Nightmares & Fairy Tales returns for a four issue series featuring the original creative team of Serena Valentino and FSc. Gwen and Annabelle venture off to find Morgan, a young woman who has been locked away in an asylum for many years for murders she did not commit. Soon, they find themselves in an abandoned town haunted by its own bloody past!

We caught up with writer, Serena Valentino, to talk about Nightmares and Fairy Tales: AnnaBelle's Story.

Horror News Network: How does it feel to return to the world of Nightmares & Fairy Tales?

Serena Valentino: It’s been a while since I’ve written for comics. Though I enjoy writing novels and screenplays, writing for comics is my first love and I adore this universe and these characters, so it feels wonderful.


Horror News Network: For those that may not have had the creepy pleasure of reading this title, can you provide a quick recap of what has happened so far?

Serena Valentino: The series has been a collection of short horror stories and grisly fairy tales told from the perspective of Annabelle, a doll who is not only the narrator, (much like Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone), but also a pivotal character in the series. As Annabelle changes hands from one owner to the next the reader learns that person’s story. Eventually something horrible happens to all of the women who possess her and Annabelle starts to fear she is cursed. Specifically relating this storyline: sometime back Annabelle met little girl named Gwen who was terrorized by abusive parents who were slaughtered by the monster living in Gwen’s closet. A sweet elderly woman named Beatrice took Gwen in and cared for her, becoming her adopted auntie and gifted her with Annabelle. Unlike the other women in Annabelle’s life Gwen could actually hear her speak and was able to heed her warnings, keeping Gwen safe from a menagerie of supernatural creatures.


Horror News Network: What are your thoughts on the relationship between Gwen and Annabelle?

Serena Valentino: Annabelle has been Gwen’s protector and best friend since she was a wee little girl. She’s heard many stories over the years of the various women in Annabelle’s life and come to count upon Annabelle for companionship, protection and guidance, but now, a young woman Gwen is seeking her independence, wanting to venture out on her own and learn who she is outside the realm of this beautiful, enchanting life that was created by Annabelle and her aunt Bea. But Gwen soon finds herself feeling a bit lost when tragedy renders Annabelle speechless.


Horror News Network: What can you tell us about Morgan?

Serena Valentino: Morgan was a young woman in love with a bewitching woman named Dominique, who from suffered the loss of her child at the hands of evil nuns who fed her newborn baby to a monster locked away in their convent, deranging Dominique to the point of losing her humanity all together. Dominique murdered several people in Morgan’s life making it look as though Morgan committed the crimes, even driving Morgan to madness making her believe she murdered her friends. Morgan was shut away in an asylum for many years and Annabelle promised she would come back for her one day if she could find someone to help her. Now that Gwen has grown into an extraordinary young woman and is able to help Annabelle they plan to free Morgan from her confinement.


Horror News Network: What can we expect in terms of blood and creepiness from this series?

Serena Valentino: During their search for Morgan, Annabelle and Gwen find themselves in a ghost town, terrorized by its bloody past. Every night once the sun goes down the town’s ghosts reenact the slaughter that rendered the town uninhabited. I don’t want to give away any major plot points, but there is a rather bloody scene that gives our ladies a vivid portrait of what happened to Morgan while she was helplessly locked away in cell when the carnage takes place.


Horror News Network: How does it feel to be working again with artist, Foo Swee Chin?

Serena Valentino: It feels incredible to be working with her again. FSc is a fantastic artist. I was happy when she contacted me saying she’d like to work with me again and though I’d love to work with her on other projects I felt this was a wonderful opportunity to properly wrap up the story lines that hadn’t been tied up, not only for our readers but for myself as well.


Horror News Network: Over the years, What has impressed you the most with her artwork?

Serena Valentino: I love the movement in her art, the frenzied manic energy that seems to possess her drawings. There is a cuteness that is undeniable that I’m also rather fond of and a relaxed sort of elegance to the way she draws my characters. She manages to bring beauty into horror and I am completely captivated by that and share that esthetic. I feel modern horror lacks beauty. I am most inspired by older horror films and find them exquisitely done, from the costumes, lighting and the way they are shot – I like the juxtaposition of beauty and gore and I would like to bring some of that back to the work I do in comics and the horror film I’m currently writing.


Horror News Network: Where can our readers find out more information on Nightmares & Fairy Tales: Annabelle's Story?

Serena Valentino: They can always visit the NEWS section of my website: www.serenavalentio.com or visit www.slgcomic.com/


Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say about Nightmares & Fairy Tales: Annabelle's Story?

Serena Valentino:  Though this story does tie things up for longtime readers, I would like new readers to know, like all Nightmares & Fairy Tales story-lines it may also be enjoyed without having read the previous collections – though I do hope it inspires them to go back and read the previous issues. I know the readers who have been with us since the beginning of the series are excited to see some closure to the Dominique and Morgan storyline as well as learn about Annabelle’s origins and meet her creator, I can only hope they enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Horror News Network: Thank you for your time, Serena! Best of luck with Nightmares & Fairy Tales: Annabelle's Story! Comment on this article on our forum.