NIX - Serio Comics 26 + Q&A with the Author Susan Beneville!
NIX written by Susan Beneville, drawn by Brian Hess, published by Red5 Comics, Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Special Post!
Today we have a special post that includes an enthusiasm of the comic NIX and also a question and answer with its author, Susan Beneville!
I had just come across Susan’s book earlier this Spring while doing extensive research on potential publishers and noticed that NIX was published by Red5 but also had distribution with one of the big New York publishers, Simon & Schuster.
So I was happy to express interest in not just doing an enthusiasm but also a Q+A to learn more about her project and process and to support her work and her Substack!
Special Post, Special Offer!
Also, in Susan’s honor, we’re trying a Special Offer this week to increase Paid Subscribers!
Click to see how Special…
NIX
NIX is a classic fantasy adventure graphic novel with a cartoon-like art style for quick, light reading.
A feisty girl trapped in spirit form, Nix, must convince a self-doubting young prince, William, to embrace his powers before her vengeful father destroys the kingdom they both love.
Magic, Materialism
One of my favorite things about NIX is its themes about magic versus materialism, the spirit world versus the regular one.
I had recently begun reading books about divination and synchronicity for a potential book based on my other Substack, Shuffle Synchronicities.
And I was reminded that the word “weird” comes from the word ‘wyrd’ which means to control your fate, and is similar to Susan’s term for the creatures in her story with magical powers.
These wyrn powers that Nix has and others have are tied to the themes of destiny and fate by Susan and her collaborator Brian as well!
Fathers, Revivification
I was also struck by Susan’s strong approach to the theme of fathers and the patriarchal structures they represent.
Susan and Brian show how families and societies sometimes need revivification and renewal from the next generation.
Fantastic, Action
I was also struck by the fantastic fantastical action that Susan’s illustrator Brian Hess brought to the work, which I think would be perfect for many of the kids I know.
I was excited to learn more about Susan and Brian’s process working together, after having such a great experience myself partnering with illustrator Gabriel Wexler on SHOULD WE BUY A GUN?, and asked a few questions about that, her own new work, and much more!
Special Post, Special Offer…
I told you it was a special post and a special offer!
The Q+A with the Author Susan Beneville!
David Cowen, Serio Comics: Hi Susan! Thanks so much for doing Serio Comics’ first Q+A! Let’s start by having you tell us about your history with graphic novels/comic books, how you started working with Brian Hess, and what gave you the idea to create NIX?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: I’ve collected comics since I was twelve! I’ve always been a fan. I’d started writing short stories, screenplays, and comic scripts in the mid-2000s mostly as a hobby. Then, in 2008 I got the opportunity to create a “custom” kids comic for a Caribbean resort. I can’t draw, so, after a couple of head-scratching experiences with other artists, I found Brian. Together, we created a book called “Atlantinauts.” We really enjoyed working together and we both love all-ages books, so we put together a twelve-issue comic called “Awake” which was published by Action Labs. We had a lot of fun with that and some success, but Action Labs made some significant publishing errors. (Long story.) Undeterred, we started a new book, “Nix.” Brian originally started noodling with some character images, particularly Nix and Prince William. Then, as we often do, we had a long breakfast and sketched out the story.
David Cowen, Serio Comics: What was your process like working as the writer with Brian as the illustrator?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: With “Atlantinauts”, the initial idea was mine. With “Awake” and “Nix”, Brian came up with the visual sparks and basic premise. Our process always involves breakfast. We get together once or twice over blueberry pancakes to talk about characters, conflicts, themes, key set pieces, and overall plot points. Brian often sketches while we talk and I take endless notes. Then I go home and write up a plot outline. For “Awake”, it was broken down by issue. For “Nix,” it was broken down by chapter. I send that to Brian for his input. Once he is on board, I do a page-by-page breakdown. From that, I write the script. Depending on our schedules, I will usually send him a couple of chapters at a time. That way, he can see where I’m going and start doing character studies and thumbnails. If he has any suggestions, we chat. Once he has the full script, he starts cranking out the art. I usually see the art when it is almost done. I do an editorial review and note anything that needs to be changed. His art is amazing! I will often revise the dialogue based on the art. Once I have a lettering script, that goes to the letterer. Brian and the letterer do their bit, and then I do final reviews and proofing. Interestingly, we rarely disagree on how something should look or how it should read. By the time we’ve finished breakfast, we’re on the same page. After that, our back and forth is more a “yes, and…” experience.
David Cowen, Serio Comics: Great, thank you! What other graphic novels/comic books inspired/influenced you while making Nix?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: I don’t actually read a lot of all-ages books or watch the popular animated series and films. Brian does and he is influenced by all of it. Then, he manifests it in his own distinctive style and vibrant coloring. Thematically, I was interested in exploring the “chosen one” and the “ghost in the wall” tropes. But, at its core, “Nix” is really a story about how kids are often burdened with the problems created by their fathers and how important it is for them to set their own course instead of doing what is expected.
