BOOM! Studios: TAKE 10! is an interview series asking writers and artists about their new series or graphic novels.
RED BEFORE BLACK is a violent, hyper kinetic, women-led Florida crime thriller in the tradition of 2000s-era Vertigo from Grim’s superstar writer Stephanie Phillips, the acclaimed and beloved artist Goran Sudžuka (Hellblazer, Y: The Last Man), colorist Ive Svorcina (Thor: God of Thunder, Secret Wars), and letterer Tom Napolitano (Grim, Justice League). Coming to BOOM! Studios in August 2024.
A disgraced army veteran, Val, arrives in everyone’s favorite state: Florida. Her goal? Hunt down an infamous drug runner named Leo. But soon she finds that the pair have an unexpected enemy in common, turning the time-honored game of cat and mouse into something far more sinister!
1. What was the most challenging aspect of working on this series?
Stephanie Phillips: I think the personal elements of the story were pretty challenging. A lot of my writing is cosmic, superheroes, larger than life… all ways to divorce from reality (that’s why we love this stuff, right?). But this project is a lot more personal, and while there are parts of me in every book, this one might be the one that hits closest to home. Literally. I’m writing about where I grew up. I’m writing about PTSD. About making mistakes and what that guilt does to people. Oh, but it’s also funny. I promise.
2. Could you explain the title?
SP: Red Before Black refers to a poem about types of snakes. Two snakes look very similar here in Florida, but one – the coral snake – is deadly. The poem is “red before black, okay Jack. Red before yellow, kills a fellow.” It refers to the markings on the snake to help identify them in the wild.
3. What is the elevator pitch for the series?
SP: When Val tries to kill Leo and secure her place in a drug organization in Florida, the two women end up stuck together to face their common enemies and their pasts. The book is a crime story that uses Florida both as a setting and a character… and all of these characters are hiding something.
4. What does your writing and drawing space look like?
SP: Wherever I happen to be in the moment. It’s fluid. But always best if there’s a cat.
5. What was your biggest inspiration for Red Before Black?
SP: Florida itself is an inspiration. I wanted to put my experience with the state into the book in a way I don’t think I’ve seen done before. There’s also plenty of inspiration from movies like Blood Simple, Bottle Rocket, and Thelma & Louise.
6. What are you reading now and what’s on your pull list?
SP: I’m rereading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. I’m not usually much of a re-reader, but I really love that book. And, admittedly, when it comes to what kind of stories I consume, I gravitate towards novels and movies. Lisa Frankenstein is a gem, by the way. I just watched it last week and need to watch it again immediately.
7. Describe your ideal way to sit down and read a comic or graphic novel.
SP: Alone.
8. What is your favorite writing/drawing snack or drink?
SP: The blood of my enemies. And also water.
9. Who would you cast in your dream movie or TV adaptation of the series?
SP: The most famous people we can find. What’s Taylor Swift up to? Probably nothing. Let’s get her. And also Air Bud. The dog. He is still alive because he is immortal and he will star alongside Taylor Swift. The show would be a hit. Nothing like the book… but a hit.
10. What piece of advice would you give to the main characters? What about the villains?
SP: This implies that we could easily identify a villain in the book, and I’m not sure that’s the case. So, maybe my advice to all the characters would be to figure out if other people see you as the villain.
RED BEFORE BLACK #1 is available now at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.
