The following is an interview with writer Peter Bune on the Kickstarter campaign launch for the graphic novel, Deathgasm 1.5: Director’s Cut, based on the fan-favorite heavy metal horror movie. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Bune about his shared creative process in working with Deathgasm creator Jason Howden and Bit Bot Media to bring the story to life on the page, the incredible backer rewards available through the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the Kickstarter campaign launch for the Deathgasm 1.5: Director’s Cut graphic novel! What will readers have in store for this prelude to the highly anticipated upcoming sequel, Deathgasm II: Goremageddon?
Peter Bune: Thank you so much! We’re so excited for it to finally be unleashed to the fans of the original movie. If you’re a fan of the 2015 film, you’re going to love it. If you’re a fan of metal and monsters, you’re going to love it. The adventure continues for the characters that survived at the end of the movie. We catch up with Brodie and Medina as they’ve been on the road touring with the new members of Deathgasm, not only slaying with their own brand of metal, but they’ve also been hunting down demons this whole time. Deathgasm 1.5 will have even more splatter and bloody gore of epic proportions, and, of course, more of that charming Kiwi Comedy.
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in working with Deathgasm creator Jason Howden to bring this story to life on the page?
PB: Jason being in New Zealand and me being in New York, you would think that it would be a little difficult. But time differences aside, Jason was so easy to work with and I had a ton of fun collaborating with him. We did everything over emails, Facebook messages, and Zoom. These characters and this world are his babies, and I wanted to make sure that we were doing them justice and to respect what he created. And also, how could you not have fun with these characters?! The comic should feel like a natural continuation of the film and a natural bridge to Goremageddon. And Jason made sure that all the New Zealand slang and terminology was used properly.
BD: What’s it like working with Bit Bot Media to create the first title in their catalog?
PB: The Bit Bot Media guys (Josh Viola and James Aquilone) have been so cool and supportive, not only taking me on to this project but also allowing me to use my penciler of choice, Argentinian artist Industrias Lamonicana. This has truly been an international production! I’ve learned so much from the process and they’ve been really patient and inclusive.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any backer rewards or exciting announcements that you would like to highlight for our readers?
PB: Yes! The graphic novel will be 80 pages of gross splatter gore goodness available as a hardcover and softcover, with variant cover art by Skinner and Matthew Therrien. You can get shirts in those designs, too. But Deathgasm fans are really going to want to be the first to get their hands on the sickest-looking Brodie, Zakk, and Aeloth masks! That’s going to be the most coveted item available in the campaign. And the highlight for the readers will be the cool Easter egg cameos from real-life Heavy Metal musicians and New Zealand icons in the comic. It may be more fun for them to discover on their own.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Deathgasm 1.5: Director’s Cut?
PB: Make sure you follow Bit Bot Media on all their socials. And sign up to the Kickstarter campaign to get all the news and updates on the graphic novel as it comes in.
