First Comics News: How did you come up with the idea for “Heartbreak Manor”
Steve Niles: I’m a big fan of ghost stories, such as The Orphanage, Sixth Sense, The Others, as well as stories by M.R. James… so I wanted to create an old-fashioned ghost story.
1st: Who is Sally Madison?
Steve: Sally is the protagonist; she is a very strong-willed young girl, and these qualities are very important to help her navigate through the story.
1st: What is it about the mansion that makes it not so ordinary?
Steve: It’s a very mysterious place. It has a long history, and some horrible things have happened there, which we gradually discover.
1st: What makes this book scary for the readers?
Steve: We travel through a very important and deadly year in young Sally’s life. What she goes through, we all discover with her.
1st: Does Heartbreak Manor have secrets?
Steve: Yes, it is bulging at the seams with secrets.
1st: Who is Damien Worm and what does he have to do with “Heartbreak Manor?”
Steve: Damien is an amazing artist with a very unique style, and I have been working with him since 2023 or so. He drew Monster & Madman and October Faction with me as well.
1st: What is it about horror that attracts people?
Steve: We love to face fears, we love the thrill of the ride. It’s like a rollercoaster.
1st: How would you describe the main character in “Frankenstein Alive, Alive!?”
Steve: Well, that is Frankenstein’s Monster, whom we all know. What I love about FAA is Berni,e and I gave a much deeper, more nuanced feeling to what The Creature suffered through. We begin our story after Frankenstein ends.
1st: Can you tell us about “October Factin”
Steve: I have a big love for monster hunters, and October Faction is about a monster hunter family. I wrote 5 books for October Faction, the characters all grew along with each other as they fought (and loved) monsters.
1st: “Monster & Madman”, so how does the story in it go?
Steve: Monster & Madman presents an idea that Jack the Ripper and Frankenstein’s monster worked together to help form a bride…
1st: What is Zoop and why use it?
Steve: Zoop is a great alternative for comic creators to help raise money and crowdfund new books.
1st: Out of all the monsters you have worked on, do you have a favorite?
Steve: My favorite is Frankenstein’s Monster; he is the most sympathetic and relatable monster to me.
1st: What do you have planned next in your career?
Steve: I’m working on a lot of books right now: “Take it Back” is my autobiographical comic about my years in the band “Gray Matter”, also “Vulture”, which is a new sci-fi horror, and I have a new book of Cal Macdonald stories coming out soon.
1st: What would you like to say to anyone backing “Heartbreak Manor”
Steve: I seriously appreciate the support. Thank you. I hope you will love it. It’s going to be a beautiful book. Damien’s art for this is exceptional.
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