Talking All Things Jinx With Jamie L. Rotante And Craig Cermak Ahead Of Archie’s FCBD Issue

Following in the footsteps of Vincent Price and Boris Karloff, this Free Comic Book Day will see Jinx acting as host to three Archie horror stories in The Cursed Library. Writer, Magdalene Visaggio, and artist, Craig Cermak, are doing the framing story for Archie’s Free Comic Book Day issue.

Then later in May, Jinx is back in Jinx: A Cursed Life. If you loved Jinx in last summer’s sold-out one-shot, Jinx Grim Fairy Tales, this time Jinx is being asked to perform an exorcism on a certain burgar-loving Archie character. With colors by Ellie Wright and letters by Jack Morelli (Glenn Whitmore did the colors for the FCBD issue), I got to ask Cermak and Archie Comics’ Senior Director of Editorial, Jamie L. Rotante, about what’s coming up for Jinx. There’s also an exclusive preview at some unlettered art from Jinx: A Cursed Life:

Rachel Bellwoar: In Archie Comics’ Free Comic Book Day issue, The Cursed Library, Jinx gets to follow in the footsteps of Vincent Price and other horror greats, by acting as host to a trio of stories from Archie’s horror past. How did you go about selecting which stories to include for this special issue and (in the words of red carpet interviewers), what will Jinx be wearing to host?

Jamie L. Rotante: When it comes to Archie Horror, we have so many amazing options to choose from, selecting which to include was quite a decision to make! We opted for some selections from our first few horror releases of 2023, Betty: The Final Girl, Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors, and The Cult of that Wilkin Boy. Since these books move quickly, by the time you read this, they might all very well be sold out!

As for Jinx’s attire, she’ll be sporting a very fashionable cloak, as any good horror host should (we swear it’s not a Snuggie!).

Bellwoar: Thanks to The Cursed Library we also get to meet Jinx’s best friend, Danni, who isn’t at all impressed by the creepy books and just wants to hangout and eat pizza. In the press release for Jinx’s Cursed Life, Craig, you mention how gratifying it was to work out their dynamic. Were there any moments, in particular, where you felt like you especially cracked their friendship? 

Craig Cermak: So many moments! Even very early on, drawing the interaction of them figuring out how to jam together in the garage. Both are giving it all they’ve got, but Jinx, more fixated on just producing anything, has a different approach than Danni, who’s more interested in actually learning what they’re doing. And there are a few moments later in the Cursed Life story that I won’t spoil but definitely strengthened their bond, and shows how much they understand and respect one another while still being open to some playful ribbing. These moments written by Magdalene made it easy to draw the distinction and care between the two.

Bellwoar: We already know how important music is to Jinx (in Jinx: Grim Fairy Tales the whole reason she agreed to babysit was to raise money for a new guitar), but showing up to an exorcism with a guitar may be a first. Was it fun getting to play against expectations and create these opposing tones, of dramatic rain with a not so climatic reveal to ‘what’s in the case?’

Rotante: First off, I just want to mention how talented of a musician writer Magdalene Visaggio is (go check out her musical project Daisy & Jane!). It makes sense that music would become a key part of this story.

If you think about it, there’s already an exorcising nature of music. Releasing everything that’s pent up inside out into the world, especially while shredding on a guitar, is not only cathartic, but rather quite expelling the demons of stagnancy.

But yes, playing off those familiar tones with something straight up fun is always a delight, and something we love to explore whenever we can in Archie Horror.

Cermak: Visually it was highly amusing and enjoyable to create moody environments, particularly when they arrive at and walk through Jughead’s home, but with more colorful moments sprinkled through, like the guitar case and the various details in Jughead’s domain. The meshing of the serious with the silly really allows more moments to stand out, rather than come across as dry, and makes it more fun to draw!

Bellwoar: Archie Comics already has one iconic teen band in Josie and the Pussycats. What sets Jinx’s band apart?

Rotante: Well for one… practice. At this stage, Jinx’s band still needs a lot more of that. But I’d say the major difference is the D.I.Y. vibe. While the Pussycats have a manager (even if said manager’s twin sister is a bit of a saboteur!), and a curated look and sound, Jinx and Danni are just two teens who have a passion to rock on and shout about how homework sucks (though I have my suspicions that Danni may want to scratch a bit more beneath the surface in their lyrical content, and maybe even refine that sound a bit more.) It’s truly punk rock.

Cermak: I would say there’s a lot more mindless thrashing and the gear is limited and maybe not the most pristine. Jinx’s initial guitar is a bit of a mess and Danni is still saving up for a second tom-tom. They don’t know what they’re doing but it’s still the most fun they’ll ever have.

Bellwoar: Any time exorcisms come up it’s hard not to think of Linda Blair in The Exorcist. Jughead’s possession already has more burgers, but how did you approach making his experience with demonic possession specific to him?

Rotante: Poor Jughead… he seems to always get the worst of things in the world of horror. For some reason he’s just always the perfect target, I suppose it’s his go-with-the-flow attitude. Sometimes it makes him go to incredibly dark places.

Mags did a fantastic job of highlighting Juggy’s lackadaisical nature. He just adapts so easily to his new state, totally unbothered. The juxtaposition of his attitude and the moments of humor in his interactions with Jinx and Danni, along with Craig’s incredibly haunting and horrifying art work together so beautifully, and really showcase what makes this book so damn special.

Bellwoar: Besides Jinx: Grim Fairy Tales and the upcoming Cursed Life, are there any other books or back issues that Jinx fans can pick up to learn more about her backstory?

Rotante: To see Jinx’s first foray into darkness, be sure to check out The Jughead The Hunger Vs. Vampironica graphic novel. And for more Archie Horror, make sure to check out all of our horror one-shots—most of which are sold out. But lucky for you, our fall graphic novel release Archie Horror Presents… Chilling Adventures provides the perfect way to catch up!

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to his interview, Jamie and Craig!

Look for The Cursed Library in stores this Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 6th) as Archie Comics’ free issue.

Chilling Adventures Presents… Jinx: A Cursed Life goes on sale May 17th from Archie Comics.