BERNICE STEPS UP – TALKING TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY FROM DARK HORSE
Interview conducted by James Ferguson
Harrow County, one of the best horror comics of the past decade, is returning with an all-new mini-series this month from Dark Horse Comics in Tales from Harrow County: Death's Choir. Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook are joined by artist Noami Franquiz to pick things up ten years after the main series ended. I had a chance to speak with them about the project, their return to Harrow County, and more.
Ten years have passed since Emmy exited Harrow County, leaving her close friend Bernice as steward of the supernatural home. But World War II is in full swing, taking Harrow's young men and leaving the community more vulnerable than ever--and when a ghostly choir heralds the resurrection of the dead, Bernice must find a solution before the town is overrun.
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James Ferguson: I'm ecstatic to see Harrow County return with this new series. What brought you back to this world?
Tyler Crook: We started bouncing around way to keep the world going long before we finished the original series. For me at least, I fell in love with this world.
Cullen Bunn: For me, it was never in question. I knew we’d somehow return to Harrow County at some point. It was just a matter of finding a story that would make the return visit worthwhile. We wanted to protect the integrity of the original series ending. We also wanted to make sure the new series stood on its own. In the end, though, the lure of Harrow County was simply too strong to resist.
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JF: Is the collaboration any different with Tyler co-writing instead of illustrating the series?
TC: I’m not actually co-writing this series. I’ve been asked that a lot and I guess I can understand why, I mean, my name’s still on the cover. I’m giving feedback and stuff along the way and I’m lettering the book. But Cullen is still the writer. My main contribution to this series was telling everyone that we had to get Naomi Franquiz to draw the thing.
CB: Tyler and I kicked a bunch of ideas back and forth when coming up with this story. Should we get the opportunity to continue doing more Tales From Harrow County, there are likely some that I’ll write, that Tyler and I will co-write, and some that Tyler will write. It all depends on the story and schedule, but no matter what Tyler will be involved.
JF: Tales from Harrow County: Death's Choir centers on Bernice. What has she been up to since Harrow County ended?
CB: Bernice has taken on an interesting role in Harrow County. Much like Emmy, much like Old Lady Lovey, Bernice has become something of a protector in Harrow County. She watches out for things that go bump in the night. Of course, things have been quiet in Harrow since Emmy left, so this story presents Bernice’s first real challenge since she has been on her own.
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JF: Judging from the events of the first issue, is Harrow County just plain cursed?
Naomi Franquiz: My money’s on a ley line. Or a cursed pet cemetery. Or a regular cemetery where a certain witch is buried.
CB: Harrow may be cursed, but they’re lucky to have someone like Bernice looking out for them!
Horror DNA would like to thank Cullen Bunn, Tyler Crook, and Naomi Franquiz for taking the time to speak with us. Tales from Harrow County: Death's Choir #1 is set for release on December 18th, 2019.
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