BOOM! Studios: TAKE 10! is an interview series asking writers and artists about their new series or graphic novels.
Rising star writer Gus Moreno, whose debut novel This Thing Between Us was awarded a “Best Book of 2021” recognition by NPR, joins forces with visionary artist Jakub Rebelka (Cyberpunk) for a mesmerizing descent into Hell in WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEE.
Father Barrera is a disgraced priest, haunted by his part in the tragic death of an innocent child. As penance, he is exiled to the remote South American town of Puerto Cristina to apprentice under the enigmatic Father Stygian, the preeminent, if not controversial, exorcist. It is a joyless assignment.
Exorcists are normally trained in the Vatican, but Stygian has his own way of handling demons…methods that predate even the Church. And unfortunately for Barrera, Stygian’s last apprentice committed suicide not too long ago.
As Barrera seeks to unlock the mysteries of Stygian’s strange practices, he finds himself amidst an island rife with the forces of evil…
What do these constant streams of possessions mean? And how are they connected to a comatose hospital patient, one who’s been in that condition for half a century without aging a single day…
1. What was the most challenging aspect of working on this series?
Gus Moreno: When I’m writing prose, I visualize the story like a movie. But when it came to working on the comic, I was really worried that I wasn’t being visual enough. I wasn’t sure how to direct Jakub in how I saw a panel playing out, how I wanted it to look, if I even knew myself how I wanted it to look. That all changed when I saw Jakub’s initial sketches. It’s like when a sports team signs or drafts a star player to compliment the one already on their team. Everything just became so easy for me, knowing Jakub was going to bring such a unique look and feel to the story. My job became honing the story to its most essential parts, and then getting out of the way to let Jakub do his thing.
2. Could you explain the title?
GM: When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee is a title that plays on the theme of revenge, which plays out in the series in different ways. We have two priests at the center of our story who are keeping secrets from each other, who are psychologically assaulted by these secrets as they investigate an exorcism on a small Chilean island. There’s also a mysterious presence on their tail, which seems to be seeking out a different vengeance of its own. And there’s the vengeance of the priests themselves, Father Manuel Barrera and Father Merrick Stygian, who will do whatever it takes to protect the island from the forces chasing them. Because if they can’t protect the island, you can be damned well sure they’ll avenge it.
3. What is the elevator pitch for the series?
GM: After a botched baptism, a disgraced priest is forced to apprentice under an ailing exorcist, who practices a form of exorcism that’s older than the church itself.
4. What does your writing and drawing space look like?
GM: There’s lots of shelves with books on every wall. A standing desk. Paintings, flags, fan art on the walls. And a few Lego sets lying around too.
5. What was your biggest inspiration for When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee?
GM: So many things inspired me. I wanted to write a police procedural, a whodunnit, and a supernatural thriller all into one story. Here are my biggest inspirations: Training Day, Se7en, Mission Impossible, True Detective, When Evil Lurks, Pulp Fiction, EVIL, and The Exorcist (television series)
6. What are you reading now and what’s on your pull list?
GM: Right now I’m reading The Material by Camille Bordas, and my brother just let me borrow the first three volumes of BRZRKR. I don’t have a pull list, but if I did, Ice Cream Man by W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo would be on it.
7. Describe your ideal way to sit down and read a comic or graphic novel.
GM: In the morning, on the sofa, with a cup of coffee, and my dog in my lap.
8. What is your favorite writing/drawing snack or drink?
GM: Black coffee, or water. It’s never once occurred to me to snack while I write until this very moment.
9. Who would you cast in your dream movie or TV adaptation of the series?
GM: Delroy Lindo and Tenoch Huerta.
10. What piece of advice would you give to the main characters? What about the villains?
GM: To the main character: Forgive yourself. To the villain: Leave us alone.
WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEE #1 will be available on January 1, 2025 at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.
