One of Image’s latest hits from last year, Ed Brisson and Johnnie Christmas’ “Sheltered” took readers by storm. Set in a doomsday prepper camp where the kids murdered the adults and turned the camp into an even more twisted version of Lord of the Flies, the book was one of Image’s strongest debuts of the year, originally set as a mini-series and gaining enough steam and popularity to help push it into an ongoing — the second arc of which debuted last week.
In honor of that, we chat with Ed and Johnnie all about “Sheltered,” it’s exciting first arc, it’s mysterious future and more.
So if memory serves, the book started out originally as a 5-issue mini. Having surpassed that, how are you guys feeling right now?
Ed Brisson: Yeah, it was initially pitched as a 5 issue mini, but the hope was to go ongoing. We had ideas to take us 10, 15, 20 issues. What we’re doing now is what we hoped to do all along. More time to work with the characters and really build to the conclusion that we wanted to do. It’s not that we’re adding anything in, really. Had it been 5 issues, we just would have been cutting stuff. The ending has always been the same, we just would have taken a different path to get there.
Johnnie Christmas: Excited! I’m feeling really good about where the story is going and how we plan to have it unfold.
In terms of the response to the book, how are you guys feeling about the reactions to your first arc?
JC: It has been incredibly well received, crazy near-universal praise. We knew we were on to something, but had no idea that a tale about homicidal teens at the end-of-the-world would resonate with so many people.
EB: We were probably a little concerned when it came out because we weren’t sure how people would react to the concept. But, people seem to enjoy it, so I’ve got no complaints.
The book itself is pretty dark, so what do you think it is that your readers have latched onto in SHELTERED?
JC: The characters and the, “What would I do if I were in that situation” factor. That and, seemingly, an abiding hatred for Lucas.
EB: I think there is a bit of “oh shit, where the hell are they going with this?!?” and some folks who’re along for the ride to see what’s going to happen to these kids. There’s a bit of that fantasy of what it’d be like to live in a society without parents, I guess and maybe that’s appealing to some? I’d like to think they’re also digging on he writing and the art 😉
How did the extension change your plans for the book? Or is this an eventuality you’d always kind of hoped/planned for?
JC: It’s allowed us to really get deeper into our characters. In the 5 issue incarnation, SHELTERED would have been more like a punch in the face. The way it’s planned now is like a hard, cleated, kick in the guts.
Is there anything on the printed page that ended up different from your original outlines? Story moments, character design, et al?
EB: There are some scenes that we never planned — like the scene with the dogs, for example. There are some moments that have been driven by characters who were not necessarily planned in the beginning stages. Beyond the main three characters (Victoria, Lucas and Hailey), the rest of the characters were not necessarily fully developed before starting… fully developed isn’t right… Just not as fully fleshed out as the core three, I guess. We let them develop as the series went on. For example, Curt was only supposed to be in the one scene. When Johnnie drew him, I loved the design and just gave him the foulest mouth (not at all how I’d scripted him) and now he’s become one of my favourite characters in the book and is one of the driving forces for what’s about to come.
How has your working relationship evolved since the beginning of the series?
Continued belowJC: We were pretty much on the same page right away, if anything, our “vision” is even more unified on the project.
EB: The only difference really is that I’ve moved into the same studio that Johnnie works out of, so the book is being written and drawn in the same room. That lets us confer with one another over things more often. So, Johnnie may hold a page up to me and ask what I think about a panel or I might lean back in my chair and run a scene by him as I’m writing it. It’s a pretty handy set up.
Is there anything about the creative process that is decidedly different now? Whether it be that you’re better at something, or that you’ve eliminated another? Along those lines.
JC: The art has more detail and is more expressive, I think. In earlier issues story clarity was my paramount concern. It’s still a major concern, but now I’m having more fun with the art, adding more layers and dimension.
EB: Nothing major, I don’t think? I have noticed that my panel per page count has gone up since starting, nothing major, but interesting to me anyway. I like it.
Are there any aspects of SHELTERED that you’ve now come to love that you initially were unsure of?
JC: The claustrophobia of Safe Haven is something I loved off the bat but was curious what reader reaction would be. Luckily readers commonly remark on their love of that aspect SHELTERED.
EB: Hmmm… I dunno, to be honest. I was unsure how people would react to us rewinding time a bit in #6, but I was always fully on board with it. People seemed to be cool with it though.
Similarly, has there been anything in the book that you were initially unsure of in terms of how it would be received?
JC: The dogs!
ED: Yeah, the dog scene was a big one. Thankfully people understood why it was there and what was happening.
Or is the worst yet to come?
JC: Depends on how strong a stomach you have.
EB: Things are not going to let up for these kids. It’s going to get really ugly.
How many more dogs do you plan to kill before you’re finally satiated? You monsters.
EB: None. Kittens, however…
JC: Ed has some twisted vendetta against dogs, I think. He’s quick to point out that he’s a dog owner, but I’m certain he’s slowly poisoning them. That or dressing them up in embarrassing outfits when no one’s around. Gotta be, right?
So what can you tell us about what’s on the future for SHELTERED? How far are you looking ahead now?
JC: To the top!
EB: We have it plotted right until the end, but I don’t want to show our hand. I don’t think that I’m spoiling anything by saying that things are starting to fall apart. Also, for those concerned, we will be seeing A LOT more of Victoria very shortly. There’s a scene in #7 that I think will have some folks fist pumping.
At what point are you guys going to pony up for a better letterer?
EB: Like who? You? Puh-leeeeeeease. We got the best in the biz.
JC: I’m saving now.
