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FCBD18 Interview: Arcana Founder Explains How their FCBD Title Fits into the Lovecraft Universe

Arcana’s popular Howard Lovecraft universe stretches across comic books and films. With the third installment of the film trilogy set to come out later this year, this Free Comic Book Day title is perfectly positioned to frame the final film ahead of its release.

Howard Lovecraft’s Big Book of Summer Fun tells a story that leads up to the events which take place in the Kingdom of Madness movie. Additionally, as it promises “summer fun,” the book is packed with games, puzzles, contests, augmented reality, and animation tips from the pros!

Read our interview below with Arcana Studios founder, Sean Patrick O’Reilly, to learn more about what to expect in pages of Howard Lovecraft’s Big Book of Summer Fun, and what Sean is looking forward to on Free Comic Book Day! Then, click here to read through our PREVIEWS Prevue of the comic! 


 

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD): For those who might be new to your comic book, give us a quick rundown of the story! Free Comic Book Day, FCBD, Arcana Studios, Howard Lovecraft's Big Book of Summer Fun

Howard Lovecraft’s Big Book of Summer Fun is the newest installment to our popular Howard Lovecraft series set in the historical-fictional world of a young H.P. Lovecraft. For the Lovecraft fans, every date, character and setting is right from the horrific mind of H.P. Lovecraft. The books and animated movies fleshed out his story world, showing the reader that things are not always as they first read. Arcana’s Free Comic Book Day title for 2018 features a story that leads up to the events before the final installment of the cinematic trilogy, the Kingdom of Madness.

FCBD: What genre is your title?

Howard Lovecraft’s Big Book of Summer Fun is a fantasy and adventure story dealing with magic, mystery, and the hero’s journey. It’s historical-fiction, fantasy and, of course, horror.

FCBD: What has been your favorite part of the book or main character(s) to tackle?

A young H.P. Lovecraft might be the most exciting part for me as I’ve learned so much about H.P. Lovecraft especially during his formative years and what pushed him to be the writer he became. Spot is fantastic as well because, to me, he’s the Iron Giant. In our story the Sleeper of R’lyeh is exactly that, ‘sleeping’. Cthulhu has yet to manifest into the Destroyer of Worlds, but slumbering deep inside the body of Spot is Cthulhu. Spot is loyal, friendly and eager to learn about the world with Howard, but the monster inside is always present. The first two movies included Dagon, King Abdul, Dr. West, Azathoth, Nyarlathotep, Dr. Henry Armitage, Shoggoths, nightgaunts and even Howard’s actual family members Winfield, Sarah and Mary Lovecraft. In the Kingdom of Madness we see a lot more of Miskatonic University while introducing four more professors, Obed Marsh and a few more that are big surprises for now.

FCBD: What other titles would you compare to yours? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title?”

Obviously if you’re a fan of H.P. Lovecraft then you’ll enjoy Howard Lovecraft’s Big Book of Summer Fun.  If a reader likes all things strange with a dosage of paranormal horror, or even the philosophy of cosmicism, then pick up a copy.

FCBD: Looking to the future, is there anything you can tease about what's upcoming for the title and its characters?

They’re all going to the silver screen!  We released our last Howard Lovecraft animated feature on Dec 5, 2017, and are currently in production of the final installment of the cinematic trilogy, Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness. The trilogy has the voices of Mark Hamill, Ron Perlman, Jane Curtin, Kiefer O’Reilly, Doug Bradley, Jeffrey Combs, Allison Wandzura, Tyler Nicol, Scott McNeil, Ashleigh Ball and Jeffrey Combs.

FCBD: What is your favorite thing about working in comics?

My love of comics came at a very early age through the pop-culture of my youth like The Muppets, Transformers and X-Men. To be able to publish comics is fantastic and my favorite part are definitely the characters and the world-building. Every time I love a TV series, a movie or a comic book, it is almost universally because of a key character or characters that I love. I still consume all types of media and that has undoubtedly shaped who I am today and is the reason I love working in comics.

FCBD: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

I remember going to Haney Books and the Husky gas station buying Marvel’s Transformers and Secret Wars. Both were so much fun and were a big part of my childhood, and my ‘coming of age’ series was X-Men’s Mutant Massacre. I had never read anything quite like it and it really hit the mark.

FCBD: Tell us why everyone should read comic books!

Comics is a unique medium where writers and artists can truly ‘do anything’ they want. There’s a lot more freedom compared to movies and TV through the visuals have no budget constraints, the ‘actors’ aren’t real and there’s less creating by committee where you need approvals (well, depending on the publisher). As a reader it’s unique as you follow key visuals but from panel to panel, it’s your mind’s eye that fills in the events similar to a novel. It really is a unique medium where fantastic stories and images can take place!

FCBD: What is your favorite part about Free Comic Book Day? What do you think is the best part of Free Comic Book Day?

Hmm…let me think…how about FREE COMICS? I mean, amazing! It truly is remarkable that this idea was pitch and has sustained for over a decade.

FCBD: Where do you plan to spend Free Comic Book Day?

Metropolis Comics in Burnaby, BC, Canada!

 

 

Find a comic shop near you to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2018!

 

 

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