Tag Archives: horror fiction

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.

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 Tech Noir

Tech Noir Edition

 

Knock Knock Issue 7 is finally here! Coming to a con near you.. (or you can read the PDF immediately if you become a Patron here)


Because our latest edition of Knock Knock is now available, you can catch up on our last edition for free in our zine archive! 

Knock Knock issue 6

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

Physical Copies Now Being Printed!

cover2.jpg

After being away for a while, and after a successful, but stressful Kickstarter campaign we are delighted to announce that we have sent off Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints for publishing (complete with ISBN)! We have been estimated 5-6 working days before we get the physical copies returned to us. Then it is just a matter of completing the sketches for the people who ordered the premium bundle before we can finally get them out to people. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Still Available!

We still have 13 out of 20 of our premium packages for those backing £20 or more to our Kickstarter campaign. The package includes a PDF copy of the finished graphic novel, a high quality printed physical copy and best of all; a custom A5 sketch by Katie, just for you and of absolutely anything you would like! Katie is especially good at character, animal and creature art and below are some examples of her work to give those who have already backed, and those perhaps thinking of it, a flavour of what they can expect.

 

For more of Katie’s artwork visit her blog!

32% Funded!

 

What a pleasure it was for us to wake up this morning to find that our Kickstarter was already 32% percent funded with most of the backers opting for the highest tier of funding to get the PDF version of the finished copy, a high quality printed physical copy AND a custom A5 Illustration by Frisson Comics’ very own Katie Whittle. Thanks to anyone and everyone who backed us we love you all!

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