Mind Meld With Miskatonic High’s Ryan Mendoza & Mike Shea!

In their dark corner of the world of Comics, Ryan and Mike have been steadily building their world of Miskatonic High, where Lovecraft meets the Breakfast Club. And now, the duo have made it to 25 issues and to celebrate this occasion, I got the chance to speak with the two about this landmark and the future!

1. Hello there, and welcome to the Mind Meld here at IndieComiX! For those who may not be aware of the two of you and what it is you do, could you tell us about yourselves?

RYAN: I’m Ryan Mendoza. I’m an artist from the Philippines. I’m the artist and co-creator of Miskatonic High.

MIKE: And I’m Mike Shea. I’m a writer from New England. I’m the writer and co-creator of Miskatonic High.

2. The two of you have been tag teaming the title known as Miskatonic High, which is basically the Breakfast Club meets Chtulu, what led to the two of you coming together to collaborate on the book?

RYAN: I worked with Mike on a fan project a few years before we started Miskatonic High. After a bit of a break, we kind of decided to work on an original series. Something we were both interested in. We decided on starting with a four or six issue miniseries, where we can introduce the characters and create a complete story. We had a few ideas. We both love stuff like New Mutants, Buffy, X-Files and wanted something similar in terms of a teenage team book, but at the same time we didn’t want to do a superhero book.

So I think we decided on doing a high school themed book with Lovecraftian elements. When I jokingly pitched The Breakfast Club from Hell, I think that sparked the whole thing and made it a reality. We settled for the title Miskatonic High and started to conceptualize everything from characters to settings with that single premise.

MIKE: Yeah, we were kicking around ideas and I really liked the idea of doing a fun teenage story and Ryan had the idea of making it Lovecraft/weird fiction based. We both latched onto that and imediately started coming up with characters and story ideas. We realized there was a rich vein that we could tap into. Ryan suggested it would be like Miskatonic University, from the Lovecraft works, but high school. Miskatonic is a derivation from a real place in Massachusetts called Housatonic, which is where I lived as a kid, so Miskatonic High felt like the perfect title for us.

3. Speaking of Miskatonic High, the book is about to reach 25 issues, a Milestone for certain for any Small Press title, what’s the feeling of this like for you guys?

RYAN: Yeah, it’s quite amazing to last this long. Like I mentioned before, we only planned as far as issue 6 initially, but it became apparent very quickly early on that we wanted to go beyond. We mapped out the next few issues after the first season, not even knowing if we would have the funds to continue with it. Thankfully we have some of the most supportive backers, which allowed us to do more issues and seasons after that.

MIKE: We’ve been very lucky that the backers latched onto the comic early and really like what they’ve read. It’s only because they keep coming back for more and supporting us that we’ve gotten this far. We did a Yearbook (bascially an old-school annual) where the backers could send in their real or fake picture and become a student at Miskatonic High. We did that to acknowledge their important role in creating this community.

4. Will there be 25 more to come?

RYAN: Hopefully more. I think we keep saying we want to do at least a 100 issues. We designed the book so that it allows us to tell limitless stories, from any genre. It keeps us motivated that way, and we hope the readers are enjoying the ride as much as we are. To how many issues we will actually do, I guess as long as we have stories to tell, and as long as it’s fun for both us and the readers.

MIKE: We have a long story mapped out and we’re about halfway there. But we’ve also talked about what happens after that. The great thing about horror is that it really allows us to tell any kind of story we want, from comedy to serious, psychological to body horror, monsters to bullies. So I feel like we can go on as long as we want… Well until the kids go to college like Saved by the Bell: The College Years. That’s too horrible to imagine.

5. Given how long the two of you have been working together on MH and having to deal with a big time difference while doing so, what kind of lessons would you say that you’ve learned from the whole experience?

RYAN: I think communication is key. As long as each creator involved in the book are able to convey their ideas in a respectable time and manner, the process will be so much more smooth and easy. Those who really want a project to succeed will have the effort to do as much as they can, even when problems pop up. Don’t be discouraged, and figure out a way find a solution and a happy compromise.

