GVN Talking Comics Exclusive Look: Meet The Cast Of Comixology Originals 'Beneath' by Writer Steven S. DeKnight And Artist Michael Gaydos

Great writers are perpetually busy. Take the multi-talented Steven S. DeKnight, for instance. This writer, director, and producer is constantly expanding his creative horizons with new and thrilling projects. In a recent conversation, in which we discussed his book Hard Bargain, he touched upon his collaboration with Comixology Originals entitled Beneath. A horror-based graphic novel he authored featuring artwork by Michael Gaydos, which is currently available digitally.

Beneath

Beneath is a classic horror story that mixes horror and social commentary and gives the reader room to interpret where the real horror in the story is revealed. It was Steven’s first graphic novel, and he was pleased to be able to write the kind of story that would make his readers think and question.

Michael S. DeKnight

I’ve always loved monsters—ghouls and ghosts, vampires and werewolves, zombies and giant radioactive creatures. The best genre stories ask questions that often elude the easiest of answers. They make you think while presenting the prestidigitation of entertainment artfully forcing the viewer or reader to challenge their own perceptions and worldview.

Meet the Cast of Beneath

Now, thanks to our friends at Comixology Originals, we offer this exclusive look at the cast of Beneath with art by Michael Gaydos and bios by Steven S DeKnight.

Sketch of a person wearing a cowboy hat. The drawing is monochromatic with a blue-green tint. The person has long hair and is looking forward. — DEPUTY SHERIFF JESS DELGADO – First generation Mexican-American. Dedicated to applying the law of the land with as much compassion and understanding as she can. But also, just as quick to put your face in the ground if you get out of line.

A sketch of a young woman with long, dark hair looking over her shoulder, wearing a patterned garment. — MIRELLA – An eight-year-old undocumented immigrant caught up in an horrific event at the border. A true innocent buffeted by hatred, prejudice, and the terror of something unearthly beneath the ground.

A sketched portrait of a middle-aged man with short hair, wearing a dark jacket. The background is a textured blue. — PRITCHER COLE – A gun totting force of nature who firmly believes that immigrants are ruining this country. He’s not all bad, but he’s a hell of a long ways from good.

A black and white sketch of a man with glasses and a beard wearing a uniform, looking over his shoulder. — FRANK JENKINS – In charge of CoreCivil, a for-profit immigration detention center in west Texas. Just a man doing his job, if you ask him. Others think he could be doing it with a damn sight more compassion.

A grayscale illustration of a woman with shoulder-length hair, looking slightly to her left, signed with the initials "ACG" at the bottom right. — ISABELLA “IZZY” RAMIREZ – The on-site medical tech at the CoreCivil Immigration Detention Center. She straddles the line between following the rules and genuinely trying to help those in her care.

A monochromatic sketch of an older man with a beard, wearing a brimmed hat and collared shirt. — SHERIFF CURTIS JACKSON – Maybe he hasn’t done it all, but he sure as shit has seen it. A good man caught up in the impossible situation of trying to keep racial tensions from flaring in a small west Texas border town in the ass end of nowhere.

Hand-drawn portrait of a man with a short beard and messy hair, smiling slightly. The background is teal, and the portrait is sketched in dark ink. — ANDY – An activist trying to make the world a better place for those less fortunate. Doesn’t much care for law enforcement, but he’ll make a giant exception for Deputy Jess Delgado.

A sketch of a man with medium-length hair and a goatee, wearing a dark shirt and looking forward. The background is a textured teal color. — MIGUEL – A detainee at the CoreCivil Immigration Detention Center. What the police would call a bad hombre. But there’s still a lot of good in him if you take the time to look.

Comixology Original Beneath by Steven S DeKnight and Michael Gaydos is available now through Comixology Originals. Look for our review of Beneath coming soon from Geek Vibes Nation.