GVN Talking Comics Interview: Writer Craig Hurd-McKenney For Oni Press ‘Station Grand’

When it comes to comic writing, Craig Hurd-McKenney has talent to spare. So, he does so by not only writing for established publishers but also by self-publishing his own work. Focusing mainly on the horror genre but mixing in sci-fi and even Victorian elements. Each time, Craig explores the many ways the human mind and condition effects how his characters react, while giving his readers pause to think.

This is true in his latest book for Oni Press, entitled Station Grand with talented artist Noah Bailey. In this book, Craig explores the effect that isolation and sleep deprivation has on a sole astronaut on a space station. With only his computer’s voice for companionship. Supported by Noah’s artwork, Station Grand delves into the human psyche and all that can affect it.

In advance of the books April 8th release, we sat down with Craig to explore his own creative background, his work in self-publishing and his latest collaboration with Oni Press, for Station Grand. So, let’s welcome Craig Hurd-McKenney to GVN Talking Comics.

A Writer’s Beginnings

GVN: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Craig. Since this is our first opportunity to chat, let us start with your creative beginnings. When did you first take an interest in writing, and whose work inspired you to consider comics as your focus?

CRAIG: I’ve been making comics since 2000, but I would say storytelling has always been a part of my experience. When I was a very young child, we lived on a farm. My mom would drive us into the city once a week to pick up library books. From picture books to chapter books, escaping to other worlds was a very real escape from an isolated farm life. And I just never left that world of fantasy, even after we moved off the farm.

In terms of work that inspired me, I’d say people like Rick Geary or Richard Sala were hugely inspiring. Super weird, arcane, unique works with beautiful black and white art. I continued to read & write comics with inspirations like these guys, first for myself and later for friends. And now, here we are, talking about Station Grand, a story about an astronaut whose life changes forever on the other side of the universe. Kind of like writing has done for me.

User Research

GVN: In addition to your writing, you have had multiple jobs as a user researcher for various companies. How did those opportunities come about, and do you feel they gave you any insight into people that you used in your writing?

CRAIG: Usability research is a methodology that is one part interview and one part storytelling. You talk to people, and then you report to your collaborators to help make the product better, based on the real experiences of the people with whom you spoke. User research has been a perfect fit for my extrovert energy, talking with people? And then talking with people about what I talked about with the previous group of people? Sign me up! Creating the narrative of the data is the key to UX research. You look for trends as opposed to proving/ disproving something. And then the trends drive the narrative.

The biggest insight I gained for my own personal writing is more on the business side of things. Since I was presenting the story of my research findings to CEOs of companies, I got very comfortable with the idea of similarly pitching my comics projects to publishers. And I know if I get a “no” on a pitch, it is an “invitation to a yes” somewhere else. The skillsets are indeed not so far apart, as your question suggests.

Self-Publishing and Advising New Creators

GVN: While you have landed freelance jobs with several different publishers, you have also focused on your self-published works. What would you tell beginning comic creators about the advantages of self-publishing and the work required?

CRAIG: The joy of self-publishing is that you don’t need anyone’s permission to just do it. You can make the weirdest, dumbest thing for yourself. Do that as often as you can, and you’ll find your audience. You have the thing that someone will be interested in. But the main thing I advise is to be realistic with your goals. You won’t write a Big 2 book as your first project. So, what is manageable for you? If you can name it, then you won’t wind up frustrated by the process. Don’t be afraid to start small and build from there. Making your own things builds business and creative skills, and your professionalism. But by making stuff on your own, you then have stuff to show to larger publishers if that is your goal to write for the Big 2.

I mention goals because it is also okay for your goals to change over time. My goals shifted a few years ago, and I did want to pursue works that other publishers would take on (like Station Grand). I’ve had the great joy of working with people I trust. Gabe (and now Bess) at Oni have been the most supportive editorial team. We all want the book to be the best that it can be, and new creators need to understand that: the team wants you all to look amazing. It is a collaborative artform, so the second thing I’d say is surround yourself with reliable, trustworthy people who support your growth and for whom you can do the same.

