An Interview with Rodney Barnes

Many of Batman’s Rogues Gallery terrorize Gotham City forcing Batman to uses scare tactics on these criminals. There is a slight difference between terror and horror. How does Batman: Full Moon represent that difference?

In the case of Batman against his adversaries, terror is a weapon. He can use their fears and insecurities against them. In the case of Batman battling a werewolf, there is no reasoning. The werewolf is operating from blind rage. He can’t negotiate or rationalize.

Besides the werewolf in Batman: Full Moon, you also write a vampire comic series called Killadelphia. What do you believe is the staying power of the classic monsters? 

The variety of packages vampires fit in. You have sexy vampires, grunge vampires, gothic vampires, sparkling vampires, karate vampires, and at least a dozen more. Each goes about the vampire life (or unlife) in their own unique and specific fashion—which makes for unique storytelling.

You have talked in videos about building horror through the narrative as opposed to using jump scare tactics. How do you collaborate with other creators to convey this to an audience?

In comics, I typically partner with artists that are great at building mood and tension in their work. As well, you’re limited in comics as to what you can do—no sound or camera tricks, so you make the most of what you have via the chemistry with your collaborators.

In your weekly podcast series RUN FOOL!, protagonists are known for having common-sense reactions to horror in the stories. When did you start addressing genre tropes in your writing? 

We have all seen horror tropes time and time again, so deviating from them has been a creative goal since the start. I believe the more relatable a character’s actions and decision-making process are, the more empathy and connectivity can be built with an audience.

Your upcoming Kolchak: The Night Stalker comic is based on the classic concept of no one believing reporter Carl Kolchak’s encounters with the supernatural due to lack of evidence. How would a hard newsman like Kolchak function in today’s world of misinformation, where mundane news stories are doubted in favor of conspiracies?

Great question. I think Kolchak would have a cult following on social media. He’d find more allies in his work. That said, I think law enforcement and the mainstream media would shun him.

What other projects do you have coming out and where can our readers find you online?

Working on a miniseries for HBO and a duo of horror films for studios. Besides that, my RUN FOOL! podcast and comics fill up my day. As well as life.