Steeped In 80s Culture — Talking With The Creative Team From ‘Far Down Below’

The new Mad Cave series Far Down Below features a script by Chris Condon, one of the hottest writers in comics as well as artwork from Gegê Schall, who shows considerable range in just the first issue. The series is about a pair of kids who encounter some unexpected adventures under the Earth’s surface. The pair sat down with Comicon.com for an exclusive interview to discuss 1980s nostalgia as well as why both of these busy creators were eager to tell this story now.

Tom Smithyman: The first issue really seems to channel a lot of ’80s vibes, especially E.T., Star Wars and The Goonies. I’m assuming that was intentional and we’ll see elements of it throughout your limited series?

Chris Condon: Those vibes are certainly intentional. I’ve often described the book as The Goonies if it were written by Stephen King, so I think that’s apt. Regarding those references and vibes, I think that it’s important to establish a time and a place and utilizing pop cultural touchstones – the Challenger launch we use in the opening, etc. – all serves a narrative purpose. We won’t be using specific references throughout, but the vibes will continue.

Smithyman: ’80s nostalgia is in full swing right now. Are you two huge fans of the times?

Condon: I actually chose the 1980s for a story reason. As for being a huge fan myself? I was born and raised in the ’90s, but my childhood was still steeped in ’80s culture. I feel like there’s always that cultural hangover from one decade to the next, and I definitely grew up in that, so that certainly helped inform the choices I decided to make.

Gegê Schall: I second Chris’ on that. I grew up in the 90s, but between having my older sister listening to Roxette on full volume and watching Back To The Future every week or so on TV, I definitely had my aesthetic references dominated by that era early on in my life.

Smithyman: It feels like you’re mixing several genres – from mysteries to young adult stories to even family drama – together here to tell a unique story. Chris, was that a conscious decision? And Gege, how does that affect your approach to the artwork?

Condon: Yeah, definitely. I don’t see why a story can’t be like any good recipe – so many parts of this, a dash of this.

Schall: I think I’m always searching to work on multiple genre stories in a way, I get bored doing the same thing for too long. My last three books were a family dramedy road trip, a political-historical-fiction queer detective story with family bits, and a sci-fi AI story about family, adoption, violence and transness, so…I guess I just like to draw different aspects of things and the very multifaceted characters that sprawl from that while also flexing my skills with more wild visuals.

Smithyman: Without giving anything away, where is the series heading, both visually and from a story perspective?

Condon: Beneath the earth! Ha. Well, I can tell you that things will get scary in sections, just as they will be thrilling and adventurous, and hopefully, emotional. Visually, Gegê has created a fantastic subterranean world that I’m excited for readers to check out.

Schall: It’s hard to not get into details here, but I can say I loved working on Chris’ concepts for what our characters will meet along the way – definitely added some new textures and looks to my visual vocabulary! I think readers will be surprised with some of the terrifying things we brought to light in those dark places down below.

Smithyman: Chris – You’re incredibly busy with Green Arrow, Ultimate Wolverine and – hopefully more That Texas Blood on the way. Why did you prioritize this story? What makes it so special for you?

Condon: Well, it helps that I wrote it all over two or three months last year. But I’ve been wanting to tell this story since high school. It has stuck with me and it wouldn’t leave me alone until I finally brought it to Mad Cave and Gegê to breathe life into it.

Smithyman: Gegê – You have a lot on your plate as well. Why did you want to work on this kind of story?

Schall: I knew Chris’ work from That Texas Blood and, honestly, that alone was a huge starter for me. Then I think the Stand By Me meets Stranger Things concept made a lot of sense for both my repertoire as an artist and the types of characters and stories I like to work with. It was a good opportunity to work on something that still had drama, action, and fantastical elements combined, but also tackled lighter themes if you compare it to Made In Korea and the book I’m writing at the moment.

Smithyman: How did the two of you first meet, and what is your working relationship like?

Condon: I was a big fan of Gegê’s work on Made in Korea, which she did with my pal, Jeremy Holt. We haven’t yet met in person, but I can’t wait for that day to come. As for our working relationship, I think that we like to see what the other does, and we don’t then step on each other’s toes. At least that’s how I see it from my perspective. I like what Gegê does, and I trust her instincts. She hasn’t let me down yet!

Schall: Same for me! Chris’ writing is very clear and easy to grasp, and he’s been super easy to work with and very accepting and supportive of my suggestions for both the page-to-page storytelling and the visual designs I came up with for the book. I live on the other side of the ocean so sometimes it takes a bit long to be able to make it happen, but I hope we get to meet soon!

Smithyman: The first issue features a haunted house. Have either of you ever had a supernatural encounter or at least been in a fake haunted house around Halloween?

Condon: I’ve encountered some spooky vibes in some spooky places, but unfortunately no, I haven’t. Well, unless you count the woman in white who stood at the foot of my bed last October.

Schall: I have an aunt who used to be a medium and my mom’s a spiritualist, so when I was a kid I definitely saw some things! Also, growing up in São Paulo I saw all kinds of spooky abandoned places. Once I was a little older, I started going to parties in those same places and realized they weren’t as abandoned as I thought but well, as a kid they were spooky!

Smithyman: Sounds like you’ve both experienced some interesting adventures. Chris, you’re going to have to tell me more in our next interview! Until then, best of luck with Far Down Below.