ComicMonsters.com recently caught up with Mitch Schauer to ask him about the book.

Stephanie Shamblin Gray: First off, Mitch, why don’t you tell the ComicMonsters.com readers a little about RIP M.D?

Mitch Schauer: Foremost, RIP M.D. is about a boy who becomes the doctor and best friend to all types of monsters – monsters that turn out to have problems not much different from our own. For example, Lester, a reoccurring werewolf in RIP’s origin story is suffering from low self-esteem because his bizarre howl irritates people more than it frightens them. I also have a story in the works where Count Dracula comes to RIP for help because the King of the Vampires is frustrated with his continued failure to prevent his very stubborn and independent vampire daughter from staying out all hours of the day. But, it’s all in a night’s work ‘cause once RIP is on a case, his respect for each patient and their specific problem becomes the determining factor for RIP to go up against any odds no matter how preposterous…or dangerous.

SSG: Rip is definitely a character that many of the ComicMonsters.com readers can identify with, even though he’s only eleven. He is so fascinated with movie monsters that he has convinced himself that they are real and should be sought out. What, or who, was the inspiration for the character?

MS: Put simply, the concept of RIP came from my long-standing love of classic monsters and classic horror movies. From my first viewing of Universal’s “The Ghost of Frankenstein” I was hooked on monsters. I discovered that the truly classic movie monsters, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy and many of their cinematic offspring were played sympathetically. Frankenstein’s monster didn’t ask to be created, yet was forced to try and find his place in the real world. The Wolfman was a normal, unsuspecting individual cursed to become a victim of supernatural circumstances and the Mummy was actually a love story about the search for an ages old lost love reincarnated in present day. Out of appreciation for these films blossomed my desire to create a story that combined my being a monster fan and growing up an only child who often daydreamed of meeting and befriending a real, live monster. I guess that means the RIP character is really just a variation of myself.

SSG: The illustrations in the book are amazing! It’s no small feat making a creature that is pretty much just an eyeball expressive, but you’ve done it. And really, all of the characters are clearly drawn with love. Which character was your favorite?

MS: Drawing Ripley was always a joy because of the fun I had playing around with his expressions and poses. I also enjoyed drawing RIP’s uncle Willert because Will is simply a beer drinking, carousing good ‘ol boy.

SSG: You worked with Mike Vosberg as an inker for the book and after meeting the two of you at Comic-Con International, you clearly have great chemistry together and a similar love of old monster movies. Tell us about working with Mike.

MS: Mike is a consummate artist. He loves writing and drawing and challenging himself with new projects. I was truly surprised and overjoyed when he accepted the inking gig on RIP. I mean, someone of Mike’s caliber actually being interested in inking a whimsical project like RIP? Whenever he brought in finished inked pages, Mike had not only inked the pencils, he also brought his feelings for the characters along in his finishes. He cared about the story, the attitudes of the characters and the overall fun feel of the book. And yes, he and I share a fan boy’s love for the old horror films. In fact, last Christmas Mike gifted me with a beautiful painting of Bela Lugosi as Dracula.

SSG: At one point in the story, we see Rip get saved from a spider. As a friend of spiders, I have to ask: why make the spider a bad guy?

MS: Sorry about that, but it wasn’t to show a spider as a bad guy. It was to show Lester as a good guy…or good lycanthrope.

SSG: Are more RIP M.D. books planned?

MS: I have two more graphic novels in the planning stages, each one bigger in scope than the last.

SSG: Let’s not forget the most important questions: When will the book be available, what’s the price point, and where can we get one?

MS: RIP M.D. will be released pre-Halloween (late Sept/early Oct). I’m not sure of the exact date right now, but pre-orders are currently available on the Fantagraphics site, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders’ websites. The official price point is $12.99.

SSG: Thank you, Mitch, for taking the time to answer all of our questions!

MS: My pleasure! And thanks!

SSG: Comment on this article here or on our forums.