Lovecraftian AfterShock series “Miskatonic” is returning with “Miskatonic: Even Death May Die,” a 48-page, ‘One-Shock’ conclusion this winter. Writer Mark Sable, artist Giorgio Pontrelli, and colorist Pippa Bowland will return for the special, lettered by Dave Sharpe, which sees retired detective Tom Malone and ex-FBI agent Miranda Keller still reeling from the horrific events of the Miskatonic Valley during the late 1920s.
Miranda is now interned in a concentration camp for the Deep Ones, the half-man, half-sea creatures of Lovecraft’s mythos, and transforming into something unworldly. Tom is searching for a way to find and rescue her, all while both protagonists are being haunted by dreams of Cthulhu, the monstrous cosmic entity hibernating in the South Pacific, who will soon awaken and bring about the end of the world.
Mark Sable said in the press release, “I try to make every book I write as stand-alone as possible, in the same way I tried to make ‘Miskatonic’ accessible and enjoyable to those who’ve never read Lovecraft’s work. That said, I do think reading the series will enhance your experience.”
“Miskatonic: Even Death May Die” will be released on November 17, and retail for $6.99. In the meantime, you can check out the retail incentive cover by Cliff Richards, an unlettered preview, and the full Q&A with Sable below.
MARK SABLE ON WHAT THE MISKATONIC ONE-SHOCK IS ABOUT AND WHAT READERS CAN EXPECT TO FIND:
“MISKATONIC: EVEN DEATH CAN DIE special is a 48-page, oversized grand finale to MISKATONIC, the crime/horror/historical fiction set in H.P. Lovecraft’s valley of the same name, picking up right where the series left off in the late 1920’s. The protagonists are the same. Miranda Keller, one of the first female FBI agents, trying to escape from a concentration camp for half-man, half-sea creature, the Deep Ones in the American Southwest. Her partner Tom Keller, a retired NYPD officer from Lovecraft’s The Horror of Red Hook, is trying to track her down. All of this is set against the backdrop of America’s first red scare…and a strange supernatural call people are hearing across the globe – the Call of Cthulhu.”
MARK SABLE ON WHETHER COMIC FANS SHOULD READ THE SERIES OR DOES THE ONE-SHOCK STAND ON ITS OWN:
“I try to make every book I write as stand-alone as possible, in the same way I tried to make MISKATONIC accessible and enjoyable to those who’ve never read Lovecraft’s work. That said, I do think reading the series will enhance your experience.”
MARK SABLE ON HIS FAVORITE PAGE/SCENE IN THE ONE-SHOCK, AND WHY:
“Without getting into spoilers, I love the way that artist Giorgio Pontrelli slowly shows Miranda’s transformation into…something not of this world. It’s incredible storytelling. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t heap praise on Jeremy Haun’s cover for the book, which may be the best drawing of Cthulhu that I’ve ever seen.”
MARK SABLE ON HIS EXPERIENCE SO FAR WORKING WITH THE CREATIVE TEAM AND AFTERSHOCK:
“Incredible. Giorgio and colorist Pippa Bowland create magic together, and each time I get a page it’s a real treat. Letterer Dave Sharpe had a tough act to follow coming after Thomas Mauer but his work is the unsung hero of this book. Having Jeremy Haun on covers for this and WAR ON TERROR: GODKILLERS has spoiled me. And AfterShock editor, Christina Harrington, giving the perfect mix of critique and creative freedom, pushing me to do what I think is my best work in years. And AfterShock has just been a joy to work with, from editorial to sales and marketing I’ve felt nothing but support and appreciation. I have two more yet-to-be announced books coming out from them, and I can’t think of a better home for them.”
