With the release of Halloween Boy Vol. 1: Last of the Halloween Boys from Oni Press on  May 26th. We are delighted to be joined by Eisner-nominated writer and illustrator Dave Baker. Dave has worked on many comics/graphic novels including F**k Off Squad, Everyone is Tulip, Forest Hills Bootleg Society, Night Hunters, Mary Tyler MooreHawk, Halloween Boy, Star Trek, Godzilla and TMNT.
Hi Dave, it’s so great to have you here with us again.
Can you tell us about the origins of Halloween Boy?
Dave Baker: Yeah, thanks for having me. Halloween Boy is my action adventure horror comic about a mysterious adventurer who thinks of himself as the Patron Saint of the Impossible. Each issue is a one and done story that’s some kind of weird lost cause or no-win scenario that he’s trying to help someone out of, and there’s a mystery that runs through the book about his origins and familial legacy. If you like things like The Phantom, Doc Savage, or Hellboy this is the comic for you.
The project started a few years ago because I approached King Features about getting the rights to The Phantom and Flash Gordon. We were in discussions for a while, and then ultimately things didn’t move forward. But I had all these documents of what I’d do with the characters… so. This is a hybrid of those plans and everything else I love about weird pulp characters from the 30’s.
What can you tell us about Halloween Boy?
Dave Baker: The book is really personal to me. And I think that comes in through the artwork. Both in the off-beat art but in the unconventional ways the story is told. The character of Halloween Boy serves as a stand in for my passion for the genre and also as a critique of its shortcomings. And I think that plans out in some very interesting ways.
Visually, how would you describe Halloween Boy?
Dave Baker: I think the art style is influenced by things like Tintin by Herge, Shotaro Ishinomori, and the old George Wilson Dell Goldkey Phantom covers. I also think there’s something about the supporting cast that hits home. The comic has a large and varied cast. (which was not my original idea, haha) But sometimes, when you make things they take on a life of their own.
As a creator, do you prefer writing or illustrating?
Dave Baker: I think they scratch different itches. I love writing for other people and seeing what they do with my ideas. And I also love holing up in my corner and rendering a zombie being devoured by alien wolves or something. But at the end of the day, I think I think in pictures. And each book and the creative process of it is a different way of just getting those pictures out of my head. Sometimes I’m the one making them. Sometimes I’m the one describing them.
How did Oni Press get involved with Halloween Boy?
Dave Baker: They approached me after reading Mary Tyler MooreHawk. They were very complimentary and asked if I’d be interested in working with them. I said Yes. And here we are.
Who are Sabre and Carrion?
Dave Baker: Sabre is HB’s talking dinosaur and Carrion is his sidekick, basically. She’s an alien who was kidnapped and experimented on and transformed into a weapon, who was given the ability to manipulate electricity in muscle tissue. So, ends up joining Halloween Boy on his various quests.
What kind of feedback have you gotten for Halloween Boy?
Dave Baker: It’s been really positive. People love triangle ears, it turns out!
Halloween Boy is 100% all you. Is it a labour of love?
Dave Baker: Yeah, you could definitely say that.
What can you tell us about Halloween Boy Vol. 1: Last of the Halloween Boys?
Dave: It comes out May 27th! It’s gonna be a fun time.
Could we see new Halloween Boy adventures in the future?
Dave: Yup! Already happening. I’ve published two issues past the first collection and I’ve drawn seven more. So there will be a lot of Halloween Boy in the future.
We would love to say a big thank you to Dave for chatting with us and wish him the best of luck with Halloween Boy Vol. 1: Last of the Halloween.
