DF Interview: Rodney Barnes reveals the haunted past of an infamous Jim Crow-era psychiatric hospital in ‘Crownsville’

By Byron Brewer

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, Maryland, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect— alongside darker, more persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned, a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community.

But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blair are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls.

Crownsville is a grim and gripping supernatural thriller from writer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia) and artist Elia Bonetti (Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy) inspired by the real-life horrors of the notorious Maryland psychiatric hospital that preyed upon the Black communities of Jim Crow-era Annapolis for decades. I was honored to speak with my friend, scribe Rodney Barnes, about this most unusual coming comic.

Byron Brewer: Rodney, I have always loved interviewing you. Any story you tell is always impactful right out of the gate! If you would, could you please relate to readers the real-life story of the Maryland psychiatric hospital that inspired your coming grim and gripping supernatural thriller?

Rodney Barnes: The hospital is located close to my hometown of Annapolis, Maryland. The Maryland-based institution was established in the early 1900s, was segregated, and only closed after decades of overcrowding, neglect, and darker, more persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments. I actually have family members who worked at the hospital and were patients there. In my childhood, the hospital operated as a sort of boogeyman in my mind. A common threat for not behaving was the possibility of being sent to Crownsville.

This story was born over years of hearing about Crownsville – the ultimate haunted house.

Byron: I am sure this five-part series has an expansive and complex cast. Can you please introduce us to protagonists Mike Simms and Paul Blair?

Rodney Barnes: They’re both investigators. One a police detective, the other a journalist. And after an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital takes place, they take it upon themselves to uncover the true horror inside the facility’s walls.

Both protagonists are a variation of the guy I pretended to be when I was a kid. The central figure of the noir mysteries running through my imagination.

Byron: What other characters may be important to this comic? Can you spotlight a few here?

Rodney Barnes: You nearly got me there, but I don’t want to give anything away. The less that readers know going in, the scarier it will be.

Byron: I know the usual answer to this question is “As the reader interprets it.” But for this particular tale, what message or understanding would you like readers to walk away with from Crownsville?

Rodney Barnes: That the past matters. In history, atrocities can fade due to the passage of time. Ghost stories are great at giving the reader a look into what people once endured. I hope people walk away with a better idea of what the people of Crownsville suffered.

Byron: Talk about the awesome art of Elia Bonetti.

Rodney Barnes: He was the perfect partner. His style is moody and atmospheric which adds an intangible part to Crownsville. It pushes the story beyond my words and ideas. His art is an energy that grabs people’s attention and doesn’t let go which is what this story needed. Honored to be taking this ride with him.

Byron: Rodney, what other wonderment, inside or outside comics, do you have coming up?

Rodney Barnes: I have a lot in the works!

My 30 Days of Nights comic comes out this fall. I partnered with IDW Dark and I’m very excited for people to get their hands on it.

I also recently partnered with Panick Entertainment for a new horror noir book series, Last Words, which will come out sometime next year.

This just scratches the surface, but there is a lot more to come soon!

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Rodney Barnes for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Crownsville #1 from Oni Press is slated to be on sale November 12!

2. 09/10/2025 - ZACK KAPLAN

3. 08/26/2025 - JOE PRUETT

4. 08/20/2025 - CHRISTIAN WARD

5. 08/13/2025 - JORDAN THOMAS

Show All