Boldly stepping into the world of horror comics, filmmaker Michael Chaves—known for his work on ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’—is embarking on an intriguing new project: writing a comic titled ‘Corpse Knight.’
The inspiration for this gripping tale was sparked several years ago while Chaves was in France preparing to direct the supernatural horror film ‘The Nun II’ for New Line Cinema. Engrossed in research about various saints, he stumbled upon the remarkable story of Joan of Arc and her comrade Gilles de Rais—a nobleman whose dark legacy revealed him as a child murderer. Chaves found the juxtaposition of a saintly figure alongside such a monstrous character to be compelling and considered the potential for a cinematic narrative surrounding them.
However, as he shared with The Hollywood Reporter, he faced challenges in making it work. "I couldn’t quite crack it. Then I thought, ‘What if they are not the center of the story? What if they are side characters that we lead to?’ That shift in perspective was crucial for me to develop the concept further."
This revelation paved the way for ‘Corpse Knight,’ a horror fantasy comic that marks Chaves’ debut in the comic book realm. Partnering with Matthew Roberts, the talented co-creator of the acclaimed horror comic ‘Manifest Destiny,’ Chaves is set to launch a six-issue limited series through Robert Kirkman’s Skybound and Image Comics, with the first issue scheduled for release on April 22.
Set against the backdrop of Medieval France, ‘Corpse Knight’ tells the poignant story of a young girl named Foy, who faces the heartbreaking loss of her father. In a miraculous turn of events, her dad returns from the grave, but the details surrounding his resurrection remain shrouded in mystery. Inspired by tales of Joan of Arc, Foy believes that by finding Joan, she can restore order to her chaotic life. "It’s reminiscent of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Their journey is fraught with peril and unexpected twists," Chaves elaborated.
Skybound’s editorial director, Alex Antone, describes the comic as a profound exploration of the lengths a parent will go to protect their child. He compares it to other supernatural titles like ‘King Spawn’ and ‘The Darkness,’ underscoring its thematic depth.
For Chaves, the emotional core of this project resonates deeply with his own experiences as a parent. Having directed films that often delve into the parent-child relationship, he reflects, "I've got two kids, and this story is a reflection of my own fears regarding mortality. The thought of not being there for my children one day is terrifying."
When it comes to influences, Chaves cites prominent writers like Brian K. Vaughan, best known for ‘Saga,’ and Mike Mignola, the mastermind behind ‘Hellboy’ and other Gothic horror masterpieces. Historical fiction author Ken Follett also served as an inspiration for the narrative depth Chaves seeks to achieve.
Roberts, who has previously collaborated with Skybound on the comic ‘Universal Monsters: Creature from The Black Lagoon Lives!,’ was recommended as an artist fit for this project. Chaves quickly agreed, recognizing Roberts’ knack for crafting dark adventure stories infused with gruesome horror elements. "He excels at showcasing the chilling aspects of horror, which is central to our comic’s appeal," Chaves remarked with a chuckle.
In his own words, Roberts expressed excitement about working on this project, stating, “Michael’s script has opened new avenues for me as an artist. It allows me to take bold creative risks while grounding the story in the familial bond at its heart. This connection brings a sense of lightness, making the darker elements all the more enjoyable to illustrate.”
For Chaves, venturing into the world of comics was a long-held aspiration. However, he was taken aback by the extensive time investment required to bring a comic to life. By the time ‘Corpse Knight’ debuts, he will have directed three films—including ‘The Nun II’ and ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’—while simultaneously developing a new horror feature set to begin filming this winter.
“I had initially thought creating a comic would be a quicker process,” he admits. “I assumed I could write it during downtime between film projects. Ironically, I found that producing movies can actually be faster than crafting a comic. If there's one takeaway I'd like your readers to have, it's that writing comics is exceptionally challenging, and it should never be underestimated.”
Take a sneak peek at some pages from ‘Corpse Knight’ along with the variant covers for its first issue below.
