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The Sisterhood, the Interviews

posted by Matt Knicl at 4:42 pm.

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Sister Act 3: This Time The Act Is For Real

Archaia Studios Press continues to release diverse titles. A recent series, The Sisterhood, focuses on an order of nuns whose job is to protect mankind by trapping demons in their body. Written by Christopher Golden (Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire) and Thomas Sniegoski (Owlboy), this is an action-packed mystery story filled with Christian mythology.

I spoke with both authors about the series.

Matt Knicl: Where did you get the idea for Sisterhood?

Christopher Golden: We were having a conversation one day about reinventing old tropes in horror fiction. I’ve tried to do that in other works of mine–with vampires in The Shadow Saga and with werewolves in Prowlers–and Tom and I got talking about how to do a new spin on an exorcist story. From there it built up into this globe-trotting mystery/horror/action story…and now we’re producers on the “in development” film version. Hopefully it will get made.
Thomas Sniegoski: It was actually an independent publisher looking for comic book ideas based on established concepts that they wouldn’t have to pay for that got us working on the idea. I think the publisher might have said something along the lines of . . .”Give me something kind of like the Exorcist . . .” that got our wheels turning.

Matt: What is the writing process like working with another person?

Christopher: It’s effortless now. We’ve been working together on various projects for at least a decade at this point. We bat things back and forth all the time. It’s a lot like tennis, actually, only funnier (and more disgusting).
Thomas: It’s kind of like a pajama party. I go over to Chris’, we work for a while, have some snacks, talk about boys, and before you know it, we have a script. Ah, yes, the creative process.

Matt: What is your favorite part about this series?

Christopher: For me, it’s the basic concept of this particular story. Once you get to the point where you understand the core secret, it’s just so freakin’ cool.
Thomas: I’m gonna have to agree with Chris. We came up with a really swell idea on this one. The idea of exorcists using their bodies as cages for the demons that they exorcise is really freakin cool.

Matt: Why did you choose Archaia Press?

Christopher: We’d both spoken briefly with Mark Smylie at conventions. They’d been doing beautiful books, and had gotten some great distribution with MOUSE GUARD. Their whole approach of slow growth, boutique packaging, and quality materials appealed to us, but once we met Mark and spoke to him, we knew we could work with Archaia. Then, totally after the fact, Mark hired Joe Illidge as an editor. Tom and I had worked with Joe when he was at DC and the three of us had really gotten along back then, so we were thrilled. It’s been great working with him again.
Thomas: One they produce really amazing and classy looking comics, and two, Joe Illidge. That’s good enough for me.

Matt: Are there any messages about religion here, or is this an escapist book not meant to be taken seriously?

Christopher: Anyone who’s read novels by Tom or me knows there are usually some bits of our philosophies in there. But for the most part, THE SISTERHOOD is just about unraveling the secret, a cool reinvention of exorcist lore, and ass-kicking nuns. That said, we take our ass-kicking nuns VERY seriously.
Thomas: Purely escapist fiction . . . though I was raised a very strict Catholic, you tell me.

Matt: Is this something you plan on continuing later on?

Christopher: We’d certainly like to, but that depends entirely on sales. If the movie gets made (which is looking very promising, as there’s already a director attached), that’s a factor as well.
Thomas: I’d love to do more, it just depends on whether or not the fans and the publisher are interested. Fingers crossed.

Matt: You have worked together before on other projects, like The Menagerie novels [listed as Crashing Paradise in link]. Are there plans for a fifth? When could we expect to see it if there are?

Christopher: As of this writing, the publisher has still not determined whether they want to continue with the series. Tom and I intended to write a fifth (and final) book in the series, and we still hope that will happen. Time will tell.
Thomas: Y’know, I’ve lost sleep about this. I don’t know what I’ll do if I we don’t get the chance to write the fifth book. I just keep imagining what it would be like to be a fan of this series, and not have the story be finished. Gives me the chills just thinking about it.

Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.