Welcome back to America's favorite cinematic psycho siblings, Vincent & Ida Smith as these two insane farmers recruit some new prospective "crops" for their special garden. A group of wine snobs are flown into to their Napa Valley winery for the time, as in last, of their lives!

We caught up with writer, Matt Nixon and artist, Chris Moreno to talk about the upcoming Motel Hell Comic.

Horror News Network: Have you guys always been a fan of this movie?

Chris Moreno: Motel Hell is one of those flicks that's always existed on the periphery of my consciousness. When I was a kid in the mid-80s our family was big into video rentals, so we'd hit the video store at least once a week. I wasn't really allowed to watch a lot of horror movies, which I think fueled my interest in them even more-- not to mention the amazing posters they had, which eventually would make their way onto the VHS box art. Motel Hell's cover, with Vincent and Ida standing side-by-side over the planted bodies of their victims (to my young eyes they looked like decapitated heads, so it was extra creepy) totally stuck with me. I've been told by friends it's one of their favorite movies. I've recently seen it, and i'm definitely a fan now. It's got that blend of laughs and scares that's right up my alley. At times it's totally absurd. Plus, it's got a chainsaw fight-- what's not to love?

Matt Nixon: I was about 12 the first time I saw this film. Fan? No. I was terrified by the damn thing. I only watched a bit of it, and the circumstances that created this opportunity for a youngster like me to view a full on rated R horror movie were suspect from the start. It seemed dirty, grimy and insane as a total experience. But I had to see it because I was victim of the marketing. I remember it was advertised on the radio for an entire summer in the early 80s. The radio spots alone scared the crap out of me.

When I watched it again during college, and recently when I was preparing the pitch for IDW, I couldn’t help but feel a bit let down. I saw the humor this time, for sure, and that shows up in the series. But I just wasn’t scared or really even creeped out anymore. The memory was far worse than the reality. Now I can say I’m a true fan of what it is…at a loss to explain what it is because if you haven’t seen it you just won’t understand. On that level I respect the film “Motel Hell” as art. I put it up there with Tod Browning’s “Freaks”.

Horror News Network: Does this comic serve as a prequel to the movie, or where does it pick up?

Chris Moreno: It's more of a retelling with respect to the original material. Matt took the best of what makes the movie so special and trimmed some of the fat. It's a nice, lean cut (puns totally intended) of story-- less ground beef and more filet mignon.

Matt Nixon: Yes, like Chris says, a retelling. There are a lot of great elements in the movie that I just lifted. Some stuff is almost shot for shot because a lot of the set pieces in that movie are brilliant. They don’t need to be touched. Thanks to Moreno’s particular style we were able to capture a lot of the comedic timing necessary to sell the jokes. Of course we’re talking two different mediums but fans of “Motel Hell” will spot the things I’m talking about.

I did a lot of updating when it comes to the pretense of the series. If you know the movie, you know it is devoid of pretense. Pretense isn’t altogether bad and I think drawing parallels between Vincent Smith and Charles Manson give it a bit more cohesion, which the film wonderfully lacks. I had a strong desire to have it make total sense. It was a challenge.

Horror News Network: Will we see Vincent wearing the Pig Head?

Chris Moreno: You can't keep those nutty farmers out of the pig heads. It's all pig heads. I loved it so much I went and got me one. I'm wearing my pig head right now.

Matt Nixon: Damn straight.

Horror News Network: What can we expect in terms of blood and gore?

Chris Moreno: If you remember, the movie wasn't really that gory, but we've upped the gore some. It's not an orgy of blood and guts. It's tasteful gore, if there's even such a thing. I think what we've done more so is add more genuine creepiness to the tale. It's got some really skeevy moments in it.

Matt Nixon: I think it’s pretty gory and bloody. Issue #2 is particularly brutal. But like Moreno says, it’s more about the implied madness that motivates Vincent and Ida.

Horror News Network: What is the coolest thing for you to be working on the comic of this cult classic movie?

