Last summer, Scott Snyder teamed up with artist Hayden Sherman for Dark Spaces: Wildfire. The five-part series told the story of a group of female inmate firefighters battling an inferno (and the increasingly rends odds) as part of a life-altering heist. As it turns out, the story of the Dark Spaces “universe” isn’t done, as Snyder is launching an anthology of sorts with a brand new series from a whole new creative team.
Dark Spaces: Good Deeds is the brain-child of writer/filmmaker Che Grayson (Batman: Urban Legends) and artist Kelsey Ramsay (Joan Jett and the Black Hearts). This time around, they follow mother and daughter, Rebecca and Cheyenne, as they relocate to Florida to run an old diner. They’re joined as newcomers by a reporter, Jean McKnight, who is looking to reestablish herself with a big story after an unnamed tragedy. Together, the three will discover the true secrets of St. Augustine, and the dark and deep-seated story dating back to the town’s bloody colonial origins.
While markedly different from its predecessor, Good Deeds is nonetheless a compelling character study, and a poignant exploration of grief, collective guilt, and second chances as told through a distinctly female perspective. To gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the book before issue #1 drops May 17, we spoke with both Grayson and Ramsay via email. There, the pair talked about the story’s connection to Wildfire, the journey of the main characters, and the supernatural elements, among other tidbits.
Courtesy of IDW.
AIPT: What’s the elevator pitch for Dark Spaces: Good Deeds?
A disgraced reporter, Jean McKnight, goes to the historic town St. Augustine, Florida to cover the 300th Founder’s Day celebration but when the residents of the town start dying one by one Jean must team up with new resident Cheyenne Rite to uncover the town’s dark secret’s before it’s too late.
AIPT: What’s it like working in a pre-established but still fairly young universe? Are there big upsides? Maybe some noticeable downsides?
Working within the Dark Spaces universe is such an honor. Scott and the editors really gave Kelsey and I the freedom to explore themes and stylistic choices that appealed to us the most. I think when you’re working in a universe that is much younger than, let’s say, the marvel universe, you have the opportunity to put your unique creative stamp on things and contribute to building a world that’s new and fresh and that you think audiences will connect to. I don’t see any downsides to working in this new and growing world, I’m just happy to be a part of it.
AIPT: Does this book touch on, no matter how tangentially, some ideas, energies, characters, etc. of Dark Spaces: Wildfire?
I think Good Deeds both in energy and in themes works beautifully with Wildfire. I think what Scott and I are both drawn to are stories about imperfect characters with checkered pasts who can only get redemption once they face the truth. That is something that both these stories have in common as well as the psychological, character driven nature of the stories. However, that’s where the commonality stops and with Good Deeds you will get new characters and a fresh perspective on Dark Spaces.
Courtesy of IDW.
AIPT: Similarly, did you get any input or words of wisdom from Scott Snyder?
Scott was the first person to champion this story when it was just a kernel of an idea. I knew I was interested in St. Augustine as the backdrop but I didn’t land on the themes of the past coming to haunt the residents of this historic town until my initial conversations with him. Scott really encouraged me to write what spoke to me the most, to live in my truth as a storyteller and I think that a lesson that could apply to an aspiring writer.
AIPT: There’s really two “main” characters: mother and daughter Rebecca and Cheyenne Rite, who relocate to open a restaurant, and reporter Jean McKnight. Why this specific “configuration” of characters, and does one speak to you personally over the other?
The main characters of Good Deeds are actually Jean McKnight and Cheyenne Rite with Rebecca serving a more secondary role in the story. Jean and Cheyenne’s relationship is really the bread and butter of this psychological horror. They are both seen as outsiders in St. Augustine and that makes it very easy for them to gravitate toward one another. I don’t want to spoil anything but as bodies start dropping in the story Jean and Cheyenne become the unlikely heroes who have to find the truth before it’s too late.
AIPT: This book’s setting — St. Augustine, Florida — feels as much of a character as anyone else. Why is that important, and why choose Florida in the first place?
St. Augustine, Florida is known as the oldest existing city in the United States and a lot of tourism revolves around that narrative but the reality is this statement is more fact than fiction. There are communities and societies that existed before the land known as St. Augustine was “founded.” I wanted to unpack that and how history can so easily be skewed. People sometimes choose what sounds epic in favor of what is true which is why we get revisionist history.
Courtesy of IDW.
Good Deeds is by no means meant to be 100% fact either. Instead it serves as an exploration of what it means when the boundary between fact and fiction can be razor thin and to shed some light on aspects of American history that have been warped over time.
AIPT: This book has a more noticeable/distinct supernatural sheen compared to its “predecessor.” Why was the move/shift important?
I’m a sucker for the supernatural. I love how creatures, whether a vampire, ghost or cryptid can be really powerful symbolism for themes like, guilt, shame, truth, fate, just to name a few. I think for Good Deeds it was more compelling to tell a story about redemption, truth and destiny through this lens. I want Good Deeds to feel different from Wildfire so that audiences have something completely new in this next installment while still feeling like it could plausibly happen in the same universe as Wildfire.
AIPT: I love that Jean has a kind of “secret” that’s put her in this specific position. Is the story she mentions maybe an allegory for not only this town but cities like this and even our own country?
Jean’s character is a really fun one. She’s the prime example of an extremely bright and gifted young person who flew a little too close to the sun, and got burnt for it. I think in our society we feel pressure to be the best and the youngest in our given fields. Forbes 30 under 30 is a prime example of that. So what I explore with Jean is how these pressures put her in a position to make some bad choices and oversights as a result of her blind ambition and she ultimately has a fall from grace which is where we start with Jean in issue #1. Good Deeds serves as a redemption arc for her where she must decide to choose between success or the truth.
Courtesy of IDW.
AIPT: Feel free to spoil as much or as little as you want, but what can we expect from the rest of this story?
Every twist and turn in this story will bring you closer to the truth on how Jean, Cheyenne and the town are all connected. But don’t want to spoil anything in the story and ruin the ending!
AIPT: Why should anyone pick up issue #1?
Kelsey’s art and Ronda’s colors are what make this series truly shine. We have some fun scares for you in issue #1 and a chance to get to see St. Augustine in a way you’ve never seen before. I also think if you love complex characters you’ll find that in Jean and Cheyenne. Jean has some skeletons in her closet that we introduce and will slowly come to light over the series.
Kelsey Ramsay: People should take a peek at #1 if they love to get lost in characters that have secrets to hide and mystery that follows them. Unfold the supernatural, see rich history that bleeds into modern day Florida, woven together by the incredible Che. I’m so excited for people to see it and I think it will be difficult for anyone not to pick up Dark Spaces: Good Deeds!
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.