David Cowen, Serio Comics: How much magic do you think is in the 'real' world?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: I think being alive, having thoughts, connecting with people, falling in love, and using one’s imagination is all very magical. I mean, it’s ethereal, powerful, world-changing stuff and I don’t know where it comes from, but science doesn’t fully explain it. I believe every sentient being has an individual, indestructible, eternal soul. I have no idea what happens to it after we die. And, I am totally okay with that.
David Cowen, Serio Comics: Love it! What are you working on next, another volume of NIX, or something new?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: Well, Brian and I are working on volume 2 of “Nix”, real life has sort of interrupted our flow, but we are shooting for early 2025.
My writing focus now is “Red Crag” which is the serial I am publishing on my Substack. It is a more adult-themed, serious story about a young woman from a small, close-knit iron mining community who is driven to restore her family’s honor. It is based on a solo RPG [Role Playing Game] that I am playing using the low magic, gritty fantasy “Ironsworn” system. Because he is the best, Brian will be providing some cool illustrations to go with it.
David Cowen, Serio Comics: Awesome! What publishers did you work with and what was that experience like in terms of getting your book out to readers and press?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: Whoo boy. Well, my experience has been mixed. I think it is important to always bear in mind that small press comics publishing at the indie-level is not a really lucrative business. It is usually done by people who love comics and graphic novels with the hope that one or two projects will be a hit. Brian and I originally self-published a version of the first issue of Awake. At a convention, an editor from Action Labs saw the book and reached out to us with an offer to publish it. At the time, Action Lab was growing and had a very good reputation, specifically in the area of all-ages books. Their big book at the time was “Princeless” by Jeremy Whitley, Mia Goodwin, and Emily Martin. It was a creator-owned publishing company. We really liked them and thought it was a good fit. Around the same time, management of the company was taken over by someone more focused on the business side. Again, a really nice guy who seemed to have a solid vision for the company. Brian and I got to work and fulfilled our end of the bargain by hitting all deadlines with all twelve issues of “Awake”. The book was well-received and got good reviews. Unfortunately, there were a couple of mistakes made by Action Lab in terms of soliciting issues of the book in Previews, getting the issues out on time, and in how they compiled the trade paperbacks. Those mistakes really disrupted sales of the book. We decided not to proceed with the planned next arc and to end our relationship with Action Lab. We have since recovered the rights to “Awake” and are considering whether to go back it with that third arc. It is a great all-ages sci-fi story about a sister and brother who can talk to planets.
But, for a while the rights to “Awake” were in limbo. During that time, Brian and I came up with the idea for “Nix” and began working on it. This time, we decided that we didn’t want to go the traditional comic book “floppy” issue route. This time, we wanted to create and complete a full-length graphic novel. Once we had a decent amount of work done, we would occasionally show it to folks. Brian is really good about that. So, at San Diego ComicCon he showed the work-in-progress to Josh Starnes at Red5 Comics. Red5 was interested. Building on our experience with Action Lab, we negotiated a much better contract. In truth, the guys at Red5 were really very fair and straightforward. It helps that they have a distribution deal with Simon & Schuster and seem to be more on top of the business-side and production process. That said, they are still pretty small and haven’t made much of a dent in the local comic shopmarket or big retail stores. Our sales are mostly driven by social media, conventions, and word-of-mouth. In this day and age of publishing, authors and creators have to be their own marketing departments both in trying to find publishers but then in trying to find an audience.
David Cowen, Serio Comics: Thanks so much for sharing that. Very helpful. There are a lot of Substacks to follow these days, and it's often niche audiences that support these publications, tell us what kind of niche would most enjoy your Substack so we can attract some new readers?
Susan Beneville, Swirling Worlds: "Red Crag" is my take on the classic fantasy genre. A strong female protagonist on a quest to fulfill a vow, a colorful supporting cast, dangerous wilds, malicious bandits, creepy ruins, and surprising dark magics. I really focused a lot on world-building to move away from the classic Tolkienesque or Dungeons & Dragons elements to make my world of Storm's End feel realistic, dangerous, and fantastical in its own way. I think there is a big crossover between readers of all-ages fantasy/sci-fi comics and graphic novels and novels and short fiction in those same genres. It is a story loving community. Here on Substack, serial fiction is growing! I think people really like the ongoing nature of serials, the short waits between installments, the ability to consume a lot of stories in one place, and the cliff hangers. I remember how much I used to love Wednesdays. I would get my big stack of new comics, grab a snack, and start plowing through them. I was getting little pieces of several different stories every week. Of course, with Substack readers can either binge or read serials as they come out. As a story-teller, the fun part of writing "Red Crag" is that it is based on a solo RPG I am playing. Unlike everything else I have written, this is not plotted out in advance. I am in as much suspense about what is going to happen next as the readers are!
David Cowen, Serio Comics: Wow, a written story spontaneously unfolding based on the random outcomes of a role playing game, that’s such a fun new medium! If you’re curious Subscribe to Susan Beneville Substack!
OK, thank you so much to Susan, for being Serio Comics’ first interview!
And for being one of Serio Comics’ Paid Subscribers ;)
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But also all of the archives!
It was my pleasure! Thanks for thinking of Nix and I am honored to be your first interviewee!