Where there is belief in the supernatural, they set out to debunk. But that doesn't mean they don't believe. The investigators of all things unusual in Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley's Hoax Hunters comic book series secretly take on and conceal otherworldly threats, and fans can see it return this March as Heavy Metal magazine's first comic book release.
With Hoax Hunters returning next month, we caught up with writer Michael Moreci to talk about what it's like working with Heavy Metal, what's next for the beloved characters of his series, the in-the-works Hoax Hunters movie, and much more.
Thanks for taking the time to talk with us about the new season of Hoax Hunters. How did the new partnership with Heavy Metal come about?
Michael Moreci: It's kind of interesting, because it's so unusual. The producer of the Hoax Hunters movie (which is moving along--news on that soon, I believe) recently became part-owner of Heavy Metal. One of his top priorities was to launch a comic book line similar to Image, BOOM!, etc. With that in mind, the connection between Hoax Hunters and Heavy Metal makes sense. Jeff wanted to bring everything under one roof, and we've been more than happy to be the first Heavy Metal comic book EVER.
Knowing the cult following that Heavy Metal has, how excited are you to expose a new audience to the world of Hoax Hunters? Did that change how you approached Season 2?
Michael Moreci: So very, very excited. I think Heavy Metal has a smart and cool base that is right in Hoax Hunters' wheelhouse of weird happenings, cool horror, and tongue-in-cheek humor. This is apples to apples here, and it's nice to have this advantage. Also, because of that, we really didn't have to change anything, nor were we asked to (thankfully). Jeff wanted Hoax Hunters to be Hoax Hunters, and that's what it is--just bigger and better than ever before.
Has Heavy Metal made a specific issue commitment to Hoax Hunters? How many issues do you have planned for the second season?
Michael Moreci: That's up in the air. We're locked in for ten issues right now, and I hope to do more, a lot more. But you never know--it's like any indie book, it needs readership to survive. If we have that, we can go into seasons three, four, etc. About 15 issues per, so let's plan on 60 issues!
Can you give our readers a little tease of how Season 2 starts off? What's in store for the hoax hunters over the course of the second season?
Michael Moreci: Quite a bit of changes. We left off with the group's leader, Jack, getting trapped in the prison dimension, and the team rudderless in his wake. Now, Donovan (of all people) is leading the team and not doing a very good job of it. They've become the laughing-stocks of the reality TV circuit and need to find a way to get back to their past glory without Jack--and they have to do so quick, because big, supernatural trouble is waiting just around the corner...
Fan support has been a big part of keeping Hoax Hunters alive. Can you talk about how that support informed what you did on Season 2 and/or continuing the series with Heavy Metal?
Michael Moreci: It's so crazy. I still get messages regularly about the series and inquiries into when it's coming back. We have an incredible cult following that have been pretty vocal about wanting more, which is awesome.
I think what that did was help give me the motivation to not only continue the story, but make it better than ever. If no one cared or noticed, there'd be no point. But having such great support gave me something to write for, and I really pushed myself to make this the best Hoax Hunters yet, for those fans and for Heavy Metal. Honest, I think this is as good as the book has ever been. It's fun and weird and filled with cool horror; the plot is crisper and the art--my goodness--Chris DiBari's art and Mike Spicer's colors are going to blow people away. They've done an insanely great job.
Screen rights to Hoax Hunters were purchased back in early 2013. Is that still a project that's moving forward? Can you give us a status update on the Hoax Hunters movie?
Michael Moreci: Yep! We might have some cool news to share soon...
How far out have you planned future Hoax Hunters stories? How many issues/seasons would you like to see this last?
Michael Moreci: You know, I don't really have a specific plan. I know how certain threads wrap up, long-term, but I also know it can keep going beyond that. We can do spinoffs, one-shots, all of it. The world is so rich and vast that I think we're just starting to scratch the surface.
How can our readers keep up on the latest Hoax Hunters news?
Michael Moreci: Follow me, @michaelmoreci, on Twitter!
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Hoax Hunters, Season 2 #1
Writers: Steve Seeley, Michael Moreci
Artist: Chris Dibari
In Shops: 3/25/2015
Synopsis: "History is made this month with the first-ever monthly comic to be published under the legendary banner of Heavy Metal! With the Hoax Hunters team in shambles following Jack's untimely departure, they head to Paris under Donovan's controversial leadership. The Image Comic series makes its Heavy Metal debut and reaches a crucial turning point on and off of the page! Ask your retailer about the special Rob Prior incentive cover!"
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