The following is an interview with writer/director/producer Steven S. DeKnight regarding the Kickstarter campaign for the graphic novel, Hard Bargain, in collaboration with publisher Humanoids. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with DeKnight about his shared creative process in working with artist Leno Carvalho to bring the story to life on the page, the incredible backer rewards available through the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the Kickstarter campaign for Hard Bargain! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the premise of this supernatural thriller?
Steven S. DeKnight: Thanks so much! This has been a passion project of mine for many, many years, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to release what’s been percolating in my brain out into the wild. Hard Bargain is a supernatural hardboiled noir private detective story set against the glitz and grim of 1940s Los Angeles. Frank Harding, our main character, is a two-fisted gumshoe caught up in a deadly mystery filled with demons, supervillains, a vengeful sorceress, and even Death herself.
BD: This story has been one long in the making, deftly combining your two creative passions and talents for hard-boiled detective stories and creature features. How would you describe your shared creative process – in working with artist Leno Carvalho – to bring these two narratives to life in the sequential art medium?
SSD: There just wouldn’t be a Hard Bargain without the incredible talents of Leno Carvahlo. The story I whipped up was greatly influenced by pulp crime noir of the ’30s and ’40s combined with a healthy dose of classic EC Comics horror. Leno’s style hit that bullseye perfectly and our creative process really couldn’t have been simpler. I’d deliver the script for each chapter and Leno would dive in. Then, he’d start sending me pages which were ridiculously awesome. Once we locked those down, colorist extraordinaire Bruno Hang would swoop in and kick everything up a couple hundred notches followed by the beautiful lettering of Troy Peteri to polish it all off.
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 Frank’s story may connect with and impact readers?
SSD: While on its surface Hard Bargain is a rollicking hardboiled noir detective story with supernatural elements, there’s something more lurking just beneath the surface. The underlying mystery central to the plot was inspired by a real-life horror: the brutal murder of Vincent Chin in 1982. Two angry white auto workers held Chin down and repeatedly bashed him in the head with a baseball bat. Chin subsequently died of his injuries, but the two men were only sentenced to probation and a fine. Chin’s murder happened at the height of anger towards Japan for encroaching on the U.S. car market (His murderers mistakenly thought Chin was Japanese.) What happened to him always haunted me and was the main reason why I just couldn’t let the idea go, especially in the face of rising hate crimes against the AAPI community we’ve been witnessing yet again.
BD: What makes Humanoids the perfect home for this story?
SSD: Working with Humanoids has been one of the most fulfilling creative endeavors of my career. They have such a wonderfully French sensibility when dealing with writers and artists, which is basically giving them the resources and support the need to simply create. They don’t bog you down with a lot of notes or try to strongarm you to do it their way. They genuinely want you to spin the tale that you’re passionate about. I just can’t say enough good things about them.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any specific backer rewards that you would like to highlight for readers?
SSD: The oversized collector’s hardcover with slipcase is just absolutely gorgeous. I can’t wait to have that bad boy sitting on my own shelf! The other backer reward that’s really exciting are limited-edition prints inspired by the story from artists Leno Carvahlo, Michael Gaydos, and Pete Woods. Just stunning!
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
SSD: I have the horror graphic novel Beneath coming out next month from my friends at Comixology (physical edition coming out in 2025 from Dark Horse) that I think fans of the genre will really enjoy. Kind of a mash up between the classic John Carpenter film Assault of Precinct 13 and a classic creature feature. I also have the Spartacus spinoff series House of Ashur premiering next year from Starz and Lionsgate. Many other projects in the works but too early to announce yet!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Hard Bargain and your other work?
SSD: You can still find me on Twitter at the moment (Yeah, I refuse to call it X.): @stevendeknight. I often announce Hard Bargain-related info, as well details about my other work.
Thanks so much having me! It’s been a pleasure!
