When it comes to the universe known as the Mignolaverse, one of the creators who have helped to shape it is artist/writer Warwick Johnson-Cadwell. His collection of books has thrilled fans and introduced them to the backgrounds of many of surrounding characters in their narratives. The same can be said for his latest book, Falconspeare, published by Dark Horse Comics. In this book, we are once again “sucked” into the worlds of Professor J.T. Meinhardt, Mr. Knox and vampire hunter Ms. Mary Van Sloan as they try to locate their friend, Falconspeare. With such an iconic universe and characters, it was our good fortune to get a few moments with the talented artist. So, let’s welcome Warwick Johnson Cadwell to GVN’s Talking Comics Interview.
Interests in Art
GVN: Thanks for a bit of your time, Warwick. Let us start with a little bit about your background. When did you take an interest in art and comic art specifically and whose work inspired you to pursue it?
WJC: The first part of this is easy. Drawing has always been with me. I’ve always enjoyed doing it in some form. And if truth be known, I get the impression that had I become a farmer or shopkeeper or submarine commander I’d still spend time, whenever I could, drawing something or other. I am constantly inspired by anyone creating anything. There are many artists and cartoonists that inspire me, but I find enthusiasm for work from anyone setting out and finishing a project.
Working with Mike Mignola
GVN: You have worked with Mike Mignola on a number of books. What is it about Mike’s work and your own that seems to meld so well?
WJC: I’ve been a big fan of his work for a long time, and he has been a big influence on how my own work has developed. But, we also share interests in the subjects we enjoy––creepy stories, horror movies, and the like.
Old Friends
GVN: This is your third book with the popular characters of Professor J.T. Meinhardt and Mr. Knox and vampire hunter Ms. Mary Van Sloan. When you first published Mr. Higgins Comes Home, and Our Encounters With Evil: Adventures of Professor J.T. Meinhardt and His Assistant Mr. Knox, did you envision at that time following it up with another book or were you playing it a book at a time?
WJC: I feel like I have to play it one book at a time. Mr. Higgins was such an exciting thing to have happen, and I’m very grateful to have followed it up twice now. However, these characters are bursting with life and new stories suggest themselves to me very time I draw them, so I do have a bunch more stories to tell if people want to read them.
Exploring the Genre
GVN: I’m pretty sure the love of reading them will always be there for fans. In your new book, Falconspeare, you reunite the characters in a story that was a bit unexpected as the climax was reached, but not totally shocking, seeing as what their choice of professions are. What was the inspiration for this chapter of the narrative?
WJC: I really enjoy working in this genre and telling stories that are interesting, and I like using the tools and tropes of the genre to do that. My goal is not so much to tell wholly original stories, but rather to tell stories in an original way. The inspiration for this book was to look at James Falconspeare’s challenges and see how they might best play out.
Future Stories
GVN: I would say this was done quite successfully, especially as the book progressed. So, without giving away the storyline of Falconspeare, do you have any other stories in mind for these characters or have you fulfilled your ambition of where these characters are?
WJC: As I said earlier, I have a lot of story ideas for these characters and more! I think there is a lot more to explore in their crazy creatures in the night-filled world, and more for them to find out about themselves. Fortunately, this is a medium that is well used to changing timelines. We go back to the group’s formative years in this book, and we could go back further still. For example, to the Professor’s first werewolf or Ms. Van Sloan’s first vampire! There’s a lot more we can find out about these characters, and it’d be great to do that.
New Projects
GVN: Thank you once again for your time, Warwick. Before I let you go, do you have any other projects that you can talk about and would want our readers to know about?
WJC: Thank you! And yes, I have art in the 50th Anniversary of Kolchak: The Night Stalker Kickstarter, running now. I’ve also a new series coming this year under a brand-new publishing partnership. No vampires as yet in that one, but exciting stuff!
Dark Horse Comics Falconspeare hits bookstores on January 25th where all great books are sold.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first 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 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
