In 2022, we had the opportunity to interview Chanan Beizer and Vanessa Cardinali, the creative minds behind Clover Press’s “The Golem of Venice Beach, Vol.1,” just as they were about to launch their first Kickstarter campaign. Today, Clover Press is bringing Volume 2 to life, again through Kickstarter. Riding on the success of the first volume, we engaged in a conversation with writer Chanan Beizer to delve into the lessons learned from Volume 1, his collaboration with Vanessa, and the notable contributors to this latest installment. Please join us in welcoming the gifted writer Chanan Beizer back to GVN Talking Comics.
Response for The Golem of Venice Beach, Vol.1
GVN: Thank you once again for a bit of your time, Chanan. I had spoken to you and Vanessa back in June of 2022 about Volume 1 and its Kickstarter campaign. Now, two years later you are bringing Volume 2 to fruition with Vanessa and another huge collection of comic talent (which we’ll get to in a bit). When you finished the campaign for volume 1, did the response exceed your expectations? It was your first go at writing for a graphic novel after all.
CB: On the one hand, I was thrilled that people were actually willing to buy and read the book. On the other hand, I had a few unrealistic expectations for this creative baby that I’d nurtured for a long time. Now after two years of going to conventions plus seeing the book on the shelves of local comic bookstores, I can reasonably state that it did exceedingly well for something that is original intellectual property. That’s usually a tough hurdle to clear.
Building Confidence from Early Success
GVN: We discussed patience in our first discussion and how you coped with all the different variables that went into a crowdfunding campaign and creating your book. Now that you had made that leap and survived, did you feel more confident as you started on this second volume?
CB: Absolutely. The first book was a total leap of faith. I had no idea how people would react and I was ignorant of the many steps it would take to get it in their hands. Many of the unknowns were answered with Book 1 so I have a lot more confidence in creating and crowdfunding Book 2.
Synopsis of the Story
GVN: Volume 2 takes off right where Volume 1 left off. For those who have not been fortunate to read Volume 1, (and you should) could you give them a synopsis of what transpired leading into this new chapter?
CB: The first book begins with Adam the Golem’s origin, created as a protector against mob violence in the city of Prague in 1580. However, there’s no controlling the creature’s fury and destruction so he’s put into suspended animation and hidden away. Then at the height of WW2 the Golem is rediscovered and revived by a descendant of his creator and saves two boys from a death camp.
Most of the story takes place in present day Venice Beach, CA where Adam finds himself on the periphery of society. He’s watched over by an old man, Uncle Steph, one of the now grown boys that Adam rescued in WW2. The Golem is also bound by blood to protect Jake, the grandson of the other saved boy and the lone descendant of his creator.
Golems aren’t meant to exist forever and Adam longs for release from his pseudo-life. The only one who can do that is Jake, but the young man has no idea how. And things get even more complicated when Jake becomes involved with a mysterious woman, a central figure in a drug-dealing death worship gang.
Working Again with Vanessa Cardinali
GVN: You are once again collaborating with the talented Vanessa Cardinali. As you did Volume 2, did you notice an improvement in your workflow now that you have become more familiar with each other’s working style?
CB: Vanessa is the key artistic glue that binds both books into one cohesive story. Without her, there wouldn’t be a Golem of Venice Beach. The creation of Book 2 was more streamlined in that we didn’t have to go through the design stage for the main characters. But it was also fun to create a brand-new key character that is introduced.
Vanessa’s process was very consistent and thorough. We went from pencils, to inks, to colors in a methodical way which was much appreciated by me and my editor, Chris Stevens. In fact, Book 2 has more pages by Vanessa than Book 1 had. Between the two, she drew over 260 pages in all. That is quite an accomplishment.
Here come the Artists
GVN: As I mentioned earlier, you are collaborating once again with an incredible list of artists to support your new book. Artists like Frank Quitely, David Mack, Nick Dragotta, Howard Chaykin, Dean Haspiel, Jae Lee, Das Pastoras, Juan Jose Ryp, and Stan Sakai. How do you manage to consistently recruit such a great supporting artistic cast? It really speaks volumes about you and Vanessa and the enthusiasm for your books.
