Welcome to an exclusive interview that dives into the depths of cosmic horror and the boundless imagination behind the comic series, The Dark Empty Void. At the heart of this tale is a depressed but brilliant psychologist thrust into a desperate mission to help her estranged husband and the other scientists close the black hole before it devours the Earth.
The Dark Empty Void promises a gripping journey that will both amaze and terrify, blending psychological depth with cosmic horror.
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with the masterminds behind this enthralling series. Zack Kaplan, the acclaimed creator behind hits like Port of Earth and Mindset, brings his unique vision to this project, as does acclaimed artist Chris Shehan, who is known for his evocative work in The Autumnal.
Read on as we explore the inspirations, challenges, and creative processes behind this thrilling new series.
AIPT: You’ve had your fair share of different kinds of horror stories. What steered you towards cosmic horror for Dark Empty Void?
Zack Kaplan: That’s funny, because I feel like I’ve never really taken on true horror, not like this. Eclipse or Port of Earth may have had frightening elements, burning people with deadly sunlight or tormenting people with aliens, but they always felt like action thrillers to me. Mindset or Break Out have horrific concepts to consider, no doubt, with mind controlling apps and youth abductions into a space prison, but they were more noir thriller and YA adventure.
So yeah, I have always wanted to explore a real horror story, and DARK EMPTY VOID gives me the chance to explore three horror aspects, environmental horror, creature horror and psychological horror, all in one epic journey. My true inspiration here though was my absolute love of all things outer space and my fascination with black holes. It really is the perfect blend of my interests, and the chance to really scare the hell out of you all. And to build this story with horror master Chris Shehan, two rising stars colorist Francesco Segala and letterer Justin Birch of Andworld, and at a publisher like Mad Cave putting down a pedigree on horror, this is real special here.
Chris Shehan: My favorite movie of all time is Alien (1979). It’s informed my taste in visual storytelling and horror since I first saw it. I even did studies of the film (below) and I’ve applied what I’ve learned to all comics that I do. The film is a masterclass in visual storytelling. So I’ve been wanting to lean into sci-fi and cosmic horror for a long time, I’ve just not found the right project until Dark Empty Void.
AIPT: This story revolves around a black hole, but there’s a human element as well. How did you tie it to the black hole itself?
ZK: Are black holes monsters or portals to more? Is life just decaying trauma or is it a blissful journey? Our protagonist Joy Frank is brought in to answer questions about the black hole, but she’ll also have to explore her very own cynical perspective on life and cope with her own emotional monsters. She’s estranged from her husband, one of the scientists on this project, and that love story is as torn up as they come. I find myself constantly torn between optimistic and pessimistic feelings in life, and I think like so many of us, it’s very hard to look on the bright side when things are going wrong. Well, imagine a black hole threatening to destroy Earth – how do you find the bright side of that?
We think readers will absolutely come for the sci-fi spectacle, but there is an amazing character story here, one that captures the dangers of nihilism and the possibilities of hope.
CS: I think one of the spookiest quotes of all time is “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” by Friedrich Nietzche. In our case there is a literal “abyss”, the black hole, but we all have our own abyss. Our own darkness. They’re journeying inward in more ways than one.
I love exploring human emotions via my art and storytelling. I love the challenge of it. And a book where our characters stare into the void allows me to explore humanity in a silent medium where the only acting are drawings that hopefully make you feel what the characters are feeling as you journey with them into the abyss. The human element is everything always. The best horror stories know this. The darkest parts of the human condition can be absolutely horrifying. And beautiful.
AIPT: Would you say black holes are the ultimate element in our cosmos to explore?
ZK: Absolutely. But to explore black holes, we’ll have to be fearless. We’ll have to give ourselves over to the idea that there are aspects of the universe we don’t understand. We’ll have to truly sacrifice our own mortal understanding to experience something more. I mean, we’re gonna have to go in one of those things. Humans going into a black hole. What a crazy thing.
Fascinating and terrifying and insane. I won’t be around for that, but if I was, I wouldn’t have the spirit for it. I don’t know that I can find that level of optimism and bravery. But imagine, if you could, and if it leads somewhere, what might wait for you on the other side? If that’s the sort of thing that entices you, than this book will absolutely intoxicate you. This is your chance to imagine what it would be like to come face to face with the cosmos’ greatest monster and mystery. Welcome to Dark Empty Void!
Read on to check out an eleven page preview for the first issue!
Scientists have created a stable, microscopic black hole in a secret underground compound, but when they lose control, the black hole spews out a cosmic maelstrom, strange dangerous creatures, and most surprisingly…a mysterious human teenage girl. Now, a depressed but brilliant psychologist must help her estranged husband and the other scientists solve the mystery and close the black hole before it consumes all of Earth.
Dare to witness a cosmic horror series that will amaze and terrify you, with hit comic creator Zack Kaplan (Kill All Immortals, Beyond Real, Mindset), fan-favorite artist Chris Shehan (The Autumnal, House of Slaughter), rising star colorist Francesco Segala (Nights, House of Slaughter) and Ringo-nominated letterer Justin Birch (Road of Bones, House of Slaughter).
The Dark Empty Void #1
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Chris Shehan
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Letterer: Justin Birch
Release Date: September 11, 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login