Oni Press Space Grand

GVN: Your most recent book is a collaboration with illustrator Noah Bailey on Station Grand. An intriguing look into a solitary astronaut with bipolar disorder tendencies and sleep deprivation and the effects that they have on him and his mission. How did this concept come about, and how long did you work on the story? (It has an almost A 2001: A Space Odyssey vibe with the computer being his lone company).

CRAIG: I wanted to do something about sleep deprivation in astronauts, something I’d been reading a lot about at the time…things like genetic alterations in astronauts from extended time in space, to ways of combatting sleep deprivation in astronauts due to the lack of sunlight while in space. Insomnia is hugely problematic for astronauts, as their circadian rhythms get completely disrupted. Research on new moms, long haul truck drivers…basically anyone who is sleep deprived, indicates that the effects of long-term sleep loss are not good. You’ll also find out in Station Grand that Noah and I experience sleep issues ourselves, so it felt personal and meaningful to explore via the genre of science fiction horror. Station Grand shows us one fictional way that might play out.

In terms of the timeline, Station Grand was a relatively fast project. I want to say it took us about 2 years, from start to finish. We Kickstarted the original edition, and the new edition has some bonus material (like a new opening sequence to further establish Dr. Kinney, our main character, and his life) that we had to create. Thanks to our Editor, Gabe Granillo, for really seeing an opportunity to build out the story of Dr. Kinney so readers could get a sense of his life before and during the events of Station Grand.

Working with Noah Bailey

GVN: I mentioned that talented artist Noah Bailey did the illustrations for your book. Was Noah your first choice, and how did that collaboration come about?

CRAIG: Noah is such a talent and was indeed my first choice for this version of Station Grand. Projects change when you start talking about them, and the more he & I talked about it, the more I knew this was a Noah project, if that makes sense?

He and I met a few years ago. We bonded over our mutual love of film, and we would spitball ideas together, thinking someday we might work together. He is always so busy, so I thought it would take us longer to reach that point. But eventually, a spot opened up in his schedule and that project became Station Grand.

I always start a project by asking artists what they want and don’t want to draw, and try to write towards the things they love. But with Noah, it was so easy because we’d already spent so much time talking influences. I’d seen his work and knew what he could do with page layout, and easter eggs, and building dread across pages. He likes to experiment early on, reworking pages and pushing himself to perfection. His willingness to both play and know when to move on is such a gift. He makes me a better writer…makes me look much better than I deserve! He is just a fantastic collaborator.

Back to film for one second. I very much appreciate that Kubrick comparison. Noah and I talked a lot about 2001, as well as other films like the original Solaris, The Black Hole and even others outside of sci fi, like the early surrealist films of Buñuel, Cocteau and Maya Deren. Liminal spaces that offer up the creeping dread and paranoia…the hallucinatory nature of extended insomnia. I’m a very visual writer, so I tend to provide a lot of photo reference for artists to take and make their own, which Noah nailed.

What Readers will Take from ‘Station Grand’

GVN: So, when all is said and done, once readers have consumed Station Grand, what would you hope that your readers take from the story?

CRAIG: Noah and I have very different experiences with sleep deprivation, so even the way we see the story of Station Grand is different. And I love that! I wouldn’t want it any other way, as art is a subjective experience. I hope readers see (and feel) it their own way as well. I hope people will spend time wrestling with Station Grand, too. It’s not meant to be a quick read, nor is it meant to be an easy read. We deal with very tense topics so we can understand Dr. Kinney better. From its imagery to the script, it’s not meant to be a quick read. Is it literal? Is it metaphorical? Or is it about the feeling you have when you read it? Yes.

Upcoming Projects

GVN: Thank you once again for your kind attention, Craig. Before we conclude, I would like to give you the opportunity to share any upcoming projects with our readers.

CRAIG: Thanks to you and your readers! Next up for me is Curse of Dark Shadows, a licensed, contemporary sequel to the original Dark Shadows TV show. I have a book coming from Mad Cave Studios next year as well, but I can’t say more about it just yet.

Noah is hard at work on The 99 Legs with Michael W. Conrad, out soon from Comixology!

And Noah & I are already talking about our next project together. Keep your eyes on hspcomix.com for more info!

Oni Press Station Grand by Craig Hurd-McKenney and Noah Bailey is available now where great books are sold.