Keith Arem (Call of Duty) and Christopher Shy (Dead Space) are the creative team behind Image Comics’ award-winning title Ascend, and are back together for their latest project, Frost Road, a psychological survival thriller! In partnership with the giant YouTube Channel Dead Meat, the duo is doing everything they can to make this project come to fruition.
Beat caught up with them by email to learn more about their projects and what they want to achieve!
This interview has been compiled for content and length.
Diego Higra: Frostrode blends our last elements, quiet places, silent hills. Why do you make the story unique within the apocalyptic horror genre?
Christopher Shy: For me, living in the Midwest, it’s easy to want to explore this frame in a slightly more isolated American Gothic mood. I like the idea of dropping readers into an ongoing story. Here you have as much loss as the hero of this. It raises tension and builds up. I like the details. The texture of the story is fascinating to me.
Keith Alem: I think what sets Frostrode apart is its atmosphere and psychological horror. Our story is about not only survival, but revealing secrets hidden beneath the town. Our last and quiet place focuses on survival through family and relationships. But Frostroad is what drives people’s bananas, and it drops them into a world where no one knows why. The story follows a man awake without recalling how he got there, and discovers what happened to Frostrode, and realizes that it is not only around him, but inside him. The town itself is a character, shaped by the power of sub-sonic forces that tear people from within. It is a fusion of psychological fear, isolation and mistrust that makes Frostrode feel uneasy.
Higuera: The novel is already complete. Why do you choose Kickstarter for fundraising?
Shy: Because Kickstarter is a personal connection to the fans. Of course, there are always risks, but building that bridge to those who have always supported you makes sense other than simply funding the project. It lays the foundation for the future.
AREM: I wanted to bring Frost Road directly to my fans in the best possible way. Kickstarter gave me the opportunity. As our book is completely finished, our campaign focuses on funding high-quality printing and fulfillment, ensuring that our supporters get a copy this summer. Plus, Kickstarter isn’t just about raising funds and building a community. Our supportive support will help us expand Frostrode beyond the book. This is to stretch goals such as motion comics, audio dramas, and exclusive industry workshops to give back to fans and aspiring creators. We felt that this was about sharing experiences with the book itself as well.
Higuera: Keith, Game Background (Call of Duty, Titanfall) includes immersive storytelling. How did that affect the way you approached Frost Road?
Alem: Whether it’s a game, a movie or a manga, I’ve always been drawn to immersive storytelling. At Frost Road, I wanted to create a world that attracts audiences and doesn’t leave. In games like Call of Duty and Titanfall, where I am responsible for leading performances, the audience doesn’t just watch the story. They experience it through tension, atmosphere, and interests. The same philosophy helped shape Frost Road. We made this story and felt the cinematic organs. There, every panel will draw you deep into the mystery. Chris’s unforgettable artwork really amplified his weight and immersion.
Higura: Christopher, your artwork has unforgettable cinema quality. What techniques have you used to create the eerie atmosphere of Frost Road?
Shy: I use everything. He created his own style in the footsteps of greats like John Vanfried, Scott Hampton, and many of the ’80s and ’90s. Sometimes it mixes together. We cast characters like you’re in the movie. It’s a collaborative process with Keith and I really enjoy it.
Higuera: The story explores the invisible powers that drive people to insanity. What inspired this concept? Are there any actual similarities?
Shy: Well, I think we’ve lived through some real-world similarities, but even before Covid-19 we began this narrative journey. I don’t think it’s stretch to imagine something much worse in a small, isolated area.
Alem: As an engineer, I have always been fascinated by the ideas of science and invisible powers that shape our reality. Working with my best friend, Brandon Humphreys, Frost was inspired by real low-frequency signals that could cause anxiety, hallucinations and even paranoia. The concept was based on actual reports of a large number of ocean beaches, or events where people suddenly lose control, events that are usually closer to earthquakes or communication testing, and types of real-world horrors that you can’t see but haven’t felt yet. This is not a monster you can fight. It goes into your mind, and for me it’s even more frightening.
Higuera: How did you ensure a unified vision across the project with such a talented creative team?
Shy: Starting with Ascend, Keith and I have been working together for over 20 years. At this point he is more than a creative partner. He’s a brother, so we were on the same page about creativity for a very long time.
AREM: It’s incredible to bring this talented team together, but honestly, maintaining a unified vision comes down to trust and collaboration. From the beginning, Brandon Humphries and I laid the foundations for the Frostro Road story. Artists like Christopher and Trevor Goring have brought it to other levels visually. RJ Cooper and the entire PCB team helped develop and close the project. It is currently equipped with Chris Yates, creating even stronger relationships within the industry and the community. It’s amazing to bring James and Chelsea out of dead meat. They share a passion for fear and storytelling, and their involvement drives our project even further. But honestly, none of this is possible without the support of my wife Valerie and my family who have to endure the insanity of my wife Valerie and my family.
Higuera: Frost Road’s visuals are deeply immersive and feel in the atmosphere. How did you approach designing the look and feel of the town and the eerie environment?
Shy: Keith and I discussed what we wanted to share in advance, what we wanted to exchange influences we like. We wanted it to feel cold and oppressive.
Alem: Chris’ art has an unforgettable, dreamy quality that is perfect for Frostrode. After working together at Ascend I knew his style was perfect and he was able to bring about the oppressive and desolate atmosphere we wanted. He took it a step further by incorporating photo references from Yuri Lowenthal, Chris Jai Alex and Ed O’Ross and adding photographic earning elements to his characters. The mix of underrated realism and Chris’ signature style of painting takes us into the world, as if we were trapped in town with them.
If you want to know more, take a look at this project!
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