MIKE: Agreed. There’s a lot of respect we have for each other and what each brings to the comic. Neither of us could do this alone and it’s so much more fun bouncing ideas off each other. Ryan comes up with some of the best ideas for stories, which makes my job easier.

6. What advice would you give to other co-creators, especially those new to the experience co-creating?

RYAN: Patience and perseverance. You also have to love what you are doing. Even when times are tough at the beginning, just power through and give the best work you can do. Also, be welcoming of criticism, and try to improve on the the things you know are your weaknesses. Turn those weaknesses into your strengths. Try to keep improving your craft and never be complacent. Never be afraid to try something new either. The more you keep doing something, the better you get at it.

I know it seems cliche, but it really is the key to everything.

MIKE: Listen more. Your ideas and contributions aren’t more important than your
collaborator. When you hear and respect their contributions, they’ll respond in kind. The only way you’re ever going to make something truly greater than you’re capable of making on your own is by working together. That collaboration is what makes comics such a powerful medium.

7. Kickstarter has long been apart of what helps keep MH alive and with the 25th issue currently on Kickstarter, do you feel that the book might not have made it this far if it weren’t for the platform?

RYAN: I don’t think we would have come this far if it wasn’t for Kickstarter. It really has allowed creators to make their books a reality. I still get giddy when I remember the first campaign, and holding those physical copies for the first time. Again it’s all thanks to our backers and the platform. Hopefully it will continue to grow, and allow more creators to succeed with their projects.

MIKE: Indies have always found a way to break through, but this really made it so much easier to find an audience. It was also harder too, because we needed to learn how to advertise ourselves and handle production and fulfillment and shipping. But I can’t imagine we ever would have made it this far without Kickstarter.

8. After repeated uses of the platform, would you say it’s gotten less tense to use? And is it sometimes considered a hindrance to have to rely on?

RYAN: Kickstarter has always been good to us. We put out a campaign, and we let the people decide whether to support us or not, and I think it is down to the product you produce. If people want it and are interested in the product, it will always get the support it deserves. Could it be improved in some aspect? Certainly, but as creators, all we can really do is produce great content and the success of those projects hopefully grows the platform as well.

MIKE: I’m not going to lie, every time we launch a campaign, I wonder if this is going to be the one where no one shows up. But we’ve been very methodical about our schedules and I think that’s helped instill a lot of trust from our backers. Unlike a lot of projects on Kickstarter, they know that we’re absolutely going to deliver on our promises.

9. With the 25th issue coming on the horizon, what can readers expect to see going forward?

RYAN: There is so much more to expect and be excited about in this season. I wish I could share everything, but it will only ruin the surprise. Let’s just say to expect more unexpected adventures in an age undreamed of, and new characters, and more chaos and mayhem for the kids. Maybe even see familiar names and faces that will surely complicate things even further.

MIKE: Ha ha! That’s Ryan’s way of saying something and nothing! Issue 25 is a huge one for us and we wanted to see the kids in their worst nightmares based on Lovecraft’s most famous stories. But also set during a stage production of The Breakfast Club because that’s the most insane thing we could think of. But after that, we’re going to refernce a certain Robert E. Howard character, see how a school newspaper works, and one of our characters is going to end up in the most frightening shotgun wedding!

10. Has there been any talks of TV/Movie adaptations for the book?

RYAN: I wish I knew. It would be great to get an adaption, but it’s always a tough thing to actually achieve. Even if it does, I’m unsure just how an adaptation will be true to our own vision. I guess we are all hoping for one, but even if it doesn’t happen, I think we are happy to just continue doing our stories through comic medium. It is a medium we love and truly unique, and definitely deserves to make a big come back at some point.

MIKE: There was some talk, but I think it was just talk. My attitude is do the best comic we can and if people like it enough, the sky’s the limit.

11. With the recent news regarding Diamond, how much of an impact do you guys think this is going to have on the Independent scene?

