Talking ‘Monster High: Boomuda Triangle’ With Megan Brown And Eileen Widjaja — Plus An EXCLUSIVE Preview Of Issue #2

Sometimes an internship can be too good to be true, like one that takes place within the Bermuda Triangle (or “Boomuda” Triangle, to use Monster High parlance). Will Spelldon regret accepting the Cartographer’s invitation in writer Megan Brown and artist Eileen Widjaja‘s new miniseries, Monster High: Boomuda Triangle? With colors by Bex Glendining and letters by Johanna Nattalie, here’s what Brown and Widjaja could share — plus an exclusive preview of the second issue:

Rachel Bellwoar: Having seen Spell and Val’s relationship develop over the last two Monster High Pride specials, how has it been having more issues to tell a longer story with them this time around?

Megan Brown: It’s been amazing. I adore writing the boys, and I think with the added page space we were able to help give voice to some of Spell’s wants, desires, and insecurities — this, of course, in addition to being able to throw them into a lot of shenanigans! And Eileen really masterfully turned these stories into something full of dynamic action, humor, and heart.

Eileen Widjaja: Although I’ve read and enjoyed Spell and Val’s stories in the Pride issues, this is my first project with them so it was quite nerve-wracking. I knew I had big shoes to fill art-wise, especially since this series is much much much lengthier than the Pride issues and the concept of multiverses can always be … difficult. But everyone on the team was extremely kind and helpful to me and Megan’s scripts are so wonderful to work with. Working on the book was such an enjoyable experience and I had so much fun exploring Spell and Val’s dynamic, designs, and the entire multiverse setting.

Bellwoar: Besides the pun potential of the name, what excited you the most about making the Boomuda Triangle the setting?

Brown: For me, the Boomuda Triangle felt like a natural extension of the Monster High universe — a place full of mystery that could be a little bit spooky and a little bit unexplainable. I was really excited by the potential it represented! Of course, then I got the easy job of being able to write: and then all the universes collide! So seeing how Eileen took that impossible sentence and made it possible, crafting a place that felt real and lived in, was incredibly cool.

Widjaja: I thought having the Boomuda Triangle as the gateway-slash-keeper of the multiverse was a really cool concept. From the beginning, I was most excited about exploring the many different settings and how each character would be like in their alternate universes. Designing the buildings, the vehicles, the cities. Playing around with the little details, the clothing. All that stuff. In a way, it feels like I’m playing with dolls — ha, isn’t that fitting? — and putting them in the wildest outfits and places I can imagine.

Bellwoar: It’s already been revealed that there’s a multiverse angle to this miniseries. Of the multiverses Spell and Val are going to be visiting, do you have a personal favorite?

Brown: I do! How much can I spoil? Let’s say it’s very enemies-to-lovers. Or enemies-always-as-lovers. Or…?

Widjaja: I’m not sure how much we’re allowed to reveal, but I’ll just say that my personal favorite involves a cozy house and a spooky attic 🙂

Bellwoar: In the press release, fans saw a preview of some of the different looks Spell and Val will be rocking. Was it fun having more opportunities for wardrobe changes with this arc?

Brown: I had the easy job! Ahaha I had a fangtastic time sitting down and thinking about what worlds are trope-y universes that would be fun to explore in broad strokes with a spooky Monster High twist.

Widjaja: Oh yes, very much so. Not just because it was fun to explore so many different ideas and concepts — which it was — but also because the whole process of creating their designs felt incredibly exciting and rewarding. The back-and-forth with the creative team, the whole process of figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and getting each other hyped up for their alternate universe designs … 10/10.

Bellwoar: Much hype has been built around this internship that Spelldon has accepted, yet no one seems to know much about the Cartographer outside of reputation. A lot of the Monster High characters have ties to classic horror monsters, which offers a starting point for their character designs, but the Cartographer is a true enigma. How was it getting to create a Monster High character from scratch and is there anything you can tell us about the person behind Spell’s internship?

Brown: We went a little off the map, for sure! I think that’s about all I can say…

Widjaja: Out of all the designs created for this series, the Cartographer is by far my favorite. If I remember correctly, his design was also the one that went through the least amount of revisions haha. From the moment I saw Megan’s description of him I was hooked and I immediately knew what I wanted to make. What a mysteriously mysterious guy.

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Megan and Eileen!

Monster High: Boomuda Triangle #1 is on sale now from IDW. #2 goes on sale March 18th.