The following is an interview with Keith Arem (Call of Duty, Street Fighter 6) regarding the recent launch of the Kickstarter campaign for the graphic novel, Frost Road, through PCB Entertainment. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Arem about the shared creative process of bringing the apocalyptic horror story to life on the page, the backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on your Kickstarter campaign launch for Frost Road! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the premise of this apocalyptic horror story?
Keith Arem: Thank you! Frost Road is an apocalyptic survival thriller that follows a man who wakes up from a car crash with no memory, only to find himself in a town devastated by an invisible, subsonic wave. The remaining survivors are either tearing themselves apart, or slowly losing their grip on reality. As our protagonist discovers what’s happening, he realizes that he is somehow not affected by the signal, and the survivors suspect that he may be connected to the town’s destruction.
At its core, Frost Road is about survival, paranoia, and the fear of losing yourself when everything around you is unraveling. It blends psychological horror, mystery, and actual science into a tense, cinematic story. And with Christopher Shy’s haunting artwork, the book pulls us into its dark, decayed world in a way that feels visceral and unsettling.
BD: You have an incredible body of work that spans creative mediums. How do you feel that your diversified creative talents provide a unique perspective in bringing this world and characters to life on the page, alongside artist Christopher Shy?
KA: My background in video games, film, and music has given me a unique approach to storytelling and focus on immersion. In games, we design experiences for players to feel connected inside the world, and I wanted to bring that same depth to Frost Road.
Christopher and I worked together previously on Ascend, and I knew his atmospheric, textured art style would be perfect for this book. His ability to blend realism with abstract, dreamlike horror makes Frost Road feel like a living nightmare. At the same time, I approached the script like a film by focusing on pacing, tension, and the psychological distrust between the characters.
By pulling in elements from different mediums such as cinematic visuals, immersive storytelling, and an underlying sound-driven horror concept, I think we’ve created a unique project that feels like something more than just a comic. Frost Road is designed to pull you in, disorient you, and make you feel the paranoia and uncertainty of its world.
BD: Why do you feel that crowdfunding—Kickstarter in particular—has been such a valuable resource to ensuring the success of today’s comic book creators?
KA: Kickstarter allows creators to bring their projects directly to their audience without the limitations of traditional publishing. It’s an incredible platform because it gives fans the chance to be a part of something from the very beginning, supporting the work they want to see in the world.
For Frost Road, Kickstarter was the perfect fit. The book is already completed, so our campaign is focused on fulfilling and printing the graphic novel exactly as we envisioned it. This direct connection with backers ensures that we can deliver a premium-quality book without compromise, and it also lets us build a real community around the project.
BD: In light of the crowdfunding campaign, are there any particular backer rewards that you would like to highlight for readers?
KA: One of the things we’re most excited about is that our Kickstarter isn’t only about the book—it’s also about giving back to the creative community. We’re offering masterclasses, industry Q&As, and portfolio reviews, so aspiring artists and writers can learn directly from the professionals behind Frost Road.
On top of that, one of our biggest stretch goals is developing an immersive audio drama based on the book, in collaboration with Dead Meat and the incredible voice talent who helped bring these characters to life.
And for collectors, we have some exclusive limited-edition rewards, including a hand-numbered storyboard page from legendary artist Trevor Goring, a signed Christopher Shy print, and a screenplay excerpt from my original script. So, if you’re a fan of behind-the-scenes content, there’s a lot to love.
BD: Are there any other projects—past or current—that you would like to note for readers?
KA: I’ve been lucky to work on some incredible projects across games, film, and comics. My first graphic novel, Ascend, was a collaboration with Christopher Shy, and it’s great to be working together again on Frost Road. I’ve also directed performances for Call of Duty, Titanfall, Persona, Like a Dragon, Resident Evil, and many more. Beyond Frost Road, I’m developing new immersive horror experiences with PCB, including our Blind Terror audio dramas, which blend cinematic storytelling with cutting-edge sound design.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find out more about Frost Road and its Kickstarter campaign?
KA: The best way is to find us on our Kickstarter page—you’ll find everything about the book, the story, the rewards, and all the in-depth stretch goals we have planned.
You can also follow us on social media (@PCBproductions, @KeithArem) for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and new announcements. And of course, sharing the campaign with friends, horror fans, and comic lovers helps us bring Frost Road to as many people as possible.
