Over the years, Tim Daniel and David “D.B.” Andry have become like comics’ very own Simon & Garfunkel. Alongside a suite of talented artists, the pair have released a submarine horror adventure (Crush Depth); a horror mystery with smokejumpers (Morning Star); and an “earthbound space opera” (Red Vector). Now, they’ve rounded out their robust “comics discography” by teaming with artist Maan House (Mine is a Long Lonesome Grave) for an all-new miniseries, Estuary: A Ghost Story.
Published via Oni Press, Estuary follows marine archaeologist Maris Cristobal as she visits the Mission at Arbués Point, a “400-year-old Spanish mission made infamous as one of California’s oldest and most haunted historical sites.” But as Maris seeks out a shipwreck, she must also deal with the reclusive Sister Darcy, who has spent years “honing her prayers and practice in pursuit of a secret long-buried beneath the majesty of the chapel.” Maris quickly discovers that “the sins of past and present are about to wash together into a harrowing surge of a vengeance that can no longer be contained…”
In some ways, Estuary should be familiar enough to fans of ’70s horror, as the creative team take their time in building a slow-burning, hugely immersive experience that’s as much about the interpersonal dynamics as it is the actual horror. Yet whether it’s the tweaks to a familiar destination, the tension between our two female leads, and/or the thematic undertones to what’s a solidly spooky tale, Estuary is so much more still. It’s horror with humanity and teeth to spare, and the deeper you dive into its waters, the more likely it’ll drown you in its power.
Estuary #1 is due out this week (April 8). Ahead of that release, we caught up recently with Andry via email to talk about the ins and outs of the book. That includes his ongoing collaboration with Daniel (and their latest team-up with House), Estuary‘s connection to their other titles/projects, the choice of local/scenery, the core themes and messaging swimming across the book, and some standout moments/teases from the entire story.
Main cover by Maan House. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: This is, like, the fourth book between you and Tim Daniel. Why is this collaboration so vital, and how has it developed over the books?
At the heart of our collaboration is our friendship. We were friends long before we started to collaborate. There is a level of respect there, for that friendship first, but also for each other as a person and as a creator. Our books are extremely personal, so we have to have trust between us as well as an openness to be vulnerable. We talk about our deepest fears and hopes when we are working together, so that can’t just be a casual thing. We also have a common belief in what comics should be, what type of stories that we want to tell, and the legacy we want to leave. We’re getting better and better at having a shorthand and a workflow that allows us to be very productive and to lean into our strengths to come up with projects that we are very proud of. And it’s not stopping any time soon!
AIPT: How does Estuary connect to your “universe” of tales, and why does horror seem to be a go-to for Team Andiel?
Ha! We refer to ourselves as Team Dandry, but Andiel works, too. Well, we have sci-fi in there with Red Vector and a fantasy with End After End, but, yes, horror does seem to be our safe space. That’s probably more Tim than me, but horror is fun. It allows us to explore the heart of our characters because your true self tends to come out when you are scared. It adds so much spice to the story and there is nothing better than taking a fear in real life, taking control of it as a writer, and manipulating it. I’m terrified of the sea (obviously), but when writing about it I am able to take charge of that fear and use it to my advantage. I think of it as the difference between working in a haunted house and walking through that haunted house. One person is having a blast, the other is scared out of their pants!
Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: You’re working with the super talented Maan House on art. What does his style/approach offer for this story? And what’s it like bringing another person into the fold given your work as a writing duo?
We love artists. Every artist that we’ve collaborated with has elevated our writing and made us look better. Maan is a horror master. His use of blacks, shadow, and shade set the perfect tone for this book. And he really took ownership of Estuary, making adjustments on the script to heighten the tension and horror. I couldn’t imagine this book without him.
AIPT: The book’s setting (the California coast/Pacific Ocean, etc.) seems familiar enough in certain horror stories. What about this area seems so perfect as a source of inspiration (spooky or otherwise)?
Tim and I have both spent a lot of time in the Monterey and Bodega Bay areas and they are a perfect setting for horror. Cyprus trees twisted by the constant breeze, foggy mornings and eerily quiet nights. The history of this place is also an inspiration. Hundreds years old missions and forts, filled with horrible histories and long abandoned. We’ve talked a lot about how the setting is a character in Estuary, and we really hope the reader feels this.
Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: I really love the dynamic between Sister Darcy and Maris across issue #1. Can you talk about why that’s such a compelling core for this story, and what building the story around that (to an extent) is meant to help accomplish?
Well, what you’ve seen so far is Darcy being a foil for Maris’ lack of faith. There is going to be much more to their relationship, but we wanted to start right out with a familiarity between the two, that has a sense of history, but also a deeper mystery. But this relationship, and what swirls out from it, is at the heart of Estuary, but you’ll have to read further and pick up on the clues (and there are clues) to put their pieces together.
AIPT: I think the story regards religion with the right balance between reverence and social dissection. Is that perhaps a central theme: We’re all seeking something bigger than ourselves, but we’ve gone about it in such a weird/destructive way?
Absolutely. We go to beautiful places and turn our backs on them to take selfies. Maybe this is the old men in Tim and I talking, but we seem to be more interested in impressing people with the places we’ve gone than experiencing those places while we are there. Fully embracing nature and the beauty around us. But also that formal religion may not be filling this void inside of us, as these organizations created and maintained by humans become more tribal and partisan like everything else around us. We have more ways to “connect” but feel less connected. Less real friendships, less closeness. I think that’s why we put a love story (or more than one love story) as the core of Estuary.
Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: Similar to that last question: The book also explores more modern themes (like social media) with a similar blend of both optimism and realism. What about that connection between past and present (that time’s a flat circle, perhaps?) felt so interesting to explore?
We’re going to see social media as a positive and negative in Estuary. It is a tool, what matters is how we wield it. Social media has made us more globally aware as a people, but maybe also overwhelmed at the same time. Twenty years ago, I didn’t know what was going on at an animal shelter in Albany, New York, and now I can get hourly updates. I’m not sure my soul can handle it.
AIPT: Similar to the pairing with Sister Darcy, Maris also has a really compelling relationship with Hunt, the boat captain. What does that dynamic offer, and is horror always better with a side of romance?
What isn’t better with a side of romance?! In Estuary, it’s a new romance, too, so we have the excitement and intensity of emotion that comes at the beginning. As writers, it allowed us to explore the characters in a way that hopefully is entertaining and interesting; the reader gets to know them as they know each other. It also helps the mystery of the book, as we learn new things about each character, new things about the overall mystery can be revealed. It’s a really fun dynamic!
Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: I’m always curious when it comes to what I see as a proliferation of horror comics in the last 10 or so years. What about the “approach” is so appealing to life right now? And does this particular story need that tension and energy to flourish?
Well, without getting too philosophical, I think it’s a sign of the times. People are scared, all the time. We need a mechanism to control that fear and get some relief. When the book, movie, comic is over, and things have been resolved, you’ve survived that fear and you have that endorphin release that comes from surviving. All stories need tension, having that tension come from something frightening is just one way to get there. And it’s a way Tim and I love to go!
AIPT: Do you have a favorite moment/page/panel from issue #1? Something that speaks to the core of the story/experience?
There is a moment, when Hunt is zipping up Maris’ wetsuit, his hands on her back, where he gets to touch her, maybe for the first time, that I think is my favorite. It reminds me of all those first dates, first touches, that conjure up so much emotion. And for just straight Maan awesomeness, that first double page spread. Check it out, you’ll see.
Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: Can you tease any tidbits from the rest of the story (issues #2-4)?
That’s hard without spoiling anything. But there will be kissing, ghosts (plural), deception, revelations, and an explosion. Because, like I told Tim, things just explode sometimes.
AIPT: Is there anything else we should know about Estuary, comics, horror, religion, boats, life in 2026, etc.?
One thing I’d like to mention is the “C” cover was done by none other than Tim Daniel, writer extraordinaire. Tim is an extremely talented designer and artist, his logos grace most of your favorite books, his design work can be seen on every single shelf in a comic shop, and he’s been doing it for years. It would be cool to see him get some credit for how amazing an artist he is. Also, stay out of the water.
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