Tag Archives: comics

Creator spotlight: PIPPA BAILEY

It’s time for our 8th creator spotlight! This week with author Pippa Bailey. Previously we’ve interviewed Kevin T. Rogers, Michela Cicconi, Erika Price, Allan MacRitchie, Clare Thompson and Matt Smith. We originally met Pippa while she was running her Youtube channel Ghoul Guides, and she wrote some awesome articles for our early issues of Knock Knock, it became apparent though that she is a talented writer and soon started sending in her unique stories.

What got you into writing horror?

Initially it was reading, I was an avid horror reader as a child; I loved Goosebumps and Shivers books, I loved Clive Barker. The first thing I began writing was a fantasy story, but slowly drifted into the world of horror where I have firmly stayed in place.

Are there any creators who influence your work and how?

Oh definitely, Clive Barker had a huge impact on my writing, I was given Cabal as a child and loved all the little elements of how Barker uses description. I also apparently appear to be heavily influenced by Lovecraft, although I’ve only very recently began reading his works. I’m very much in the way of strange monsters and guts.

Do you have a favourite piece of horror media?

I’d have to say it’s currently the tv show Stranger Things, I’m hooked, I can’t wait for the next season. Come on July 4th, mamma needs her Demogorgon.

Do you have any projects coming up? 

So so many, we’re working on two patreon, one for our writing which is Pugnacious Press and one for our Horror podcast and videos called Deadflicks; which can also be found on YouTube. We have Halloween, Christmas, and other books due out this year. It’s gonna be awesome!

You and Myk Pilgrim have been producing horror anthologies through Pugnacious Press, what is it about horror that lends itself to short fiction?

Horror and comedy are intertwined, they both rely heavily on the ability to deliver a twist, a punch, or an overwhelming sense of disgust. Short stories are perfect for this format, you line up your punchline almost and build the story around that. It’s all about cramming as much entertainment into the smallest space.

You’ve often challenged yourself to experimenting with different ways of writing, what has been your favourite experiment?

My favourite experiment was our first book Poisoned Candy, it’s 100 stories of exactly 100 words in length; which was a hell of a challenge. I’m so glad we did it, it set us up for our following books, as we knew, if we could pull off something so complex we could certainly release some fun short story books. It’s been a hell of a ride, but I’m loving it.

What scares you the most? 

Nihilism, in fact it’s the only thing I am truly scared of. The fact I have to accept that some day I won’t exist, my consciousness will vanish. I’m actually having heart palpitations writing this line

What is your favourite piece that you’ve submitted to Knock Knock?

Oh, definitely Intravenous Sin.


Click

Click to purchase Rancid Eggs, Poisoned Candy and Bloody Stockings on Amazon, follow Dead Flicks here

Read all our past horror zines for free in our zine archive!

Creator Spotlight: ALLAN MACRITCHIE

We’re coming up to week 4 of our artist spotlights celebrating 3 years of Knock Knock zines! We’ve previously spoken to some of our regular contributors to Knock Knock including Kevin T. Rogers, Michela Cicconi and Erika Price, this week we’re turning our spotlight onto macabre comic maker Allan MacRitchie. Allan has been contributing to Knock Knock since issue 4, and has experimented with comics, strips and even a fake film review. Read forth to catch a glimpse of Allan’s creative process and influences!

What got you into creating art? 

My parents are both creative and they encouraged me to start drawing. I also loved telling stories so comics became the perfect way for me to combine words and pictures. It’s only been in the last five years that I started making comics seriously and I’ve been self-publishing and tabling at conventions since 2016.

Are there any creators who influence your work and how?

Mike Mignola and Charles Burns use a lot of black ink and I do too- mainly to hide all the mistakes in my drawing. Also you can’t make horror comics without admiring/fearing Junji Ito.

Do you have a favourite piece of horror media?

Too many to list but off the top of my head: The League of GentlemenAnd Then Emily Was Gone by John Lees and Iain Laurie and Ari Aster’s Hereditary.

Do you have any projects coming up? 

