The “cute but creepy” character is a pretty popular trope these days. But few have done it quite as endearing and unsettling as Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl.
The brainchild of writer-artist Roman Dirge, Lenore debuted in the late ’90s with a series of stories published by Slave Labor Graphics. Lenore was so popular, in fact, that she became the star of a series of web cartoons in the early 2000s. And while there’s been subsequent Lenore stories since then (like 2013’s Lenore Volume II), the character’s mostly been absent over the last seven years. Until now, that is.
Teaming up with Titan Comics, Dirge has resurrected his charming creation with Lenore: The Time War. Here, Lenore and the gang find themselves reunited having eaten “three Time Goats who’d come to save them from a demented demonic pickle hat.” Only as you’d guess, that causes some problems, and so Lenore must battle a “futuristic army of enraged Time Goats from the far-flung future who’ve come to Earth for revenge.” Things may have changed in those seven years, but Lenore stories will always be weird, wild, and endlessly entertaining.
Lenore: The Time War #1 is due out January 29. (The FOC, however, is Monday, January 6.) In the lead up to Lenore’s latest saga, Dirge was kind enough to answer a few questions via email. That includes why he chose to come back to Lenore, what to expect from the Time War, and what comes next for our creepy starlet.
Courtesy of Titan Comics.
AIPT: Where were you at emotionally, mentally, etc. with the character when Lenore went on “hiatus” circa 2017/2018? Was there a reason why you stopped w/ Lenore stores?
I started working in TV animation again, designing other people’s shows. The last thing in the world I wanted to do, was draw all day at that job, get home, then draw all night on my own projects. I’m in my early 50’s now and don’t quite have that super human stamina I once had. Although having said that, the new three issues I’ve recently turned in took on average 15-18 hour work days, six days a week. Some superhuman stamina remains.
AIPT: What made you want to return to the world of Lenore after so much time away?
A sudden rebirth of creativity. I have more Lenore stories in my head than I’ll ever have enough life span to pen, but I can at least try.
Courtesy of Titan Comics.
AIPT: Do you think Lenore’s value as a character has changed/shifted over the last 7 years?
I worried about this too, but from the reaction I’ve seen about the new issues coming out, those worries were swayed away. Also, if anything, her prolonged absence from the cultural zeitgeist has only seemed to make those that enjoy her adventures more eager for the new arrivals.
AIPT: How much should newbies know before leaping into The Time War?
I dunno. The first new issue immediately picks up where I left off seven years ago, but it does start with a character named Flashback Squirrel, that does his darned fuzzy best to catch readers up on the story so far.
Courtesy of Titan Comics.
AIPT: Why opt for a time travel story — were you afraid they’re a little overplayed by now?
This question feels borderline hostile. Do I owe you money or something? Lol. I don’t remember a surge of time travel stories when I started this seven years ago, but no. It’s always been my favorite sci-fi sub genre and I wanted to tackle my own version. I think you’re thinking of multiverse stuff, which my story does not cover.
AIPT: Since you’ve come back with this latest story, do you have a greater appreciation for Lenore? Do you think you’re doing anything different this time around?
I’ve always had a great appreciation for her. She’s like real to me. I have to get in a weird mind set just to write her dialogue, that usually takes me a week or so just to get out of and return to “normal.” As for different, these are the prettiest Lenore books I’ve ever done. All those years of animation design have upped my “mad skillz, bro.”
Courtesy of Titan Comics.
AIPT: What kind of wonderful weirdness can we expect from this story? Any shocks/surprises?
There’s a lot. Like…. A lot happens. The Killdozer, a bulldozer turned tank by a real guy in 2004 in Colorado, makes a brief appearance and I was pretty jazzed on adding that to the Lenore universe. Seeing Taxidermy as his old self known as Taxen-Ra (The god of protecting children), was fun to play with, too.
AIPT: What comes after The Time War — do you see even more Lenore stories, or is it back on the shelf for the little dead girl?
No shelf for this kiddo. I’m already writing the next one. Because the last few new issues spanned across time, I had to do so much research and draw so many animation quality backgrounds, that I’ve decided to make the next issue straight up about Lenore Vs. a bee in the woods. It’ll still be pretty and bonkers though, so don’t fret.
AIPT: Will we ever see that Lenore movie? Maybe more animated episodes?
I’d like nothing more. Every time I think it’s finally gonna happen, the rug gets pulled out from under it at the last minute. I’ll just keep trying. All that I can promise.
Courtesy of Titan Comics.
Courtesy of Titan Comics.
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