Who killed Brian Foster? That is the question whipping through the small town of Marcellus, New York. Clearly everyone loved the local high school star football player, didn't they? At least that's what it seems like to new kid in town, Greg Jordan. But perhaps the question shouldn't be who killed Brian Foster, but what?

We caught up with writer, Mike Raicht, to talk about The Pack.

Horror News Network: How did you come up with the concept for The Pack?

Mike Raicht: I love all things horror. Growing up in the 80s I watched everything good and really bad but especially dug movies like The Lost Boys and Halloween. Those movies had kids and teens dealing with intense horror situations. I’m also a huge John Hughes fan. Movies like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club defined my childhood. I wanted to take those types of kids, and honestly kids from my own childhood to some extent, and put them in a horror movie. Werewolves are a great metaphor for growing up. I also wanted something that could be contagious, kind of like an STD that if inserted into a high school setting would guarantee things would go very poorly. Take a bunch of kids running around with hormones raging and then add in a healthy dose of animal instinct, you are going to be in for some serious trouble. I imagine you would end up with some interesting fights after school, if nothing else.

I brought the idea to Mike DeVito and Jon Conkling of Th3rd World Studios about 4 or 5 years ago and after a few false starts we hooked up with Daniel Faccilongo, our artist, and we were on our way.

Horror News Network: Will these werewolves have “The Howling” type of look or is it more of the classic “Wolf-Man”?

Mike Raicht: Daniel went with more of a Howling look for these. That was my preference as well. They just look more jarring and have an animalistic intensity to them that a Wolf-Man werewolf can’t match.

Horror News Network: Can you tell us a bit about the main characters?

Mike Raicht: We have a few main characters, first of which is Brian Foster. Brian Foster, the local football hero, is actually not in the story that much but his murder fuels the rest of the story.

David Lassiter is the quiet, brainy kid who most people probably don’t even know exists. He has a theory about what happened to Brian Foster and he brings it to the only kid who has been nice to him--

--Greg Jordan. Greg is your typical 16 year old kid. He’s a smart, good looking athletic kid. He and his sister, Annie, recently lost their mother and are the new kids in town. He ends up replacing Foster on the football team which doesn’t endear him to many people.

Nancy, the local police chief’s daughter, Missi, the cheerleading captain, Julie, Missi’s sidekick, and Blake, the quarterback, round out the cast. They are all unique kids and, hopefully, if I’ve done my job right, are kids you recognize from your own childhood.

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

Mike Raicht: We’re trying to deliver it when it serves us best. Obviously, this is a mature title so we can get away with things we wouldn’t try to do in a less adult book. There are times when it can get pretty intense. Claws and teeth are not really clean cutting instruments. Daniel can draw a good gutting when he wants to.

Horror News Network: Is The Pack set to be a mini-series or ongoing?

Mike Raicht: It is set as a three issue mini-series. Each issue is oversized, close to 32 pages per issue with no ads. I think our 2nd issue actually comes in at 36 pages or so. It’s a nice thick book with some great art. I think people will be getting their money’s worth.

Horror News Network: How has it been working with series artist, Daniel Faccilongo?

Mike Raicht: Daniel gets better with each page. This is his first American work so I’m excited for people to see what he’s capable of. Horror books like this need a certain creepy vibe and I think he’s delivered and then some. He was suggested to us by fellow Italian, Alberto Ponticelli (Unknown Soldier, Godzilla), so you know he has some serious chops.

Horror News Network: What has impressed you the most with his work?

Mike Raicht: Daniel really brings grittiness to the story which gives it a great weight. He also nails these characters as high school kids. I see amazing things in his future. I can’t wait for people to what he has done with the werewolf scenes.

Horror News Network: Where can we find out more about The Pack?

Mike Raicht: Th3rd World Studios, our publisher, will be posting updates regularly. I will also be making announcements on my Facebook page and on Twitter so look me up as well.

Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say about The Pack?

Mike Raicht: The Pack hits this October, just in time for Halloween, and will be published by Th3rd World Studios. I ask anyone interested in picking the book up to go to their retailers and let them know that you want it. It’s the best way to make sure you will get a chance to pick this title up, or any independent title, and it will also bring the book to the attention of your local shop owner.

Horror News Network: Thanks for your time, Mike. Comment on this interview here.