Lady Baltimore returns in a new two-part comic adventure by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, Bridgit Connell, Michelle Madsen, and Clem Robins titled Lady Baltimore: The Daughters of Medusa.
We got the chance to speak to Connell about illustrating another Lady Baltimore comic and how to best avoid being turned to stone in this exclusive interview with the artist.
How does it feel to return to the world of Lady Baltimore?
Bridgit Connell: I love her. I want to BE her. She is fierce, loyal, and unrelenting in fighting bullshit with everything at her disposal. The world is gritty, dark, desperate, (and according to Ben Stenbeck… “stinky”,) and there’s nowhere else I’d love to be right now. It helps to see a hero in the darkest of times to help us confront what may be dark, desperate, and… stinky… in our own lives. Especially right now, for some reason, drawing a woman swinging swords and fists at Nazis has me truly living.
What did you learn from your first experience with working on the title and the rest of the creative team?
Connell: Besides “I’m gonna need to buy a TOOOOON of black ink” while working on a Mignola book, I think the thing I learned most for me is to trust myself. That’s huge. Because fear makes art harder to do. But Mike and Chris, and my editors Katii O’Brien and my previous editor Jenny Blenk, have really made sure I felt like I had a seat at the table, which is huge in this industry. I feel like solid teamwork is hard to come by, and I’m grateful for it.
You recently stated that “The script for this story is one of my favorite monster stories I’ve ever read.” What is it about the script that made you so excited about it?
Connell: Oh man, I’m going to try to talk about this without giving a serious element away. Chris not only took my answer to his “what do you WANT to draw” and made it sick and spooky, but he also incorporated a story-line in it that made my heart ache, about a particular character on Sofia’s team. I think that’s what I like the most about some of these mini stories (such as the Lady Baltimore: Dream of Ikelos one-shot that came just before this) is that it explores not only Sofia but her comrades in arms as well. I don’t know how much more I can say, but… the monsters, the character story-lines, the loyal friendships of these next two issues… they are at the top of the list of favorite thing I’ve done. Not only that but have you seen the first issue Abigail Larson COVER?! Absolutely insane.
When did you first discover Medusa?
Connell: Well that’s not fair, I feel goaded into this answer. Isn’t everyone’s the Ray Harryhausen Clash of the Titans Medusa? She slays! I’m sure I actually said that as an eight year old child. “This bitch slays, mama!”
How do Michelle Madsen’s colors enhance your art in the series?
Connell: Michelle is absolutely wonderful – every time the colors are sent over I get so giddy. The way she colors magic, specifically, is phenomenal. I can’t wait for you all to see what she does in these issues. She keeps the vibe consistent with the Outerverse’s duller tones, but man, sometimes she gets in there and pops colors like candy and it’s a delight. I always keep an eye out for her greens.
Upcoming projects?
Connell: This ain’t the last you’ll hear from Lady Sofia Baltimore, that’s for certain. Wink WINK.
The first issue of Lady Baltimore: The Daughters of Medusa will be in stores on May 7.
