The following is an interview with Chuck Suffel regarding the release of the comic book one-shot, Renfield Pest Control. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Suffel about his shared creative process in bringing this story and characters to life on the page, his own creative inspirations which may have influenced the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Renfield Pest Control! What can you share with us about the story’s premise?
Chuck Suffel: First of all, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to talk about Renfield Pest Control! Getting the word out about an indie book is always an uphill battle and creators are lucky to have a site like Fanbase that actually enjoys and promotes indie books!
Renfield Pest Control, in a nutshell:
Summertime, and livin’s easy. But not for Lucas. The neighborhood is quiet, too quiet. All his friends seem to be gone for the summer, and it’s starting to feel a little creepy. Then, one afternoon, the doorbell rings. The man who arrives that afternoon brings the creepiness to a whole other level. Can Lucas solve the mystery of Mr Renfield and the dark secret he brings into their home?
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in working with artist Alex Cormack, colorist Matt James, and letterer Micah Meyers to bring this eerie world and characters to life on the page?
CS: Collaboration is one of the most amazing things about creating comics. I’ve known Alex for years, and I always wanted to see what he could do with a script I wrote. Seeing those pages come in, the choices he made, how he enhanced and intensified everything I was trying to convey, it was wonderful. If you know Alex’s work, you know he does amazing colors, as well, but I had seen Matt James’ work and I thought his moodiness and depth would really work with Alex’s pencils and inks. I think the finished pages speak for themselves, every panel is just awesome! Working with Micah was a long-running goal of mine. He’s a pro, 100% on point, and a sweetheart to work with. Answers questions, makes suggestions, and knocks the project out of the park. I was both lucky and flattered that he agreed to work on this book. And I can’t forget James B Emmett; he was an early supporter of this project, and his excellent advice and direction helped me bring this from a cool idea to a full-blown story. Always hire an editor you trust. Always.
BD: At Fanbase Press, we always like to learn more about creators and what drives and inspires them. Are there any creators or media that greatly influenced your creative process or that gave way to the genesis of this particular story?
CS: I’ve been writing comics and contributing to anthologies for more than a few years now, and I think I know where my love of this medium comes from: Growing up I was a huge fan of The Twilight Zone, Tales From The Darkside, Ray Bradbury Theater, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, etc. Those shows, and similarly prose sci-fi, mystery, and horror anthologies, gave me the desire to tell compact late-in, early-out stories. I love a tale that leaves you a bit uncomfortable, a bit unsure, that leaves you spinning the story out further. I hope I achieved that with Renfield.
BD: If given the opportunity, do you foresee revisiting this world or its characters for future story arcs?
CS: Who knows? Renfield could definitely show up somewhere. This story definitely feels like it ends, but I can see the main premise expand into future creepy adventures. Guess we’ll have to wait and see!
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
CS: Fanbase Press very generously covered my last self-published comic, Sherlock Holmes & The Wonderland Conundrum, here. Right now, I’m working on a Western, well it’s a horror, but it’s a Western, but it’s kind of historical fiction? More on that soon…
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to pick up a copy of Renfield Pest Control and to learn more about your work?
CS: Both Renfield Pest Control and Sherlock Holmes and the Wonderland Conundrum are available in digital and print at my webstore (whatchareading-press.storenvy.com) or check out my “secret” kofi store which has all my digital comics and short stories.
Future projects are in the works and you can always find out what’s coming next on instagram (chucksuffelwriter) or on Bluesky (chucksuffel.bsky.social).