I’m three pages into the second volume of Grave Wax– a supernatural mystery written by Heather Palmer and drawn by myself. Volume 1 was set in an isolated Highland town surrounded by creatures from the darkest corners of Scottish folklore. Now we’re moving the action to Glasgow where there’ll be murder, conspiracy and cults. If you’re a fan of Hellblazer check it out!

Your work has a very distinctive style, is there anything in particular which inspires your creative process?

I like to adapt how I draw to fit the tone of each story. Every time I make something I usually learn something from it that I can use for the next project. And the more I make the more I’m inspired to create new stuff.

Your stories tend to be very influenced by folklore, what is it that draws you to these types of tales?

I love monsters and mythology is full of them. Nothing fires up my brain more than great creature design.

What scares you the most? 

Opening up to people and exposing the horrible, blackened being that lives inside me. And yet here I am doing this interview.

What’s your favourite piece that you’ve submitted to Knock Knock?

The Adventures of Billy from the Nightmare Issue I was trying to emulate the style of Winsor McCay’s Dream of the Rarebit Fiend and it’s possibly the darkest thing I’ve written so far. Also Family Dinner, from the Gourmet Edition, which Heather wrote about an aristocratic cannibal family. It’s gross. So much so that I look at the art and think, “I can’t believe we did that.”

You can follow more of Allan’s twisted works and artistic process through Twitter and Instagram.

You can also grab issues of Grave Wax (and we highly recommend you do) on Etsy

Catch up on Later issues of Knock Knock in our archive!

Creator Spotlight: MICHELA CICCONI

Week 2 of our continuing creator spotlights, last week we spoke to Kevin T. Rogers, this week we are interviewing Italian artist Michela Cicconi. Michela has been contributing stories, comics and illustrations to our Knock Knock horror zines since issue 2 in 2016. We instantly fell in love with her dark humour and unique style.

What got you into creating art?


You know when you’re a kid, you draw a lot, especially before learning to write? I basically kept that up (I can read and write). There wasn’t a time in my life when I haven’t been drawing or
painting. Growing up, that proclivity towards drawing evolved as my interests changed, incorporating art and comics, but what remains is the will to create something with my hands.

Are there any creators who influence your work and how?


That has actually always been one of my weaknesses. I appreciate art in different styles and means of expressions, but there isn’t one specific artist that mainly influenced me. I look at different ones, from time to time, looking for inspiration. I love the works of Alphonse Mucha, just to give you a name. I find ideas in books and music, when I work, I often listen to the CDs of Caparezza (Italian musician) on repeat, that keeps me focused.

Do you have a favourite piece of horror media?


I love horror movies, especially those involving malefic presences, devils, anything related to demonic possession and Satan toying with humanity. I basically consume every piece of crap with a slight resemblance to Omen.
In comics, I love the work of Ted Naifeh, that combines a dark atmosphere with a beautifully crafted sense of wonder.
One of the books that really made an impression on me as a kid was Vinegar Street by Philip Ridley, a bit claustrophobic, apocalyptic and distressing. Just my type. Add years of reading Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, of course.


Do you have any projects coming up? 


I’m going to bring my art prints (mainly linocuts) and comics to an independent maker’s fair in a short while. I hope to be able to finish a new series of four prints inspired by an early project I made on fantastic places. I am currently exhibiting only in Italy but I would love to go overseas, maybe to fairs, when I get the chance!
Other than that I’m really only hoping to get out of allergy season with my sanity intact.

Is there anything specific to growing up in Italy that has inspired your work or the horror comics you have contributed to Knock Knock?


You might have noticed that I didn’t mention any Italian book or movie answering about my favourite piece of media. I love Italian comics but mostly comedic and adventure ones, and they really are great.
Growing up in Italy, you hear many stories, very often. They go from ancient history to modern narrative but there is always a common need for recording what happened, what has been told or even just imagined. Anecdotes are told, re-told and changed to please the audience, it isn’t really important that they fit the truth.
Considering the history of Italian theatre, the oral tradition of telling stories to amuse people around us isn’t that surprising. That also connects to the sense of lost grandeur, of the good old days, of an empire dissolved (you might relate to that). In short, we look at the past.
That directly influences me when I imagine a story, classic myths and fairy tales mix with the fun of imagining infinite what-ifs and my own fears. All the stories I’ve done for Knock Knock are based on
legends or real places. Italian fairy tales, with their repeated stereotypes, the woods, the devil (as in evil being trying to outsmart you) are also part of my set of references.

