The Dark Underbelly Of Human Nature — Discussing ‘Roche Limit’ With Writer Michael Moreci

Michael Moreci is no stranger to science fiction and horror. He has written several novels, including We Are Mayhem and Black Star Renegades as well as a host of comics such as Burning Fields, The Plot and various Stranger Things miniseries. Through a crowdfunding campaign on Zoop, Moreci is now revisiting Roche Limit, his noir sci-fi series set on a colony near an mysterious energy anomaly. In an exclusive interview with Comicon.com, Moreci discusses why he wanted to return to the series a decade later and what readers will find new in this hardcover deluxe edition.

Tom Smithyman: It’s been a decade since you completed Roche Limit. Why return to it now?

Michael Moreci: That’s a great question. Roche Limit is a book that’s near and dear to me. I guess you can say it was my breakout work. And it’s the book readers ask me about most often: Is it coming back? Will it get collected?

I acquired the print rights to it last year, so it made sense to finally collect it and get a proper version available.

Smithyman: What can readers expect in this deluxe edition? Are you writing new material or including some process imagery and scripts items from the original run?

Moreci: Yes! I’m going to add some scripts as well as an annotation for the first issue, detailing the inspirations and hidden meanings baked into the text. I think that’s going to be something readers will really get a kick out of.

Smithyman: In the series, you blended elements of science fiction and noir. Did you find that to be a natural pairing when you were writing, or did it take some effort to bring them together on the page?

Moreci: I think sci-fi and noir sort of are a natural pairing, in a weird way. Both often explore, in unique ways, the dark underbelly of human nature, just wrapping that up in a genre package. Both tend to be pretty dark and cynical but manage to be entertaining all the while. That was my goal. I wanted to get at these deeper, darker things while keeping the story entertaining at the same time.

Smithyman: Does that darker view of the space and interstellar exploration reflect your own beliefs about what humanity’s future holds?

Moreci: I’d say so. I think history has proven – and our modern times are doubling down on this – that humans will also find the worst applications for technology. We excel at it. So if there ever is a time when we truly reach the stars, we’ll surely find a way to turn the opportunity for a fresh start into a cynical end. As Modest Mouse said: “Pack up, move to the next place, where we’ll make the same mistakes.”

Smithyman: You changed artists after the first story arc, where you started with Vic Malhotra. Was that an artistic choice or an availability issue?

Moreci: Availability. Vic’s a great guy and a great artist, but circumstances pulled him in a different direction. We were very fortunate to find Kyle Charles, who stepped in and did a tremendous job.

Smithyman: Why was crowdfunding the best choice for you to bring this deluxe edition to life?

Moreci: Personally, I like the direct route. Make the book, put it in readers’ hands. It’ll still be available to comic shops, but I enjoy giving fans direct access. But also, the industry is a bit crazy right now! Distribution, sales, it’s very difficult. This allows us to circumvent all that, which is nice.

Smithyman: Named for Édouard Roche, a Roche limit refers to the distance within which a celestial body will be torn apart by tidal forces exerted by a larger celestial body. So what would be the characteristics of a “Moreci limit,” existed, if it existed?

Moreci: Oh man…that’s a tough one. It’d probably be the space in which someone works way too much but refuses to stop!

Smithyman: I feel that! Best of luck with the campaign.