, but it has the same energy and unpredictability that I love bringing to my books.
We’ve also got something really special planned for Halloween that I wish I could talk about more, but for now I’ll just say horror fans should keep an eye out.
And beyond that… there may be something unexpected arriving next March. That’s about all I’m allowed to say without someone calling me after this interview. So, in other words, there’s plenty on the horizon… I just have to get a little better at keeping secrets.
Hillyard: And I’m always worried it’s going to be me that gets into trouble over secrets [laughs]. I just hope people won’t be too tired of us after this, because Doug and I have been very busy!
I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! is available to back on Kickstarter right now.
