Rich Davis Interview - Cult of Dracula ~ JeanBookNerd

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Rich Davis is the writer and creator of the underground horror sensation "Cult of Dracula" from Source Point Press. In a short period of time, he's built a reputation in the comic book industry as an innovator with a tireless work ethic. His first comic "Cult of Dracula" has sold more than 50,000 units and has been optioned by Sure Pictures for film development.

Source Point Press has exercised its option to publish his full, three volume Dracula saga. Rich also has upcoming comic book projects "Prometheus In Chains", "Shooter" and an untitled, depression era circus tale in development.

Rich has led an eclectic life. He founded a performing arts theatre, worked as a concert booker and a film producer. He's radio personality, an actor and a screenwriter. He even served as a campaign staffer for two Presidential campaigns! Now he gets to tell scary stories for a living.

Some might wonder at such an eclectic background, but he prefers to see it as an adventure!"

Greatest thing you learned at school.
That I didn't know everything...but it was possible to learn anything!

When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
I think I've always been a dreamer, but I didn't accept it until much later in life. You get into the mindset that you have to perdue a sensible and stable career. It's sometimes discouraging. There's a pressure to "succeed" and that can crush your dreams. It took me a long time to acknowledge that. I'm so happy that I did.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
The main cover for Cult of Dracula #1 was the official badge art for New York Conicon. I was also a guest there. I decided to walk around the convention asking people if 8 could sign their badge. It was such a fun, silly thing to do. It was also very rewarding to see how many people loved and appreciated my comic. Such a cool experience. I met a lot of great people.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?
I'm currently wrapping up the final scripts for Rise of Dracula. Issue #1 hits comic shops in December. It's a direct sequel to Cult of Dracula. I hope readers enjoy it just as much. It's a dramatic shift in tone. Cult of Dracula is inspired by Tobe Hooper films. Very Southern Gothic. Rise draws from John Carpenter. It's a dystopian, urban fantasy. After that is Reign of Dracula. It's the finale 8f the trilogy. It'll be like a George Miller, post-apocalyptic, insane story!

There's also the Cult of Dracula television show. I can't say much about it right now other than to acknowledge that it exists. Hope to be able to share more soon.

I have some other unnanounced comic projects on tap for 2022/2023.

If you could work for anyone you choose, who would it be?
Myself. I've never been much of a follower. I like to go my own way. My philosophy is not to wait for someone to open a door for you. Kick it down yourself!

Your Journey to Publication
Cult of Dracula is the definition of an underground hit. Its success belongs as much to the awesome retailers and incredible fans who early on embraced it as their own as it does to me or anyone on the creative team. We made it a point to build relationships through phone calls, emails and social media. People became invested in Cult of Dracula. They wanted it to succeed and they willed that success into reality.

Behind the Scenes
I believe that if you set yourself up for success, you'll succeed. For example, I set "office hours" for myself. Even if I don't really have an idea to write, I put myself in my office ready to write. More often than not inspiration comes.

What is the first job you have had?
I worked at Subway for about two hours in high school. I learned very quickly that I was as talented a sandwich artist as I was an actual artist...which is not very!

Best date you've ever had?
My wife passed away last year, so I'd like to pass on this question and others that are similar.

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
My dogs. I have four. All rescues. Two seniirs. They're my reason for getting up in the morning. I love that I'm fortunate enough to be in a position to give them amazing lives, especially the seniors. They give do much love. They deserve infinitely more in return.

Which incident in your life that totally changed the way you think today?
I was a little kid just starting kindergarten. I was excitedly rushing to the front doors of West Sparta Elementary School. I knew we were going to talk about dinosaurs that day. I couldn't wait! There was a little physically challenged boy also making his way in. I was going to just rush by him, but my Mom put her hand on my shoulder. She made me wait while she opened the door for the other boy. She smiled and told him good morning and wished for him to have a great day. I asked her why I had to wait even though I'd gotten to the door first. My Mom taught me that I was very fortunate to have my health and do many opportunities in my life. She taught me that others aren't so lucky. She taught me that people who struggle deserve respect. What was a small inconvenience for me may have been a wonderful moment for that little boy. Kindness goes such a long way. I've never forgotten that day.

What decade during the last century would you have chosen to be a teenager?
I think I'd choose the decade immediately following World War II. There were clearly some very serious social deficiencies in that era. Sadly, those exist in every era in our history. They still exist today unfortunately. There was such an optimism during that decade. Humanity had just defeated a truly evil force. We were naively innocent about the potential for nuclear power. The economy was booming, especially in America. We had hope. We thought there was nothing we couldn't do. Plus, we were right on the cusp of introducing most of the greatest comic book superheroes ever created. Can you imagine being a kid right then? For the young, it was a golden age of innocence.

What do you usually think about right before falling asleep?
I'd love to say something cool and inspiring here, but the truth is I just hope I'm going to be able to sleep through the night. I'm not a good sleeper. I have terribly vivid nightmares. They're great for inspiring horror comics. Not so much for a good night's rest!

If you had to go back in time and change one thing, if you HAD to, even if you had “no regrets” what would it be?
Slavery. It's the Western world's original sin and the root of so much evil and suffering in our world. If I could change history so that it never happened, I would. Hopefully it would make our world better.

It’s witchy. It’s wyrd. It’s Helter Skelter within a hippie cult dedicated to an ancient blood goddess. You know Bram Stoker’s genre defining classic by heart, but you have no idea where this story is going.

Special Agent Malcom Bram arrives at the House of the Rising Sun. This secluded compound is the home of the secretive Ordo Dracul and the scene of a horrendous crime coined, "The Cult of Dracula Mass Suicides." Mina Murray leads a documentary film crew to uncover the secrets of the mysterious cult by interviewing its enigmatic leader, Robert Renfield. Neither investigator is prepared for the gravity of the truths they will uncover.

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