NYCC 2023: Eliot Rahal Talks ‘Under The Influence’ At The Mad Cave Studios Booth

Welcome to the table,

Life imitates art or art imitates life depending on how you look at it, align yourself philosophically, or just like to turn a phrase. The nature of what we experience and what we create is woven together in beautiful ways that make the moments we experience a work that hits us even more impactful. One of my favorite books in recent years is the brilliantly crafted and smartly subversive Under The Influence by Eliot Rahal.

Getting a chance to meet creators is almost always a good time and being able to cross paths with Eliot and have some time to talk to him was one of the highlights of the show for me. He truly is a brilliant artisan crafting wonderful stories in this ever-changing landscape and I for one am here for whatever he conjures next.

Anton: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me, Eliot. Before we dive in can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Eliot: Of course! Thank you for your interest in the series. I never know how to do this. So here it goes! I’m a best-selling comic book writer. The majority of my work is in the creator owned space. However, these past few years I’ve had the opportunity to work on a lot of established licenses and to work in developmental licenses (which is what Under the Influence is). I’m a parent. And I spend way too much thinking about things. Pretty sure I’ve gone insane.

Anton: Today we are talking about Under The Influence, a book I have been reviewing for Comicon, and I have to say it is one of my favorites of this past year. As someone who’s spent over a decade in office settings, working in social media as a means to keep the lights on, this title is not just hitting close to home for me, it’s living inside my house. What was the inspiration for this title?

Eliot: I think the inspiration is the same as why you are drawn to the series, by the sounds of it. I think we are at a turning point in human history, in every sense of the term. All of our structures, whether they are economic, political, social, or environmental are under extreme duress. And the internet is acting as an accelerant.

Everyone is very concerned about what will happen in 25 – 40 years. And I understand that impulse. But for me, the crisis is the next 5 to 10. The immediate consequences of the technology over our human consciousness rather than some distant idea that robots will take us over and destroy the world.

Anton: The idea of social media being a tool for entertainment and revolution, for good or evil, is a tale as old as Livejournal so I was curious about this title from the start, but in the first issue when Cara styles her food in a diner, does not get a to-go-box and is not even hungry she is just doing it for the ‘gram you had my full attention.

In a handful of panels and some key dialog, this comic went from being topical to being keenly insightful really quickly. Have you worked in the social space before or is this all from research and observation?

Eliot: I mean, I’m not an expert. At all. In fact, I’m very bad at social media and the internet. The irony about all of this is that I’m actually trying to get better at utilizing digital spaces to further my career (I wanna start streaming).

That being said, I’ve definitely put my foot in my mouth when it comes to social media. And I’ve definitely been burned by it. Yet, this book is more of an observation of what I’m seeing and what I know about history. The invention of the printing press led to the dissemination of ancient anti-sematic conspiracy theories that we are still grappling with today. There are just so many unintended consequences.

Anton: Social media is often a single influencer or brand as the focus of the account being followed, but comics are such a collaborative process with many players working together to create a single body of work. How did the team on Under The Influence come together?

Eliot: Mad Cave played a pivotal role in assembling the project and keeping the project together when things didn’t go to plan (as they always do!). I had my thoughts and suggestions, which they listened to, but ultimately they were the lead producer. Honestly, it’s a nice relief sometimes. Takes a lot of pressure off of me so I can focus on working with the team instead of wrangling one!

Anton: Online we are all, unless we get caught on the wrong TikTok, only the aspects of ourselves we want the world to see. The parallel of Cara as an F.B.I. agent having to maintain an outward appearance that is not who she really is speaks to a deep-rooted issue of social sites creating unattainable ideals and false impressions to further goals or brand agendas.

All of this causes people to lose themselves in a persona or even worse allegedly causes their followers to experience body dissatisfaction, lower self- esteem, and depression. The themes are heavy and I LOVE THEM because so many sources go a crime drama route where it’s all sex crimes but this feels like it’s so subversive and digs so deep. You really are making such a powerful statement with this book, what made you choose comics as the medium to convey it?

