Broken Frontier

The first issue of Zenescope Entertainment’s The Piper miniseries debuted recently, another entry in their canon of macabre takes on traditional folklore. Writer Mike Kalvoda (Se7en, Final Destination) stopped by at the Frontier to give us the full details on this latest Grimm Fairy Tale...

Spinning out of Zenescope’s popular Grimm Fairy Tales line, The Piper takes the tale of "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" to the next level. It follows the tale of a talented, but bullied high school student, who resurrects a familiar 700-year-old figure to exact revenge on those who have tormented him. But then, as series writer Mike Kalvoda puts it, "things get a little ‘outta hand’..."

The series’ protagonist Sean is, as Kalvoda, explains, "a good guy: misunderstood, gifted. And harassed into a corner. At some time in life, no doubt we've all had to endure a bully -- some ball of rage who desperately resists knowing us as it conflicts with an unexplained desire to hate us. Beaten down, Sean craves payback. But when he sees first hand what revenge truly is, he can't call it off..."

Also appearing, and tying The Piper to its thematic parent book, is Belinda, "the seductive librarian who introduces Sean to the fateful Book of the Lost. She's a dark thread to Zenescope's signature Grimm Fairy Tales series (of which The Piper is the second spin-off; Raven Gregory's ingenious Return to Wonderland is the first)."

The Piper was created by Zenescope founders and Grimm Fairy Tales writers Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco who Kalvoda describes as "smart, savvy guys with excellent taste and sharp instincts -- they wanted to engineer a new franchise horror character." On the intracacies of writing and fleshing out their concept he observes "as a genre piece, foremost, you "deliver the goods". But for staying power, you subtly build the reader's trust by exceeding expectation. Atypical narrative jolts. A timely, subtly-woven-in theme. Relatable characters. Diffusing humor axed in favour of sustained tension. Fresh mythology. Style, style, style. And an ending you just don't see coming."

The book’s journey from inception to writing was a speedy one. "This came together FAST. From raw concept to a first draft script of the series -- all four books -- we're talking five, five-and-a-half weeks. [Ralph Tedesco and Joe Brusha] know my go-to-man ethic: push the bar, serve the project, write fast."

Interior pencils are provided by Alex Medellin Machain (Platinum Studios' Incursion) and colors by Nei Ruffino (Return to Wonderland). Enthusing about Ruffino’s work Kalvoda points to the last two books on his Final Destination: Spring Break trade paperback -"She textures a special effect blur (helicopter blade slicing through the ceiling of a hotel room) that remains my all-time favourite panel. I remind her every time we are in touch. Sort of a writer-artist thing, you know?"

Outside of The Piper Mike Kalvoda is also working on a project that he describes as "A biggie. We're in late development with Intellectual Properties Worldwide and the cutting-edge producing team of Marc Marcum and J. Todd Harris on the watershed remake of a cool '70s horror film." He continues "I'm a tough critic but a giddy fan, and let me tell you: I am soooo stoked about this project (you'll excuse me if I step on your toe to score the first ticket). Watch the trades for a major announcement -- soon!"

Those wanting to see more of Kalvoda’s comics work should check out the Se7en prequel hardcover: "My contributions: "Sloth", "Wrath" and -- maybe my favorite writing assignment so far in graphic novels -- John Doe's notebook narrative. It's trippy!"

In conclusion Kalvoda urges readers to give the book a look explaining that "The Piper has really gotten under my skin -- and I wrote it! Manipulated nature turning on man, music equated with death, the Piper's beautiful but murderous verse: it's an intoxicating, visual read."

The Piper #1 (of 4) is out now in comic shops from Zenescope priced $2.99 or available to order online at http://www.zenescope.com/.