Ever since writer David Hazan won the 2019 Mad Cave Talent Search, he has proven the win was no fluke. Starting with the widely acclaimed Nottingham series alongside his artistic counterpart Shane Connery Volk. Now, while still creating magic in his Nottingham series, Hazan has taken on a new story alongside talented artist Cecilia Lo Valvo in Monomyth (coming May 3rd). A magical journey in a land where magic is dying and the only hope lies with a group of diverse individuals, each with their own stories.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with David once again to discuss his success with Nottingham and Mad Cave, and his newest book Monomyth. So, let’s welcome back talented writer David Hazan to GVN Talking Comics.
GVN: Thanks for once again visiting with us David. This is our third interview which is basically YOUR fault because you keep writing cool books.
DH: Thank you for having me! And for all your kind words about both me and my collaborators’ work.
Nottingham: The Adventure Continues
GVN: Speaking of cool, your Nottingham series is still entertaining fans and critics alike with two volumes in your resume and a third in the works. Volume One and Two both made our best of list for 2021 and 2022. But now you’re telling some background stories in your Tales from Nottingham. The first issue centering around my favorite new character Aya the Hashashin. How long had you planned to dig into these kinds of stories and how has it been to turn over the reins a bit creative wise with your characters?
DH: I knew there was more to dig into to really enrich and fill out the stories of some of the non-Sheriff characters pretty early on, but it wasn’t until Mad Cave came to me with the idea of this anthology that I really conceptualized the kind of tales that I wanted to tell in concert with all these fantastically skilled Talent Search winners. They all took to it with such care and it was a delight to work with each team. Then, there was working with Magdalene Visaggio, which was a fantastic experience in its own right, and I can’t wait for you to see what her issue has in store for our Sheriff in the lead-up to Volume 3.
Monomyth
GVN: Your upcoming book for Mad Cave Monomyth gives you a chance to tackle some horror-based elements mixed into the supernatural. What was the premise for this book and how long had you been developing it?
DH: In “Monomyth,” magic is dying, and so the last wizard casts a desperate spell, summoning the scions of several ancient magical bloodlines to a long decrepit school of magic. There, these fledgling wizards will discover ancient horrors and confront the deepest parts of themselves, their tragic origins, and perhaps even outwit each other in order to survive…
We’ve been working on this one since…I want to say 2021, trying to bring you the richest and most gorgeous book we can muster.
The Origins of Monomyth
GVN: You have great success with Mad Cave since winning the 2019 Mad Cave Talent Search. Did that success help you when it came time to pitch Monomyth to Mad Cave or do they base each project on their own merits?
DH: Mad Cave actually came to me with some base elements for this one, but when I went and turned those elements on their heads and added some more just for kicks, they didn’t try to rein me in…instead they spurred me on to create what eventually became “Monomyth.”
On the creator-owned front, however, there is something I’m working on with Mad Cave, but I can’t talk much about that yet. Suffice it to say I’ve never felt anything other than Mad Cave’s absolute and unequivocal faith in me…right from the start.
Recognizing Diversity
GVN: And needless to say, it’s been a partnership that’s paid off for them with great titles. In reading the first issue of Monomyth, one of the strengths early on is the great diversity of the characters, especially in the environments each came from. Was this an important aspect for you in developing your story?
DH: “Monomyth” is a story about stories, including appropriation and exploitation of stories. You’ll have to wait and see how, but the diversity of the cast is a central driving force behind how we put this into action.
Cecilia Lo Valvo
GVN: You are working with talented artist Cecilia Lo Valvo on Monomyth. How did that collaboration come about and was working with Cecilia different approach wise than your work with Shane Connery Volk?
DH: Mad Cave once again paired me with an artist, and I think I carried the trust that I learned from working with Shane into my interactions with Cecilia. Beyond that, I just tried to figure out what she liked doing most and tried to let her do as much of that as possible. I hope you can see some of that from the splash pages in the very first issue…
Monomyth Expansion
GVN: You have had the opportunity to expand your Nottingham narrative due to its great reception. Do you have other chapters in mind for Monomyth if IT proves to be as well received?
DH: I think there’s a spiritual successor to “Monomyth” that’s currently sitting in my head. But that’s a further off idea than follow-up volumes to “Nottingham.” “Monomyth,” in its current form, is very self-contained.
Future Projects
GVN: Thanks again for spending some time with us David. It has become an annual event. Before I let you go, do you have any other projects you can share with us and for those who might have missed our earlier conversations, where can fans find you on social media and on the web?
DH: Always a pleasure! Keep your eyes peeled for announcements coming soon (a new #1 hitting Previews in March that’s yet to be announced). There’s going to be some Tales from Nottingham news in there as well, I hope. Otherwise, people can find me at www.twitter.com/davidthazan, Instagram at www.instagram.com/davidthazan and on my website at www.davidhazan.com.
Mad Cave Studio’s Monomyth, Issue 1 by David Hazan, Cecilia Lo Valvo, Marissa Louise, and Lucas Gatonni drops on May 3rd and can be preordered from Mad Cave’s Subscription site.
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.
