Talking With John Layman About His New Horror-Comedy ‘In Hell We Fight’ From Image Comics

This Wednesday sees the release of new series, In Hell We Fight  from writer John Layman (Chew, Detective Comics) and artist Jok. A dark humoured tale of three Hell bound kids (and their hanger-on demon friend) who set out to get ice cream, but end up on an adventure they had not planned. And one that will see them travel across Hell itself, with all the danger that entails. So, on the eve of the release of the first issue (reviewed here), I thought I’d catch up with John and grill him about this new comedy-horror comic book:

Olly MacNamee: John, firstly let me tell you how good is to have you back and making comics. I love your wry and oft-times wicked sense of humour, which is more than evident in your new book, In Hell We Fight. We have a group of youthful ne’er-do-wells, living in Hell, but out to get some ice-cream. But, as this is Hell, they get more than they plan for. Beyond that, though, what can you tell me more about this first issue and the series, in general?

John Layman: I think the Covid years were tough on everybody. They were certainly tough on me. There was a point where I just gave up… I don’t think I wrote for a year. And when I finally came back, I wanted to write something a little brighter, more fun, and more positive. Which sounds weird when you consider it’s about kids condemned in Hell. But, high concept aside, it’s far more optimistic than it sounds, about friendship and loyalty and overcoming hardship.

MacNamee: I can’t help feeling sorry for some of the main cast we meet, though. Poor Huckleberry Finn-era Xander Waterford, especially. Although no-one escapes the acid-tongue of de facto leader, Midori Fukada. What were some of the inspirations for this diverse cast of characters from across time?

Layman: Oh, I have no idea. I’m not analytical like that. I just wanted a weird group of mishmashed kids. So you got the tough-as-nails chick who used to be an assassin in life, an innocent kid who’s been murdered, cursed and unfairly condemned, and a very capably, kinda brainy kid, who is not just stuck in hell, but he come from a different time, and is on a quest to kill a particular demon. All this, plus a few surprises.

MacNamee: Am I right in thinking we get to see more of all the main cast’s backstories across the series, as we do Xander’s in this first issue?

Layman: Yeah, in my perfect world, this goes three arcs and fifteen issues, with each arc focused on a different of the human kids. Of course, if this turns into a monster hit —a tall order in this market— then we’ll go even longer. Lots of stories to tell!

MacNamee: I love the artwork by Jok too. You have a tendency for finding the ideal co-conspirators to work with, and whom absolutely fit the style of story you’re telling. Whether that’s Rob Guillroy on Chew, or Afu Chan on Outer Darkness . And, you’ve done it again with We Fight In Hell. Where did you find this new gifted talent, John, with something of the Mike Mignola and Eduardo Risso about him?

Layman: We met at a convention in Uruguay, my first South American Comic Con. Jok was there. That’s where we met and I was blown away by his portfolio and knew we eventually had to work together. He’s from Argentina, so he crosses paths with Risso and Ba/Moon occasionally. It’s no wonder you can see a bit of their influence.

MacNamee: Onto matters of Hell, then. A plane of existence with a huge array of past presentations in works of art. What is the vision of Hell you and Jok decided upon and did any past presentations infect your decision making?

Layman: Oh, I just said, “draw Hell” and let Jok go to town. Part of what sold me one him was his stunningly imaginative designs. Not to mention his color palette. The bright colors he and Mey put on this book are nothing short of stunning.

MacNamee: And, to what extent was Jok’s artistic input involved with this world-building?

Layman: We talk almost daily, and there’s been a lot of back-and-forth on the designs. But, then, it’s easy, because often he nails it on the first go.

MacNamee: You have a genius of a collaborator on one of your variant covers to issue #1 in Hieronymus Bosch. Again, he’s a great find. With that in mind, any other fresh, new artistic talent you’ve tapped into for future variant covers you care to share?

Layman: I’m hitting up my talent comics pros as well as scouring art archives for classic (and public domain!) art images of Hell for the variants. In addition to Christian Ward on Issue #1, I’ve got Dustin Nguyen on #2 and Ben Templesmith on #3, guys who are both my friends and who are also insanely talented. For our “fine art” incentive covers, we have Hieronymus Bosch, a thousand year old vision of hell commissioned by Henry of Blois and a third cover by Gustave Dore.

MacNamee: Finally, then, what do you hope fans will get from reading In Hell We Fight once the dust settles and the whole series is completed?

Layman: A brief escape from the miseries of life! Come with me to hell and I promise you a good time!

MacNamee: John, always a pleasure, and the best of luck with In Hell We Fight #1.

Layman: Thanks, Olly, as always. Book goes on sale this week. Thanks to everybody who gives it a look!

In Hell We Fight #1 is out Wednesday 7th June from Image Comics