INTERVIEW: Edgar Allan Poe is back, booze and all
Image courtesy of Ahoy Comics / Provided by Superfan Promotions with permission.
Ahoy Comics has had a lot of fun with its anthology series based on Edgar Allan Poe. These adaptations are darkly humorous and definitely well above the blood alcohol content. After a series of fun and wild-spirited tales in two separate series, the Poe tales are back for a new season. Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Blood #1 is now available, and fans can also catch up on the last set of issues, dubbed Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror, Volume Two, which is now available as a trade paperback.
This anthology is not the work of one writer or one artist. Ahoy has employed the help of many creative people to bring these hilariously terrifying stories to life. Paul Cornell, of Doctor Who fame, is on board, along with Russell Braun, of The Boys. In the new issue, they collaborate on a novel take on Poe’s “Black Cat” short story (the cat is changed to a dog!). Dean Motter is back, and Jill Thompson provides the cover for the first issue.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Tom Peyer, editor-in-chief of Ahoy Comics, who opened up about all things Poe. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Have you been surprised by the great success of the Poe series?
Kind of! We usually associate substance abuse like Poe’s with failure, but he’s so obviously ashamed that he started at this great height, as one of the giants of American literature, only to be reduced to introducing stories in a comic book — people are really enjoying the chance to watch him squirm. I think it’s payback for all of those long sentences they had to read in high school.
What can fans of the series expect in the new season?
The first issue has a wonderful Jill Thompson cover and work by Paul Cornell, Russ Braun and Dean Motter. Issue #2 has a new ‘Monster Serials’ story by Mark Russell and Peter Snejbjerg; if you ever wondered about the bloodthirsty supernatural creatures who endorse breakfast cereal, you’ll find your answers here. And in this series we have not one but two versions of ‘A Cask of Amontillado,’ and they couldn’t be more different.
How much are these stories inspired by Poe’s actual tales of terror? I see you have a new ‘Black Cat’ adaptation.
Mostly we use his stories as a starting point, then veer off into a ridiculous direction. Paul Cornell’s ‘The Black Dog,’ to which you allude, is hilarious and absurd from page one.
Why did the series change its name?
We like starting new series with #1 because we think that way we’re putting one over on you. Last time, we called it Snifter of Terror, Volume Two, and then we panicked; does this title repel new readers? Does anyone start reading or watching anything starting with season two?
Should new fans start from the beginning, or can they start with the new release in October?
You can start reading our Poe comics wherever you want; that’s the beauty of an anthology. And of course I hope a lot of readers enjoy Snifter of Blood so much that they seek out the two Snifter of Terror collected editions.
Are you a fan of horror, suspense and Halloween? Is this a favorite time of year?
Absolutely! My version of horror is pretty mild; I love the Universal classic monsters more than anything. I went through my ’80s splatter movie phase, but it’s the stagey black-and-white movies that have stood me my whole life. And Halloween was always my favorite holiday. I went to a Catholic school, which meant we got Nov. 1 off for All Saints Day, which further meant I could stay up late, eat candy and watch monster movies into the wee hours on Halloween night. Not what the pope and the cardinals had in mind, I’m sure.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Blood #1 is now available, as well as the trade paperback of Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror, Volume Two. Click here for more information on Ahoy Comics.
