This interview was all scripted out in my head. It was going to start off with: “Steve Niles is the modern master of the horror genre. His work in comics and novels has redefined the way modern society views it’s inner-demons. Although insanely popular in the horror genre, Nile’s work is also breaking out into the mainstream. Several films are being made based on his stories and he is collaborating with the likes of musician Rob Zombie and Thomas (The Punisher) Jane. He’s also hitting it big with the miniseries Batman: County Line for DC. In this interview we will see the man behind the horror, the true Steve.” – But then I thought “Nah, that’s pretty much every Steve Niles interview intro ever”.

So here it is, my foray into the realm of the beast that is NILES! :

Paperback Reader: Before we get into the whole ‘comic’ thing…how are you?

Steve Niles: I’m a little congested.

PBR: Most people probably know you from the acclaimed miniseries ’30 Days of night’. Your new series ’30 Days of night: Bloodsucker tales’ is nearing the end of its first story arc, what plans do you have for the book in the future?

SN: I’m not sure how many more comics there will be. I feel like I’ve stretched the idea about as long as it can go. But with that said I’m working on a 30 Days novel with Pocketbooks and we’re taking the whole story from the pov of a complete outsider trying to figure out what happened in Alaska and LA. It’s told from the pov of Agent Norris’ ex-partner, Agent Andy Grey who we had a small glimpse of in the 30 Days annual.

PBR: What can you tell us about the 30 Days of Night novel? Which characters will it focus on? Will we be seeing (or reading) some old faces?

SN: We will be meeting all sorts of new and old characters, but I really tried, as I did with Dark Days, to stay away from the whole Barrow going dark thing. It’s much more of a thriller than a horror...except where it gets really bloody and nasty.

PBR: You’re also well known for the hard-boiled detective Cal McDonald. What can we expect from the new Cal McDonald series: Supernatural Freak Machine, and can you tell us thestatus of the next Cal novel?

SN: SFM is Kelley Jones and I going insane. It’s about three stories rolled into one including one about Cal getting a new car...which sounds boring, but this is Cal McDonald after all. The main story focuses on Cal being hunted, or so he thinks, by an old nemesis from the first and second novel, DR. POLYNICE, a nasty man who like to make things out of dead bodies even if he has to make them dead first.

PBR: So let's just say that you've managed to tear yourself away from your computer. What do you like to do in your free time?

SN: I like to lay face down on the floor and cry for long periods of time. When I’m not sobbing, I like to watch old horror movies and sometimes even play videogames. I also love playing with my comic collection and my art collection which consists of staring a lot and showing my wife things she could care less about. “Look honey, it’s an original Gil Kane!” *crickets*

PBR: How important is fan feedback to your creative process?

SN: Probably too important. I like the contact I have with fans and I do pay attention to what they have to say. It helps that I really like my fans and I respect their opinions.

PBR: You’ve followed up on the collaboration with Rob Zombie on ‘The Nail’ with the new series ‘Bigfoot’. How did the creative process differ from the first collaboration?

SN: The only difference was the Nail was Rob’s concept and Bigfoot was mine. We had outlines and we just attacked them both and traded back and forth. It’s slow sometimes because we’re both extremely busy, but I’m happy with the results.

PBR: Since your rise to fame, it seems that you have the opportunity to work with more prestigious artists. While you are doing that, you also seem to give a lot of unknown artists a shot at illustrating your work. How important is this to you?

SN: Both have their upsides. There’s no beating the enthusiasm of working with a young talent. That’s why I do it. I think you get something very special from an artist who’s foaming at the mouth to work. On the other hand, working with pros like Kelley Jones has been a dream.

PBR: Any exclusive titbits on future projects you care to throw our way? Ahem…

SN: Yes, PSP comes out this week and I’ve very excited.

PBR: Finally. If you could only keep one of your characters…which one would it be? Why?

SN: Cal because I could write him forever and never get bored.

Big thanks to Steve! Check out his stuff, and the lovely forum members at www.steveniles.com

Next time: We’ll be talking to up-and-coming writer and all-round nice guy Dan Wickline!