DF Interview: Steve Niles puts the hub of human creativity itself in jeopardy in ‘The God List’ OGN

By Byron Brewer

A book dealer from Greenwich Village and an agent for an otherworldly organization must match wits and do battle with sinister forces seeking to destroy... The God List, an inventory of secret masterpieces created by geniuses the world over in celebration of the creative Spirit. They travel to Europe to find the world's greatest expert on the subject and, with his help, defend and protect what some believe to be the cradle of human creativity.

From Storm King Comics comes The God List, a graphic novel of globe-trotting action and macabre mystery by comics creators Steve Niles and Scott Hampton. I chatted with co-writer Steve Niles about the book.

Byron Brewer: Steve, what was the inspiration, the muse for this newest graphic novel The God List that you are creating with co-author and illustrator Scott Hampton?

Steve Niles: It's hard to explain, but I was thinking back to all the years I worked in book stores. I actually just started writing the opening and kind of let the story happen. Once I got into the first act, I sent the idea to Scott, who started riffing with me on ideas. We went back and forth, had some great meetings and The God List was created.

Byron: Introduce readers to William, who is about to go on one of the most ambitious globe-hopping adventures since James Bond was in the pulps.

Steve Niles: William Clark owns a small bookstore in NYC. As much as he loves his shop and loves his books he knows he runs a dying business. Day after day, fewer and fewer people come in. William lives above his shop, which puts him in the perfect position for someone to pound on his store door late at night…

Byron: Without spoilers, what can you tell us about the eldritch tome William has discovered? Is it merely a MacGuffin for this exciting and enthralling novel, or is the book a true part of the overall fabric of the story?

Steve Niles: It's the subject of the entire story, the stimulus for everything that happens. The God List is part of an ancient book, not created in the human world. The binding and the pages themselves defy the Laws of Nature. I think I can safely say that. Its origination is many centuries old, possibly divine, and curates some very important works that are... unearthly.

Byron: What can you tell us about the otherworldly organization hellbent on discovering the location of William’s find and then destroying its contests?

Steve Niles: The global brotherhood dead set on destroying The God List is centuries old as well. Failure in their mission means death. They are extremely savage, monstrous and diabolical. It's part of an ongoing war between two factions.

Byron: William and companion Lydia are set to travel all over Europe and perhaps a place or two undisclosed. Did you or co-writer/artist Scott Hampton do any type of research on these locales as to capture their true flavors and personalities? Such research is one of my favorite aspects of these types of mysteries, although it has been ramped off the charts with The God List.

Steve Niles: Scott did a great deal of detail work and research, not only for his art but for the story. I have to really hand it to him on finding some serious "third eye" ways to move from one scene to the next. He took some serious time to help me craft how this story moves and ends.

Byron: I keep hearing about this OGN having its own mythology. Is there anything at all about the “gods” on The God List that you can disclose?

Steve Niles: Not exactly gods on a list, but an ancient ethereal list for God. It's a very complicated idea, but it's part of the centuries-old ideology against Art. That when man creates beautiful art, he is replacing God. Which leads down the slippery slope of no art, no dancing, no music – a hard, puritanical view of how one ought to live their life. While on the other side, the belief is that creating beautiful art proves that God exists. These concepts, whether one agrees with one side or the other, meant life or death back then.

Byron: Talk about your collaboration here with Scott and his awesome art.

Steve Niles: I love his art, his painting style is perfect when it comes to wandering through Italy. Scott really made The God List what it is. He took some high concept ideas and brought them to life on the page. We have a number of surreal moments, visions and dreams that he was able to visualize so beautifully. No one is who they seem, and the way Scott illustrates that reveal is just beautiful.

Byron: Steve, what other projects in which you are involved can you tell readers about?

Steve Niles: I'm really pestering people about my new graphic novel, The Killing Hole. It's a book I'm really proud of.

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Steve Niles for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. The God List OGN from Storm King Comics is slated to be on sale July 17!

My interview with Steve Niles about The Killing Hole can be found on the DF Webpage here: https://www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/interviews.html?showinterview=IN06192493245

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