With the release of Who Killed Nessie? graphic novel on the 18th of September from Avery Hill Publishing. We are delighted to be joined by Paul Cornell and Rachael Smith. Paul is a writer who writes novels, comics and for TV. Rachael is a comic creator, best known for Wired Up Wrong, Quarantine Comix, and Isabella & Blodwen.
Hi, Paul and Rachael, it’s great having you both here with us.
Could you please introduce yourselves to our readers?
Paul: Hi, readers! How was your day? Would you care for some tea? Oh. Oh, well, if it’s like that . . . no, no, you want to stand on ceremony, sure. We can do that.
Rachael: Hi! I’m Rachael Smith, a comics writer and illustrator based in Manchester, in the UK. I’ve made books like Wired Up Wrong, Quarantine Comix, and The Rabbit. I’ve worked on Titan’s Doctor Who Comics, and, more recently have been making my webcomic ‘Nap Comix’ which is all about being a new mum. I also illustrated Who Killed Nessie?
Can you tell us about the origins of Who Killed Nessie?
Paul: Rachael and I had wanted to work together for the longest time, and we were chatting about what the silliest possible book could be. The idea came together around the image of the chalk line around Nessie’s body at the crime scene.
Rachael: Yep! Paul was always someone who I really wanted to work with. When we chatted about what that could be I mentioned I was really interested in Japanese folklore and strange creatures, and Paul said he really loved cryptids and the supernatural . . .and eventually we got to the premise for Nessie.
Who is Lyndsay Grockle?
Paul: Someone who’s just got out of a bad relationship, doesn’t know her worth, and is interning at a hotel from which all the staff but her are mysteriously fleeing before that weekend’s convention.
Rachael, you created all of the art for Who Killed Nessie? What part of that process did you enjoy the most?
Rachael: I loved coming up with the designs for all the different monsters. I had so much fun.
How did Avery Hill get involved with Who Killed Nessie?
Paul: We crowdfunded it on Zoop, and then approached Avery Hill to see if they wanted to do a mainstream edition. No ransoming was involved.
Rachael: I knew Avery Hill from them putting out a few of my books before (The Rabbit, Artificial Flowers, and The Barbarians) and I knew this project would go great with them at the helm.
How long have you been working on Who Killed Nessie?
Paul: Two years, maybe? Surprisingly long. Time has flown. We were having fun.
Paul, was writing Who Killed Nessie? fun?
Paul: *We were having fun.* And now it sounds like I don’t mean that when I do. Writing words for Rachael’s incredible acting skills is always a delight. And I’m hugely proud of this story. It says something, but in a deeply silly way.
Rachael, was it fun to illustrate all of these monsters?
Rachael: Yes! I especially had fun with the Mongolian Death Worm. Check him out in the book!
Can you tell us about the world that Who Killed Nessie? is set in?
Paul: There’s this annual convention for monsters and cryptids of all kinds, but this time around there’s been a murder, and the only human on site, Lyndsay, is the only one the attendees trust to solve it.
Paul, what made Rachael the right artist for Who Killed Nessie?
Paul: Monster design, as well as that acting. Look at the expressions on that Minotaur.
What was it like working with Avery Hill?
Paul: They really do push the publicity, while understanding the title they’re putting out. That’s a very welcome combo.
Do you believe in The Loch Ness Monster?
Paul: Not in everything that means, no. I doubt she believes in me, either. Besides, she’s dead now.
Rachael: I’m a big sceptic when it comes to things like that . . . but I’d be delighted to be proven wrong.
How would you describe Who Killed Nessie?
Paul: Extremely silly, but with a proper whodunnit and loads of worldbuilding and a real heart.
Rachael: It’s the funnest thing I’ve ever worked on.
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
Paul: Are you still not wanting your tea?
We would like to say a big thank you to Paul and Rachael for chatting with us, and we wish them the best of luck with Who Killed Nessie?
