In 2020, we had the chance to talk with the incredibly talented artist Soo Lee while she was collaborating with writer Mariah McCourt on Ahoy Comics’ Ash and Thorn. Around that time, I caught a Twitch stream where she was effortlessly inking with a brush. It left me feeling a mix of envy and deep admiration for her skill.
These days, Soo is a highly accomplished and busy artist, contributing to projects such as Carmilla: The First Vampire, Dark Horse’s Star Wars: Tales of the Nightlands, and her standout work on the upcoming Dynamite’s The Wizard of Oz: The Official Graphic Novel. She has also showcased her talents with Bit Bot Media by creating the cover for The Bride of Rocky Horror, the first-ever officially licensed Original Rocky Horror graphic novel.
We recently caught up with Soo to discuss her recent projects and the opportunity to design the cover for Bit Bot Media’s Bride of Rocky Horror. So, let’s welcome back Soo Lee to GVN Talking Comics.
Working on “Carmilla: The First Vampire”
GVN: Thank you so much for spending some time with us today, Soo. It has been a while since we last spoke—specifically, back in 2020 when you collaborated with Mariah McCourt on Ahoy Comics’ Ash and Thorn. Since then, you’ve been quite busy, including your 2023 Bram Stoker Award-winning work with Amy Chu on Carmilla: The First Vampire. Since it’s been so long, let’s catch up a bit. Can you share how “Carmilla” came about? Did you have a fondness for the horror genre before this project?
SOO: I’ve always wanted to work for Vertigo and at the time, it didn’t exist anymore. But when Karen Berger reached out, her being the mastermind behind Vertigo, I immediately said yes!
I always wanted to do more horror and even with Ash & Thorn it was a more fantasy/sci-fi genre, so the Carmilla series was the perfect project to jump into horror. Winning the Bram Stoker award just made me a bit more confident that, hey, I may actually be decent at this horror stuff!
Doing Art Demos
GVN: During our first interview, I mentioned your Twitch demo, which completely amazed me with your brush inking skills. Do you still perform those demos, or has your schedule become too busy with all your incredible projects?
SOO: I used to host a live stream drink and draw with my friends during the Pandemic but since then, we’ve all very fortunately, have become busy so haven’t been able to pick it back up yet. I also had a brief stint in trying Tiktok for art progress videos but I think I’m getting old and can’t keep up with social media! I’d like to do it again though, they were fun and I think it’s a way for the fans to get a little more insight into my work.
Dynamite’s “The Wizard of Oz: The Official Graphic Novel”
GVN: I was also excited about your exemplary work on the upcoming Dynamite’s The Wizard of Oz: The Official Graphic Novel, in which you not only drew the iconic tale but also wrote. Did you have any trepidation about tackling such a long-time fan favorite?
SOO: Absolutely I did! It’s such a beloved franchise, I think I’ll end up upsetting some die hard fans. There are things I wasn’t able to add in or maybe I didn’t have the real estate to but it’s all things that were done within the guidelines of WB. So to those who are reading this, remember WB has the ultimate say in what I can and can’t do, so I hope people are understanding of that!
No matter what fandom, if there is a massive following to it, there will be lots of good and bad that comes with it but I’m excited nonetheless for the book to come out.
Star Wars: Tales of the Nightlands
GVN: Speaking of fan favorites, you have also taken on the world of Star Wars with Dark Horse’s “Tales of the Nightlands” with Caravan Scott. How did this opportunity come about?
SOO: I did another Star Wars horror short with Cavan Scott previously and our editor set us up again for this one. Cavan is such a great writer and someone I get along very well with so it was an easy yes for this one too!
The Bride of Rocky Horror
GVN: So, let’s get to the reason we have gotten together again, and that is your work with Bit Bot Media on “The Bride of Rocky Horror,” the first-ever officially licensed Original Rocky Horror graphic novel. A collaboration with writer Magdalene Visaggio, artist Noemi Vettori, colorist Josh Rodriguez, letterer Jeremiah Lambert, and your brilliant cover work. How were you approached for this project, and were you familiar with the cult classic film?
SOO: It kind of came out of the blue for me but I’ve been a fan ever since I watched the movie when I was a kid (thanks mom!) so this was a huge honor. It was fun to be able to work on the covers for this and add this to the collection of the Rocky Horror universe.
Guidelines for Cover Development
GVN: When it comes to designing a cover for this exciting endeavor, and not being familiar with the process, is the cover usually done after the book is nearing completion, or do discussions about that happen earlier in the process? Additionally, how much freedom are you given when designing the cover for such a project?
SOO: There were definitely guidelines I had to follow, designs etc which is all pretty typical in cover work, especially for licensed projects. Oftentimes cover artists get the prompt and we focus on just that without knowing what goes around us since it’s the first thing that needs to be shown to the public so it takes precedence. Plus my brain and work schedule is a non-stop hamster wheel, so I don’t always know much of what’s going on until someone reminds me! Hah!
Kickstarter Contributions
GVN: I like the hamster wheel analogy. I can relate. The “Bride of Rocky Horror” is coming to Kickstarter soon. Regarding your contributions, is your task complete once you submit the cover (or covers), or do you have any responsibilities related to the campaign itself?
SOO: For the most part the cover was my main goal for the project but I may be doing some signings! And if anything else comes up, I would probably be involved. But again, I’m sure someone will end up reminding me!
Future Projects
GVN: Thank you so much Soo for your kind attention. Before I take my leave, I want to give you the opportunity to discuss any future projects you might want your fans to know about.
SOO: Thanks so much for the interview, glad to be back!
I have Wizard of Oz coming out, the OGN being available in your local comic shops and book stores and we also will have a Kickstarter for special editions with very special variant covers; like one with Alex Ross. That’ll be up around November!
My Star Wars Issue 1 of Tales Of the Nightlander, Carmilla Vol. 3 the finale just came out and is available everywhere as well.
And there are some other projects that haven’t been announced yet, but very soon! So follow me on Instagram to find more news at sooleedraws. Thank you!
Bit Bot Media’s ‘The Bride of Rocky Horror’ graphic novel by Writer Magdalene Visaggio, Artist Noemi Vettori, and Cover Artist Soo Lee comes soon to Kickstarter. If you are a fan of the iconic film and want to “Do the Time Warp Again,” you will want to check this out. You can visit the campaign here.
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.
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