Corinna Bechko: Exclusive Interview

Were you given any vision or a first draft script on how the comic should be written by Tobias Forge? Or were you mostly left to write out your own creative vision with Tobias’ vision?

I had a detailed outline for the entire story as well as a couple of meetings. So I had a very good sense of what should happen, the important beats, and what the action should look like. I feel like my role was making sure that Tobias' vision could be translated into a comic, instead of me making my mark. I've written a number of OGNs (most recently one called The Space Between) so I certainly enjoy creating my own worlds. The place for that is not here, though. This is a place to present Ghost's world.

You co-wrote Sister Imperator with Tobias Forge—how did this collaboration work? What was the process like, and how did you communicate and exchange ideas?

Apart from the outline and the initial meetings, it was mostly handled in notes on the finished scripts back and forth. This is pretty common with folks that are very busy. After all, I was hired to make the script work after he presented his idea of what it should be. I had a similar process on Avatar: Adapt or Die when I was writing in James Cameron's Avatar universe.

How closely did you work with artist Puste to bring Sister Imperator's world to life visually?

I knew who the artist would be so I tried to tailor some of the scenes and situations to his style, but otherwise we both did our own thing. The production from start to finish had to be shrouded in secrecy so I worked with my editor who then was the conduit for everything else. It was an honor to work with Puste though, even if we, of necessity, couldn't have much back and forth.

Ghost’s aesthetic is a mix of theatrical storytelling, religious iconography, and dark humor. How did you balance those elements in the comic?

I thought a lot about all of those aspects as the story progressed. During the initial conversations I was given some touchstones in terms of films and stories that had the same feel as what this comic needed. I tried to mainline those, and keep them front of mind. Was I successful? I'll let folks reading it be the judge.

Without spoiling anything, how would you describe the tone and atmosphere of the Sister Imperator comic series?

It's rather dark in places because it deals with some fairly heavy subjects. But there are moments of joy and wonder too. I hope it reads a lot like Ghost's music, as a matter of fact.

How did you approach developing Sister Imperator's backstory while maintaining the mystery that surrounds her character in Ghost lore?

This miniseries covers a lot of her story but it leaves some fairly significant gaps too. I think it's important that any tale leaves you with "room to dream," as David Lynch would say. Because these four issues cover one particular aspect of her life in favor of some others, I think there is still a lot we don't know about her. She's a very private person, so there's always more to discover.

Did you incorporate any real historical events, myths, or locations into Sister Imperator's backstory?

Absolutely! Tobias had some very specific markers in mind for events that impacted Sister Imperator's life and worldview. A lot of that had to do with the history of music during the 20th century. If this could have been a novel there would have been more, but in a comic economy of space is important. So a lot of things are implied, or happening in the background of the story if you connect the dots.

Were there any specific Ghost songs or lyrics that influenced your writing of Sister Imperator's story?

I listened to everything over and over again (it's a good thing my partner is also a Ghost fan or he might have been driven mad) but I did try to narrow it down and pick one particular song that I thought of as the spirit of each issue. Often there are references in the dialogue or art to what that song might be, but I won't spoil anyone's fun by telling you what they are.

How do you think this comic series will enhance fans' understanding of Ghost's overall lore?

I hope it will answer some questions about how Sister Imperator became the force she is in the Ghost universe, and will deepen the ties between the characters. I really fell in love with her as I was writing her, and I hope other people do too... Even though I think she would have a complicated relationship with receiving that love. I feel that Tobias has developed such a rich mythos surrounding these individuals that any explorations into their histories just reveal that there is more to explore.

Do you see Sister Imperator as a standalone story, or could this comic open the door for more narrative expansions in the Ghost universe?

I think there's a ton of room to tell stories here! I love all the lore and mystery. It was a pleasure to work in this one corner of that universe but there's a lot more going on in different directions.

What was the most surprising or unexpected part of working on this project?

I'd say that it's getting to work on this project at all! I was thrilled when Dark Horse reached out to me to be the possible writer. It was a real surprise to have the opportunity to help tell this story.

With the first issue now available to readers, can you give us a general sense of how the story will unfold across the remaining three issues? What kind of journey can fans expect for Sister Imperator without revealing any specific plot points?

