The following is an interview with writer Robert Saucedo (Birth. Movies. Death.) regarding the recent release of the horror/comedy graphic novel, Curse of the Where Wolf, through Encyclopocalypse Publications. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Saucedo about his shared creative process in working with artist and colorist Debora Lancianese and letterer Jack Morelli to bring the sequel story to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Curse of the Where Wolf! As the sequel to Where Wolf, what can you share with us about your experience in returning to the world and characters of this story for an all-new adventure?
Rob Saucedo: It was an absolute treat to return to the characters and world of the first Where Wolf, like revisiting old friends. It also felt like an obligation, though. If I was going to write a sequel, I wanted to make sure I had a story worth telling, and that pressure to tell a bigger and better story than the first comic led, I think, to a new graphic novel that’s funnier, more emotional, and scarier than the first Where Wolf.
BD: In reuniting with artist and colorist Debora Lancianese and letterer Jack Morelli, did you find that you had developed a creative “shorthand” in bringing the story and characters to life on the page for this new installment?
RS: I definitely tried to write a story that I felt would play into Debora’s artwork. In working with her on Where Wolf, I discovered that she is a master at conveying humor and emotion through character expressions. Knowing that gave me permission to tap further into the story’s emotional side. Going into the development of the sequel, I knew that I had a partner who could elevate anything I wrote, so I kept throwing weirder and more outlandish ideas at her, just because I wanted to see what it would look like when Debora drew a werewolf versus killer whale fight, or a haunted Taco Bell. With Jack, he taught me so much in the first book. I was a complete novice, so learning from a legend felt like going through comic book writing school. Curse of the Where Wolf is a tighter, leaner story because of Jack’s guidance and support when working on the first book.
BD: We always like to learn more about creators and what drives and inspires them. Are there any werewolf projects that greatly influenced your creative process or that gave way to the genesis of Larry’s story?
RS: I grew up watching and reading any werewolf media I could get my hands on. As a kid, I watched Silver Bullet way too early, but it was the film that really kickstarted my love of werewolves alongside The Monster Squad and Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf. The first story I ever wrote as a kid was fan fiction where Darkwing Duck fought the werewolf from Silver Bullet.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums and genres. How do you feel that Larry’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it may inspire?
RS: Larry’s journey is about change. That’s also the core of the werewolf story. I wanted to write a longform story about a man who becomes a better version of himself, but has to become a monster first to do it. Werewolf stories, to me, are a metaphor for addiction and bad choices. But they are also about becoming a different person. Growing hair and having a voice inside your head driving your baser instincts are big parts of the lycanthropic legend. With Larry’s journey, I wanted to show that it’s possible to fight those voices and, over time, even become a better person. At its core, Where Wolf is a comic about optimism. I hope that readers on their own journey of self-improvement may read Where Wolf and find inspiration, even if it’s smuggled in through a horror-comedy setting.
BD: What makes Encyclopocalypse Publications the perfect publishing partner for Curse of the Where Wolf?
RS: I’ve known publisher Mark Allen Miller for years, first through his collaborations with Clive Barker. He’s not only a great supporter and creative partner, but he’s an incredible creator in his own right. With Where Wolf and Curse of the Where Wolf, Mark has not only given me an incredible amount of creative control in both the book and its physical design, but he’s built a system that supports creators and keeps their books within easy reach of any potential audience.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
RS: Readers who are interested in jumping into the story of Larry Chaney can catch up with the first Where Wolf by reading the book for free at www.wherewolfcomic.com. Curse of the Where Wolf is only the second book I’ve written, but there’s a third comic coming very soon – sooner than even I expected to be returning to the world of Larry. I can’t reveal any information about it yet, but keep your eyes on the moon for more information soon.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Curse of the Where Wolf and your other work?
RS: Readers can follow me on Instagram at Instagram.com/robsauce2500 or follow my Substack at https://robsaucedo.substack.com/.
