This Crossover Is Just The Beginning — Discussing ‘Endless Night’ With Creator Mark London

Crossovers are nothing new in comics. But for Underworld universe creator Mark London, the idea of bringing his characters together was too good an idea to pass up. That crossover series, Endless Night, debuts next month from Mad Cave. Comicon.com sat down with London to discuss the perils and pitfalls of writing a crossover series as well as his admiration for series artist Tom Derenick.

Tom Smithyman: Endless Night is an Underworld universe crossover, which brings together characters you have been developing for a while now. Was that the plan all along, or did you realize at some point it would be a good idea?

Mark London: Endless Night has always been on the table since we started Mad Cave almost 11 years ago. I grew up on Marvel and DC’s biggest crossovers, so it was a pipe dream to do something on a smaller scale eventually, and it evolved organically over time.

While the idea was always there, bringing these very different characters together in a crossover event like this crystallized as we saw how their individual stories could interconnect. The concept of having Velveteen, McCormick & Miller, and Owen Blackwood join forces against a common threat was too good to pass up, as it allowed us to explore new dynamics and push the boundaries of their narratives. Once we realized the potential for a genre-smashing collision, it became clear that Endless Night would be a thrilling way to bring these characters together and offer something truly special for our readers.

Smithyman: For those not familiar with Underworld, tell us what to expect from the universe and this series in particular.

London: Those new to the Underworld universe can expect a thrilling blend of dark conspiracies, deadly assassins, a hard-boiled mystery, and supernatural elements. It’s a setting where the shadows hold secrets and danger lurks around every corner. You see, in the Underworld, characters navigate a gritty, lawless landscape filled with intrigue and menace.

 Endless Night, in particular, brings these elements to the forefront in an action-packed miniseries. Readers will encounter diverse characters, each with their own motivations and expertise, coming together to prevent an apocalyptic catastrophe. With Velveteen, the rogue assassin on a path of revenge; McCormick & Miller, detectives striving to maintain order; and Owen Blackwood, a dedicated monster hunter, the series promises a high-stakes adventure filled with tension and unexpected alliances. Whether you’re a fan of mystery, action, or supernatural thrills, Endless Night offers something for everyone in the richly layered world of the Underworld.

Smithyman: Is it a challenge to pull characters from your other series and give them a meaningful role in this story?

London: I’m not going to lie, it can be quite the challenge to pull characters from different series and give them meaningful roles in a crossover story like Endless Night. Each character comes with their own established background, personality, and narrative arc, so it’s important to stay true to what makes them unique while also ensuring they fit naturally into the new storyline.

I try very hard to always find the right balance between honoring their individual journeys and contributing to the larger narrative. It’s about creating new dynamics and interactions that feel organic and important. It’s key to ensure that each character has a distinct voice and purpose within the plot, so their contributions are essential to the unfolding events.

Although the process can be challenging, it’s also incredibly rewarding. It allows us to explore new aspects of the characters and see them interact in ways that wouldn’t be possible within their own series. All that is to say that it’s all about weaving together a cohesive story where every character plays a piece of the puzzle in preventing the apocalyptic threat at the heart of Endless Night.

Smithyman: What were your inspirations for Endless Night? I’m assuming they go beyond the world of comic books.

London: Growing up, I was exposed to all kinds of storytelling. I grew up in the ’80s, a great time to be exposed to all sorts of media: comics, video games, movies, animation, literature – all great platforms for storytelling in their way.

So, yes, the inspiration extends beyond comic books. While I certainly draw from classic comic book tropes and storytelling techniques, I also look to various other genres and media to enrich the narrative. Film noir and hard-boiled detective stories have heavily influenced the tone and atmosphere of the Underworld universe. The gritty, shadowy settings and morally complex characters from those genres are a perfect fit for the narrative of Endless Night. Also, the supernatural and horror elements in the story are inspired by classic and contemporary horror films and literature, where the tension and suspense keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Mythology and folklore also play a big role, which helps the team weave in the mystical and arcane aspects of the story.

