Q&A: Writer / Artist Matt Lesniewski Discusses FACELESS AND THE FAMILY: MAZE OF THE MECHANICAL ALIENS

The wanderer Faceless and his space-roaming found family return for another cosmic adventure in writer and artist Matt Lesniewski's new four-issue comic book series Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens. With the first issue now available from Oni Press, Daily Dead caught up with Matt in a Q&A feature to discuss the eerie encounters, chosen family connections, and extraterrestrial armor (with a mind of its own) that readers can look forward to when they follow Faceless into the creepy confines of Hand Planet in the new series!

You can read our full Q&A with Matt below, and in case you missed it, read Matt's previous mini essay on how Karyn Kusama's The Invitation influenced the first volume of Faceless and the Family!

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions for us, Matt, and congratulations on Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens! When did you initially come up with the idea for this new story arc for Faceless and his motley crew of friends?

Matt Lesniewski: Much like the first volume, this one is a mix of different story ideas and concepts in general all fused together to make this part of the story. Katari’s storyline (a new character in the series) was actually an idea of its own. A lone wanderer trapped in a decaying alien-like suit, but one he was in since birth—yet he seemingly can’t bring himself to remove it despite the growing amount of issues it brings. This small shard of lore is hinted at in the final version of this new volume. Much more to it, but we’ll see if/when it reveals itself. Katari had his own long and intense solo journey and I was really drawn to it.

I think much later (really hard to remember) this concept of a cube-shaped robot with a mind of its own came about. I was obsessed with how fun it would be to draw, being that it constantly morphs and evolves in shape and size. The look and style of it I had in my mind and how in sync it was with the way I draw. It’s fluid, dynamic, yet solid all the same—very much based in shapes and shadows. And what can be even more fun is how it manages to crumble and corrode with certain characters over time, making it even more interesting to draw.

I saw an obvious connection to the Katari idea there. Long story short, it made perfect sense that this idea was one that could perfectly sit within the Hand Planet and the world of Faceless and the Family. Part of the idea with this series in general is that it allows me to tell different stories and infuse new ideas within it as things go. As long as it feels right, not saying anything goes.

In Maze of the Mechanical Aliens, Faceless grapples with extraterrestrial armor with plans of its own and all manner of mayhem on the world of Hand Planet. What can you tell us about the eerie encounters awaiting readers this time around?

Matt Lesniewski: Hopefully some cool art! My drawings talk better than I do.

Along with the terror and mystery behind being made one with a robotic organism with no solution for an escape. Living trapped within an alien-esque slab of machinery that continues to contort and twist while its subject is stuck inside. The whole crew is on board to help Faceless figure this out and get back on his journey to finding his real family. Restoring things back to the way they should’ve been.

At the heart of this comic book series is the importance of finding your chosen family. How important was it for you to cherish these found-family bonds even in the most fantastical and otherworldly settings?

Matt Lesniewski: I think it’s what keeps Faceless and the others going while on this arduous trek. If it wasn’t for the bond who knows how tough it would’ve been, or if it would’ve been doable at all. The Hand Planet has been known to swallow up lone travelers, only to be lost deep within the cracks and crevices most others can’t see from a distance. With a crew like this one, this is sometimes avoidable—but not always. And when this isn't happening there's someone there to connect with. Helping each other realize they’re not the only weirdos on this floating hand-shaped rock—or even that they’re not that weird at all.

While working on Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens, how conscious were you of making this an ideal jumping-on point for new readers while still rewarding fans of the first story arc?

Matt Lesniewski: I’m not sure if that was a conscious plan from the beginning. Really, it was always meant to be a continuation and pick up where things were left off, which was most important in my mind. The journey had only begun and Faceless hadn’t gotten close to fixing the mess he’d made of his life. But at the same time, I wanted this to almost feel like its own standalone adventure, in the same way the first volume was. And it pretty much organically worked that way. So each chapter is like a piece of the puzzle you can enjoy on its own without feeling too lost or confused. But piece them together and you have the full story, and the best experience.

Do you have a favorite moment in particular from this new series that you’re especially excited for readers to experience?

Matt Lesniewski: That’s tough to pick… I honestly do like the opening sequence quite a bit. Discovering the alien being and soon realizing what it’s all about. Also a later moment where the group is deeper into their journey and things go wrong- revealing a deeper and darker corner of this palm realm. That’s all I’ll say about that without giving anything away, but it was fun to explore and bring to life, although not so much for one character in particular. Some horrifying instances of Katari realizing the reality of his experience being in one of these robotic beings. There’s plenty in store.

Ultimately, what do you hope readers take away from Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens?

Matt Lesniewski: I just hope they enjoy something about it, if anything. There’s no deeper agenda. I made a comic the best I could within certain circumstances. And now it’s left in the hands of readers to make of it what they will. Like all my comics there is a more meaningful story behind some of it, but that’s also just my own view on it. I like to leave things in a way where you can interpret them however you happen to. Maybe you get nothing out of it and just think it’s fun to look at. That’s totally cool too. So I'm really not hoping for anything. I did my part. Now it’s out there for anyone to pick up and gander at.

Do you already have plans for future Faceless and the Family adventures beyond Maze of the Mechanical Aliens?

Matt Lesniewski: I actually have several plans. But at the very least I’d like to do one more volume. Whether that’s soon or years later. And it can be a nice trilogy. Like I said though, I have tons of ideas and plans involving these characters and this world. Most of which I’ll keep to myself. For better or for worse, it mostly depends on reception. If people don’t want it, it won’t happen. I can always move to something else.

