INTERVIEW: Serial killer competition is at the bloody heart of ‘Those Not Afraid’
Image courtesy of Dark Horse / Provided with permission.
How’s this for a premise? Two serial killers are squaring off against each other, trying to increase their victim count and make the history books. This murderous mayhem is the subject of the new horror-filled comic book Those Not Afraid, now available from Dark Horse. The first issue of the four-part series is already on comic-book stands, with issue #2 coming Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Those Not Afraid comes from the creative team of writer Kyle Starks and artist Patrick Piazzalunga. Starks, of course, is known for his work on Peacemaker and Where Monsters Lie, while Piazzalunga is the artist behind Monsters Are My Business. Glenn Fabry, of Preacher fame, provides some cover art, while Marco Brakko is the colorist. Jim Campbell is the letterer.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Starks and Piazzalunga. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What inspired you to tell this murderous tale?
STARKS: I, like approximately 50 percent of all Americans (according to some polls), really enjoy true crime. It’s fascinating stuff, and as much as I adore a Forensic Files, I’ve always been drawn to to serial killers. For me, with this book, you never know how many more books the generous public will continue to support, so you have to make the things you’re passionate about. The first horror book I did, I Hate This Place, was a love letter to horror genres, and my second, Where Monsters Lie (second arc now in stores), is a love letter to slasher monsters. My next scary obsessions is serial killers, so it only makes sense my next book would be influenced by that. And that’s how Those Not Afraid came about.
Why are humans fascinated by serial killers?
STARKS: I think this is becoming sort of a regular debate, right? I’ve heard — and I think there’s a lot to this — that a good part of the interest is sort of an evolutionary/ subconscious instinct for survival. To prepare for unseen or potential threats. If this poor victim was taken (this way) at (this location), then we know to avoid those situations. And I would like to believe that’s a lot of our communal fascination.
But I’m sure also that a morbid, dark curiosity is a factor, and, probably, a fascination with people doing extreme things or the things we aren’t capable of likely also plays a role in it. Exploring the dark side of the human psyche.
Human beings are rubberneckers though. Slowing down to get a better look at that wreck. Watching nightmarish videos we probably shouldn’t. The ongoing popularity of the horror genre also surely is a factor in all of this. Even maybe being mortal creatures we’re obsessed with life and death? Fixated on the worst possible outcome.
Do you feel that the fascination of serial killers is healthy for humans?
STARKS: I really don’t know, honestly. I know for me that when I go through a real rabbit hole/extended research fixation with serial killers, it depresses me. It really puts me, mentally, in a terrible place — thinking about these poor victims and these awful, awful human beings. So I know that’s not good. But, I do think being cautious, careful and aware are good virtues to have for our safety and wellbeing, and [if] knowing about these terrible serial-killing monsters’ processes is a lot of information toward our own safety then, yes, it is good for us. But it is, unquestionably, an entirely macabre and ghoulish pursuit, and I’m not sure how healthy that is.
Is real horror scarier than supernatural horror, in your mind?
STARKS: I mean, for me, there’s no question that there is. I’m not scared of ghosts or demons snatching up my daughters. I don’t worry if there’s a haunted doll in a dark alley because I don’t believe in those things. These silly little horror flights are generally fun for me. But these monsters — your Bundys, your Kemplers, your Night Stalkers are real. They’re out there. And that’s terrifying. And I think it’s more than just there are people out there who are willing and capable of takign another’s life. I think the idea that a human being — one composed in the same way as you or I — can be this type of stalking, broken, horrible murderer. And if one human can, any human can, right? Terrifying.
What’s it like working with this artistic team?
STARKS: Patrick was a dream to work with and brings a very unique and dynamic aesthetic in his art. I’m sure he’ll have a lot more to say about it, but I know after seeing his work, I immediately asked who was coloring him — because when you’re as unique as Patrick, it’s easy to ruin that if the colorist isn’t on the same page. I was happy to hear that “Patrick has his own guy.” Him and Marko make a great pair. Like I said, I’m sure they will say more, but we love a unique look on a busy comic shelf, and we love a great professional duo. And that’s what I got!
How did you develop the style for Those Not Afraid?
PIAZZALUNGA: I always try to change my style slightly based on the story and what I have to tell with the images. In Monsters Are My Business, being a comedy/horror splatter, it was more cartoon, and I left more space for Brakko’s colors, which are fantastic. For Those Not Afraid, I wanted to create very strong contrasts with black and white. There is a lot of black in this comic, especially in the scenes involving the killers. The inspiration for this was Frank Miller. Marco Brakko’s colors are perfect, simple and functional to the style of the story; they create the right atmosphere.
When a book doesn’t have superheroes and supernatural elements, do you feel an obligation to be more realistic?
PIAZZALUNGA: As I said before, it depends on the story and the atmosphere. Definitely this comic is a bit more realistic than Monsters Are My Business or other works of mine. I really like to experiment with something different for each story.
Do serial killers fascinate you? Scare you? Both?
PIAZZALUNGA: I’ve watched documentaries and read some books, and I’m fascinated by understanding why they do these atrocious things; I like to understand the psychological part of these people and the reason for all this, and obviously it scares me and disgusts me to know that human beings can get to the point of doing these atrocious things.
What’s it like working with Kyle Starks?
PIAZZALUNGA: Working with Kyle was great! He gave me the freedom to experiment, and that’s important to do a job like this well, which is about sharing. I have to thank the editor Daniel Chabon and Kyle for the trust. He wrote a really beautiful story. You have to read it until the end! I hope to work with him again for some stories, maybe a horror comedy!
What inspired your variant cover?
PIAZZALUNGA: I honestly don’t know. I had done two drafts, and this one was liked by the editor Daniel and Kyle. It had to recreate the dark, sick and scary atmosphere.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Those Not Afraid issue #1 is now available from Dark Horse Comics. Issue #2 will be released Wednesday, Feb. 12. Click here for more information.
