The following is an interview with writer Sloane Leong regarding the release of the graphic novel, Graveneye, from TKO Studios. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Leong about the creative process of bringing the world and characters to life with artist Anna Bowles, her upcoming projects, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent digital release of Graveneye! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the story’s premise?
Sloane Leong: Graveneye is a story about two incredibly different women told from the perspective of a house. This comic began as a short prose story, the majority of which is still present as the house’s dialogue in the comic. Isla and Marie both have their own perceptions of each other that are built completely within their own head and not based on anything real like, say, things verbally communicated or their actions. It’s all an image of what they want the other to be for them. So, I had these two women who are both in their own fantasy world and I didn’t want to privilege one point of view over the other so I introduced the house as the narrator, which was really fun for me to write and personify as a character.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist Anna Bowles to bring this story to life?
SL: I broke up portions of the story, which was just the house’s dialogue, and began adding in descriptions for each page. I approach and write my “scripts” mostly as prose–with some notes on what needs emphasis or what subtle touches I’d like to add–and let Anna handle the actual comic-ing, like paneling and layout. The artist 99% of the time almost always knows best when it comes to interpreting the text into a flowing visual narrative. I also just wanted her touch as a storyteller in this which she most definitely brought; there’s such inventive paneling, layout and pacing in this, it’s honestly some of my favorite comic work I’ve ever seen.
BD: What (or who) were some of your creative influences in terms of the characters and tone, especially given the various elements of gothic horror and psychological suspense?
SL: Some horror touchstones off the top of my head are Shirley Jackson, Gary J Shipley and Brian Evenson. But I wasn’t thinking of anyone or any material directly, mostly just vibing off the usual tropes involved with haunted houses, psychological thrillers and dark romances. The non-human (and non-animal) narrator is pretty rare and I think I do something unique with the house and its voice. It tries to humanize itself but always returns to thinking about itself in house-like terms and often frames the humans that live within it in the same way.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
SL: The next volume in my sci-fi series, Prism Stalker, should be about next year from Dark Horse. I’m also working on my next book with Anna which I’m immensely excited about it; we’re going to explore a dark colonial American romance.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Graveneye and your other work?
SL: You can keep tabs on what I’m up to on Twitter (@sloanesloane) or at my website, http://sloanesloane.com.
