Since October 2023, author artist Patrick Holvas has captivated readers and the industry under trees that no one sees. It was once said that “Dexter will meet Richard Scully’s busy busy town.” Under the tree continued her identity as both a serial killer stalking Big City and a charming resident of Woodbrook’s quaint burg, following Sam. But in the end, Sam is not clear as her past is coming back to a brand new sequel series.
There’s a sixth issue under the trees that no one sees, scheduled to be released via IDW this summer. The spring ritual takes place eight years after the original under the tree. When the world remains in the 80s, Sam must own her past acts, harboring the promise of “calculation” that “calculation” is to be made to both Sam and Woodbrook, when the family of the former victim (the young duck) seeks revenge. Will Sam be able to continue her double life as the world changes around her, or is it our “hero” who is finally under the tree?
Under the Tree No One Sees: Spring Ritual #1 will debut on July 9th (Foc is today, Monday, June 2nd). So we discussed under the tree the continuous reception, how this sequel developed, some outstanding moments, other brown bear mysteries, and more.
Provided by IDW.
AIPT: What do you think about the first thing under the tree of epic bibliographic planning? Is it strange that this is something that I think truly, truly resonated?
Patrick Horvath: It’s a bit wild for me that this is something that grabbed the waves. It’s definitely suitable for all the works of horror I’ve done, but specifically, tapping on the cozy nostalgia of a children’s book under the tree is very unique compared to everything else I’ve done. Even the other anthropomorphic animal jobs I have done in the past have quite different tones. I’m grateful for the other work I do, but if I’m remembered as a murderer for the rest of my career, I’d definitely be cool with it.
AIPT: Have you always been planning to tell more about Sam’s story/this world? Or were you inspired by your reaction to the first book?
PH: After completing the first problem, there was an idea that there was much more to be done in this world. By the time I finished the third issue, I already had bones about what this second arc was. When the first problem finally came up and saw what the response was, IDW asked if I was interested in doing more, and I immediately replied, “Yes! And I think I know what we can do!”
Provided by IDW.
AIPT: How did your perception of Sam evolve among books? Do you feel some affinity for her or are your feelings more complicated for our very clever brown bears?
PH: She has always had a complaint that can’t be denied on the surface, but I keep my distance. I have come to think of her as a more natural force, but in many cases, there is nothing but an illusion of safety if you don’t understand how much destruction is caused. One of the biggest challenges I was excited about was trying to maintain a balance of cheer to restore order in a way, but at the same time reminding everyone that she is 100% cold-blooded. You start testing how deep the well is with such a character, and when you realize how much it is down, you can surprise yourself.
aipt: Did you stay close to the first series, such as tone, visual, etc.? Or have you chosen to push yourself in that respect?
PH: I definitely aim to keep this book in a world that has set it as the first one, but just as the 90s feel different from the 80s, there is a shift here too. I think Woodbrook has a certain loss of innocence following the trauma of the first book, but on the surface it feels like a return to the town we know.
Provided by IDW.
AIPT: The book will take place 10 years after the first. What has changed for Sam, and where is she personally coming to this latest chapter?
PH: In the meantime, the world has become a little smaller for her. The internet has arrived for the public (as corporate land development is reduced to forests, so there are suburban sprawls and large stores easing business from the main streets of the large town. Of all of that, Samantha finds herself reassessing her place in all of it, with the vigilance she gained from becoming vulnerable during her ordeal with Nigel.
AIPT: This sequel appears to focus on revenge and Sam’s Chicken (Bears?). Why did you choose that particular premise, and what can we expect when Sam is brought back to a corner like this?
PH: As mentioned above, I really started thinking about the courage of this arc after completing the first issue of Under the Tree. It focused on sadness. Specifically, it focused on the immediate effects of losing a loved one to violence, as did years later. When she attended Martin’s funeral, she admitted that she was causing this type of confusion in all the victims’ families, and it felt like a very interesting idea for her to face that type of shock head on. Ultimately, I don’t think anyone is going to prepare anyone for how Sam will react.
Provided by IDW.
AIPT: How much of this story is told by the loved ones/family of the duck who died from the first series? Have you proven that the new hero or focus is interesting to you as a creator?
PH: Monica has a huge presence throughout this arc, but its focus expands as we progress. Recognizing the need to broaden the scope in telling this story was one of the main revelations to discover what its unique identity would turn out. Prior to that, I was worried that if I had been obsessed with Sam’s perspective, I would have been following the familiar ground. In 2024, when I was talking about the elements with (IDW editor) Maggie Howell, she said that going through multiple narrations might be great, and that clicked on something that flipped over in my head. It really enriches everything and helps to broaden the world we have returned to.
AIPT: Do you have a favorite moment in the first issue? Something to set the tone of what you’re trying to do here?
PH: One of my favorite moments was the sequence that led to my visit to the medical examination room. It really touches on all the elements that sway within her: the task of obsessiveness (she essentially pauses her life, almost turning to the point of self-destruction), her vigilance in courtship of hope, and the obvious emotional victim to her that she is doing everything with the forces she oppresses. It’s a lot of sadness and anger, and it’s the tip of the iceberg with her.
Provided by IDW.
AIPT: Is there anything from that first story that you might have done differently? Are there almost no way to “fix” the record at all in sequels?
PH: I’m honestly very proud of the first story, and I won’t change anything. There were certainly lessons I learned, especially in wasting the value of the sadly murdered character, but alas.
AIPT: Will Sam’s brown bear friends meet more this time? Are we close to revealing that “mystery”?
PH: I don’t think there’s a definitive answer as to how it leads, but we can still guarantee that we have our animal breeding and animal animals…and there is definitely a brown bear look.
Provided by IDW.
AIPT: Can we see more from Sam? Is there anything under the tree you’d like to revisit with new stories over the years?
PH: I will never say it. Honestly, the first book was a great gift for me. I didn’t know if anything would come from it, and the fact that I came to do the second arc is a huge treat. As mentioned earlier, by the time I was having some issues with the first arc, new ideas appeared about what else would happen, and it never stopped. The readers whose fingers cross (that) will enjoy where this second arc takes them.
AIPT: Is there anything you would like to mention about the manga, sensory bears, etc. below?
PH: It’s a great time to read comics, and it’s constantly the bed so our books can sit on the shelf next to those I’ve admired for years and years. We are grateful for the opportunity from IDW, and thank all our readers, retailers and critics who can defend our strange little book and grab a seat at the table.