RYAN: Right now, I don’t think it impacts us that much. I wish there was a great way to distribute indie comics to comic shop and other stores, but until comics becomes a big thing again, it is going to be a struggle. We’ll continue to find alternative means, so if any comic shops out there are interested, they can always contact us, and we’ll try to come up with a solution.

MIKE: It’s such a strange time for comics with Diamond going bankrupt and the majors scaling back and the rise of crowdfunding and digital. I have no idea how it’s all going to shake out. I worry about comic shops and indie comic creators. I don’t know what the future looks like but I think comics is better when both are able to make ends meet.

12. Stance on AI?

RYAN: I have a workflow that I’ve gotten used to, and while I’m not adverse to new
technology, I find myself very selective of it. I view it as a tool, and like any tool, you have to have a good reason to use it. If at some point I find a use for it, then maybe I would consider it. Flatting comes to mind. It’s very mechanical, and tedious. If they come up with an effective way to use AI for flatting, then I may check it out.

MIKE: I don’t know if AI will ever get better, but mostly I find it boring. It’s usually a bunch of boring poses and too many fingers. The thing that interests me about comics and most kinds of artwork is not the end result but admiring the talent of someone to make it. If we’re taking the craftsman out of artwork, I’m not sure it’s really art anymore.

13. When it comes to Print vs Digital, what’s y’alls stance?

RYAN: I think I can safely say that me and Mike have always been print guys. We just grew up at a time were physically holding a comic book and feeling the tangibility adds to the experience of reading a comic book. I still prefer to read it that way today. I have nothing against digital, in fact I think it’s great that there is an alternative way to distribute our books to those who prefer it that way.

MIKE: I back a lot of comics on Kickstarter and more and more, I like to do digital because it puts more money straight in the creators’ pockets but also it lets me read the comics before deciding to clutter up my house with more stuff!

14. In the time the two of you have worked on MH, what’s been a favorite moment for each of you where the book is concerned?

RYAN: Seeing the first issue in hand will always be something special. I think that is such an unbeatable moment, but having the first collection is pretty special too. Having completed something is always such a great feeling.

MIKE: As much as I love making each issue, if I had to pick one moment it probably was that feeling when we realized that enough people had backed the first issue that we crossed our goal. That was an amazing feeling. I don’t think the idea that we could actually make a comic for other people really hit me until then.

15. Outside of MH, where can readers see more of y’all in action?

RYAN: I do occasional covers for other Kickstarter books. Those are always an awesome experience. This year, I might finally get serious with doing some Comic Book Tutorials and drawing videos. I’ve always found it hard to find good tutorials about comic craft when I was growing up, especially when there was still no internet. I just want to give back and offer my knowledge about it. There are so many talented artists out there, and I really want them to get excited about comic books again.

MIKE: I like that you think I have time to do anything other than Miskatonic High! My kids have forgotten that they have a father and not a boarder who works on comics.

16. And for my final question, what advice would you guys give to those looking to get into the Industry?

RYAN: Leave all expectations at the door, and don’t expect it to be easy. Hone your skills. Do research. There’s a lot more avenues to get into the industry now, and each one’s journey will be vastly different to others, so try not to compare your experiences with others. As someone living outside the U.S., websites where you can post your portfolio was very useful to me to get work initially. As you get better, and prove you are a dependableartist and collaborator, work will find its way to you eventually. Lastly, Work hard and stayconsistent.

MIKE: Just make something. Making things is the surest way to get better at it. And once youhave something, share it. Then make the next thing and repeat the process. It soundssimple, but so many people stop either because they can’t take the criticsm or they don’t get the response they want. But if you keep up the process, it could be you here next talking about making 25 issues of an Indie series that people seem to really enjoy. I’m not sure that’s making it in the industry, but it’s definitely my current definition of making it incomics!

Thanks,

Ryan and Mike

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Editor’s Note: Huge thanks to Ryan and Mike for taking part in this interview! Miskatonic High’s 25th issue is currently at 10,232 dollars of its 300 dollar goal with 11 days to go. Leaving those who have yet to get their pledge in with plenty time left to do so! You can also head here to their Etsy shop for more Miskatonic High!

Interview by: Rob Wrecks