Q&A by Stephanie Elliot
We speak with Laura Marks about her new release, Daphne Byrne, what she’s working on next, and so much more!
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I work primarily as a TV writer and playwright. Daphne Byrne (a graphic novel, with art by Kelley Jones) is my maiden voyage into the world of comics. I’m originally from Kentucky, now living in Brooklyn.
Have you always been interested in the horror genre, and how did the idea for a horror graphic novel come about?
I fell in love with horror when I first saw George Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead when I was twelve. Daphne Byrne came about when Joe Hill said, “I’m curating a new horror imprint for DC Comics. Have you ever thought about writing a comic book?” I love comics and graphic novels, so I jumped at the chance to write one.
Please describe your character Daphne Byrne to readers who might not yet be familiar with who she is and what she’s dealing with?
Daphne is fourteen years old. She just lost her beloved father, and now she’s alone with a grief-stricken mother who has no way to handle their mounting pile of debts. Daphne has the mind of a scientist, which is completely inappropriate for a girl in 1886. And the other girls at school shun her because her father died in disgrace.
Daphne’s biggest problem—she thinks—is that her mother is being duped by a medium who claims to be channeling Daphne’s dead father. But then she starts to notice a strange presence inside her own head… an entity who calls himself her “Brother.” Is he a demon who’s taken a liking to her? Or is he simply a part of what’s been inside her all along? Either way, he becomes an outlet for her suppressed rage, shows her a horrifying underworld, and unlocks her true power…
The illustrations in Daphne Byrne are absolutely stunning. The characters’ expressions, the setting, the color theme—everything just sets the mood. Kelley Jones just nailed it! What was it like developing the book with him?
Kelley is a legendary name in comics, and I’m truly grateful to DC for pairing me with him. He was totally on board with everything I wanted to do. His gift for rendering emotion and subtext on a character’s face meant that we could work in more of a filmic style, without a lot of narration—which felt more natural to me, coming from screenwriting.
And I just love the weird little surprises that Kelley tucks in everywhere. For example, the second chapter has this wonderful recurring motif of leering faces and women’s bodies, carved into wood paneling or rendered as statues. It feels completely true to the setting, but it also underscores how vulnerable Daphne and her mother are in this world—how their gender turns them into prey.
Let’s talk about your setting—why did you set your story in turn of the century New York City?
I wanted a setting that would lend itself to this visual medium. And I immediately thought of the late 1800s—specifically the Gilded Age of New York, the world of Henry James and Edith Wharton. Lots of rich detail in the architecture and interiors that would be satisfying for an artist to draw. A different quality of light… gaslight and candlelight. So really, the setting came first, and then the idea for a Gothic horror story in that world began to take shape.
When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Gardening or making things with my hands. Doing anything with a tangible result feels satisfying, since writing can be so slippery. Honestly, just spending time with my husband and kids or walking the dog is the best. Could I sound any more boring?
What’s next for you? Are you working on TV shows, new books, another play?! (On a personal note, I’m dying to see your play Mine!)
Thank you! I’m developing Mine as a film right now with Anonymous Content. In the TV world, I’m finishing up a stint writing for Season 3 of the very creepy Servant on Apple TV+… those episodes won’t air for quite a while though, because they’re still finishing Season 2 due to COVID. After the election, I’ll head back to the writers’ room of The Good Fight. It’s a show that constantly engages with current events, so we should have plenty of material!
I’m also co-writing a new TV project with Carlton Cuse. Can’t say too much about that yet, but it also involves a teenaged girl in a fantastical world… yet it’s nowhere near as dark as Daphne Byrne.
Do you have a favorite movie of all time and/or a favorite book? Why are these your favorites?
I’m kind of obsessed with Charlotte Bronte’s books. Her plotting is so insane, and I love how her heroines are always roiling with bottled-up emotion. Her work was a huge influence on Daphne Byrne, for sure.
If you weren’t a writer, what do you think you’d be?
A much less happy person!
Find Laura Marks on Instagram and at her website. You can find Daphne Byrne at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and Indiebound.org
