The criminal underworld, shaped by the social structure of bees, may sound unusual, but for writer AJ Lieberman and artist Mike Henderson, it’s perfect for their charming new series, The Hive is. In a recent interview with author AJ Lieberman and artist Mike Henderson, I had the opportunity to dive deep into their fascinating new image comic series. With Neo-Noir Grit, the power of a supernatural high-mind, and the fusion of characters wobbling at the edge of morality, Hive promises to take readers into a world of complex and dangerous, like a colony that flocks to the door.
For Lieberman, the appeal of bees has been brewed for a long time. “I’ve been fascinated by bees and have long wanted to use their social structure in some way,” he explained. The idea crystallized when he began exploring the concept of high-mind. “The proverb of being like-minded groups stems from the phenomenon of hive bees appearing to function instantly,” Lieberman said. “It was a pretty cool place to start the story.” From there, the idea evolved into a noir crime story pinned by formidable queen bee crime boss Shea.
At the heart of the Hive is Mason Shaw, a self-proclaimed “worker bee,” stumbling in a deadly conflict between rival Hives. “Mason Shaw is a complicated guy,” Lieberman said. “He starts as a “worker bee” who finds himself out of his depths when he is dragged into the world of hives fighting each other. “But don’t expect Mason to take on the typical “selected” role. “Anyone who thinks Mason will stand up and save everyone, that won’t exactly happen,” teased Lieberman.
Henderson brings this bustling world with this bustling art, but Mason describes the less charitable Mason. “I think “Nobody” is a bit generous! He’s a bit of a dirt bag. That’s why he’s fun to draw. But he is beginning to get the impression that he could at least become more, if not good. ”
The central part of the story is the idea of the power of the High Mind, the possibility that the character can control others with words. Creating a visual representation of these forces has presented a unique challenge for Lieberman and Henderson. “We tried several ways – complicated circles for word balloons, rings spread across the panels – but everything became complicated or too stupid,” Lieberman said. I shared it.
Eventually, they reached a more stripped approach with “out-of-focus” lettering to portray the creepy and ominous nature of their abilities. Henderson reflected this sentiment and emphasized the importance of incorporating power in the real world. “The challenge was to come up with something in the middle and leave it grounded once again to the real world as much as possible.”
Of course, the Hive needs a Queen, and Shay is not a normal monarch. Saused to be formidable and terrifying, Shay wields her unwavering belief in immeasurable power and her own authority.
“What makes Shay so terrifying is her absolute belief that she is right,” Lieberman said. “The power only turns when someone questions the source, and that unfolds in the hive.”
The first arc delves deep into the struggles of the hive and the rough depths of the world, but Lieberman promises an ending that will make readers excited and lively.
“When the reader reaches the end, it becomes clear that something is revealed… unexpected and surprising, but completely organic to the story, I can’t wait to see the reaction ” he suggested. This twist not only redefines what readers think they know, but also expands the world in a thrilling new direction.
With the promise of “sex, violence, bees,” Hive is a story that is a provocative, innovative equal part. For fans of crime dramas, supernatural plots, or something completely unique, Lieberman assures that “anyone who is a fan of any of those elements will pay off.”
One thing is certain when the Mason Show journey unfolds and the hives collide. The hive is potentially bustling, and readers are taking part in the unpredictable rides of the wild.
