Archie, Sabrina, and Jughead have all received a darker sheen to their overall mythology and Veronica Lodge is the next in line. In the world of Vampironica, Veronica Lodge was bitten by an ancient vampire and must fight her bloodlust before turning the "town with pep" into a land of vampires. We at Daily Dead got the chance to speak with Greg and Megan Smallwood, the sibling duo who write and create artwork for Vampironica from Archie Comics. In this Q&A, we discuss the development of this vampy turn for Veronica, the classic horror-inspired art style, and what fans can look forward to in Vampironica #3, which will hit shelves this month.
I’ve read issues #1 & #2 and Vampironica looks really cool. How did you find yourselves writing and creating artwork for this comic?
Greg Smallwood: I approached the folks at Archie about doing a project with them after working on covers for their New Riverdale line and seeing the inventive way they were using the characters in various horror genres. Vampironica was a concept they already had in development, but they needed a creative team to flesh out the story. I lobbied for the job and brought my sister on board to help. Meg is a natural storyteller with an excellent ear for dialogue and I knew she would elevate the writing. She's also the biggest Archie fan I know, so she brings an encyclopedic knowledge of Riverdale denizens to the table as well.
This is the fourth Archie character to take a walk on the dark side. What inspired this vampy turn for Veronica?
Meg Smallwood: Veronica has actually been Vampironica before, in 2012. With the introduction of Archie Horror, I guess you could say it was time for a “revamp.” Out of all the Archie characters, I think Veronica is the best suited to be a vampire. There’s a tendency to view vampires as glamorous or seductive, which Veronica is naturally.
Even though Veronica is a vampire, she still deals with everyday issues. Sometimes it can be hard to find a balance between the worlds, but you both have done a wonderful job. How do you find that balance?
Meg Smallwood: Thank you! Greg and I wanted Veronica’s story to be grounded in some aspect of realism, so I just stopped and thought about what was important to me when I was 17. For a teenager, keeping up with best friends, boyfriends, and appearances are super important, so we made sure to have Veronica put a value on those things, too, despite the horrific change she’s just been through.
The covers for Vampironica remind me hand-painted painted posters for early horror films. Are you guys fans of the genre?
Greg Smallwood: I've definitely looked at a lot of horror movie posters from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s for inspiration and I think the cover to #4 is the most obvious homage. Meg and I are children of the ’80s, so horror films from that decade have had the most impact on our sensibilities when it comes to writing and art.
Were any of those early horror films like the Hammer films or horror from any era an inspiration for the way the characters are drawn?
Greg Smallwood: We included a little nod to Hammer horror in the second issue, but my main source of inspiration for the way the characters are drawn would have to be mid-century American illustration. Guys like Albert Dorne, Al Parker, Pete Hawley, and Jon Whitcomb were brilliant at painting emotive women that felt real. I also wanted to avoid straying too far away from the classic Archie character designs, so I've kept a lot of Dan DeCarlo Archie comics within arm's reach.
Issue #3 will be released this month. Now that Veronica may have some trouble on her hands from a certain fellow student, is it possible to give us a little hint at what’s to come?
Meg Smallwood: Yes! Reggie, poor guy. He just wanted a fun date night without his parents being in town, but now he’s been cursed with a whole new idea of fun! Let’s just say we haven’t seen the last of Reggie Mantle.
For more details on Vampironica #1-3 by Greg and Megan Smallwood, visit the Archie Comics webstore.
Synopsis for Vampironica #3: "VAMPIRONICA #3
NEW ONGOING SERIES! You can't go home again... or can you? Veronica's search for answers leads to a deadly confrontation at Lodge Mansion.
Script: Greg and Megan Smallwood
Art: Greg Smallwood, Jack Morelli
Cover: Greg Smallwood
Variant Covers: Francesco Francavilla, Audrey Mok
32-page, full-color comic
$3.99 U.S."
Tamika hails from North Beach, Maryland, a tiny town inches from the Chesapeake Bay.She knew she wanted to be an actor after reciting a soliloquy by Sojourner Truth in front of her entire fifth grade class. Since then, she's appeared in over 20 film and television projects. In addition to acting, Tamika is the Indie Spotlight manager for Daily Dead, where she brings readers news on independent horror projects every weekend.
The first horror film Tamika watched was Child's Play. Being eight years old at the time, she remembers being so scared when Chucky came to life that she projectile vomited. It's tough for her to choose only one movie as her favorite horror film, so she picked two: Nosferatu and The Stepford Wives (1975).
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