GVN Talking Comics Interview: Cartoonist Jay Stephens For Oni Press 'Dwellings'

When it comes to horror and the way it is portrayed, there is no wrong way to accomplish it. But there are original ways to do it. That term certainly fits the Dwellings series by talented cartoonist Jay Stephens. Drawn in a style that calls back to the classic Harvey Comics but is full blown horror at its base. Coming August 9th, Oni Press is partnering once again with Stephens to bring book one of the three-book prestige series to life. Featuring 72 pages of bloodletting horror in Stephen’s unique style.

Recently, we sat down with the talented creator to talk about his influences, his love of horror and his collaboration with Oni Press for Dwellings. So, let’s welcome Cartoonist Jay Stephens to GVN Talking Comics.

Beginnings and Influences

GVN: Thank you for sharing a bit of your time Jay. Since this is the first time, we have had the opportunity to chat, let’s start with your artistic beginnings. When did you first take an interest in drawing and cartoons, and whose work inspired your desire to pursue it?

JS: Fortunately, I come from a creative family and was encouraged to both draw stuff and collect comic books from an early age, back when they were still considered absolute trash, searching garage sales and flea markets to unearth the most inspiring back issues. My favourites were a coverless copy of DOOM PATROL #88, MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #18 where the Thing teams up with haunted hero the Scarecrow to confront a Demon Cult, and some old HOT STUFF issues. I loved SCOOBY-DOO, the delightfully twisted FLEISCHER cartoons they showed on Magic Shadow sometimes, and those creepy old CASPER cartoon shorts … you can see the ghosts of those influences in the cute-looking horror of DWELLINGS.

The Lessons of Animation and Comics

GVN: You have had a diverse career in both animation and comics. What do you feel you have learned from Animation that helped with your comic work or vice versa?

JS: I learned a lot by the ongoing act of just making comics. My character concepts and designs constantly improved, I gradually got better at telling a story, and– especially helpful for my animation career– learned to navigate contracts and collaborate with others. Most cartoonists begin as self-absorbed hermits, which was certainly true for me. Animation guided me towards focusing more on character than plot and taught me the hard way that redeveloping or reworking an idea isn’t necessarily ruining the concept, but can, in fact, lead to much better work.

‘Dwellings’

GVN: Now, let’s focus on Dwellings. One only need look at your first Dwellings book to know you have an affinity for the horror genre. Where did that love of horror come from and did you always plan to reflect that passion at one point into your work?

JS: I read almost exclusively creepy stuff, and watch horror films every week– HUGE fan of the genre, as my Little Horror Flicks postcard series reflects– but it never consciously occurred to me to blend that passion with my old-school drawing style until recently. Horror has always been in the mix, I guess, creeping up slowly in projects like Tutenstein and The Secret Saturdays, but Dwellings is where the walls really started to bleed.

The Goings on in Elwich

GVN: Speaking of Dwelling’s, it is a fascinating dichotomy. With art that really reflects your confessed Harvey Comics influences but radiating a real Edgar Allen Poe vibe. Especially in the first book with “They Know.” It makes it unsettling while at the same time almost addictive. The second story “Second Tongue” does the same with an almost H.P. Lovecraft feeling to it. Makes for a great combination. So, what was your inspiration for Elwich and the goings on there?

JS: The haunted town of Elwich is a fictional blend of the little cities in Ontario, Canada, I grew up in. I find that comfortably cute places often harbor uncomfortably ugly secrets, and Dwellings certainly reveals some gory ones! Like the citizens of Elwich, I’ve become increasingly aware as I get older of those terrible adult mysteries that my childhood self always suspected but never comprehended. And so, the nostalgic visual style of Dwellings is purposely familiar and comforting, making the visceral and psychological horror elements all the more shocking and disturbing– revealing horrible truths through the brightly coloured kaleidoscope of vintage kid’s comics.

Variant Cover Talent

GVN: You have recruited some talented folks for your variant covers, including Joe Palmer, Jenna Cha, and Brian Level. How did you get connected with them for your project and how much discussion is there between them and you or do you just show them your work and let them interpret what they see?

JS: Oh, I am so lucky! ONI press and I just came up with a wish list and hit the jackpot. These variants look so amazing and came as delightful surprises. I really had no input or communication, preferring to let the creators reinterpret the imagery in their own distinct styles. And Wait’ll you see who we’ve got lined up for future covers.

Returning to Oni Press

GVN: THAT, my friends, is a teaser. Well done. You are once again partnering with Oni Press for your prestige format three-issue limited edition of Dwelling’s. What made you decide that Oni was the best choice to bring this project to your fans?

JS: Dwellings presents nostalgia itself as a terrible kind of curse — an infinite, inescapable possession. So, it seems fitting that if the definition of nostalgia is a kind of sentimental homesickness for the long-lost past, I have returned to ONI, the publisher that put out my last comic book series 20 years ago!

Future Projects and Following

GVN: Thank you once again, Jay. Before I let you go, are there any other projects you want to let our
followers know about and where can they follow you on social media or the web?

JS: BLACK EYE BOOKS, another old friend with whom I crowdfunded the humble first version of Dwellings will continue to put out the complete reprint collections of my previous comics work, with DEJECTS and JETCAT FRIENDS being followed shortly. You can find these at https://www.blackeye.ca/ so check them out for sure.
And follow me on Instagram @jstephenscomics for inking videos, work-in-progress, and lots of pictures of cute, creepy stuff, or check out my YouTube channel for low-fi behind-the-scenes videos.