What do you get when you mix Jamie Lee Curtis, GWAR, R.L. Stine, Jeffrey Reddick, Matthew Kiichi Heafy, and Devon Sawa together? The answer is not the punchline to a sick joke, but is instead the latest issue of horror comic True Believers.
True Believers is a new comic book mini-series by Stephen Graham Jones, Joshua Viola, and Ben Matsuya that brings real horror to the Colorado Festival of Horror convention and introduces a new slasher villain to the comic scene.
The second issue of the three-issue series from Hex Publishers is back to carve up Kickstarter, and we got a chance to speak to co-writer Joshua Viola all about the comic and the eclectic group that the creators have brought together for the project in this exclusive interview.
You have assembled quite a cast of characters for this comic including Jamie Lee Curtis, Gwar, R.L. Stine, and many more. How did you bring such an eclectic group together?
Joshua Viola: We initially approached Jamie Lee Curtis, who showed tremendous support for our project. Her enthusiasm inspired us to reach out to other personalities from the horror genre whom we admire. Fortunately, many of them eagerly joined our project. It’s been really exciting.
Why is a comic convention the perfect place to set a horror comic?
Viola: It’s particularly fitting for True Believers since much of our story delves into cosplay, making a horror convention the ideal setting to showcase this aspect. Moreover, there’s been a scarcity of narratives set within these conventions, so I think it adds a fresh perspective. Given our close involvement with the real-life Colorado Festival of Horror, we aimed to create something that not only supports them but also expresses our deep appreciation for their contributions to the horror community. Plus, it adds an extra layer of meta experience for attendees of the show.
How did you design the main villain of your story Killr and was it difficult to steer clear of other slasher characters in terms of his creation?
Viola: Stephen and I took a unique approach to Killr™ in our story. Unlike traditional slasher villains, Killr™ is shaped by the cosplayers themselves. Killr™’s a fictional character within our narrative, akin to Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, or Ghostface. True Believers delves into the theme of fandom taken to extremes, where cosplayers adopt the Killr™ persona. Each iteration of Killr™ in the series is distinct, with varied motives and goals behind donning the mask and wielding the shears. But it always results in bloodshed.
You’ve worked as a writer in a variety of mediums. What are some of the pros and cons of writing a comic?
Viola: Honestly, I don’t see any drawbacks, other than how expensive they are to create. But I have a deep love for comics. They represent a captivating fusion of art and storytelling. Collaborating with artists and witnessing words transform into vibrant visuals is an incredibly gratifying experience. While I still cherish writing prose, I think I’ll be focusing on comics for awhile.
How is pre-production going on the Deathstalker remake?
Viola: Things are going great. Shooting is set to commence shortly. I’ll be on set for a week and a half or so. Steve Kostanski and his team are working night and day crafting the practical monster effects and props, and I have to say, everything looks absolutely incredible! I’m really blown away by the quality of their work. I can’t wait to see it all come together on the screen.
Favorite horror comic?
Viola: Man, there are so many. I don’t know if I have a favorite, but those that come to mind are Wytches, Hellboy and 30 Days of Night.
Upcoming projects?
Viola: Too many! I’ve got book, comic, movie, merch, and video game projects lined up for the next few years, but unfortunately I can’t say too much about them right now other than they’re all super cool and exciting. There’s some big IP in the mix
True Believers #2 is currently available to back on Kickstarter until Friday, April 26.
