DF Interview: Tim Seeley keeps the mysteries coming in Revival

By Byron Brewer

After a devastating terrorist attack, the folks of Wausau, Wisconsin, are adjusting their strategy of dealing with the “undead.” Now, confined to “relocation camps” for the security of the living, Revivers must learn to live with each other.

A new arc in their ongoing from Image Comics is keeping co-creators Tim Seeley and Mike Norton busy with Revival. What are the secrets to a successful ongoing in these days of multiple Number One issues? How do you juggle myriad mysteries while active elsewhere in comics?

For the answers to those questions and more, Dynamic Forces sat down at a quiet table in the restaurant section of the famed Wiscons Inn with scribe Tim Seeley. Here is what he told us.

Dynamic Forces: Tim, even though you are the co-creator with Mike Norton of Revival, can even you list the mysteries that abound thus far in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Tim Seeley: Oh yeah...I have to keep all this stuff straight in my head. It's other things that get kicked out when I don't have the brain space....things like "anniversaries" and "birthdays."

DF: Haha! This great mag has been ongoing for some time, but for the uninitiated can you tell us what Revival is about?

Tim Seeley: The rough pitch I always give goes like this: For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now it's up to Officer Dana Cypress to deal with the media scrutiny, religious zealots, and government quarantine that has come with them. In a town where the living have to learn to deal with those who are supposed to be dead, Officer Cypress must solve a brutal murder, and everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect.

DF: Zombies are everywhere in comics today. What is the difference in zombies and the “living dead” of Wausau?

Tim Seeley: Well, they're not mindless, or rotting, or after your brains. And the book isn't really about 'survival" which is what most zombie stories are about. It's more about having to live with people, and the way that different people deal with death.

DF: Do you consider Revival of the horror genre, a mystery book, a character-driven comic or a bit of all of them? Which genre do you favor the most? Which gives Tim that creative spark?

Tim Seeley: I consider it a "crime story." But I think it has elements of all the things you mentioned. 

DF: Was there any particular inspiration from literature or other media for Revival?

Tim Seeley: I'd always wanted to do a story in the vein of the Cohen Brothers' movies, especially Fargo. But I think there's a lot of old George Romero in it too.

DF: So, we have seen, just of late, Dana’s desires for revenge lead her to a most unexpected (at least by me) conspiracy as Em dealt with getting what she asked for (be careful). What character/mystery is your favorite thus far in this Image ongoing?

Tim Seeley: Ha, I don’t think I can play favorites ... I have to love them all so they all get the necessary attention!

DF: Besides being its co-creator (smiles), why is artist Mike Norton right for any book like this?

Tim Seeley: No one draws sad people and snow like Mike. But Mike is also a great storyteller and writer in his own right, and he helps give the story the humanity it needs.

DF: If you had to compare Revival with any of the Chaos! Universe books you have helped revive for Dynamite Entertainment, which one would it be and why?

Tim Seeley: Oh man, Revival is the OPPOSITE of the Chaos! Universe. It's quiet and tense and intimate. Chaos! is loud and heavy metal and in your face! It's nice to work on them both!

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Tim Seeley for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Revival #30 hits stores June 17^th!

For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces.

Get your copy of Revival #1 Fourth Printing signed by Tim Seeley right here!

2. 04/29/2025 - DAVID PEPOSE

3. 04/22/2025 - CURT PIRES

4. 04/15/2025 - MILES GUNTER

5. 04/09/2025 - SIMON SPURRIER

Show All