Eliot: Ha. That’s so kind of you. I mean mostly because I work in comics, I guess? This story is about the internet. That’s hard to make feel compelling when dealing with printed art and fixed images. Comics offer story-tellers a lot of flexibility and a lot of creativity. It’s a medium I have practice in. As a result, I know how to stretch some rules. And I know when things “feel boring.”

Not all of the time, mind you, but some. Like if I wanted to raise money and produce this on my own and make a movie, I’m not sure if I would be the best person to lead that project because I lack the experience of doing those things and dealing with the problems that might occur during that process. That said, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try! I am, after all, addicted to my own self-destruction.

Anton: Social Media culture is baked into every aspect of this book in the best possible ways. The horse bit on the cover of issue #3 is one of my favorite meta jokes and just showcases how real-time this comic feels. I would be remiss if I did not ask, do you spend a lot of time on social media?

Eliot: I did. And now I don’t. That’s on purpose. Although I’m on IG waaaaay too much. I plan on using the internet more, but I want to approach it like a horse (or some kind of animal you ride?). Like. I need the internet. I need it for my career. But instead of trying to keep up with the internet, I’d much rather approach it with a specific plan. Ultimately, for me, it’s about control.

I think sometimes I’m an overly sensitive person who takes things way too personally, and social media is not kind to someone who is like that. Also, I have a 2 year old daughter now. And the last thing I want to do is miss something that’s actually special––and actually real––because I was on Twitter or whatever they call it now.

Anton: Working in it, I try my best to disconnect, but somehow around 3 am I’m forever finding myself watching someone talk about a transformer toy from the 80s I never got to play with that turns into a skull bat or some recipe for 500 calorie burritos. Hell, I do a Mail Call post whenever Mad Cave sends out their epic press care packages, the one for Under the Influence has easily been in my top three with the FBI patch and the hotdog stickers. What are your favorite accounts or types of accounts to follow?

Eliot: Haha. I mean my IG is all over the place. A lot of funny stuff. Plus Mid-Century Modern accounts about houses I can’t afford. Plus baby and parenting stuff. Comics stuff. And a lot of political ones. What can I say? I’m in my mid thirties.

Anton: I love the world you are building here and am a strong champion for when stories end they should be allowed to end but are there plans to explore more of this world once this story arc is done? It’s one of the first times I have ever felt like a “real life” story actually speaks to me and I would love to see more in this space.

Eliot: I never really thought about it before. However, I definitely would. Especially now as my thoughts have evolved. Sometimes I feel like the book is almost out-of-date already and it’s still coming out, lol.

Anton: Outside of Under the Influence can you tell us anything about what you have planned next on the horizon?

Eliot: Yeah, so I have another creator-owned Mad Cave being announced soon along with an OGN from another publisher that I’m so-so-so-so excited about. Also, I’m really working on expanding my personal “brand” (I’ve got to find a better word than that). But I want to start doing some self-publishing, streaming, and stuff like that. I’m really inspired by what people like James Tynion or the DYSTLRY crew have done. My goal is to find my own version of that. Also, I’ve been the lead writer for Madam Satan for the past four years and we have another MS story out now from the Archie Comics Horror line that I’m really proud of.

Anton: As one of my favorite voices in comics this has been a treat and I hope we get a chance to talk more soon. Before we go, where can everyone follow you to keep up with what you have going on?

Eliot: Right now just follow me on IG, please. Best place for updates. It’s also where I’m going to be launching a lot of future projects.

Anton: That’s all for now, smash that like button, follow, and subscribe… now… where can I get a Funeral Sandwich hoodie?

Eliot: Yes! That’s my studio/personal brand/label/boutique I mentioned earlier. And I’m working on it! Baby steps. Right now I’m really focused on enhancing my table space at conventions. So I’ll take your suggestion to heart when I have enough money to invest in merchandise!

 

Until next time, if you have not yet given it a chance, check out Mad Cave‘s Under The Influence, it truly is a timely and powerful book that speaks to the ever-changing now.