We had the honor of speaking with Ryan X. Messcher about his Kickstarter project, the muse. During our conversation, we learned more about the inspiration behind the project, its development, and how you can support this independent comic.
Before you continue, be sure to read more about the project on the official Kickstarter page and watch the trailer below. Happy reading!
Tell us about The Muse.
The Muse is a 32-page sci-fi/body horror one-shot comic rendered in stark grayscale with minimal dialogue.
What is the inspiration behind the story?
As a creative (writer, voice actor, composition, etc.), I am endlessly fascinated by the relationship between an artist and their art. Additionally, I’m always a fan of short stories that challenge their audiences to grapple with troubling questions, works like The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror.
How would you introduce your comic to those unfamiliar with your work?
I’d hit them with a logline! Ahem… “A failed painter in an AI-dominated future falls in love with a mysterious biomechanical woman who restores his creative genius. As his masterpieces captivate the world, he realizes too late that his greatest work will be created from his own flesh.”
Since this is a collaborative project, what advice would you give to creators who want to work together with others to create a project?
Be available to communicate and willing to adapt to your collaborators’ schedules! For comics writers specifically, Instagram and Reddit are two great places to connect with artists.
Tell us about your main characters in the story?
Clear! Here is a short bio of the two main characters:
SOLOMON BOONE: A once-promising painter who has fallen into a creative crisis after a particularly nasty divorce. When offered the opportunity to bask in renewed glory and fellowship, he is all too willing to accept.
MUSE: While the true nature of this being is mysterious, “Muse” has a clear goal: to create something beautiful. Her robotic body seems to have been manufactured to be the perfect housewife.
What inspired the art style?
Black-and-white American graphic novels reminiscent of manga, such as Mark Crilley’s wonderful Brody’s Ghost series.
Where can people support your work?
You can grab a copy on the project’s Kickstarter page, which will be available from September 15 to October 11! There are digital and physical editions, three different covers, and even an exclusive keychain offered to backers.
Have fun with us!
I married a monster on a hill (Award-winning series)
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