Interview & Preview: Steve Niles Discusses Crafting HEARTBREAK MANOR’s Holiday Ghost Story Graphic Novel with Damien Worm

Daily Dead readers will no doubt be excited to learn that Steve Niles and artist Damien Worm are collaborating on an all-new graphic novel, titled Heartbreak Manor. A holiday ghost story, Heartbreak Manor is described as "an ambitious and artful horror story about a desperate young orphan who must uncover the deadly secret hidden that lurks within the walls of an old mansion." Having just launched a Zoop campaign for the graphic novel, I caught up with Niles to learn more about his inspirations, collaborating with Worm, the original soundtrack created specifically for the graphic novel, and the horrors that await readers at Heartbreak Manor. We also have a preview that you can read right now!

Synopsis: "Sally Madison's wealthy new parents appear eager to provide her with everything she could ever desire, when she first moves in. Sally’s grateful for being rescued from the orphanage, but she's having a hard time being able to trust her adoptive family. It doesn't help that her new home is a mysterious mansion, full of secrets and rooms that are strictly off limits. As she tries to navigate the peculiar place and her new life, Sally takes it upon herself to find out why so many doors are locked and why her new parents disappear at night... And as Christmas approaches, she realizes she must uncover the deadly secret of Heartbreak Manor before it’s too late."

You’ve mentioned that you began writing Heartbreak Manor with Damien Worm specifically in mind for the art. What is it about Damien’s art that makes him the perfect collaborator for this story?

Steve Niles: He’s just the perfect horror artist, dark, moody and tons of atmosphere.

Heartbreak Manor takes place in 1912 New York. What was it about that specific time period that interested you as a setting for a horror story?

Steve Niles: That time was very transitional, it was when a new era of new inventions such as electric lights, automobiles, telephones were beginning to become more accessible. But writing a story in this era will be interesting for anyone living in this current Modern world. I really love reducing the technology and I feel it makes the story more isolating in a way.

Can you share some of your favorite holiday horror stories, shows, and movies that inspired you to write a holiday horror tale of your own?

Steve Niles: M.R. James wrote Christmas ghost stories I love, and movies such as Ghost Story and The Others are some of my favorites, but honestly it wasn’t actually the holidays I was concentrating on, it just happened that way while I was writing. It means more as a significant family anniversary that brings about the turning point of Heartbreak Manor…

What can you tell our readers about developing Sally Madison and why she's a character that you're excited for readers to meet?

Steve Niles: Sally is forced to grow up quickly in this story, she’s a strong personality and a fighter who thinks for herself. All of this is very important to how she navigates her situation.

The Zoop campaign features an original soundtrack by Monica Richards and Anthony Roumanis. How did this collaboration come about and how does having a dedicated score enhance the reading experience of a haunted mansion story like this?

Steve Niles: Absolutely. Monica has worked with Anthony on two albums, they have a fantastic partnership in Classical and world music. We thought it would be a great way to add another level to the book. They have been discussing doing old Christmas music for a long time, so I can’t wait to hear what they create.

Can you give our readers a tease of the horrors that await Sally Madison in Heartbreak Manor?

Steve Niles: There’s a strange vault in the back of the garden. Sally is not allowed to enter, but her new parents disappear there nightly…What Sally finally discovers is horrifying and disturbing.

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Check out the official cover art below! To learn more about Heartbreak Manor and support the campaign, visit Zoop: https://zoop.gg/c/heartbreakmanor?ref=daily-dead

Legendary writer Steve Niles and acclaimed artist Damien Worm are collaborating on an all-new graphic novel that puts a unique twist on a classic horror tradition: the holiday ghost story. Heartbreak Manor is an ambitious and artful horror story about a desperate young orphan who must uncover the deadly secret hidden that lurks within the walls of an old mansion. To bring this haunting, Gothic ghost story to life, Niles and Worm are headed to Zoop for the first time.

Sally Madison's wealthy new parents appear eager to provide her with everything she could ever desire, when she first moves in. Sally’s grateful for being rescued from the orphanage, but she's having a hard time being able to trust her adoptive family. It doesn't help that her new home is a mysterious mansion, full of secrets and rooms that are strictly off limits. As she tries to navigate the peculiar place and her new life, Sally takes it upon herself to find out why so many doors are locked and why her new parents disappear at night... And as Christmas approaches, she realizes she must uncover the deadly secret of Heartbreak Manor before it’s too late.

“I began writing Heartbreak Manor a few years ago and my first thought was Damien for the art,” said Niles. “The story’s set in New York, 1912. It's a time when the old and new worlds began to collide, and I wanted to go back in time, reduce the technology and make an old-fashioned ghost story. I'm working with Zoop as they're a great alternative for comic creators to help raise money and crowdfund new books. We want to have fans who truly want a beautiful, hardcover artbook get involved and help us bring Heartbreak Manor to life.”

The 100 page hardcover book is written by Niles, illustrated and colored by Worm, and edited and lettered by goth icon Monica Richards (Faith and the Muse), who is also working with darkwave artist Anthony Roumanis to create a 30-minute Heartbreak Manor Original Soundtrack. The Zoop campaign for Heartbreak Manor features exclusive prints by Damien Worm; remarques by the artist; a copy of the soundtrack; signed books; and even a tier where fans can be drawn into the book to experience the horrors of the manor alongside Sally.

“I'm really thrilled to compose a soundtrack for Heartbreak Manor,” said Richards. “Much of my music is known as cinematic, so my fans know this is right in my wheelhouse. I work with darkwave artist Anthony Roumanis often. He has an Otherworldly flair that will really add beauty and depth to the ghostly world of Heartbreak Manor.”

Heartbreak Manor marks Steve Niles’s sixth collaboration with Damien Worm, whose hand-drawn and digital dark art style is distinctly recognizable. In addition to co-creating Monster & Madman and October Faction (which was also released on Netflix) with Niles, Worm has drawn the comic adaptations of numerous fan-favorite video games, including Titan Comics’ Dark Souls: Legends of the Flame, and Bloodborne: Lady of the Lanterns.

“Working with Steve is always a joy, because his scripts get straight to the point on every page and panel, and then he gives you total freedom to bring them to life in your own way.” says Damien Worm. “I've always loved the aesthetic of the early 1900s. I genuinely believe that, thanks to its atmosphere, artistic style, and stunning interior and exterior architecture, it's one of the best periods for creating a horror story. For me, it will always have a certain magical stuff that the modern era simply doesn't. That's why I think Heartbreak Manor, is my personal homage to everything I've always loved about the previous century — gothic ghost novels, a disturbing yet beautiful and captivating atmosphere. It will capture the complete look and feel of a period mansion, where ghosts are woven into the decor like another element of the setting."

Learn more at: https://zoop.gg/c/heartbreakmanor?ref=daily-dead