On The Eve Of Death: Interview With David Doub

Last time Cosmic Book News spoke with David Doub he had just published the first volume to Dusk, his Vampire graphic novel that saw the character of Eve unwillingly brought into the world of the undead. The allure of the Vampire world would hypnotize Eve as she chose to stay in the service of the Vampire Lord Ash.

David Doub returns to speak with Cosmic Book News on his recently completed Dusk Volume 2. The American Comics Art and Japanese Manga styled graphic novel continues Eve's story as she is further enveloped into the world of the supernatural.

David Doub and Dusk Comics also provided readers of Cosmic Book News a 12 page preview from Dusk Volume 2.

DUSK VOL. 2
12 PAGE PREVIEW

CosmicBookNews: Well thank you once again for speaking with me, Mr. Doub.

David Doub: Always a pleasure.

CosmicBookNews: So this is your second Volume of the Dusk series; how do you feel coming into this new chapter of the story?

David Doub: I feel a lot more confident.  I'm very proud of the first volume, but I'm the first one to admit it was a hell of a learning experience and I hope I took what I learned and applied it well.  I'm sure I'll be saying something similar with volume 3.

I really like the format I've used so far and I hope it catches on.   I've gotten complaints and praise about using a non-linear format so at least I'm doing it half right.

CosmicBookNews: Do you have the story planned out already, or do you let the characters more or less decide their own fates?

David Doub: I have a rough idea of where things are going, but I give the character plenty of room to express themselves.  I like to think I'm just the physics engine for the world that they interact in.

DUSK VOL. 2
12 PAGE PREVIEW

In this volume I thought I did cheat a little and took some popular situations and see what my characters would do in them.   For example there is the Dusk version of a zombie story and in Volume 3 there will be the Dusk version of a Werewolf story.   But I like to think they were done differently enough to make them unique in their own little way.

CosmicBookNews: Have you discovered anything new about the characters, or yourself, while writing this installment?

David Doub: Well there were a lot of things that were obvious about me, that I apparently was the only one who didn't know.   So I've learned I'm fairly obtuse when it comes to such things.

One thing I really enjoyed with volume 2, is to show how other people view the lead character.  In one of the stories, Eve goes from being the protagonist to the antagonist.  I like to show the consequences of actions and show some how Eve’s life effects others.

CosmicBookNews: What do you feel draws you, as a creator, to the myths of Vampires?

David Doub: Simply put I like the darkness of it. 

People have dark and light sides to their natures and I think Vampires are a great way to explore that.  Sure we all strive to be good and light in our life, but that darkness is still there and shouldn't be outright ignored.  So vampires are a great way to safely explore a lot of those dark recesses in all of us.  I think that's why vampires are so popular because it's so tempting to just give in to those dark feelings guilt free and through fiction is a way to play with that.

DUSK VOL. 2
12 PAGE PREVIEW

CosmicBookNews: How do you think you've grown as a creator since beginning this series?

David Doub: I think I've learned control.  When I first started I would cram page after page filled with wordy dialogue with no sense of the art or flow of the story.  I've slowly learned the slow rhythm and pacing of storytelling and actually gotten comfortable with it.  With that comfort, I feel more free to take risks and try new things.

CosmicBookNews: Is there anything you can tease our readers with? Perhaps something in this volume or another.

David Doub: I've sent you all a preview of the first short story in Dusk for all your readers to check out.

CosmicBookNews: How long do you see this series going for?

David Doub: As long as I can and I enjoy it and I'm defiantly having way to much fun currently.

Volume 3 is currently being drawn and I think it will at least be two more volumes to wrap up the current plot lines hanging out there.

CosmicBookNews: Is there a definitive end in sight ala Y the Last Man or do you see this as an even larger ongoing story?

David Doub: I have ends in sight for various subplots and I know how it all will finish finally but I'm more focusing on the in-between.  And with the non-linear style of Dusk I can go all over the story map for awhile.

CosmicBookNews: What is the allure of the comic book medium? Could Dusk work in another form?

David Doub: I love comics.  I like other forms of entertainment, but comics is my biggest love.  Technically I could do Dusk in other forms, but I don't think the intangible passion and fire that I bring to the comic would show up as well in a different format.

CosmicBookNews: What do you read on a regular basis? Do you still currently read the funny books?

DUSK VOL. 2
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David Doub: Yeah, I do still read comics.  Two books I'm really enjoying is Empowered by Adam Warren and Echo by Terry Moore.  Also I'm reading a lot of sci-fi/fantasy novels from Japan via the company Haika Soru.  I like the different storytelling styles from foreign countries.

CosmicBookNews: Anything else you'd like to plug? What's the next big thing for you? Anything our readers can look forward too?

Currently we're bringing over a Malaysian Manga called Cesaga - http://www.cesaga.com.

And recently my friend and art director, Jolene Houser, was in a bad car accident so we're currently working on doing a charity book to help raise money for bills and such.

CosmicBookNews: Thanks for your time, David!

You can learn more about David Doub and his many projects at: http://www.duskcomics.com/index.html.

"Dusk Vol. 1" & "Vol. 2" are available for purchase on Amazon.com.