The following is an interview with Christian Gossett regarding the recent success of the Kickstarter campaign for Cthulhu Is Hard to Spell: Volume 3 in which he created the short comic, “Cthulhutown.” In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Gossett about his creative process in bringing the story to life, upcoming projects in the works, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent success of the Kickstarter campaign for Cthulhu Is Hard to Spell: Volume 3 and your included short story, “Cthulhutown!” For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the story’s premise?
Christian Gossett: “Cthulhutown” asks the question, what might have happened if an incredibly wealthy coven of Cthulhu cultists saw the influence of motion pictures on society and thought, this is it. This is the way to influence humankind on a massive scale and bring about the Age of Chaos. I grew up in Hollywood when my family relocated here from New York City, and “Cthulhutown” is a source of joy for me because I get to share all of these random things I know about Los Angeles in a supernatural pulp adventure context. If you love Lovecraft stories, if you love the Cthulhu mythos, and you also have a thing for the Golden Age of Hollywood, this is the romantic saga you’ve been looking for.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in balancing both the writing and illustrative duties to bring this story to life, and what (or who) were some of your creative influences?
CG: I would describe it as a total blast. Sometimes, the words come first and the pictures follow, sometimes, the pictures. My first professional comics work came when I was 19 years old and I did everything, even to the lettering. It was so fun being able to write and draw stories of imaginary places, and, in one form or another, I’ve been doing it ever since. I’ve been very fortunate and worked with many amazing people who have taught me countless methods, techniques, practices, tricks, you name it. “Cthulhutown” just falls out of me because it’s really about personal trauma and informed by real events. It’s all hidden in the trappings of a romantic, scary pulp adventure, but built on a foundation of reality.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
CG: I can share that I’m working for Marvel Studios on a major Disney+ animated series! Even though I can’t say what it is yet, it’s very exciting to be on such an incredible team and seeing a Marvel show from the inside. “Cthulhutown” happens on stolen weekends.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Cthulhu Is Hard to Spell: Volume 3 and your other work?
CG: Please visit the Kickstarter page and donate; backers can still preorder a copy. The campaign went great, we’re funded, and now is a chance for people to jump in and get their copy. Also, if they’d like to see more of my work they can visit cthulhutown on Instagram and if they want to really dig in they can join my Substack – also searchable as cthulhutown.
