The following is an interview with writer Bryce Ingman (My Bad, Killing Red Sonja) regarding the recent release of the sci-fi/comedy mini-series, Death Dog, through AHOY Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Ingman about the genesis behind this near-future dystopian comedy, the conversations that he hopes it might inspire, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Death Dog! First and foremost, I think that we’re all in agreement that robot dogs are absolutely terrifying! What can you share with us about the genesis behind bringing this collective fear to life with Death Dog?
Bryce Ingman: Thanks, Barbra. I’m super excited for Death Dog’s November 5th release. And yes, we can certainly agree that real-life robot dogs are terrifying! I’ve always found them unsettling, but after seeing “Metalhead,” the robot dog episode of Black Mirror, I was cooked. Since then, every news report I encounter about a police department or military organization showing off their new robot dogs gives me an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. And when something disturbs a writer we tend to move toward it, so here I am, promoting a comic book about the world’s only “good” robot dog.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in collaborating with artist Alan Robinson to bring this near-future dystopian comedy and its characters to life on the page?
BI: Alan is a pleasure to collaborate with. He’s delightfully enthusiastic and extremely talented. He quickly got the idea that the world of Death Dog is a world of extreme “haves” and “have-nots” and did a terrific job bringing that atmosphere to life on the page. Plus, he draws excellent robot dogs.
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 Wyatt’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it might inspire?
BI: I’m glad you asked. For me, Wyatt represents a whole generation of young people who are being handed a world that is largely rigged against them. The climate is failing, authoritarianism is rising, higher education is increasingly unaffordable, A.I. is being positioned to replace human workers, and the Internet is turning too many people’s minds to mush. Kids aren’t fools; they can see this shit-sandwich for what it is. In Death Dog, Wyatt is dealing with these same monstrous conditions but he’s a few years farther down the road than we are. And, sadly, things haven’t improved. They’ve only gotten worse. Hopefully, in addition to being entertained by Death Dog, readers will be encouraged to reflect on the world young people are being cursed with and feel inspired to do what they can to be better stewards of society and the planet for future generations.
BD: What makes AHOY Comics the perfect home for this story?
BI: AHOY is committed to bringing delightfully unique titles to the shelves of your local comic book store, and Death Dog is unlike any book on the market. As we say at AHOY – Expect More.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
BI: There are currently three volumes of the Ringo-nominated MY BAD available to thrill comic book readers who like to laugh and smirk. It’s a sort of What They Do In the Shadows for superhumans. Some people have said it “may be the funniest comic book ever.” Other people have called it “crap.” Despite what those “other people” say, MY BAD is a hoot and I’m extremely proud of the work Mark Russell, Peter Krause, and I did on it. Please check it out. Maybe they’ll let us make more!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Death Dog and your other work?
BI: They can keep up with all the hot Death Dog news at comicsahoy.com and head over to Bluesky (@bryceingman.bsky.social) if they want to chat with me about robot dogs or anything else. Thanks again, Barbra!
