The following is an interview with writer Melissa F. Olson (Project: Cryptid, Dead Spots) regarding the upcoming release of the collected Archaic trade paperback through AHOY Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Olson about the added content that readers can anticipate from the collected edition, what made this such a standout series in her catalog of work, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of the collected Archaic trade paperback! As with all of AHOY’s releases, this trade is sure to be packed with incredible bonus features. What will readers have in store with the upcoming release?
Melissa F. Olson: There’s an introduction from the book’s “godfather,” Paul Cornell, an exclusive essay from me, a bunch of character sketches from Sally, the alternate covers, and the prequel short story I wrote for an issue of Dead Weights, “Fish Story.” Everything ARCHAIC collected in one place!
BD: In looking back at the development and creation of the series, what can you share with us about your creative process in working with artist Sally Cantirino and colorist Gab Contreras that really made this series unique to your body of work?
MFO: Most of my work is in fiction writing, so being part of a collaboration is itself so special for me. It was great to have Sally, Gab, and our editor Sarah Litt weighing in and helping make everything better. If I’m being honest, it was also nice having people count on me for deadlines–it’s much harder to procrastinate when there are people waiting for your script!
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 Archaic’s story has connected with and impacted readers, especially in light of the incredible critical and fan response to the series?
MFO: I’m really proud of how this story speaks to families, especially moms. There are plenty of parents in comics, of course, but so often in these stories, the kids are kidnapped by villains or hidden away with babysitters while the parents go out and save the world. The story is either about the kids, or about the parents. But I wanted to write about a family unit who’s going through this experience together.
Since the comic debuted, I’ve gotten messages from a bunch of parents who are reading the book with their older kids, and everyone has a favorite character and someone they connect to. I love that.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
MFO: In July, NewCon Press released my literary horror novel, The Other Frankenstein, which is a sequel to Mary Shelley’s novel from the perspective of Elizabeth Frankenstein after she’s resurrected by the Creature. I’m working on an “ecothriller” sci-fi novel over on Patreon, with a new chunk of the book coming out each month. It’s about a group of scientists who go to an island in Antarctica to study their new de-extinct mammoths…only to find that the island is not as uninhabited as they thought. So, apparently, I have a thing for scary island adventures.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about the Archaic trade paperback?
MFO: With so much going on in comics and in the world, the pipeline that connects creators to readers is feeling pretty rickety right now. If you love a book (even if it’s not by me), please tell people about it. Recommend it to book clubs, libraries, your favorite Discord channel. Leave reviews on all the big sites. Tag us on social media, and let us know what you liked about it. There has never been a better time to share positive energy in any way you can.
