The creative team from comic series Stillwater talk plot direction and more

When a reader jumps into Stillwater for the first time, there is no doubt as to why this book and its creative team were nominated for several Eisner awards, they are quite the dream team! The art is visually stunning and sucks you into the gripping story. Each page will keep you on the edge of your seat and by the time you reach the last page you are calling your local comic shop to confirm your order of the next issue.

Chip Zdarksy has created a story that keeps you surprised at every turn, you will not see any of the horror and brutality coming. Just when you think you might be able to predict the direction, you’re hit with a new revelation of left field. Ramón K. Pérez brings this story to life in a way that nobody else could. Each issue is masterfully crafted and full of amazingly detailed fine art.

As Eisner-nominated comic series Stillwater heads into the back half of its second arc, Culturess got the wonderful opportunity to ask questions to the creative team behind the successful series. The writer Chip Zdarksy, the artist Ramón K. Pérez, and editor Jon Moisan came together to give Culturess news on future plans for the series as well as hints for what the coming issues might hold.

(This interview has been edited for clarity and it does contain spoilers for the series)

Stillwater merch or variants

Culturess: First, on behalf of the Stillwater fanbase, I would like to say thank you so much for creating such a fantastic series. Stillwater has genuinely reinvented the common immortality story and elevated it to an amazing new height. Dealing with a pandemic, and the awful year 2020 was, this series was a bright spot for many people. Having something to look forward to each month helped the time pass!

Culturess: It is nearing a year since this series was launched! Do you have anything
special planned for the first release anniversary?

Zdarsky: Much like the citizens of Stillwater I have no sense of time anymore. Has it been a year? A month? A decade? But really, with every issue that comes out I’m just grateful that I get to tell this story with this astounding team.

Perez: Time is an infinite blur, so every day is special when I can be a part of such an amazing book, with such an amazing team.

Moisan: Anything special? Isn’t a new issue of Stillwater special enough?!

Culturess: I have noticed that RAID Studios, as well as Skybound, do a lot of unique and fun
Kickstarters/events, are there any plans like this for Stillwater? On the same note are there any plans for Stillwater merch using designs from Ramón or Chip?

Zdarsky: I personally don’t like merch? I’m pretty sure I’m the one comics creator who owns no statues or toys. My ONLY exception is my Captain America shield which is a PRACTICAL item because I once used it in the forest while playing paintball. But!  All that being said, if Skybound wants to do merch, by all means, go with God!

Perez: I often sit on the fence with merch, love some, and the rest not so much. I think if it fits the story and it’s something that the readers would enjoy – then I’m all for it. So, in that case, I’d be up for creating something unique and interesting – but if it’s just a case of sticking a logo on it for a quick buck, not a fan. At the end of the day, it rests in the hands of Skybound – but I’m all up for helping create unique and awesome things.

Moisan: There are no concrete plans for merch right this second, but if enough fans write in, we definitely would never say no to more sales.

The characters and plot direction of Stillwater

Culturess: So far Stillwater has been very fast-paced, there is so much to sort through with town drama and this immortality curse. Issue #8 with Tanya and the chapter in Skybound X #2 are the first time that readers get a chance to slow down and gather more personal information. Will there be more times like this coming up in the future where personal lives are more showcased? Particularly since Stillwater got a Pride variant cover, I was wondering if readers will get a chance to see any LGBTQIA+ characters. 

Zdarsky: Yes! That’s all I can say for now.

Perez: ^^ That!

Moison: What Chip said!

Culturess: It was quite a shock to learn that Tanya, a higher-standing member of the Stillwater community was not originally from Stillwater. Her story and how she got her position of power are extremely compelling. Are there any other characters other than her and Daniel that arrived from the outside and were accepted? (Using the term “accepted” lightly of course)

Zdarsky: Just Tanya! There have been others to stumble upon the town, but they all met their end.

Perez: If you prove your worth to the Judge – you can probably stay. Maybe. If not though…

Moisan: Honestly, I’m surprised that Tanya was accepted at all. Another way of saying it is that anyone who sets foot in the town is very much not welcome.

Culturess: While adults not showing signs of aging is easier to explain away to an extent, how do the children hide themselves from the outside world, and will Galen be an integral part of the story moving forward? 

Zdarsky: Oh yes, Galen is crucial going forward. Being a child in Stillwater is its own kind of hell and they’ve created their own world to deal with it.

Perez: How did Whitney sing it? “I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way…” YAH, some interesting sh!t is about to go down.

Moisan: We definitely have plans for Galen! And that being said, not many people are coming into town that would notice that the children aren’t aging so it’s fairly easy to hide.

