AIZN-nominated author Rodney Burns shares the details behind Crownsville #1, a tough supernatural thriller that will be released by Oni Press on November 5th, 2025. The psychiatric facility, which ran during the Jim Crow era, became infamous for its quarantine, overcrowding, neglect and false rumors of abuse and illegal medical experiments.
For Burns, Crownsville is not a work of fiction, but a deeply personal project. “My grandmother was a nurse at the hospital,” he says. “Several families were tied up there. Crownsville was like a boogeyman. If you’re in the wrong, that’s where they send you.” The story he calls “catharsis” uses a supernatural lens to explore the painful history associated with his own family.
“I always felt that thrillers were a great way to tell tricky historical stories,” explains Burns. “Going straight through the ‘fact’ can feel like a drug. Purpose entertainment resonated more with me. “Barnes tried to guide the story into the past by combining historical truths with elements of the ghost story. “There’s a huge amount of history that mostly writes in itself. I’ve allowed the ghost spirit (no pun intended) to talk to pain.
Burns says Oni Press “they’re dope things. They got it because it’s 90% of the fight. Find a publisher who understands what’s under the project, and apply passion to the process,” Burns says.
At the heart of the series is Detective Mike Sims and journalist Paul Blair, who begin investigating the death of unknown cause within the hospital where he left the vacant hospital. Their dynamics reflect both a shared history and a struggle to adapt to the present. “Both are from different times,” Burns says. “They remember the good old days, but they struggle to embrace a world they don’t fully understand. This case speaks to both of these ideas.”
Bonetti’s visuals enhance the mood and strength of the series. “You don’t just look at Elia’s work. You feel it. He put his heart into this book, and it was an honor to work with him.”
The debut issue is oversized, giving Burns the space to expand both the current mysteries and the hospital’s unforgettable history. “It gives readers a good opportunity to immerse themselves in the story from the beginning. You’re not racing to reach the cliffhanger. You’re connecting the audience to the world.”
Burns has built a horror world praised for titles such as Kiradelphia and Bracula, but sees Crownsville as a clear experience. “It’s more introspective. Bracula was on your face. Crownsville asks you as much as your imagination. Pacing is more systematic. And the scope is more intimate.”
Regarding his hopes that his readers will carry them beyond fear, Burns said, “I hope they think history is important. There are so many stories that beg to be told. To forgive them in our hearts and hearts makes us better people.”
Crownsville #1 arrives at the comic shop on November 5th, 2025, with coverage by Jason Shawn Alexander, Elia Bonetti, Simonk Dolanski and Andrea Sorrentino.
