Ben Stenbeck has long been one of those creators whose work makes comic fans sit up a little straighter—whether it’s his monster‑soaked collaborations in the Mignolaverse or the way he channels pulp, horror, and adventure into something unmistakably his. With Lands Unknown: The Skinless Man, he’s stepping fully into the spotlight, unleashing a world that feels like it was ripped from a lost horror anthology and rebuilt with modern, razor‑sharp storytelling instincts.
The book is already buzzing across fandom for its eerie landscapes, grotesque creatures, and the chilling mystery surrounding the Skinless Man himself. It certainly got MY attention. Today, we’re diving in with Ben to talk about crafting this world from scratch, the influences that shaped its tone, and why this project hits different for longtime fans of his work. So, let’s welcome back Ben Stenbeck to GVN Talking Comics.
Bring His Skills to This Shared World
GVN: Thank you once again Ben for visiting us. We last spoke in December of 2024 about your book with Mike, The Serpent in the Garden: Ed Grey and the Last Battle for England. At that time, we touched upon your collaboration with Mike on your “Lands Unknown Universe.” You mentioned that you had not had the opportunity at that time to contribute.
“…But It’s really all Mike so far. He’s about to start work on his third book, and I haven’t drawn a single page yet… I still can’t announce any of mine yet.”
Fast forward to 2026, and the long-awaited moment has arrived: “Lands Unknown: The Skinless Man.” How did The Skinless Man become the next chapter in this world?
BEN: I came up with this in 2023. It was the last of three different stories I came up with but the one I was most excited to draw. At some point, my three different stories all became one bigger thing, and The Skinless Man seemed like a good place to start because it includes a few elements from my bigger story. But mostly, it had a bunch of ideas I couldn’t wait to draw.
Designing the Skinless Man
GVN: After reading the first issue, the first thing that jumps out is that the Skinless Man is a striking, unsettling figure. How did you approach designing a villain—or presence—who feels both mythic and deeply personal?
BEN: I’m not sure…Hes a culmination of a few different influences. At some point, I got this idea in my head of a guy obsessed with chasing a baby across the world for nefarious reasons, and that opened up a few ideas. I always wanted to draw a character in that sort of North African nomad gear, and that influenced the rest of the story.
Mignola’s Influence on Storytelling
GVN: You and Mignola have a long creative history. How does your collaboration shape the tone and storytelling of this new series?
BEN: It’s impossible to work with Mike as long as I have without learning a thing or two about storytelling. But I also think – for better or worse – I have my own sensibilities that I bring to it. My priority with my Lands Unknown stories is to try and tell stories that fit into this world comfortably without ever trying to ape what Mike’s doing.
Exploring a Different Culture
GVN: The Lands Unknown Universe blends pulp adventure, horror, and folklore. All of which I naturally gravitate to. What new territory does The Skinless Man let you explore visually or narratively?
BEN: The Country I set it in is a sort of culture I’ve never explored before. That was fun to get to work on costumes and locations that were all pretty alien to me, I love that part of the job.
How Writing Presents Artistic Challenges
GVN: As usual, your artwork has a very distinct atmosphere—moody, textured, and alive. What were the biggest artistic challenges in bringing this world to life?
BEN: I’ve found writing for myself means changing art work constantly. As I draw certain things I find an idea just doesn’t work, so I’m reworking pages that were already finished, sometimes discarding whole pages. You don’t do that when you’re working from someone else’s script. It’s a big drain on time.
Balancing Different Story Elements
GVN: As you work through the story and adapt your pages accordingly, how do you balance the cosmic, the grotesque, and the human in a story like this? What keeps the horror grounded?
BEN: Petty human motivations. All the worst horrors on earth have come from people with terrible ideas that don’t make any sense. I think that kind of sums up the story of Skinless Man. I also try to get some humour into it. Ultimately, I want it to be fun to read.
What Ben Wants Readers to Take Away From ‘The Skinless Man, Issue#1
GVN: Thank you once again, Ben, for talking with us today. For one final question, what do you hope readers feel when they step into Lands Unknown: The Skinless Man—dread, wonder, curiosity, something else entirely? As for myself, I feel anticipation. I want the rest of the story.
BEN: All of those, for sure. The appealing thing about a fantasy world is the ability to create a bit of spectacle. I think Issue 2 might have a bit more of that than Issue 1. I’m always trying to make the kind of comics I like, which are full of things I haven’t really seen before. I’m not saying I’m successful at it but that’s my aim.
Dark Horse Comics ‘Lands Unknown: The Skinless Man‘ by Ben Stenbeck and colors by Dave Stewart, comes to your favorite comic book stores on March 4th.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
