The following is an interview with Emmy Award-winning writer and TV host Kevin Shinick (Robot Chicken, Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?) regarding the recent launch of his Kickstarter campaign for the time-travel adventure graphic novel, Host Mortem. The one-of-a-kind book will feature covers from beloved Batman and Dracula: The Impaler artist Kelley Jones, Tony Foti, Timothy Anderson, and Damien Torres. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Shinick about his shared creative process in bringing the mystery story and characters 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 those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the book’s one-of-a-kind premise?
Kevin Shinick: Host Mortem is the story of two fake detective game show hosts from the 1990s who have to solve a series of real murders in the 1940s. Proving that the old adage “write what you know” still holds true. Because as the host of the ’90s game show, Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? I dealt with mystery, history, and time travel on a daily basis. So, when I sat down to create an original detective in my first ever adult-noir-mystery, it dawned on me that I already had one staring back at me in the reflection of my laptop. (At a very unflattering angle, I might add.)
BD: It’s always thrilling to follow a murder mystery as the reader, but I would imagine that crafting the narrative and staying 3 steps ahead of your reader is quite the challenge! How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artists Damien Torres and Andrea Schiavone to bring this incredible metafiction mystery to life on the page?
KS: I’ve worn many hats in my career, but the first hat I always put on, regardless of the project, is my fan hat. Because above all else, I want to be entertained just like everyone else. So, I instantly become my biggest critic. Having been a big fan of murder mysteries all my life, I know what I like and what I feel works or doesn’t work. So, in crafting this tale, I was careful not to fall into what I consider overused tropes or easy outs. And I don’t mind admitting, writing a mystery of this caliber in graphic novel form is deceptively challenging. But when you’ve got incredible artists like Damien Torres (Marvel: Crisis Protocol) and Andrea Schiavone (Gangsters Versus Monsters) to work with, not to mention my fantastic colorist Pippa Bowland (Judge Dredd, Project Cryptid) and my awesome letterer Taylor Esposito (Red Hood and The Outlaws), the journey becomes a lot more fun. They’ve all helped me create a world so gorgeous and real that I feel free to let my mind and my character pound the pavement of 1940s Los Angeles in search of answers. And to keep it fresh for my artists, I still have not told them who the murderer is. So, they’re drawing this all in real time, discovering bodies and clues along the way, just like the readers will.
BD: Once funded, the graphic novel will be released through Clover Press. What makes the publisher the perfect home for this time travel adventure?
KS: I have always been a fan of the books coming out of Clover Press. There’s a certain prestige and elegance to a lot of what they do. When I was first conceiving Host Mortem, I had imagined more than a book, but rather something you’d want in your collection or displayed in your library. So, when Clover reached out to say they were interested in working together I was thrilled. I mean, to have Host Mortem displayed alongside their collections of Dick Tracy and The Spirit says it all.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any specific backer rewards that you are most excited to feature?
KS: I’ve been having almost as much fun coming up with rewards as I have plot points for the book. One of the reasons I wanted to crowdfund Host Mortem is because I feel Kickstater is a unique community of artists who support one another. So, I figured my rewards should include offers that connect with that community. As a result, in addition to things like original pieces of cover art, striking covers by Jones, Foti, Anderson, and Torres, the chance to be killed off in the book and opportunities for backers to connect with (co-star) Greg Lee and myself, I’m also offering services like script or comic book evaluations, invites to launch parties, offers of my VO narration on someone else’s project, and even in-person dinners.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for readers?
KS: Host Mortem seems to have manifested a whole year of host-related projects for me. The graphic novel is something I’m so proud of and have had so much fun doing that we might actually turn it into a live, improv-gameshow made up of current and former hosts, since the prevailing question throughout this mystery is, “Are hosts smart? Or do they just have the answers?” And if that wasn’t enough, I was recently cast as Dick Clark, the legendary host of American Bandstand, in the upcoming Michael Jackson feature film titled, Michael. So for me, 2025 is quickly becoming the Year of the Host.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about Host Mortem and your other work?
KS: First and foremost, they should go to www.HostMortem.com and follow us on Kickstarter, because that’s how we’ll notify people about early bird specials and such. I also have a free Substack called Game Show Gumshoe, where I talk about all things humor, hosting, and homicide. Or they can follow me @KevinShinick across all social media.
