INTERVIEW: ‘High Heaven’ offers religious satire of heaven and hell
Image courtesy of Ahoy Comics / Provided by Superfan Promotions with permission.
Ahoy Comics’ new compilation book, High Heaven Volume One: The Austerity Gospel, comes from the mind of writer Tom Peyer and artist Greg Scott. The book, which includes the first five issues of the series, details the adventures of David Weathers, a perpetual malcontent who dies and goes to heaven, only to find out that the pearly gates have a few flaws. In fact, David finds that hell is more of an enticement, and he intends to find some answers on the mixup.
High Heaven has received critical praise and now has a shiny new collected edition to show off.
Peyer has been in the comics industry for several years, having worked on DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes and serving as a founding editor on the Vertigo imprint. Other credits include The Wrong Earth, Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror and Captain Ginger. Today, in addition to his own comic work, he also edits for Ahoy Comics.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Peyer about High Heaven. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
When did the idea for High Heaven come to you? What inspired the comic?
About 10 years ago, Mary Siau and I got into riffing back and forth on this theme of a bland, austere, disappointing afterlife. Just because we thought it was funny. She had ideas, I had ideas, and before long, what I call ‘The Eternal Cheap Reward’ was so fleshed-out that it demanded a story to go with it.
What has it been like to work with artist Greg Scott?
Greg is very serious, very devoted to his art, and very funny in person and over the phone. We love a lot of the same things and hold similar opinions, so hanging out is fun. And watching him stretch as an artist, even more so. He was already great when he started on High Heaven, but he’s had to develop new muscles on this one; it’s a quieter, less violent book than most. He really aces it.
Was there any hesitation to offer commentary on religion, which can be a controversial topic, or was it full-steam ahead?
I never worried about it. It’s just a funny idea. People who read it will probably get that it’s more about politics and austerity than about religion. And the ‘religious’ references presented are of the most secular Hollywood type: pearly gates, St. Peter, clouds, angels. You can see that in Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Which is not to say that we’re afraid to tackle matters of faith. Second Coming, our new series by Mark Russell and Richard Pace that will be in comics shops July 10, is a thoughtful, funny, beautifully drawn and satirical look at religion.
What do you hope are some of the audience takeaways from the comic? Is it purely for entertainment?
Entertainment is enough for me, but I hope we gave them a little something to chew on as well. Everyone’s going to have their own experience of the story, and I can’t say any of them will be wrong.
What does the future hold for High Heaven?
At least one more five-issue series, I’m happy to say.
When did you first fall in love with comics?
When I was 6 years old. My older brother went into the Navy, and as we were seeing him off at the bus station, I must have looked sad. So he bought me an issue of Superman. Pivotal moment for little Tommy; I still live with the consequences every day.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
High Heaven Volume One: The Austerity Gospel, collecting High Heaven #1-#5, is now available from Ahoy Comics. Click here for more information.
