The following is an interview with Anthony Cleveland regarding the upcoming release of the Show’s End: The Second Coming collected trade paperback through Mad Cave Studios. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Cleveland about returning to the world and characters for the series’ second volume, the shared creative process of bringing the story to life, what he hope that readers will take away from the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Show’s End: The Second Coming! In looking back at the development and creation of the series, what can you share with us about your creative process in working with artist Jeferson Sadzinski, colorist Fabi Marques, and letterer Justin Birch that really made this series unique?
Anthony Cleveland: Thank you for that! Honestly, I try my best to stay out of the team’s way after delivering the script. Jef, Justin, and I were all together on Volume 1, so there’s a rhythm and intuition there that carries over — But I really love the surprise of seeing how absolutely crazy this team can make these pages. The spreads we’ve done here are what I’m most excited for people to see.
BD: As this was a return to work with the Mad Cave Studios team, what makes Made Cave the perfect home for this series?
AC: I love working with Mad Cave so much. Every staff member and editor has the same shared energy to see these stories thrive and get into as many hands as possible. It’s awesome to feel that on a project like this.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that the circus troop’s story will connect with and impact readers?
AC: I think there can be a lot here that can be reflective with certain readers: The disconnection one can have with their family. Rejection within small subcircles. And overall, that uncertainty of finding one’s place.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
AC: 2023 and 2024 [are] full of horror for me. Since I started writing comics, horror has been all I wanted to do, but most of my published stories have been genre adjacent. So, this is the first time I have something that is firmly in the genre. One is a slasher mini, and the other is a noir horror story.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Show’s End: The Second Coming and your other work?
AC: Show’s End Vol. 2 is still available for digital download here, and the trade is releasing everywhere soon! You can find me at Instagram (@Ant_Cleveland). I post mostly about what I’m reading!
*Show’s End: The Second Coming is now in PREVIEWS for pre-order (FOC: January 2, 2023) and arrives at your local comic shop on January 25, 2023.
