If you like your stories dark, you’re really going to enjoy The Killing Hole from writer Steve Niles and artist Trevor Dunham and published by Storm King Comics.
As previously detailed in our preview, “The Killing Hole, conceived by Niles 30-some years ago, is about the story of two small town high school outcasts who develop a friendship with one another, one that leads to dark consequences.”
Steve Niles was kind enough to answer some questions about The Killing Hole, which you can read below before the book arrives in stores July 10.
Andy Burns: Steve, congratulations on The Killing Hole. I read it in one sitting and was engrossed the whole time. It reads very personal. Can you give me some background on how the story was created? Was it initially prose?
Steve Niles: Thank you so much! Yes, it was originally written as a short prose story. I wrote it back around 1990. It’s very personal as it’s based on my teenage years with, of course, a TON of exaggeration and a great deal of outright fiction.
Andy Burns: You’re so well-known for your horror writing, and The Killing Hole is certainly horrific, but it’s a grounded horror rather than supernatural. Did you ever consider going the supernatural route at all when you were writing?
Steve Niles: I thought about it, and almost made it a horror story but changed my mind as I was writing. I think keeping it based in reality and human makes the horror all the more terrible when it comes to The Killing Hole.
Andy Burns: How did The Killing Hole wind up at Storm King Comics, and why were they a good fit?
Steve Niles: I was hanging at ComicCon in 2022 at the Storm King booth signing comics, and Sandy told me they were starting a Dark & Twisted line. This line being more based on reality, not supernatural horror, it was a happy coincidence. I had just unearthed my story about a month before, so it was on my mind. I told her about it, and she wanted to read it. So I sent the script to Sandy and Sean and they got back pretty fast saying they liked it. The Killing Hole fits perfectly.
Andy Burns: Trevor Dunham’s art is very evocative and fits the story very well. How did he come on board?
Steve Niles: He was a Storm King find. Sandy showed me his art and I immediately said YES! He was and is perfect for the story. He really captured the time period which isn’t easy. His ability to hand-draw textures and also create surreal moments as well as emotional confrontations/moments adds to the story on so many levels.
Andy Burns: When you’re writing a comic book script, how do you find the balance between making sure the story is what you envision and letting an artist be who they are? Is it a balancing act at all?
Steve: I always look at my scripts as fifty percent of the job. I not only like but encourage artists to do their thing, bring what they have to the table. I think you get better comics that way.
Andy Burns: The boys have their safe space in The Killing Hole. Growing up, what/where was yours?
Steve Niles: Mine was my room at home. I had my movie posters on the walls. I had my stereo and TV and of course, I had my comics. That was my safe space.
Andy Burns: Finally, you’ve written so many great comics over the years. How do you feel when you see a finished one? Is there satisfaction? Any loss that a story has come to a close?
Steve Niles: It’s difficult for me and it depends on the comic. I have a hard time reading my comics once they’re published, mainly because I always think I could do better.
Thanks to Steve Niles for his time and John Singh from Storm King Comics for making it happen. The Killing Floor is out July 10.