CB: Much like the first book, I discussed with my editor Chris what I’d like to see regarding artistic style for different parts of the story. In Book 1, there’s a clear delineation between the origin, the resurrection, and the present day. Plus, the bonus pages we made to enjoy other interpretations of the Golem.
Jae Lee
In Book 2, we have the concluding flashback to the WW2 resurrection and the great Jae Lee was kind enough to complete the arc he began in Book 1. His new pages are truly heart wrenchingly beautiful. It’s a difficult task to create beauty from the ashes of a death camp, but Jae did it.
David Mack
There is also what I describe as a vision-quest sequence in the new book. My editor Chris had the brilliant idea to reach out to David Mack. The result is a true masterpiece of dream-like imagery that only an artist of David’s caliber could create.
Bill Sienkiewicz and Frank Quitely
When it came to finding a cover artist, I wanted to go big. Book 1 had Bill Sienkiewicz so we had to find an artist that could match the boldness of Bill’s cover, but also make it into something new. I kind of threw out a Hail Mary when I mentioned the remarkable Frank Quitely to my editor, Chris. I was as flabbergasted as he was when Frank agreed.
A Bonus Story with an Artistic Cast of Brilliance
Originally, I thought to include more bonus pin up pages, much like in Book 1. But here again, it’s a great comfort to rely upon a skillful editor. Chris had the idea that instead of disconnected bonus pin-ups, why not write a bonus backup story that readers can enjoy. It took me a while to come up with something and even that went through a few iterations. It finally took shape as a Lewis Carrol inspired concept that also played with the classic Marvel Comics title “What If…?”.
I relied on Chris’ ability to reach out to practically anybody in the comic book world. I mentioned a few favorite artists from my childhood, and lo and behold, Stan Sakai and Howard Chaykin, both Hall-of-Famers, said yes. Then Chris rounded out this recruitment drive with Dean Haspiel, Juan Jose Ryp, and Nick Dragotta, each perfectly creating what was needed to complete this bonus story. I must give a shout out to Nick Pitarra, one of the artists from my first book, for the idea to ask Nick Dragotta. Talk about the “Nick” of time, right?
A Homage to Sal Buscema
Finally, I am a huge fan of a particular page from a classic bronze age comic book that showcases the Incredible Hulk battling the Mighty Thor to a veritable stand still. It’s by the legendary artist Sal Buscema and it left an indelible mark on me as a young comic book collector. I had this concept to match Sal’s imagery with the Golem and a new character from Book 2. Chris had just finished up another project in which Das Pastoras had drawn covers and a bonus story. Chris spoke so highly of Das that I thought maybe he’d be right for this homage to Sal. And as it turned out, he was.
The New Kickstarter Campaign
GVN: Your Kickstarter for “The Golem of Venice Beach, Volume 2” will be starting soon. What can fans expect from this campaign? I know that both volumes will be available. But what other goodies will fans of your first book find?
CB: Besides both volumes being offered, we will also offer 8×10 print sets from each book. That will be one set of 7 prints representing the 7 artists from Book 1. And another set of 10 prints representing the 10 artists from Book 2. In addition, I am thrilled that there will be a special select number of Book 2 copies that will include a designed book plate with Frank Quitely’s signature. The page will be bound into the book itself, exactly as we did with the signed signature plate by Bill Sienkiewicz for Book 1. Anyone who orders this select copy will also receive a different 8×10 than is available in any of the print sets.
Following Chanan Beizer
GVN: Thank you again, Chanan. Before we wrap up, please remind fans where they can support your new book and follow your future projects.
CB: The campaign is live now on Kickstarter.com. You can find it by searching for The Golem of Venice Beach, Books 1 & 2. I also have a link on my Instagram page: @thegolemofvenicebeach – which will have any current news of mine.
The Kickstarter Campaign for Clover Press “The Golem of Venice Beach, Volume 2” by Chanan Beizer and artist Vanessa Cardinali has now started. You can check it out and all the goodies included 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.