The “cute but creepy” character is a very popular trope these days. But few have played this role as endearingly and unsettlingly as Lenore, the cute little dead girl.
The brainchild of writer and artist Roman Durge, Lenore debuted in the late ’90s with a series of stories published by Slave Labor Graphics. In fact, Lenore was so popular that she became the star of a series of webcomics in the early 2000s. While Lenore’s story has continued since then (including 2013’s Lenore Vol. II), the character has barely appeared in the past seven years. Until now, yes.
In collaboration with Titan Books, Durge has revived his fascinating work with Lenore: The Time War. Here, Lenore and the gang find themselves reunited after eating “three time goats who came to save them from the mad devil’s pickle hat.” As you can imagine, that causes some trouble, so Lenore has to fight “a futuristic army of enraged Time Goats who have come to Earth for revenge from the distant future.” Things may have changed in the past seven years, but Lenore’s story will always remain strange, wild, and endlessly entertaining.
Lenore: The Time War #1 is scheduled for release on January 29th (although FOC is Monday, January 6th). In preparation for Lenore’s latest work, Durge was kind enough to answer a few questions via email. That includes why he chooses to return to Lenore, what to expect from Time War, and what happens next for the creepy starlet.
Courtesy of Titan Books.
AIPT: When Lenore went on hiatus around 2017 or 2018, where were you emotionally and mentally with the character? Is there a reason why you stopped working at Lenore stores?
I started working in TV animation again, designing other people’s shows. The last thing I wanted to do in this world was draw all day at that job, then go home and spend all night drawing on my own projects. I’m in my early 50s now, and I don’t quite have the superhuman stamina I once had. That being said, the three new problems I recently submitted took an average of 15-18 hours of work time, six days a week. He still has superhuman stamina.
AIPT: Why did you decide to return to Lenore’s world after being away for so long?
A sudden resurgence of creativity. I have more Lenore stories in my head than I could ever write, but at least I can try.
Courtesy of Titan Books.
AIPT: Do you think Lenore’s value as a character has changed/changed over the past seven years?
I was worried about that too, but when I saw the reaction when the new book came out, my worries were blown away. And if anything, her long absence from the cultural zeitgeist only seems to make those who enjoy her adventures more eager for the newcomers.
AIPT: How much should newbies know before jumping into Time Wars?
i dunno. The first new issue picks up right where we left off seven years ago, but with a flashback to a character named Squirrel. He does his best to be very vague to keep the reader up to date with the story so far.
Courtesy of Titan Books.
AIPT: Why did you choose a time travel story — were you worried that it might be a little too much by now?
This question feels borderline hostile. Do I owe you money or something? lol. I don’t remember time travel stories proliferating when I started this seven years ago, but that’s not the case. This has always been my favorite sci-fi subgenre and I wanted to work on my own version. I’m sure you’re thinking about many worlds, but I won’t cover that in my talk.
AIPT: Have you appreciated Lenore even more since you returned with this latest story? Do you think you’re doing something different this time around?
I am always very grateful to her. She seems real to me. Just writing her lines requires a strange mindset, and it usually takes about a week just to get out of there and get back to “normal.” The difference is that these are the most beautiful Lenore books I’ve ever made. Years of animation design have improved my “crazy skills.”
Courtesy of Titan Books.
AIPT: What wonderful weirdness can we expect from this story? Were there any shocks or surprises?
There are many. Like…. A lot of things happen. There was a brief appearance of Killdozer, a bulldozer converted into a tank by a real person in Colorado in 2004, and I was pretty excited to add it to Lenore’s world. It was also fun to play along as I watched the taxidermist transform into his old self known as Tasen Ra (God Protecting Children).
AIPT: What happens after the Time War — will there be more of Lenore’s story, or will she return to the dead girl’s bookshelf?
This child has no shelves. I’m already writing my next piece. The last few new issues have spanned time periods, so we’ve had to do so much research and draw so much animation-quality background that we’ve decided to focus directly on Lenore vs. Lenore in the next issue. bee in the forest. But don’t worry, it will still be cute and funny.
AIPT: Will we ever see that Lenore movie? Maybe there will be more animated episodes?
I don’t want anything more. Every time I think it’s finally going to happen, the rug is pulled out from under me at the last minute. I will keep trying. All I can promise you.
Courtesy of Titan Books.
Courtesy of Titan Books.
