'Black Metal' Graphic Novel Creators Interviewed

The Washington Post's Express recently spoke to the creators of "Black Metal", a new graphic novel from author Rick Spears and artist Chuck BB. "Black Metal", published by Oni Press, is filled with funny sight gags and clever tributes to the music genre that inspired the comic, all told in the sort of epic, myth-filled storytelling style has inspired so much of the music. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Express: How much of the book is a paean to black metal and how much of it is a parody?

BB: Personally, I think the entire book is a love letter to not just black metal but to all metal music and the metal subculture. I really believe that you can love the beast but still admit there are things that would make one chortle. Often people cite the corpse-paint makeup used in black metal as something silly, but honestly I love it. It is so graphic and iconic. I think the things that people tend to laugh at are just things that are so overtly in their face that they may not be able to handle it.
Spears: It's all love really. I never wanted to make fun of black metal. I mean, the book is 160 pages and that's just too long and too much work to just clown on something. At that length you really have to love what you're doing and love the characters and story or you won't make it. At the same time you can't take things — especially yourself — too seriously or you just come off like an ass. Most of the great reviews we're getting are all pointing out our sincerity and I think that's part of what people are responding to.

Express: Was the FROST AXE name, logo and concept record inspired by any one black metal band, or is it just based on the look and themes of the scene in general? And aren't black and death metal logos the best? The more illegible the better.

Spears: Chuck can answer this one better as he did the logo, but I will say originally the band was called WINTER BLADE but then we switched it up to FROST AXE — it's just a bit more frostbitten!

BB: FROST AXE was heavily inspired by IMMORTAL. I know Rick took a strong liking to them. They constantly reference both frost and the use of weapons, and they have a super strong image. Black and death [metal] logos just might be the best "things" of all time. I continually have a tendency to draw things centered and symmetrical, which is generally something most artists will try to avoid, but I have a feeling that this tendency comes from my love for the logo art, which are always so precise. It's also worth noting that the logos, while illegible, really are successful at identifying the band because they become an instant indication of what the band will sound like. It's like a company icon represents the company's identity. But I guess it can be hard when trying to ask the record store hipsters what this band's name is.

Express: The comic is brimming with references for hard-core black- and extreme-metal fans. In the record store are posters for ULVER, NACHTMYSTIUM, ARCTURUS, GORGOROTH. The address for Necro-nation Records is 1349 La Brea. In the Necro-nation offices is a poster of KHANATE; dude is wearing XASTHUR T-shirt. Becca tells Shawn he's "…so 'Black Wizards'" after the EMPEROR song. You throw out other metal references, too — kids at Ronald Reagan Junior High School are seen wearing MASTODON, ZOMBI and PIG DESTROYER T-shirts and an ISIS hat. Did I miss any and how much did you guys discuss adding these details?

Spears: Yeah, Chuck threw in all kinds of stuff in the art like when [Hell Baron] the Roth gets his head cut off and the blood spins out in 666. In fact, 666 is all over the place. Also, at the end FROST AXE is covering BATHORY's "For All Those Who Died". It's said in a piece of dialog that has a double meaning. We did that sort of stuff a lot because it's fun to do and it gives true fans of black metal a bit more out of it. Also, black metal lyrics are just bad ass, so I would comb through them looking for things to snag.

BB: Well, like I said, I'm a huge fan, and I was most likely listening to those bands while drawing the pages. I think it was always the plan to have as much metal in the book as possible, maybe just to give us some instant street cred. But I love 'em all. By the way, good eye on the NACHTMYSTIUM: I don't think the whole logo is even visible there.

Express: Did you worry that black metal is too underground for the jokes about it to translate to non-fans?

Spears: No, I wrote it so anyone can understand it. A deep knowledge of black metal is not required. However, if you are into the scene you will definitely get another level of enjoyment out of it.

BB: Things like this crossed my mind, of course, but you can't really screech and growl in a book, which is generally the thing that scares non-metal fans away — so I think we're safe. Everyone should love metal, at least a little.

Read the entire interview at this location.