You have a penchant for print making, what is it you like about that medium?


First, my BA is in Graphic Arts, as printmaking, that is my background. Printmaking, of course, allows you to make several originals of your artwork, that allows for larger distribution. Also, I’m kind of obsessive, I love spending hours carving a tiny piece of wood or linoleum and the all process (almost magical) of inking up, printing and finding out if you created a masterpiece or wasted good paper. I seldom know in advance.


What scares you the most? 

I’m easily scared. I fainted when they tried to take a drop of blood to check glycemia, I see shadows moving when I’m alone, I’m scared of people’s judgement (and of my judgement of them), I’m scared of dying, of meaninglessness, and I really, really dislike wasps.
That being said, I love horror, I love reading and telling stories about all the above, I think it’s the same for most people.
(They really had to work hard to get that drop of blood; my veins are under my control).

What’s your favourite piece that you’ve submitted to Knock Knock?


I have to say it’s Il Corvo e la Strega (The Witch and the Crow) from summer issue 2018. It was fun to draw and fun to write, and, even if it’s not strictly horror (it suggests horrors to come), it’s the comic in which I was able to convey the mood I wanted.

You can see more of Michela’s work as well as her process on instagram: @MichelaCicconiGraffica

You can also check out her original Lino prints, labels and other beautiful artworks on her Etsy.

You can read our previous zines in our zine archive here.

Creator Spotlight: KEVIN T. ROGERS

With issue 12 of our horror zine series Knock Knock, we’re coming up to the 3rd year anniversary of creating horror zines. to celebrate we thought we’d do a weekly creators spotlight with some of our zine regulars. For our first week we thought it fitting to feature Kevin T. Rogers, the only contributor who has been in every issue of Knock Knock to the date of this article.
Kevin’s darkly humoured stories are always a pleasure to receive. His work strikes the balance of horror and humour perfectly and there is always a clever surprise at the end.
Kevin has recently had his screenplay Once Bitten adapted into a short film currently touring various film festivals around the world.

Below we have an interview with Kevin, exploring his writing habits and influences.

How did you first get into writing? 

 I was given a copy of Richmal Crompton’s Just William, for my fifth birthday & reading it was so fantastic, that I wanted to know how it was done! How did people actually write such enthralling and entertaining stuff? And I’ve been trying to find out ever since! 

Are there any creators who influence your work and how?

Too many to get anywhere near naming all of them – and from all sorts of different genres and fields. But sticking to Horror/Fantasy/ Sci-fi, I’d have to mention the specifically Gothic writers of the nineteenth century – from Mary Shelley (and Jane Austen’s satire, Northanger Abbey) through to the fin-de-siècle masterpieces by Stoker, Stevenson, Wilde. Plus of course the ‘three weird sisters’, the Brontes, with particular attention to Emily (novel & selected poems.) And a whole host of others of the period who were fellow travellers or dabblers – like Poe, Conan Doyle, H.G.Wells, Dickens, etc. 

In terms of 20th/21st Century work, I tend – though by no means exclusively – towards performance media – particularly screen. I’ll watch – and enjoy – almost anything from Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon serials of the 1930s, to all of the post-war ‘biggies’ – Carpenter, Cronenberg, Craven, Romero – and lots more in between.

      I suppose the influence of all of the above, manifests itself in my interest in what I guess are general things like structure, humour, characterisation – and overall great storytelling. Whether I’m a competent student of their example though, is another matter entirely!

Do you have a favourite piece of horror media?

Not really – just anything that I think is great in whatever form it takes.

Do you have any projects coming up? 

I’m always trying to work on something or other – some of which might see the light of day, most probably won’t. But practice is never wasted. I’m currently revising my comic/Fantasy e-book, Carol Starr & The Dump of Discarded Charactersand thinking about a possible follow-up.

You’re the writer of the award-winning short film ‘Once Bitten’, how different is it writing for film compared to short stories?

