Talking Archie Comics’ ‘Strange Science’ With Butch Mapa And Jamie L. Rotante

Danni Malloy can play some mean drums and is the person you want watching your back during an exorcism.  In writer, Magdalene Visaggio, and artist, Butch Mapa’s, upcoming one-shot, Strange Science, though, Danni and her best friend, Jinx, have a time machine to contend with — one that’s sent them and Dilton to “a warped version of Riverdale.” With colors by Ellie Wright and letters by Jack Morelli, Danni is Archie’s first trans character and it was great to be able to check-in with Mapa and Archie Comics’ Senior Director of Editorial, Jamie L. Rotante, about expanding on Danni’s story off of the Jinx one shots.

Rachel Bellwoar: While one-shot used to mean one and done stories, Archie Comics is starting to make that less of a given by allowing ongoing story lines to develop across one-shots. Assuming that was the goal all along, what has it been like seeing those plans start to rollout with series like Jinx and Madame Satan?

Jamie L. Rotante: The idea of storylines continuing throughout one-shots came organically. It wasn’t necessarily the goal all along, but certain stories—like Jinx’s in Jinx: Grim Fairy Tales, got us thinking about how it could be done. From an editorial standpoint, it’s been incredibly interesting to see how certain storylines could continue and even weave into others, while still keeping everything fresh and available as starting points for new fans.

Bellwoar: As much as some circles like to make out that trans people haven’t existed for eons, one (of the many) cool things about Danni is that she’s a character who’s been around in Archie Comics since 1989. Is this the first time that she’s gotten to really be the lead?

Rotante: Yes! Danni was the underrated star of the late ’80s/early ’90s comic series Dilton’s Strange Science, but she was still playing a bit of second-fiddle. She was the new genius but never quite got her fair due, other than being Dilton’s co-pilot in science and hi-tech adventures. This is the first time Danni’s been allowed to really shine. What’s nice too, is Magdalene Visaggio has done such a lovely job in building out Danni’s personality as Jinx’s best friend, that we get to learn more about her than just being someone on Dilton’s level. Strange Science also plays with the format of the original series, allowing Danni to be the star and the hero, with Dilton being more of the foil.

Bellwoar: Jinx and Danni’s friendship is everything, yet they started out on different series (Dilton’s Strange Science for Danni and Li’l Jinx for Jinx). Where did the idea to pair them together come from?

Rotante: That’s all from Mags! She had the vision of creating a Danni-centric storyline for a while, and played with the idea of aging that character down and giving her a nod in Jinx: Grim Fairy Tales (go back and re-read that one if you missed it!). Knowing that Mags had this passion and had mentioned Danni as being one of Jinx’s friends, it became an excellent way to re-introduce the character and allow her to be a part of this horror world. Plus, she writes Danni in such a way that makes her the perfect balance to Jinx’s impulsive, in-your-face attitude. It’s very Betty & Veronica-esque, in that their differences in personalities work to complement each other so well.

Bellwoar: What was it like taking over for Craig Cermak as artist for this oneshot, Butch?

Butch Mapa: My dumb butt thought it would be a good idea to read Jinx: A Cursed Life so I could throw some continuity bits and easter eggs in there, and of course, I ended up seeing the stunning artwork that Craig and Ellie made . . . that I then had to follow! So no, that didn’t end up intimidating me, nope, not at all!

Seriously though, on top of being a tremendous artist, Craig also came up with the revamped Danni design. Looking through his wonderful concept art, as well as his interior pages, gave me a solid idea of what Danni was about.

Bellwoar: From H.G. Wells to Doctor Who‘s Tardis, time machines have come in all shapes and sizes over the years. Is there anything you can reveal about the time machine Dilton designed in Strange Science?

Mapa: Dilton kind of cribbed his design off of something Danni came up with, which is based on a rather famous gadget from the ‘80s. I’ll leave it at that!

Bellwoar: The solicitation text mentions that Jinx, Danni, and Dilton are going to end up in a “warped version of Riverdale.” What does that look like, and did you always want to stay in Riverdale, rather than travel back (or forward) in time to a specific moment in history?

Rotante: Without giving too much away, time travel is very much an essential part of this story—and there is a specific moment in a character’s personal history. That’s all I’ll say, you’ll have to read this issue to find out the rest!

Bellwoar: This isn’t the first time that queer stories have been told through sci-fi or horror. Why do you think genre has been so conducive to telling queer stories?

Rotante: Horror and sci-fi often hold mirrors up to reality, showcasing both the ugly truths and the limitless possibilities of the world. But they also offer space to create entirely new worlds, worlds where those who might be overlooked or “othered” can control not only their personal destinies, but the world around them.

When it comes specifically to horror, fear is universal, but the kind of fear each person experiences is unique. Horror allows its readers or viewers control; they can choose the fear they can distract themselves with or new ways to combat it. The world-bending that both genres allow opens the door for inclusivity.

But, more than anything else, queer readers of sci-fi and horror have existed for as long as the genres have—so why shouldn’t there be representation within the very media they consume? Queer people exist. Queer stories exist. Let’s work to make sure they always do.

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Butch and Jamie!

Chilling Adventures Presents… Strange Science goes on sale August 16th from Archie Comics.