The following is an interview with Derick Jones regarding the recent release of the comic book, Nose Bleed, with Reptile House Comix. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Jones about the shared creative process of bringing the story to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may take away from the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Nose Bleed! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the premise of this story?
Derick Jones: Nose Bleed is a telekinetic horror story about a group of bullied teens getting psychic abilities and getting revenge on their bullies and the consequences of getting revenge. If you love psychic stories and twisty revenge tales drawn in an indie comic style, this is totally for you.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing this story and its larger-than-life characters to life on the page?
DJ: I hired an editor since this was the longest comic I’ve written. I highly recommend to everyone in the indie comic space to hire an editor. It was the best move I’ve ever made. My editor really helped me remember that the theme is the most important part of a story, so everything I did revolved around that. Other than that, I wanted to work in a more cartoony style on this book so that the gory, brutal moments would have more impact. In the past I’ve worked in a very highly detailed, brushy style that tends to get messy and sometimes the impact I’m going for gets lost in the sauce. Before starting this book, I also took a trip to France and fell back in love with Franco Belgian comics, so that style pops in, as well. I also had a monthly deadline since this book was coming out in 3 – 5 pages increments on phillyartblog.org so that really helped me think less and do more.
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 Nose Bleed’s story may impact readers, and are there any conversations that you hope that it might inspire?
DJ: I hope that fans of the psychic genre enjoy it as I mostly made it for them. As far as impact, I tend not to think of that kind of stuff since art is so subjective. Conversations would be great, and I tell people to tell me what they think even if they hate it! I want to learn how to create better stories, so I’m open to crits. Also, hopefully, it makes people think more before they decide to bully someone!
BD: Do you foresee expanding the story into subsequent story arcs, if given the opportunity?
DJ: Yes! this book collects the first 40 pages. I have about 160 more pages planned, and the second arc has already started release on phillyartblog.org and can be read every month. I’ve got enough story for three books and each book will be more brutal than the last.
BD: What made Reptile House Comix the perfect home for this story?
DJ: Reptile House is one of my favorite indie publishers, and Nick the publisher is one of my favorite artists, so it was a dream come true to publish with them. They mostly publish punk rock and horror and auto bio comix, and I felt like Nose Bleed fit really well into that space.
BD: Are there any other projects on which you are working that you’re able to share with readers?
DJ: I’m working on the second collection of my queer body horror comic, Urges, with my buddy Erick Freitas. Other than that, I’m also hoping to release a 30-40 page Kamen Rider fan comic by the end of the year.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Nose Bleed?
DJ: I’d say grab yourself a copy and dive into the world. Follow along every month on PhillyartBlog and sign up for my newsletter.
