The talented team at Oni Press has revived EC Comics after nearly seven decades with the debut issue of Epitaphs from the Abyssand they continue to breathe new life into the iconic EC Comics name with the recent release of Cruel Universe #1, the first issue of a new cosmic horror series featuring “The Champion” by Matt Kindt & Kano, “Solo Shift” by Corinna Bechko & Caitlin Yarsky, “Drink Up!” by Chris Condon & Jonathan Case, and “Priceless” by Ben H. Winters & Artyom Topilin.
To celebrate the release of Cruel Universe #1, Daily Dead recently caught up with author Corinna Bechko to talk about her story “Solo Shift,” including collaborating with artist Caitlin Yarsky to bring the story’s claustrophobic horrors to life, working with Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn, and her excitement for her new graphic novel. The space in betweenwhich she created together with the artist Danny Luckert.
Below you can read our full Q&A with Corinna. Also read our previous Q&As with Ben H. Winters And J. Holthamand in case you missed it, We have exclusively revealed the covers and creative teams for Epitaphs from the Abyss #5 and Cruel Universe #4!
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Corinna, and congratulations on your story in Cruel Universe #1, the new cosmic sci-fi horror series from Oni Press’ exciting resurrection of EC Comics. How did the opportunity to work on this historic first issue of Cruel Universe did that happen?
Corinna Bechko: Thank you! My EC Comics editor Sierra Hahn worked with me on my new OGN The space in between in the early stages, so she knew of my great love of horror and science fiction. She is absolutely outstanding at her job (and as a person), so I jumped at the chance to work with her again on such an epic rebirth.
What can you tell us about your Cruel Universe story “Solo Shift” and what was it like seeing your prose paired with the amazing illustrations by Caitlin Yarsky?
Corinna Bechko: It’s a wicked tale that combines the mystery of a locked room with the tendency to make the same mistakes over and over again. After all, you can’t escape yourself no matter how far you travel, even in space. Thankfully, Caitlin understands this and concocts a heaping helping of claustrophobic dread that ratchets up the tension in every scene. In short pieces like this, it’s important to get the most out of every panel, and she does just that masterfully.
Were you a fan of EC Comics before you Cruel Universe? Do you have any special memories of reading EC Comics?
Corinna Bechko: I was! I always admired how many twists and turns these short stories could construct in just a few pages. Not to mention the audacity of so many of them! My fondest memory is reading a dusty reprint in St. Mark’s Comics a long, long time ago, when the store was still on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Somehow it was the perfect setting.
Do you have any ideas for future EC Comics stories that you would like to tell if given the chance?
Corinna Bechko: I definitely do! I love both the format and the genre. I would write stories like this even if no one read them.
With the first issue of Cruel Universe are out now, what other projects do you have in the pipeline that you can give our readers a taste of?
Corinna Bechko: I’m really excited to see how people see my new OGN The space in betweencreated with artist Danny Luckert. It’s a science fiction story set on a generation ship where each generation experiences a new revolution and romance. It was a true labor of love to create and I hope people will check it out. Especially if you’ve ever wondered about the survivability of cats, chickens or geckos in space.
Thank you for your time, Corinna!
Corinna Bechko: Thank you and thanks for reading!
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From the press release: “CRUEL UNIVERSE #1 follows in the blood-stained footsteps of EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 and welcomes cosmic annihilation on August 7 with four bizarre tales of time and space, packed with strange alien beings, evil scientists, and terrifying technological disasters: “THE CHAMPION” by Matt Kindt & Kano, “SOLO SHIFT” by Corinna Bechko & Caitlin Yarsky, “DRINK UP!” by Chris Condon & Jonathan Case, “PRICELESS” by Ben H. Winters & Artyom Topilin”
Cover by Greg Smallwood
Cover by JH Williams III:
