Launched this week on Kickstarter, Seron is a Sci-Fi Noir comic series, set over six issues, and the campaign for the introductory Issue #0 is gathering steam. We had a quick chat with creator Christopher Fenn about the project…
Seron, written by Christopher Fenn, with art and colour by Jay Rollins, lettered by Rob Jones, follows the story of Jezebel, an undercover investigator working for the Kolob, the Police. Her job – get close to suspects that pose a real risk of disrupting the status quo, a role that supposedly serves the utopian equilibrium of Seron.
Those that are found guilty are sent to Calvary, a prison city trapped inside the vortex of a perpetual sandstorm. Those that live in Calvary can choose to work for the benefit of Seron, and one day ascend. Others, however, have chosen to forsake the floating city, as they themselves have been forsaken. These descenders live in Calvary under their own rule…
Issue #0 follows Jezebel’s first infiltration assignment – that of Stephen Grysley, also known as Big Ste.
Story Edited by Kerryanne Brown, Script Edited by Claire Napier, with Logo and Font design by Paul Burley, this special introductory issue offers a vertical slice of what is to be expected in the six issue mini-series: action, intrigue, espionage and deceit.
“Stylistic and thematic inspiration behind Seron has come from many places over many years, including Batman Beyond, Blade Runner and Alien,” says Chris. “The foremost concern when writing Seron has been: ‘I want to write something that I want to read’, and I am proud to say that Issue #0 lives up to that aspiration.”
Issue #0, the lead-in to the series, features an eight page original story, which acts as a direct prologue to the main mini-series. You also get two pin-up pages, eight pieces of concept art, all done by the highly talented Jay Rollins.
You also get to meet the highly talented creators behind Seron, and read the first ever review of Seron Issue #0, written by Cody from Keeping It Geekly.
“Seron started as an idea I had in 2014, and since then I have written over 51,000 words of script, which will ultimately make 140 pages of comic,” Chris reveals. “I am so excited to have seen Issue #0 come to life, and would love to make the whole story of Seron a reality.”
• Back Seron #0 here on Kickstarter
Creating Seron: Christopher Fenn
downthetubes: How did the project come about?
Christopher: Seron actually began as a self-imposed writing challenge. After reading the “Requiem” issue of Batman and Robin (#18, by Tomasi and Gleason), I wanted to see if I could write a silent issue.
The silent sequence I wrote was, initially, a raid on a house in the snow. After discussing with a friend that a snow scene may be cliche, I decided to change the snow to sand. This got me thinking how would you make it always be a sandstorm, and the idea of a floating city kicking up sand by keeping itself afloat was born.
After this idea, I began fleshing out documents and ideas to help world build. What would the floating city be like? What would the city beneath be like? How would their societies and cuties differ, or interact?
I pitched the world I created to a few friends, with the intention of it becoming an anthology; several isolated stories within the same setting. Unfortunately, the anthology didn’t progress, but after speaking to the other writers, and receiving their blessing, I expanded my section of the anthology to create the full script for Issue One.
After completing the first script, I went on to write six full 22 page scripts. Once these had been sent for editing, I developed what would be the, shorter, Issue 0 script.
Issue 0 was written to serve as an introduction to Seron. It written to act as a proof of concept, or vertical slice, of what the miniseries would be. The reduced size of Issue 0 also made it cheaper to produce, allowing me to have a completed comic, in both digital and physical format, to help crowdfund to begin the miniseries.
How did the team come together?
Kerryanne is my partner, but is also a writer and poet. When I would finish scripts, she would read them for me, with a specific view of making sure the story made sense, and all the characters had their own authentic voices.
We actually had a unique way of story editing, as she wanted an authentic experience a user would have. Any direction or comments in the script about something being important for future issues, she would ask for those to be removed – so she had no ‘spoilers’ and could read what was happening in real time.
Claire Napier was someone I found via X. I already had Kerryanne editing the story, but I wanted someone who had comic experience to make sure everything ‘fit’. Having never created a comic, I wanted someone to make sure I hadn’t out too much text on a panel, or page, and Claire was excellent at identifying when the script was going to be difficult for Jay to interpret – like a panel having two actions within the same picture.
It actually took me a long time to find an artist for the project. I believe I first contacted Jay Rollins after finding his art on social media and immediately loving his art style. We corresponded for a bit, and I shared with him a pack I created – with summaries, synopsis, style bibles and other resources I thought might help. A few introductions via Zoom, and having commissioned concept art from him (for the main characters and locations) it was clear he was the right artist for the project and a great fit for the team!
Rob Jones and I both used to be contributors to Inter-Comics, an independent comic shop in Huddersfield. Having followed Rob on social media, I saw him go from reviewer, to writer (at Madius) to becoming a full time letterer. From having good rapport with Rob, I knew I wanted to work with him, but his portfolio and reception as a letterer speaks for itself.
Paul Burley and I used to work together – I as the test Engineer and he was the UX Designer on the same team. We shared some mutual interests, chiefly Doctor Who and comics, and Paul was the first person I thought to contact when I wanted a logo. Paul created multiple variations of the Seron logo, and created a font that matched the logo.
CPUK (Comic Printing UK) has to be seen as part of the team. CPUK is an integral player in the UK indie comic scene, and always advocates to do the best thing for indie comics. There was no doubt in my mind that Seron would be printed by anyone else.
I would also like to specifically thank Dan Cole and Chandler Mellon, who were both part of Seron when it was an anthology, and gave me their blessing to continue as a solo project. I also want to thank Bernie McGovern and Kait O’Donnell, who serve as inspirations for the appearance of two of the main characters of Seron.
What’s reaction been like so far to launching with an “#0”?
It’s been really positive. Prior to going live in Kickstarter, I managed to get several reviews, all of which were positive. The only real negative from the reviews was, they wished there was more.
With that feedback in mind, I made sure that the Kickstarter page explicitly stated it was an eight-page story, but also featured concept art, full page art splashes and other content. I don’t want to misrepresent or obscure what Issue 0 is.
Since launching the Kickstarter, the comic was over 20 per cent funded on the first day, which included backers I know in real life, as well as people I have never met before – which is great.
I also have been contacted by another person who wants to review Seron, and Gail Simone tweeted that Seron Issue 0 looks good – which was certainly very unexpected, but a real moment to be proud of.
If #0 is a success how soon do you think you’ll move to #1?
I spoke with Jay before creating the Kickstarter. Due to other projects and commitments he has, he would be available to begin around February 2025 – which may change, given the Kickstarter won’t end by then, and Jay may pick up another piece of work in the interim.
The script for Issue #1 has been written, and edited by both Kerryanne and Claire – and all re-drafts have been finished. As soon as there is funding, and as soon as Jay has availability, Issue #1 will be good to go!
What one piece of advice would you give comic creators looking to crowdfund having gotten this far?
Be brave.
Making comics is really challenging, especially when you have to lead it. You’re not just a writer. You’re the money, you’re the project manager, you’re the recruiter for the other creators. You’re also doing all of this with your own family, full time job, and other commitments.
Beyond that, what you write will be very personal, and special to you. It can be quite vulnerable sending it to people to review and critique. It’s even harder trying to ask people to put their money into it via crowd funding.
You just have to be brave.
Make sure you create something you would want to read, be true to yourself and your vision, and be brave.
Christopher, thanks very much for the chat!
MEET THE TEAM…
Writer Christopher Fenn originally came up with the Seron concept in August 2014, and envisioned it as a collaborative anthology. After a long hiatus, Chris adapted the scripts from an anthology script to six 22-page issues.
In November 2021 Chris was nominated in the first ever Steelkilt Media Festival for his script for Seron Issue 01. Following his nomination, was a finalist in the category for “Best single issue unproduced comic book script (18-24 pages)”.
Chris has also been a column contributor for Inter-Comics, writing a column titled “Out of the Longbox”. He has also appeared as a guest on two episodes the Inter-Comics Podcast, discussing Batman’s 75th anniversary and Final Crisis.
A Chicago born Artist and Colourist, currently residing in Philadelphia, Jay Rollins has been working professionally as an artist since 2019.
Letterer Rob Jones is a UK based award-nominated writer and award winning letterer of comic books. His lettering work can be found in the pages of various books from Image, Humanoids, Heavy Metal, Scout, behemoth, A Wave Blue World, BHP Comics, DC Thomson, Comichaus and many more.
His writing work can primarily be found in the pages of various Madius Comics books he has co-written with Mike Sambrook.
Liverpool-based Story Editor Kerryanne Brown is a keen writer and scientist. Science is the love of her mind, poetry is the love of her heart.
Having only been writing for two years, Kerryanne is currently working on her first book, Imperfect Poems from an Imperfect Mind, taking inspiration from love, nature and life’s varying moments.
Freelance Editor Claire Napier was Features Editor at Women Write About Comics for six years, and Editor in Chief for almost one. She has also published occasional pieces elsewhere (The Guardian, Comics Alliance, Newsarama, Empire).
Previous books include Tata Rambo at Image, several successful independent Kickstarted projects, and the award winning webcomic and graphic novel series Finding Home.
With a breadth of experience spanning UX, UI and visual design disciplines, Logo Designer Paul Burley is fuelled by problems, solutions and all the fun, design thinking stuff that happens in between.
• Back Seron #0 here on Kickstarter
• Project web site – seroncomic.com
• Follow the Seron project on Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Comic Previews, Comics, Creating Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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