INTERVIEW: Meet Lottie Thorn, a new superhero to save the world
Image courtesy of AHOY Comics / Provided by Superfan Promotions with permission.
Ash & Thorn, the new comic book miniseries from writer Mariah McCourt and artist Soo Lee, pits Lottie Thorn against the apocalypse. It’s up to this 80-year-old to take on the demons plaguing planet earth, and she’s determined to do it one swinging skillet at a time.
McCourt, best known for True Blood and Stitched, has crafted a tale that finds Lottie realizing her mystical lineage and stepping up to fulfill the prophecy she reads about in the so-called Book of Guardians. Helping her out is her trainer, Lady Peruvia Ashlington-Voss. (Hence the name Ash & Thorn.)
The debut installment of the five-issue miniseries premieres today, June 24, courtesy of AHOY Comics, an independent company that began in fall 2018. Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with McCourt about her new creation. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How would you describe the central character of Lottie Thorn? What makes her unique?
Well, the fact that she’s 80 makes her fairly unique in the comics landscape, but she’s also an artist, a teacher, a baker and an activist. She doesn’t put up with any b.s. from the get go, and her hero’s ‘journey’ is not trying to figure out who she is, but use her accumulated life experiences to be the hero the world needs. Even if she’s not sure she’s up to it, she’s still going to try. Lottie isn’t an ingénue or an uncertain young person; she knows who she is.
Do you feel like you’re making a statement or offering commentary on the fact that heroes and comic characters can be any age? Do you feel that opens up readers’ minds to consider different protagonists than what they may have been used to?
Absolutely, and I’m not being subtle about it, either. We need to broaden our idea of what heroes look like and are like as characters and people. Ageism is real, and culturally we especially devalue older women of color. I hope that Lottie is a bit of a kick in the teeth to that assumption.
How long did it take to write the five-issue miniseries? Are you hoping for more issues at some point?
I think collectively about two months, though deadlines were spaced out. Generally I write a script in about a week. I have more storylines mapped out, and it would be great to tell the story of what happens after an apocalypse. If there is an after!
The mysticism of the comic is interesting. Did you do any research on various belief systems that are out there and the history of demonology?
Mostly I went with my own ideas about cosmic horror and creepy things rather than taking from any specific belief systems. I did grow up agnostic Buddhist, so some of those ideas do come in now and again.
How much has the pandemic disrupted your career as a writer and creator?
Surreal, mostly. I’m still working and momming and doing all the things I usually do. It’s just a lot weirder, and now everyone else is home, too.
What do you like best about AHOY Comics and publishers that are smaller than the big competitors in the industry?
The freedom to actually do a story like this! Not many comics publishers would do a story like this, that’s niche and strange and funny and has actual recipes in the back of each issue along with gross monsters and drugged tea escapades. So it’s a delight, really. AHOY has been amazing every step of the way.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Ash & Thorn, written by Mariah McCourt, debuts June 24 from AHOY Comics. Click here for more information.
