Few creators have shaped modern horror like Steve Niles. From 30 Days of Night to decades of genre-defining stories, he’s built a legacy steeped in atmosphere, grit, and characters born from the darkest corners. None capture that legacy more than Cal McDonald, the hard-living paranormal P.I. whose cases inevitably pull him further into the shadows. With Cal McDonald: Plague of Evil and Other Stories, Niles revisits his most iconic creation in a brand-new collection from Clover Press’ Fourth Leaf imprint — a premium, creator-driven home for projects with teeth (sometimes fanged).
The new volume unites a star-studded cast of artists, weaving together stories that thrust Cal into fresh dangers, deeper mysteries, and the kind of supernatural grit only Niles can deliver. It’s both a tribute to everything fans love about the character and a reminder that Cal’s world keeps growing — still haunted, still violent, still very much alive. With the Kickstarter about to launch, we caught up with Steve to discuss returning to Cal, collaborating with New Leaf on this collection, and how this universe evolves with each new nightmare he dreams up.
P.I. Cal McDonald
GVN: Thanks for chatting with us again, Steve. We last spoke in June of this year about your book Heartbreak Manor with frequent artistic partner Damien Worm. So, here we are in September, and you are once again bringing ANOTHER exciting new project for your fans. So, let us plunge right in. P.I. Cal McDonald has been with you for decades, evolving across prose, comics, and graphic novels. What keeps you returning to him, and what makes his world so endlessly fertile for new stories?
SN: I’ve been writing Cal since my early 20’s. I’m 61 now and the stories just keep coming. I think it’s the way Cal sees the world of monsters that keeps me coming back. It’s also because Cal’s horror doesn’t follow many rules and that widens the scope.
Comics VS Prose
GVN: This collection brings Cal back through a series of short stories. How does writing him in shorter, punchier formats change the rhythm, tone, or investigative style compared to longer arcs?
SN: I think the tone and rhythm are pretty much the same as the comics but with prose I get a chance to get in Cal’s head more and describe things better. I don’t have an artist to lean on so it all has to come from Cal’s eyes.
Clover Press: The Fourth Leaf
GVN: Clover Press’ new imprint The Fourth Leaf is built around premium, creator-driven projects. What made it the right home for this collection, and how did the collaboration shape the final book?
SN: I’m very happy to be working with Clover. Robbie and I go way back. The Fourth Leaf is a wonderful new imprint that really frees the creator and Cal McDonald fits right in there.
A Roster of Great Creators
GVN: You’re working with an incredible roster of artists — Francesco Francavilla, Allison Sampson, the aforementioned Damien Worm, and more. How did you match each story with its artist, and what surprised you most about seeing their interpretations of Cal’s world?
SN: I really lucked out. Just about everybody I asked to be in the book said yes. It’s an incredible list of talent. I tried to match stories to artists. Some were easier than others like giving Alison Sampson a story about woods haunted by witches. She was perfect for it.
With Age Comes Comfort
GVN: Cal’s universe blends noir grit with supernatural horror. What tonal space were you exploring in Plague of Evil and Other Stories, and how does this collection push Cal into new emotional or thematic territory?
SN: Cal used to be pretty pissed at his work, hated what he had to do but with the new stories there’s a level of comfort as he ages. I did try something new with this collection; there is a story-arc that weaves through all the stories but each story still works on its own merit. I hope people enjoy that.
Character Evolution
GVN: After everything Cal has endured, how do these stories reflect where he is now — emotionally, professionally, or existentially? Did writing this collection reveal anything new about him?
SN: Cal’s older now and he’s been at it a while. In some ways he’s mellowed, in others he hasn’t changed a bit. He’s accepted his lot in life and sees what he does as important work. Basically if he doesn’t do it, who will?
Kickstarter
GVN: Thanks again, Steve, for your time. Finally, you are bringing this project to Kickstarter. Why is Kickstarter the ideal launchpad for this collection, and what can fans expect from the campaign in terms of extras, editions, or behind-the-scenes material?
SN: We have some great extras including a hardcover slipcase, hats and art portfolios. Kickstarter just works. I’ve tried other platforms and they just didn’t get the eyeballs that Kickstarter has. I’m really looking forward to the campaign.
“Cal McDonald: Not Invincible But Human”
As we visited with Steve Niles, it became clear that Cal McDonald endures not because he’s invincible, but because he’s human. Stubborn, damaged, relentless, and always willing to wade into the filth when no one else will. Plague of Evil and Other Stories captures that spirit perfectly. It’s a collection built on atmosphere, grit, and the kind of supernatural grime only Niles can conjure. But it’s also a reminder that Cal’s world is still expanding, still mutating, still full of corners where monsters thrive, and justice gets messy.
Under Clover Press’ Fourth Leaf imprint, this volume feels like a celebration of everything that makes Cal McDonald one of horror’s most enduring anti-heroes. The noir-charged tone, the bruised humor, the moral ambiguity, and the parade of nightmares that refuse to stay buried. With a powerhouse lineup of artists bringing fresh visual energy to the character, the book becomes both a tribute and a new beginning. A chance for longtime fans to dive deeper and for new readers to discover why Cal has stayed in the bloodstream of horror comics for decades.
As the Kickstarter campaign approaches, Plague of Evil and Other Stories stands ready to deliver exactly what readers want from Steve Nile and Cal McDonald. Danger, darkness, and a paranormal P.I. who keeps battling on, no matter how hard the world tries to pull him down.
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.