Chris Moreno: Beyond getting to sort of revisit my childhood, and sort of draw the movie I saw in my head as a kid, the team we've got working on this has really made it such a labor of love. From our illustrious editor Bob Schreck, to Matt's great script, to Tom Smith's colors and some great covers by Tim Bradstreet and Zach Howard, it's just been an embarrassment of riches. When you love and respect the work of the people you're working with, it really brings the best out of you.

Matt Nixon: As far as the work, Moreno put it beautifully: “an embarrassment of riches.” Boy, howdy. I got very lucky with the talent I was provided. Starting with the news that Bob Schreck, who is a nerd’s national treasure, would be editing the book I knew something weird was happening. Then I heard about Tim Bradstreet doing covers, which floored me. When Moreno, Tom Smith and Zach Howard started turning in stuff, I just knew that this book was going to be special. And believe me, I know I got lucky and I exploited the hell out of it. Moreno can do expressions so well; I was able to cut way back on dialog. I hope people take their time and relish what he’s done.

Being able to do “Motel Hell” is actually a real honor for me. I understand exactly how important this movie is to the horror crowd. I know that crowd and I know they will seek out this book and they will scrutinize it. In fact, I’m betting on it.

My hope is that they see my love for “Motel Hell” in my script. I didn’t Michael Bay it or try to go more over the top. I intend for my script to elevate Kevin Conner’s insane romp. To honor it. It impacted my life in deeply personal way so I get to claim ownership as a fan too.

Horror News Network: Chris what has impressed you the most with Matt’s script?

Chris Moreno: I'm a character guy, and Matt gave me such amazingly expressive and fun characters to play with. Just reading the script, I got such a sense of who these characters are that they almost told me how to draw them themselves. He's also crafted some really great moments in this story that got me excited for when the reader gets to see them for the first time. I think he and I approached the story much in the way the folks who created these classic, cult horror flicks did-- which is with the audience in mind. What's going to make people jump out of their seats, or squirm with delight, or grab the person next to them? Matt delivered a lot of that enthusiasm and energy in the scripts, and I just had to try and keep up!

Horror News Network: Matt what has impressed you the most with Chris’ artwork?

Matt Nixon: He’s a master of pantomime. He masterfully breathes life into his characters and I hate to put it this way but you’ll just have to wait and you’ll see for yourself. It’s a treat. If he manages to keep his nose clean and stays off the model glue he’ll be a giant--and at 6’5” he’s there in the literal sense. Chris Moreno does more to me by drawing a single expression than a stack of Hustler’s ever did.

Horror News Network: Where can our readers find out more about the Motel Hell comic?

Chris Moreno: Folks can find out more about the book at the IDW website. The book is available for preorder at comic book retailers in this month's Previews (order code: AUG10 0371) and ships Oct. 6th. I always tell those pals of mine not in-the-know that comics shops ain't like the supermarket-- you want a comic, you gotta let 'em know. So get ahold of your local comics store, give them that order code, and tell them you want Motel Hell!

Matt Nixon: Moreno is correct again. (AUG100371) You are going to have to ask for it, preorder it. This is not the type of book retailers will order in huge quantities/ So, if you do want a copy you gotta ax someone.

Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say about the Motel Hell comic?

Chris Moreno: If you love the original movie, things like Tales from the Crypt, Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Babe: Pig in the City, or have a minor interest in taxidermy, check out Motel Hell! Some might think a comic like this would turn anyone into a vegetarian, but, strangely, it's only increased my appetite for meat.

Matt Nixon: This is going to be one of those books that I look back on wonder where I got off. Seriously, at one point some pages came back from Chris and I was sort of revolted. I mean really creeped out by the images and what was happening. When I remarked about my gut reaction, Bob had to remind me that I came up with those ideas and I wrote that scene. Suddenly, I was more scared of what Vincent and Ida really did to me deep down in that dank basement that weird night when I was 12. Art scars.

Horror News Network: Thanks for your time, guys! Best of luck with the Motel Hell comic.

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