The following is an interview with Eisner-nominated writer and illustrator Dave Baker (Mary Tyler MooreHawk) regarding the upcoming release of the collected edition of his self-published graphic novel series, Halloween Boy: Volume 1 – Last of the Halloween Boys, with Oni Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Baker about his experience in revisiting the series for the collected edition, the themes that he hopes may resonate with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Halloween Boy: Volume 1 – Last of the Halloween Boys! What was your experience in revisiting the series in preparation for the hardcover’s release?
Dave Baker: You know, it’s interesting. When I first started making Halloween Boy, it was to express my love for old-school pulp adventure stories, and classic 1930s horror movies, and as I kept drawing it… it just got more and more personal. So, I think when I was looking over the files and making final fixes that’s what stuck out to me the most. How it started as one thing and then quickly evolved into something else.
Like, yes, the book is about a character who thinks of himself as the Patron Saint of the Impossible, and takes up unwinnable scenarios, but it’s also such a weird amalgam of my interests, family history, and friendships. I guess, maybe it won’t be as apparent to the casual reader, but to me… it’s interesting to see that gear shift happening in real time on the pages.
BD: What are you most excited for readers to discover with this new hardcover edition of the first five issue-arc?
DB: I love Frankenoid, I’m not going to lie. He’s the funniest character I’ve ever designed, I think. I’m sure I should be saying something like “I’m excited for a new audience to meet my intrepid hero and see the wild adventures that he goes on.” But, I think that’s not entirely true. I think his design is pretty iconic and I’ve seen people responding in real time to him and his ears. (Yes, people love the ears.) But now that all the stories are going to be in one place, I’m really excited to see the reaction to some of the supporting characters. Specifically, Frankenoid.
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 Halloween Boy’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it may inspire?
DB: Well, HB is obviously indebted to things like Doc Savage, Hellboy, and The Phantom. But he’s also in meta dialogue with those characters. And there’s a pretty specific thing that happens in the book that I think directly answers that question, that I don’t want to spoil. But let’s just say that The Phantom is one of my favorite characters ever, and has a lengthy and slightly problematic history. That history was the exact reason why I felt I needed to make Halloween Boy.
BD: What makes Oni Press the best publishing partner for this series?
DB: I’m incredibly proud of the series. And Oni has a long track record of putting out interesting and exciting creator-owned comics into the market. I’m so thrilled to be working with them and for HB to join the ranks of their other widely-recognized characters.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for readers?
DB: Well, if you like things like Halloween Boy, I’d say my book, Mary Tyler MooreHawk, put out by Top Shelf is a cousin project. It’s a half-novel half-graphic novel about a journalist who’s obsessed with a TV show no one seems to remember. Seems kinda in line with ol’ dirty HB.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Halloween Boy: Volume 1 – Last of the Halloween Boys and your other work?
DB: Please go to WWW.HEYDAVEBAKER.COM and you’ll find more issues of HB past the first arc, and loads of other comics I’ve worked on.