It’s all about creating a rich tapestry that enhances the sense of danger and mystery that permeates the series. You put all these influences in a blender, and Endless Night becomes a bit of a genre-smashing experience that offers something unique to both comic book fans and those who appreciate storytelling from other media.

Smithyman: Endless Night is billed as the first official crossover of the Underworld. Does that mean you have more planned?

London: Yes, Endless Night is indeed the first official crossover of the Underworld universe, and we certainly have more planned for the future. This crossover is just the beginning of exploring the potential of the Underworld universe and the interconnected stories within it. This is the cornerstone that opens up exciting possibilities for further crossovers and collaborations among our characters.

This world begs to continue expanding on these storylines. So we owe it to ourselves to create a universe where fans can look forward to seeing their favorite characters come together in new and unexpected ways, facing challenges that test their limits and deepen their arcs. While I can’t reveal too much right now, you can bet money that we have more thrilling events and crossovers in the works that will continue to explore and expand the Underverse in ways that will surprise and delight our readers.

Oh, and did I mention that Endless Night concludes phase one, but we are already hard at work on phase two with additional series that will introduce new characters, bring some familiar faces from the past, and that they will eventually cross over?

Smithyman: I maintain that the artist on this series, Tom Derenick, is vastly underutilized by the greater comics community. Is it safe to assume that you agree? How did you two connect?

London: Since Mad Cave has the best editor in comics, Mr. Mike Marts, who is at the heart of the project, paired us together, and I couldn’t be happier with the collaboration. Tom Derenick is indeed a force to be reckoned with in comics. He is an incredibly talented artist, and I absolutely agree that he’s vastly underutilized by the greater comics community. His ability to bring an explosive, widescreen, bombastic feel to the story, combined with the tension he creates, is exactly what I was looking for in Endless Night.

Working with Tom has been a fantastic experience, a highlight in my journey as a comics writer. His artistic style perfectly complements the dynamic and intense nature of the narrative we wanted to convey. From the very first sketches, Tom understood the vision and was able to translate it onto the page with remarkable skill and creativity. I’m thrilled to have him on board, and I believe readers will be blown away by the visual impact he brings to the series.

Smithyman: What is the collaboration like between the two of you as well as your colorist and letterer?

London: Working with Tom has been an incredible experience, largely because he’s such a pro. When Mike showed me what Tom wanted to do, I trusted him completely with the artistic direction of Endless Night, so our interaction was minimal. Our middleman was Mike Marts, who did a fantastic job keeping everything flowing and having Tom focus on what he does best, and me trying to deliver the best possible script. I jokingly say that Mike had it easy on this one – well, sort of!

Tom’s ability to capture the explosive and intense feel of the story made it easy to give him the creative freedom he needed. This seamless collaboration extended to our colorist and letterer as well. Juancho Velez, the colorist, brought an atmospheric depth that perfectly complements Tom’s artwork, enhancing the mood and tone of the series.

Meanwhile, Simon Bowland’s letterer’s skillful placement and style ensured the dialogue and narrative flowed naturally, adding another layer of immersion for the readers. The result just blows me away. It was a team effort in which each person’s expertise shone through, creating a cohesive and dynamic final product. I’m incredibly grateful for the talented team Mike assembled for Endless Night. I think readers will really appreciate what ended up in the pages of Mad Cave’s first crossover.

Smithyman: The sun never rises in Endless Night. If you were living in a land of eternal darkness, how long do you think it would take before you went crazy?

London: Haha, that’s a great question! If I lived in a land of eternal darkness, I think I’d last about as long as my coffee supply holds out. Once that runs dry, who knows what kind of creative madness might ensue? No pun intended.

But in all seriousness, I imagine it would be quite the challenge to keep track of time and maintain a sense of normalcy. Hopefully, I’d have some great company with Velveteen, McCormick & Miller, and Owen Blackwood, to keep me entertained and on my toes while we banter and kick the bad guys in their mouths.

Smithyman: Hopefully the sun will rise at some point. Good luck with this crossover – and the ones to come in the future.