Rachel wakes up at sunrise on a shallow grave in the woods and discovers the freshly murdered body in the dirt is her own. With events of the previous night a blur, Rachel seeks out her boyfriend Phillip. But Phillip has a new girl now and Rachel is beginning to suspect she rose from the grave for a reason...revenge!

We caught up with Eisner and Harvey Award-winning creator Terry Moore, to talk about Rachel Rising.

Horror News Network: With titles like Strangers in Paradise and Echo, what makes you want to move into the realm of horror?

Terry Moore: I’ve just always loved the genre. My first attempt to write a short story at age 13 was a grisly story about ant covered bodies in a closet. I’m interested in many genres, but it’s horror’s turn now.

Horror News Network: How did you come up with the concept for this comic?

Terry Moore: The idea of a girl who wouldn’t die came to me when I was writing Birds Of Prey for DC Comics. I hate Batman, so I devised a new female character who could really get to him, like Catwoman did in her day. He would encounter this girl in a crime, she would die in the fight. She’s taken to the morgue—in the drawer—lights out. The next night she’s back on the streets. WTF?! Repeat again and again with wicked overtones and head games; really screws him up mentally as she continues to reenact his worse nightmares. I left the BoP title before I could use her, so I kept this “deadgirl” in the cold drawer waiting for the right time.

I’ve been burned before, telling story ideas in public, so if you see a character or plot anything like this enter the Bat family, scream fire, okay? She’s mine.

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

Terry Moore: The main character is Rachel Beck, a single girl in her mid-twenties, living alone in a small town, Manson. She owns a small bakery. Her best friend is Jet, a girl who works on cars and plays bass in a bar band. Rachel & Jet grew up in Manson, so they know most everybody. Every one in town has a kink to them, even the old ladies. The place creeps me out. It’s the perfect setting for a serial killer.

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

Terry Moore: Yes. Maybe not as much as the True Blood wallpaper in my hotel elevator at Comic-Con. It looked like a crime scene in there. I will say that the gore in Rachel Rising won’t be gratuitous. The sex will be, but certainly not the gore.

Horror News Network: With a bunch of zombie books currently on shelves, how do you think Rachel Rising will fit in?

Terry Moore: Time for something new, isn’t it? I think I have something fresh for you, but you have to read the story to find out.

Horror News Network: Will Rachel Rising be an ongoing monthly title?

Terry Moore: Yes, every six weeks, to be exact. It’s the same schedule I’ve used since the ‘90’s.

Horror News Network: Where can we find out more about Rachel Rising?

Terry Moore: I’m spilling my guts weekly at TerryMooreArt.com.  I’m also posting on Twitter and Facebook, just updates and little things as they come up, you know.

Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say about Rachel Rising?

Terry Moore: I’ve had success giving my readers an emotional experience with my previous work. I hope to give them a case of the good old fashion creeps with Rachel. Imagine a comic book that  could make your hair stand on end. That’s what I want. I’m now spending every waking minute trying to think of ways to scare you to death. Wish me luck!

Horror News Network: Thank you for your time, Terry! Best of luck with Rachel Rising. Comment on this interview here.

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Published on: 2011-08-01 (694 reads)