What has it been like to work with the team at Oni Press as you prepare to release this latest Faceless and the Family series?

Matt Lesniewski: The Oni team is amazing. Super knowledgeable and helpful. And they allow me to pretty much just do my thing. Can't ask for much more. Always easy to contact about anything. Very flexible with different ideas or what I might want. They’re great.

What advice would you give to comic book writers and artists who are just getting started?

Matt Lesniewski: Start small. Don’t try and do a massive project out of the gate or you’ll be disappointed, for many reasons. Do very small self contained comics and you’ll rapidly learn and improve, then gradually increase the size of those stories while spreading your work around.

Believe in yourself and don’t listen to anyone (mostly). You’re not crazy. There’s only one of you so do what suits you best, not the generic stuff everyone says.

And lastly, think in an independent mindset. Don’t rely on anything or anyone and try to learn as many things as you can. You’ll be better off that way.

With Faceless and the Family: Maze of the Mechanical Aliens #1 (of 4) now available from Oni Press, what other projects do you have coming up, and where can readers go online to keep up to date on your work?

Matt Lesniewski: The very next thing I’m doing will be an art only pursuit. Meaning I’m drawing and another creator is writing. About the length of one issue. Only thing is I’ll be going about it with a different approach and style than usual. More than likely in full color too.

Besides that I have many different things in mind. I usually like to keep plans to myself though. Check out my website mattdrawseverything.com, maybe even sign up for the newsletter. Follow my social media stuff, but I’m not as active on there anymore. Potentially the rare con appearance here or there. Just keep an eye out! I’ll stick around in some shape or form, don’t worry.

Thank you very much for your time, Matt!

Matt Lesniewski: Thank you for the interview.

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From the Press Release: Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997 – is proud to announce FACELESS AND THE FAMILY: MAZE OF THE MECHANICAL ALIENS #1 (of 4) – the first chapter of a brand-new chapter for the artistically ambitious and visually spectacular science-fiction epic, torn from the mind of Eisner Award–nominated cartoonist and visionary storyteller Matt Lesniewski (Crimson Flower, The Freak)! Picking up with an all-new, self-contained adventure in the aftermath of 2024’s FACELESS AND THE FAMILY, Lesniewski’s next artistic tour de force chronicling the adventures of an alien outcast and his misfit team of fellow cosmonauts arrives in comic shops everywhere on July 1st.

“Get ready for more Faceless! The journey picks up right where it left off at the end of Volume One, but this is a brand new story!” said creator Matt Lesniewski. “That’s right… the quest to find Faceless’ family continues but the crew is faced with an otherworldly obstacle, as well as the introduction of some new characters. Pick things up here or start at the very beginning while you can… you’ve got well over 200 pages of imaginative crosshatched chaos to jump into. Hope to see you on the Hand Planet. Grab your weapon. Join the family…”

The space-faring rogue known as Faceless and his found family of adventurers are about to encounter a new challenge– stronger, stranger, and more perplexing than any they’ve faced before. Roving the backwaters of the class-segregated alien world called the Hand Planet, Faceless is plunged into his most harrowing ordeal yet– bonded to a living suit of extraterrestrial armor that refuses to let him go. As the armor’s inscrutable will tightens its grip, Faceless finds himself physically under siege. Enter a bizarre, labyrinthine world of impossible logic and nightmarish wonder as Faceless and his unlikely family must embark on a harrowing quest to free him– if freedom is even possible.

“With each and every new page, Matt Lesniewski continues to showcase exactly why he is one of the most engrossing, exciting and talented visual storytellers of his generation. Bursting with meticulous detail and some of the most extraordinarily alien environments of 21st century comics, Faceless’ all-new adventure is the perfect gateway into the weird and wondrous world of Matt’s limitless imagination – one that comes richly populated with a heart-rending cast of fearless and fascinating characters to boot,” said Hunter Gorinson, President & Publisher of Oni Press. “It’s possible you’ve experienced a comic like this before, but only in your dreams – this is the perfect opportunity to discover why Matt Lesniewski’s work must be seen to truly be believed.”

On July 1st, enter a strange new realm that could only be born from the singular imagination of creator Matt Lesniewski, delivering page after page of jaw-dropping visuals and unsettling surprises, only in FACELESS AND THE FAMILY: MAZE OF THE MECHANICAL ALIENS #1 (of 4) – featuring unearthly covers by Lesniewski with multiple Eisner Award winner Dave Stewart (Hellboy), Kelley Jones (Batman: Red Rain, The Sandman) with José Villarrubiá (Absolute Swamp Thing), and Noah Bailey (Station Grand)!

For more updates on Oni Press, visit them on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram.

FACELESS AND THE FAMILY: MAZE OF THE MECHANICAL ALIENS #1 (of 4)
STORY & ART BY MATT LESNIEWSKI
COVER A BY MATT LESNIEWSKI WITH DAVE STEWART
COVER B BY KELLEY JONES WITH JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA
COVER C BY NOAH BAILEY
COVER D (1:10) B&W VARIANT BY MATT LESNIEWSKI
COVER E (1:20) B&W VARIANT BY KELLEY JONES
ON SALE JULY 1, 2026 | $5.99 | 32 PGS OF CONTENT | NO ADS

COVER A BY MATT LESNIEWSKI WITH DAVE STEWART

COVER B BY KELLEY JONES WITH JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA

COVER C BY NOAH BAILEY

COVER D (1:10) BLACK & WHITE VARIANT BY MATT LESNIEWSKI

BLACK & WHITE VARIANT BY KELLEY JONES

INTERIOR ART BY MATT LESNIEWSKI