Culturess: Since Daniel arrived in the town of Stillwater, everything has erupted into utter chaos. If Daniel never returned at all, would this all have still happened, or was his return the catalyst for the town fighting back?

Zdarsky: Ha! So many spoilers I can’t talk about. Nothing is a coincidence and nothing lasts forever

Perez: HAH – what Chip said! But answers will be coming in short order..

Moisan: I’ll follow Chip’s lead and say keep reading! Wouldn’t want Chip to take me out to the edge of town if you know what I mean.

Culturess: Readers have seen some extremely brutal punishments, being shot at point blank, being buried alive seems to be popular, is this a trend that will continue?

Zdarsky: It’s a brutal book for sure, and a delicate balance over how far we should go. I’ll say that there have been a few possible torture scenes that I scrapped because they felt like too much.

Perez: When you can’t die, torture can take many, many forms. So I don’t think readers are ready for yet — but maybe soon.

Moisan: I’ve been pushing for a shark tank to be revealed somewhere in town, but so far, those requests have fallen on deaf ears.

Culturess: I’ve been enjoying the weekly Make SH!T Mondays live streams with Ramón K. Pérez and Eric Vedder, is there a chance Jon or Chip might join for a stream or two?

Zdarksy: Sorry, busy writing Stillwater. 

Perez: Chip doesn’t like me. Though to see Jon sketch along might prove interesting — especially after a couple of drinks! (PS. Thanks for the continued support on MSM and Stillwater!

Moisan: I’m just an editor! No one wants to watch me make anything!

The creative team behind Eisner-nominated comic series Stillwater answers pressing fan questions as it heads into the final stretch of the second arc!

Stillwater fans, you heard it here first! While there may be no concrete plans for a variant commemorating the birthday of this series, or normal merch, they are more than open to the idea. Perez hit the nail on the head with what he said: Stillwater is a very unique series, so its merch needs to be equally unique. A simple logo on a shirt won’t do.

Think of the most creative merch you can and tag Skybound on social media with your ideas. Or go directly to the source and email the ideas at the same time you send in your questions to the Stillwater Cooler at Stillwater@Skybound.com! (Perhaps a shovel with the town logo, since Chip likes practicality. Ted can get buried alive this time!)

While this series has been incredibly high-paced with brutality and drama, which readers will get more of, it appears there will also be some personal backstory given to a lucky character or characters. When the release of the Pride variant by Gabrielle Kari hit stores many fans wondered if any of the characters were in the LGBTQIA+ community. The answer is yes, now readers must play the waiting game and see how it ties into the story!

Issue #8 that was focused on Tanya the town sheriff, was the first time readers got the chance to truly slow down and get to know a character. It was shocking to learn that she had a simple desk job in the town adjacent called Coldwater, and wasn’t an original member of the town of Stillwater. The story of how she got the position of town sheriff was just as shocking. The team confirmed that she is the only person to be accepted. This raises the question, does this give her some amount of plot armor or totally rip it away?

Speaking of plot armor, this interview confirms that Galen does have a significant amount of importance going forward, as do all the kids. Since characters are suspended in their current state and no longer age in Stillwater, the minds of the children grow while their bodies do not. That defiantly is a special kind of hell to live in. It will be interesting going forward to see the “kids” fight back in their own way.

Lastly, this interview confirms what fans already know by the amazing work readers see every month. That is team is great! They are hilarious and play off of each other strengths incredibly well. It has been a pleasure to watch Make SH!T Mondays with Eric Vedder and Ramón K. Pérez and Culturess believes a Stillwater-themed “meet the team” would be an honor to watch. Bring in Chip, Mike Spicer (Stillwater colorist), and yes the wonderful Jon Moisan as well!

Make SH!T Mondays is a must-watch Livestream for all Stillwater fans, as you get to ask Ramón K. Pérez questions in real-time as well as getting the privilege (sometimes) of seeing him create Stillwater art in real time! It’s also a great look into the comic industry as a whole. Viewers regularly see new guests and get introduced to new content. Ramón K. Pérez and Eric Vedder are extremely fun and entertaining, a true highlight to every Monday!

As a fanbase, it appears readers will be in for a thrilling ride with many issues to come. There are intriguing storylines involving an LGBTQIA+ character to come, Galen’s story has just begun, it seems readers have only tipped the iceberg when it comes to Daniel, and brutality straight from the twisted mind of Chip Zdarksy himself! Be sure to contact your local comic shop and put Stillwater on your pull list!

(P.S. The fans won’t forgive you all for Tinker, unless he kills Ted)

Are you caught up on the Stillwater comic series yet? If so who is your favorite character, and why is it Tinker the cat? Where do you think this second arc is headed? Tweet me your thoughts @Mamadeadhead on Twitter!