With the release of Betweeners in April, we are delighted to be joined by news reporter, comics creator, and musician Adam Carter.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Adam Carter: Sure – I’m a curmudgeonly writer who is originally from Newfoundland, Canada’s most easterly province. Now, I’m based in Toronto, where I work for CBC News and play in a Simpsons-themed rock band (yes, really).
Can you tell us about the origins of Betweeners?
AC: I’ve long been interested in depictions of the afterlife in comics, ever since reading Garth Ennis’ seminal Hellblazer run, followed by Preacher. Betweeners is my attempt at exploring similar themes, but through the eyes of an exorcist.
I didn’t want to use a priest as the main character here, so instead, I looked at what an exorcism might be like without the usual religious symbolism. I also needed a compelling reason as to why an exorcist wouldn’t use the tried and true “power of Christ compels you” methods to expel a demon – which led me to the idea of the exorcist himself also being possessed.
Do you believe in the supernatural?
AC: I do not – but it sure is a fun sandbox to play in.
How did Armin Ozdic, Gui Sabino, and Héctor Negrete join the Betweeners team?
AC: I lucked out and found all three online. Their work was head and shoulders above most of the submissions I received for the book – from Armin’s phenomenal pencils and inks to Gui’s moody greyscale tones and Héctor’s deft lettering touch. I’m lucky to have them on board as collaborators.
What can you tell us about Shane Beck?
AC: Funnily enough, though Beck is technically the main character here, we don’t see that much from him, save for a couple of flashbacks. He’s a harsh, stoic man with a military background who is adrift from his family and – though he’d never admit this – cripplingly lonely.
Instead, readers get a much more detailed look at Mike Baxter, the lost soul who is piloting Beck’s body. He’s a flawed man who is desperate to make up for the mistakes he made while he was alive – and is relishing the chance to do so while possessing a physical specimen like Beck.
How did your background in journalism help shape Betweeners?
AC: The great thing about journalism is it allows you to examine how people talk – and countless hours spent transcribing interviews has been invaluable in shaping the way I write dialogue.
Could you tell us about the world that Betweeners is set in?
AC: The book primarily takes place in two locales: a fictionalized version of Toronto and Hell. I had some fun concocting my version of the underworld, which is a living, sentient being that not only houses souls for punishment but also stands as a menagerie for some of the world’s worst tragedies.
Can you tell us about your creative process for Betweeners?
AC: I wish I had a more poetic answer than “frantically throw things at the page to see what sticks, then edit until it’s not terrible,” but here we are.
Betweeners is black and white; was that something you wanted from the inception of Betweeners?
AC: To be honest, I originally envisioned this story in black and white as a way to help keep printing costs manageable – but now I couldn’t see it any other way. I think the noir feel suits this story well.
How would you describe Betweeners?
AC: It’s a fantasy/horror tale with a twist – the story of a repentant lost soul who escaped Hell through possession and is now desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the creatures who want to drag him back to the depths of the pit. If you like Dexter, demons, and character development, you’ll like this.
How can our readers get their hands on Betweeners?
AC: Digital readers will be able to find it on GlobalComix on April 30, with print copies available for direct order through online retailers on the same date.
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
AC: Thanks for making it this far through my rambling, and thank you to anyone interested in picking up the book when it lands. Your support is genuinely appreciated.
We would like to say a big thank you to Adam for chatting with us and wish him the best of luck with Betweeners.