It ranges quite a distance in both time and space, across continents, and through some pretty important points in Sister's life. Some very impactful moments will be revealed. And a lot of deserving asses will be kicked.

You've written for various established franchises like The Expanse and Planet of the Apes. How does writing for Ghost compare to your previous licensed work?

It was an interesting challenge because it was so much about the music, something that is traditionally difficult to convey in a comic. But the story was also very focused on action, something I'm quite familiar with from writing both licensed work and superheroes like Green Lantern. There are a lot of horror elements too, which is my favorite genre both to read and to write. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have had the chance to work on this story, truth be told.

As both a writer and a fossil preparator, how does your scientific background influence your approach to storytelling, particularly in science fiction?

I think a bit of my zoology degree gets into every story, no matter what, even when I don't plan for it to happen. For instance, even though Sister Imperator is in no way a story about wildlife, it does have a circus in it, and I couldn't resist imagining how she would react to the animals there. In keeping with what I know of the Ghost fans I've met, and indeed, horror fans too, she is kind to them and committed to giving them a good life. I have less call to put extinct animals in most of my work (aside from the nonfiction book I co-wrote with Brenda Scott Royce for the Smithsonian called Dig it! Dinosaurs) but I think the broader view of life as encompassing more than just humans is a throughline. I do try to make all the creatures that appear in any science fiction I write as "possible" as I can, that is, they don't violate any known laws and work within their environments. And of course, when I write at home, I do it in a room with an aquarium full of glass catfish and shrimp, two cats, and a dog.

Do you have any favorite comics, books, or films that influenced your approach to writing Sister Imperator?

I watched a lot of horror and read a bit about female surrealists painters, but that was more setting the mood than anything else. I also read an interesting book called Cinderella's Big Score, about female punk and post punk icons. Again, not to crib anything, but to better understand what it was like to be a total badass woman in such a male-dominated space - and to find joy and purpose in doing that. I'm a fairly shy person so I'll never know what it's like to be a performer. It was important for me to think about all the ways someone could make that work for them, beyond the obvious drive some folks have for stardom.

When working on a new project, do you have a specific creative process or ritual to get into the right mindset?

Not really. I used to, but deadlines don't care. So I can't really be precious about it, especially since I have a day job. I guess my only real ritual is that I try to be done with the day's work by an hour before bed or else I can't turn off my brain to sleep. And of course I always throw myself into researching any project, even if I already am deeply familiar with it. For instance, when I was working on Star Wars Legacy I rewatched all the movies and reread all the comics, despite the fact that I basically knew the films by heart.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you're working on or dream projects you'd love to do in the future?

I have something I'm really excited about coming out in June: the very first longform EC Comics story, called Blood Type. I'm working with artist Andrea Sorrentino and the folks at Oni Press to bring it to life. I've done a number of short EC horror stories, but this is going to be four issues of bloody mayhem. I dare say some Ghost fans might enjoy it. As to dream projects, The Space Between, which came out last year, was certainly that. It's a sci-fi story about what happens when you are born into the mission of a generation ship with no way off and no way out. And yes, it's full of geckos and chickens and cats and dogs. In the future I'd love to do a sci-fi horror epic I've been toying with, set on an bleak ice planet, but that one still needs a home. Stay tuned for that... I hope!

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring writers looking to break into comics, what would it be?

Just do it! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. My first published work was a black and white horror graphic novel called Heathentown. Gabriel Hardman did the art, and together we finished it and took it to conventions where we showed it to editors. It took a while, but eventually it was published by Image/Shadowline. Along the way I met a ton of amazing people and have managed to stay employed as a writer ever since. So I guess I have a second piece of advice: Your fellow creators are the people who will help you out when you really need it, who will boost your work, who will go to bat for you. Treat them like friends, not like stepping stones.

Finally, what would you say to Ghost fans who are about to dive into Sister Imperator for the first time?

That it's been a pleasure and an honor to help create a corner of this fascinating world! Tobias' ideas and vision for the story blew me away. I only hope I did them justice. I know everyone will enjoy Puste's art, because how could they not? And I hope everyone falls a bit in love with Sister Imperator, as I have. She is a force of nature, and couldn't we all use a bit more of that whenever we are forced to step into the darkness?

You can follow Corinna and her work on her instagram by clicking here