The following is an interview with writer Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Green Arrow) regarding the recent release of the new comic book series, Far Down Below, through Mad Cave Studios. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Condon about his shared creative process in working with artist Gegê Schall to bring the world and characters to life on the page, how he feels that the story’s themes may connect with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Far Down Below! This story has been long in the making for you. What can you tell us about the genesis behind this idea, and what made this the perfect time to bring this story to life?
Chris Condon: Well, first of all, thank you very much for putting together this interview! I think I should say that Far Down Below, while having horror elements, isn’t exactly a horror book. It’s much more an adventure story, one that hits on a few different genre points like horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. It’s born out of a love for adventure stories like Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth and Joe Dante’s Explorers. I tend to describe it as “Journey to the Center… of Eastern Pennsylvania.” Or, alternatively, “The Goonies… if it was written by Stephen King in the 1980s.” Like any story that’s about exploration, sure, it can get scary. We do have our fair share of monsters creeping around beneath the surface… But yes, the story has been kicking around in my brain for a very long time. I first wrote it in high school and the story grew and changed, and finally, we have it as it exists now. It’s a literal dream come true. As for what makes now the perfect time? It’s the perfect time because Mike Marts said that he’d publish it! When someone gives you a greenlight, that certainly says ‘perfect timing’ to me.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist Gegê Schall to set the visual tone of this story and to capture the feel of a haunted house in Eastern Pennsylvania?
CC: Oh, geez. Gegê has been a dream collaborator. I’ve lived with this story for so long that once I had the scripts written, I just handed them off to Gegê to see what she would bring to it. I didn’t want to be some looming figure, you know? And I wasn’t disappointed. I think the vibe and tone were established in the script, really. We never really had any discussions about it. I tend to not really have discussions with my collaborators. I think that they tend to read my scripts and ‘get’ it. And vice versa. As soon as I saw Gegê’s fantastic artwork, I had no notes whatsoever. I ‘got’ it immediately. What’s better than that?
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums – no matter the genre. How do you feel that Jeff and Brian’s story may connect with and impact today’s readers?
CC: I think that as readers continue with the series, they will find a lot to connect with and be impacted by in the series. The events that our characters are living through may be big, crazy things, but they are still flawed humans, in some cases, flawed humans who are having trouble connecting with their emotions, or with their parental figures, or whatever the case may be. I think there’s a lot to associate with in Far Down Below, and I think that’s because, at its core, Far Down Below is a human story.
BD: What makes Mad Cave Studios the perfect home for this series?
CC: Mad Cave has been putting out a lot of great titles, and I had worked with Mike Marts previously on a book called Hell is a Squared Circle. So, it didn’t take much for me to know that Mad Cave was a good place to have a book – a place I, as a creator, could trust with my work.
BD: Are there any additional projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
CC: I hope people check out News from the Fallout by Jeffrey Alan Love, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and myself. It’s out on June 25th from Image Comics, and I say this with all sincerity: It’s like nothing else you’ll find on the stands.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for readers to learn more about Far Down Below and your other work?
CC: Readers can follow me on Bluesky at @christophcondon.bsky.social and on my mutual Patreon account with Jacob Phillips – patreon.com/condonphillips.
