DIAMOND: For those who aren’t familiar, can you tell us about Zombie Love Studios (ZLOS)? What are the goals and direction of your company?

RODNEY BARNES: As I started to venture more into creator-owned work, I found myself looking for the right home. Image has been terrific, but I didn’t think that they—or any publisher for that matter—would be open to publishing the sheer volume of stories I had in my head. As well, certain titles—say Blacula for instance, were so nuanced that I couldn’t figure out a pitch that would speak to all of my goals. So I decided to create my own studio where I could develop horror, mystery, and science fiction books that embodied the tone I was bringing to Blacula.

Tell us about embarking on your publishing journey. What led to the decision to launch a publishing house?

Well, it’s a lot tougher than I imagined lol. A lot more moving parts, and every day I’m educated on some new facet of the business. Let’s just say I’m a lot more empathetic to publishers these days. In regards to the decision, it was really about wanting the freedom to come up with an idea and immediately breathe life into it. Stories that some larger and more established publishers may not see as viable, but speak directly to my style of storytelling. That kind of freedom was what I was seeking. But freedom, as they say, costs.

Can you give us some insight into your upcoming title Blacula: Return of the King?

I loved the movie Blacula when I saw it way back when. As I got older and returned to it, I saw places where it was problematic. So I longed for the opportunity to not only fill those gaps, but to bring that character into the 21st century with the same elegance that Dracula and other classic monsters have been given. And in regard to the art, I can say with all honesty that Jason Shawn Alexander knocked the look of the character out of the park. And I’m pretty pleased with the story, so hopefully fans will feel the same.

What was it like working with the other creators on this title?

It was an honor. Jason is like a brother at this point. Our collaboration on Killadelphia and Nita Hawes Nightmare Blog has tied us together for life. He serves as creative director at Zombie Love, so when new artists and designers come through the door, I know they’re going to be great.

If readers could take one thing from Blacula: Return of the King, what would it be?

That stories grounded in themes of race, culture, and societal issues can be fun. Blacula: Return of the King is a labor of love. It’s brought to life by folks passionate about horror. As such, that spirit permeates every panel. This volume, Return of the King, is the first part of a trilogy, so readers will have the opportunity to become immersed in not only Prince Mamuwalde, but other monsters making their mark on a new world.

What other titles can we expect from ZLOS in the future?

ZLOS will be publishing:

Crownsville: A Ghost Story, set in an abandoned mental hospital.

The Butcher of Black Bottom – a mystery set in 1920s Detroit where a serial killer has set upon a small town.

Florence & Normandie – an alien attack extravaganza ignited on the infamous corner associated with the Rodney King riots.

All books are being published in both soft and hardcover trade editions.