Fanbase Press interviews artist Giancarlo Caracuzzo and writer Massimiliano Grotti. Giancarlo and Massimiliano discuss their release of the new mini-series Boogeyman.
WRITTEN BY BARBRA DILLON, FANBASE PRESS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THURSDAY, 02 JANUARY 2020 17:43READ 2036 TIMES
The following is an interview with comic book creator/artist Giancarlo Caracuzzo and writer Massimiliano Grotti regarding their work on the upcoming Wunderman Comics series, Boogeyman. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Caracuzzo and Grotti about the inspiration behind the series, the creative process in bringing the story to life, what they hope that readers will take away from the series, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of your comic book series, Boogeyman! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the series’ premise, and what inspired you to tell this story?
Giancarlo Caracuzzo: Boogeyman was an idea that I had in mind for a few years. I was motivated to a tell a story set in the world of Lucha Libre wrestling: a mix of violence, magic, and esotericism, where wrestlers can define themselves as true super heroes.
Massimiliano Grotti: Boogeyman is a hard-boiled story set in a dystopian future. Violence and esotericism are mixed with Lucha Libre wrestling in a world where nothing is what it seems. It’s not a story Light versus Darkness, but Darkness versus Darkness. With this premise, when Giancarlo asked me to write, I got to work immediately!
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in bringing the series to life, and what (or who) have been some of your creative influences?
GC: I initially worked on a generic synopsis. I wrote down a series of ideas and emotions – fragments that found a logical step by step. Afterwards in concert with Massimiliano Grotti, we expanded upon the project, incorporating his ideas. I also thank Nate Wunderman; his editorial suggestions have been helpful. The comic has many influences, especially hard-boiled pulp fiction, a type of narrative that I have always loved.
MG: When Giancarlo called me, he already had worked a synopsis and the main characters. Together, we went even deeper into the dark minds of the protagonists of Boogeyman and gave them the vital spark! Nate Wunderman added some editorial suggestions, and I thank him for his work. I also thank Josephine Roberts; lettering work is really important in a comic!
About influences, these have been many, especially literary genres: hard-boiled and cyberpunk… all this with a little bit of horror!
BD: What do you hope that readers will take away from your work?
GC: I hope readers appreciate the attempt we made to tell a gritty tale – the story of a man who is looking for his purpose in a world where classism and violence rule.
MG: I fully agree with Giancarlo!
BD: Do you have a certain number of issues or story arcs planner for the series?
GC: This first mini-series comprises of five issues. We are working on a second six-issue mini-series. We would like to sketch out more beyond that.
MG: Like Giancarlo said, we are working on the second arc of 6 issues. In the future… who knows! San José is an endless source of darkness and wickedness!
BD: If given the opportunity to expand your series into other entertainment mediums, in what format do you hope to see it adapted?
GC: I would like to see a physical print edition. A film and/or video games would be nice.
MG: I hope for a Boogeyman TV series, but also a video game or a board game. (I love board games!)
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
GC: This past November, I worked on a comic book for Editions Soleil about J.R.R. Tolkien’s youth. The art was by me and colored by Flavia Caracuzzo, my daughter, who also colored Boogeyman. In the future, I hope to start the second series of Boogeyman soon, a project that I love very much.
MG: I am working on a video game for Wisdom Studio (an indie video game company). Recently, I created a card game together with Francesco Barborini and Andrea Parisi, it will be published by Don’t Panic Games in the Spring 2020 and is called Wake Up, Cthulhu!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Boogeyman?
GC: They can follow my Instagram page or the Boogeyman fan page on Facebook where I inform readers of any initiative about Boogeyman, as well as the Wunderman comics website.
MG: They can follow Giancarlo’s Instagram page or the Boogeyman fan page on Facebook and, obviously, Wunderman comics website!