Well, for me, there is a certain amount of cross-over – most specifically, efficient three-act-structure, getting the characterisation right, and hopefully a story that  draws the audience in.Then with a finished script it’s over to the director – in the case of Once Bitten . . . , Pete Tomkies of Punk Duck who is brilliant! Pete also assembled a fantastic cast – Lauren Ashley Carter, Garth Maunders & Sir Dickie Benson, and an award-nominated-and-winning crew. So I was incredibly lucky with that script. With short stories, I suppose I work more as writer and director.

Which medium is your favourite? 

Whichever of my work that is liked and has any success!

What scares you the most? 

EVERYTHING – I’m the most phobic person you could ever meet! But especially politicians – they actually think they’re doing us a favour. In terms of horror fiction, though – I’ve been terrified both by film and the written word equally.

What’s your favourite story that you’ve submitted to Knock Knock? 

I have a certain soft spot for, A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE – because there’s a sort of extra, almost hidden, twist-in-the-tail that comes after the main one. The trick is in the switching from third-person to first in the very last line!

You can check out Kevin’s Ebook, Carol Starr and the Dump of Discarded Characters on Amazon UK. You can also read all of Kevin’s previous stories in our zine archive here.

Kevin can be contacted here: kevint.rogers@virginmedia.com

New Project: Blue Collars by Tom Smith and Clare Thompson

Blue Collars is the latest comic created in collaboration with C.P. Thompson press. It is an 8-10 issue sci-fi series set in an alternative future.

Blue Collars

The story is written by Frisson Comic’s Tom Smith and illustrated by the creator of Stormcaller Clare Thompson.

The entire comic will be created in Clare’s unique signature style of inks and watercolours.

You can check out the campaign for issue one on Kickstarter here!

Happy Birthday Frisson Comics!

Frisson Comics have been creating our unique brand of horror for 2 years now! To celebrate we’re offering 10% in our Etsy store until the end of the week as well doing spotlights on our creations!

To get 10% use the code: HAPPYBIRTHDAY

For our first spotlight we’re starting all the way from the beginning with our first book, Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.

The story was written by Tom after we had a harrowing few days after a trip to the beach, hearing dripping noises around our home. After searching for a leak we found live barnacles that we brought home from our trip not realising that they were still alive. In real life we saved the barnacles, the story however explores what would have happened if we hadn’t.

It’s quite a melancholy story overall with some very dark humour, exploring our responsibility to the world around us. It was a story greatly influenced by the work of Junji Ito and Cronenberg.

You can find issues on our Etsy at the moment, if you choose to grab a copy you’ll also get a free poster and 10% off with the code: HAPPYBIRTHDAY

Knock Knock Occult Classics is here!

Occult Classics
Knock Knock Issue 8

 

Our 8th issue of Knock Knock has arrived! We’re so proud of this edition, it’s a whopping 64 pages of high quality horror content from extremely talented contributors from all over the world! You can grab a copy on our Etsy store or you can subscribe to our Patreon to receive issues as they come out!

As usual, our last issue, Tech Noir is now up to read for free in our zine archive!

Tech Noir Edition

 

Subscribe to our zine on Patreon!

 

Summer of Love 2017
Summer of Love 2017

Frisson Comics are now on Patreon! You can subscribe here to receive our Horror Zine every 3 months, support our creations and receive regular  Patreon exclusive updates!

Knock Knock issue 6

Physical zine subscriptions start from as little as $2 a month plus extras! As always even without subscribing on Patreon we will continue to post our previous issues for free here

Thank you everyone for showing us your ongoing support!

Knock Knock – Creature Feature

 

Knock Knock issue 6

 

Knock Knock Issue 6, our Creature Feature has officially been released, and it is our biggest zine yet! We were really lucky to get so many beautiful, creepy high quality submissions this time around. We are very proud of this volume!  It’s coming soon to our Etsy store!

The cover by Katie is inspired by 70’s horror poster and Art Nouveau.

Details coming soon on our next zine callout, you can now read our 5th Issue, our Summer of Love edition for free here,  as well as our previous issues.

Knock Knock – Creature Feature

We’re taking submissions for our next edition of Knock Knock – Creature Feature! We’re looking for illustration, comics, art, poetry and stories for our next edition. Submission deadline is 13th November and all submissions should be sent to Frissoncomics@gmail.com