If you’d rather your spring not involve turning toward thoughts of love, there’s always horror. More specifically, Skybound recently launched Super Creepshow, which is not only a continuation of the increasingly potent Creepshow line of anthologies but also features tales of comic heroes and superpowers turned way, way upside down.
Issue #1 featured two such horrifying dissections of the cape-and-cowl crowd. First, Kieron Gillen and Rossi Gifford demonstrated the true nature of “spider sense.” Then, Ryan North and Derek Charm turned super speed into a genuine nightmare. All of it makes you never want to wear a magical ring or get struck by lightning at a crime lab ever again, yeah?
Oh, but the ghoulishly wonderful times aren’t over as Super Creepshow #2 promises even superpowered terrors. First up, Gerry Duggan and Scott Buoncristiano combine to “reveal the dark truth about the mastermind behind the superhero and the lengths he’ll go to steal the spotlight.” Then, Marv Wolfman and Michele Rubini pose a most mighty question: “Are vampires superheroes?” Curiosity may be a killer, folks, but it’s also going to be pretty dang fun to boot.
Super Creepshow #2 hits shelves on April 15. (The FOC is Monday, March 23, FYI.) Ahead of all that, we’ve got two super special treats: an exclusive art preview of issue #2’s two stories and a Q&A with line editor Ben Abernathy. In said chat, Abernathy talks about the “rise” of horror stories in recent years, what makes Super Creepshow feel novel/special, the work that goes into planning each issue, and even his dream creators/contributors, among other topics and tidbits.
Main cover by Pye Parr. Courtesy of Skybound.
AIPT: I’ve been curious, and I’ve asked this of several folks: What do you think is behind the proliferation of horror comics in recent years?
Ben Abernathy: I think horror stories in general are part of the fabric of humanity’s evolution, which allows it to be a rare genre that has universal appeal. And I think publishers have really stepped up the quality of their horror offerings to tap into that interest and are delivering some great content each month.
AIPT: Building off that last question: What do you think makes Super Creepshow so unique amid some other pretty great horror anthologies?
BA: I think taking the tropes of superpowers/superhero storytelling and putting it through a horror filter is a really fun mash-up of genres, and an anthology is the ideal delivery system. I think it’s also a great way to separate this series from the various other horror anthologies on the stands, including our annual Creepshow book, HAHA.
Story #1 from Super Creepshow #2. Courtesy of Skybound.
AIPT: How much horror (books, comics, film, etc.) do you consume in a given week? Is that important, given your role, to be a true connoisseur of the genre?
BA: That’s a tough one as it ebbs and flows per week (and having three kids impacts what I have time for, HAHA). I try to keep up with the good horror movies and shows (and even some bad ones, HAHA) on the various streaming platforms to just stay abreast. I did re-watch the movie Brightburn when Super Creepshow got up and running to get into the mood.
AIPT: What goes into a great Super Creepshow/Creepshow story? Is there perhaps an “equation” you might be able to use in explaining it?
BA: Creepshow stories often do have a fun equation to them, and Brian Witten, the awesome head of Monster Agency Productions, summed it up well to me when I first started working on volume three. Basically, it’s the idea of a Faustian bargain gone wrong, either through human nature or action/choices, leading to a gruesome comeuppance. And working with the great licensing teams at Evoke Entertainment and Striker really brings it all together. Plus, having The Creep intro and outro every story is the icing on the cake!
Story #1 from Super Creepshow #2. Courtesy of Skybound.
AIPT: Similarly, what kind of thought goes into the pairings across the issues (perhaps beyond a “simple” theme)? Like, #1 had Kieron Gillen-Rossi Gifford and Ryan North-Derek Charm, and those two really complemented one another.
BA: I’m glad you asked as there is a bit of alchemy to the order of the stories in Super Creepshow. But it also depended on the delivery of the stories (fortunately, I always try to work far ahead). Ultimately, I really wanted to try and balance out one story with a bit of a familiar premise with another tale that was a little more unexpected (and this will become more evident as the series progresses).
AIPT: How does editing and managing a horror line/title compare with your past work (which includes ample time at DC)?
BA: Honestly? I have absolutely loved it as, like you noted, I spent a lot of time at DC Comics, and I got a few opportunities to work on horror material unless I went really out of my way to make them happen (like with DCeased or DC vs. Vampires, for example). And overseeing a horror anthology is a blast as it gives me the opportunity to hire a terrific group of creators (many of whom I’ve never had a chance to work with!) And, fun fact, when I got my start in the business as an assistant editor at Dark Horse Comics, the first book I worked on was the legendary Dark Horse Presents anthology. So, it sort of feels like I’ve come home!
Story #2 from Super Creepshow #2. Courtesy of Skybound.
AIPT: Do you have a favorite story from this five-issue run of Super Creepshow, or really any Creepshow tales prior? And why that one specifically?
BA: That’s a tough question, it’s like making me choose between my children! I’ve really enjoyed every single story we’ve published. But I guess if I have to select a criterion, it would be working with creators that I’ve long admired and never had the chance to work with, like Gabriel H. Walta, Mike Carey, Ryan North, Gerry Duggan, Chris Condon, Kael Ngu, Brandon Thomas, and so many more. Every single creator has been terrific.
Story #2 from Super Creepshow #2. Courtesy of Skybound.
AIPT: Is there a dream story/creator you’d like to include in an issue of Creepshow, and why?
BA: Oooo…a dream creator? Is it nuts to say, Junji Ito? As probably the greatest horror creator in the history of sequential storytelling, he’d definitely be the top pick. I’d love to see what Alan Moore would do with Super Creepshow or get Mike Mignola to do a story.
AIPT: Is there anything else you’d like to mention about Super Creepshow, horror, comics, monsters, Image Comics, etc.?
BA: I’d like to shout out to everyone who picked up a copy of Super Creepshow, as that support is so meaningful to our continuing to do books like this. THANK YOU!
Variant cover by Scott Buoncristiano. Courtesy of Skybound.
Variant cover by Michele Rubini and Lee Loughridge. Courtesy of Skybound.
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