The following is an interview with writer Ben Kahn regarding the release of the sequel graphic novel, Renegade Royale, through Dark Horse Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Kahn about collaborating with co-writer Rachel Silverstein, artist Sam Beck, and letterer Jim Campbell to bring the world and characters to life on the page, what readers might take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently returned to the VR gaming world of Renegade Rule with the sequel graphic novel, Renegade Royale, through Dark Horse Comics. Where will readers find the Manhattan Mist team in this latest installment?
Ben Kahn: Yes! The girls of Renegade Rule are back in a whole new competition. Renegade Royale is set about a year and a half after the end of Renegade Rule. Since their respectable loss in the Renegade Rule finals, team captain Amanda Cassidy has achieved pro-gamer stardom, and the team is now reuniting for screwball sniper Jessie Nakamura’s wedding. Shy and nerdy Tonya LaFleur has managed to nab herself a girlfriend, but seeing her best friend with someone else has sarcastic and surly Tonya Zimmerman all up in her feelings. When the Manhattan Mist learn about a huge tournament for the new Battle Royale mode, Tonya will go all-in on proving to herself and the world that she has what it takes to be a champion.
Me and Rachel fell in love with these characters working on Renegade Rule, and it was such a joy to catch up with them and continue their stories.
BD: Given your past collaboration with co-writer Rachel Silverstein, artist Sam Beck, and letterer Jim Campbell for the first story arc, did you find that you shared a creative “shorthand” with one another in approaching your creative process for this graphic novel?
BK: I think for me and Rachel on the writing side, the biggest thing going from Renegade Rule to Renegade Royale was just how familiar we were with the characters now. In the first volume we were still figuring out their voices. Now, it’s like we can drop them into a scene and the characters will just start talking on their own. And our main goal in the writing process is still to make one another laugh. If we’re having fun writing it, we figure people will have fun reading it.
And this time, we were that much more aware of what an artistic powerhouse Sam is. One thing we did is that once the first draft of the script was done, we all went through it and Sam picked out the action sequences that would have the most impact as double page spreads. It was great working together so closely to take the action to a new level. And we knew our words were in great hands with Jim’s letters. I’m so glad we were able to reunite the full creative team for another adventure.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that the team’s story has connected (and will continue to connect) with readers, especially in light of the incredible critical and fan response to the series?
BK: I think more than anything else, as a creator you hope your work can really connect with people. With this series, inspired by so many sci-fi and sports stories, we wanted to show that queer characters belong in every kind of story. People deserve to see themselves as champions, as funny weirdos, as flawed people falling in love, and every other kind of character under the sun.
But for Renegade Royale specifically, I really hope Tonya’s story connects with every person who grew up being told they were too loud, too much a day dreamer, or too annoying. This story is about someone who’s spent her whole life trying to make herself smaller for other’s approval finally realizing just how big she can be. And I hope that’s a lesson readers can really take with them.
BD: What makes Dark Horse Comics the perfect home for this graphic novel series?
BK: Dark Horse has been a great partner. From the very beginning, they’ve totally understood what we were trying to achieve, and have been nothing but beyond supportive. We wanted to blur that line between YA and New Adult, and they’ve been on board for every swear-laden joke and digital decapitation.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
BK: Absolutely! Always happy to give other projects a plug. I’d love for people to check out my other graphic novel from earlier this year – Mr. Muffins: Defender of the Stars. It’s an adorable and action-packed comic about a young boy pulled into an intergalactic war when he learns that the legendary cosmic chosen one is…his pet corgi, Mr. Muffins. It’s Star Wars-style space adventure mixed with a boy and his dog story.
And then my upcoming series is Monster High: House Haunters, the newest story in the Monster High comic series from IDW! The ghouls of Monster High are heading to a ScareBnB for the Halloween weekend and find themselves trapped inside a Haunted House and dealing with an ancient evil determined to escape. It’s a five-issue, biweekly series running through September and October!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about the Renegade Royale and your other work?
BK: If you want to pick up copies of Renegade Rule and Renegade Royale, both volumes of queer gamer action-adventure are out now and can be ordered through your local comic shop or book store. And they’re of course available online at all your major book sellers like Amazon and Bookshop.org.
And then you can purchase all my comic and novels at my website, www.benkahncomics.com. And to keep up to date with signings, conventions, and new book announcements, I’m on Bluesky and Instagram at @benkahncomics.
And if you haven’t had enough of me after this, I co-host a weekly horror podcast called Progressively Horrified where every week we recap, review, and analyze a new horror film. And you can find that all our major podcast listening places.
