Announced earlier this year as part of the Black Mask fall line up, “The Forevers” is a new series from writer Curt Pires (“Pop,” “The Fiction,” “Mayday,” “The Tomorrows”) and artist Eric Pfeiffer (“Arcadia”). The series explores the lives of five friends and their black magic pact to bring them power, wealth and fortune. The story picks up years later as the luster begins to fade till one of the them is killed and their power is distributed among the reaming friends. With this realization suddenly they are all in danger as one of them looks to kill the others.
The always creative and diverse writer Curt Pires was able to answer some of our questions about the new series, examining Hollywood/celebrities, music and working with Black Mask. Check out our interview with Curt below and look for “The Forevers” in comic books stores and online Sep 28th.
Thanks as always for taking the time to talk Curt. First off, standard question, for anyone who does not stalk all your comic announcements, what is “The Forevers?”
Curt Pires: “The Forevers” is a comic about a group of seven friends who do magic – who bend space and time to become the most famous and beautiful people in the world, to make all their dreams come true. Ten years later someone starts killing them.
Right from the jump we are introduced to seven characters. Your comics are always very character driven with strong voices. For a story with seven characters how do you start out to develop them? Do they form over the course of the story or do you do character work for each before?
CP: Starting with development of the series, I had a few celebrities/archetypes that I knew the characters would be inspired by and I kind of dove in from there and expanded and changed them to fit the story. In terms of forming characters: I certainly put in quite a bit of work in pre-production figuring out the characters, but I also like to let them evolve naturally during the course of the story, and let the reader get their backstories filled in as we progress.
A lot of your work has examined entertainment and how we consume that entertainment. This discussion is very present in the first issue of “The Forevers?” What makes that such an important/interesting topic to you in terms of storytelling? If you can say or hint at, what is this series discussing?
CP: It’s funny, I don’t think I consciously set out with “The Forevers” to touch on these themes again, but they kind of bled into the book. My goal with the book was to blend an intimate sort of personal tale with a big genre concept. That kind of stuff sort of just bleeds in as I create. But I think the book tackles ideas such as: addiction, fame, narcissism, depression, anxiety, nihilism. At the core the book is really about getting everything you ever wanted and then falling apart.
Eric did some amazing work on “Arcadia” and to see what the versatility he showcases in this series is insane. How did you decide on the look of the book as a creative team?
CP: Eric mentioned to me pretty early on that he wanted to try a new style–that he wanted to paint the whole comic, and really push himself to hit a new level. I was totally for it, and wanted to do whatever I could to help him realize his vision.
This will be your second release from Black Mask. How has the experience been from Black Mask and what makes them a publisher you want to put out books like “Mayday” and “The Forevers” on?
CP: The experience has been great. They’re definitely one of my favorite publisher’s I’ve worked with. I have total creative freedom on the book, but with the financial and logistical support that I would get with bigger publishers. We’re basically left alone to do whatever we want creatively, but when we need support Black Mask steps in. Basically, all the good parts of working with a bigger pub, but without any of the red tape or entrenched company policy to slow us down. There’s a mobility and on your feet nature to working with the company that’s really special. I love Black Mask.
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The first issue hits many elements from supernatural magic, social commentary, hedonism, mystery and even a tinge of horror. How do weight all the elements of series especially in an always important first issue?
CP: I wish there was a better answer, but the truth is it just sort of came to me. A good first issue is a good first issue regardless of any of these elements, I was just worried with giving readers enough of a hook, building enough of a mystery to keep them coming back for more.
In the first issue there is a mention of Terrance Gattica, the successful writer/director of Glitterfuck Empire. Is “The Forevers” in the same continuity as “Mayday?”
CP: I don’t know if I’d necessarily say “same continuity” because that suggest some sort of Marvel Cinematic Universe sort of thing to me? But the books crossover. They sort of weave in and out of each other. I do it as a way of rewarding the diehards who read all my creator owned projects. “Mayday” has a crossover point with “POP.” “Tomorrows” with “Mayday,” and now this with “Mayday.” I think I’d describe it as connective tissue, if anything.
Music has always seemed to play a huge influence in your work. Has it made its way into “The Forevers?” What were you listening to while working on the series?
CP: The series is very inspired by a few different UK bands. Blur for one. The Libertines: Can’t Stand Me Now, Time For Heroes. Babyshambles: Killamanjaro, Fuck Forever. Manic Street Preachers and Richie James Edwards were a big influence, I named the first issue after their track “Die In The Summertime” because listening to it, I just realized that’s what the book is. It perfectly captures the vibe. DIIV also an influence. Nirvana. Crystal Castles. The Kills. Tons.
What do you hope readers get out of their experience with the first issue of “The Forevers?”
CP: I just hope people dig it. I hope it makes them feel something. I think that’s all you can really try and do with art. Elicit an emotion? Y’know? Good, Bad, these are false binaries. If I made you feel something, I’ll count it as a victory.
