Featuring an all-LGBTQ creative team, Dark Horse’s Killer Queens is a planet-romping adventure featuring ex-intergalactic assassins Alex and Max as they outwit their enemies, come face-to-face with xenophobic captives and try to take some time for some fun sexcapades. Marketed as a comic that puts the “sass in assassin,” Killer Queens is all about upping the ante and antics of space adventures, while letting two queer leads take center-stage and save the day — or, at the very least, their own skin from those that still want them dead.
Created by David M. Booher and Claudia Balboni with colors by Harry Saxton and letters by Lucas Gattoni, Killer Queens debuted its first stellar issue on Aug. 18. In an exclusive interview with CBR, Booher and Balboni shared their favorite of creating a super fun and super gay adventure in space. The duo also discussed the challenges they faced when building out a new cosmic world full of eclectic and zany aliens. Also included in this interview is an exclusive sneak peek at Killer Queens #2.
CBR: Killer Queens revolves around two reformed intergalactic assassins for hire who would like to not kill and maybe eat some tacos too! What inspired the idea behind this super fun and super gay comic series?
David M. Booher: Comics should be fun!
After Canto, I wanted to do something light-hearted and, yes… Super gay. I’ve always loved retro-futurism — the 1950s vision of our bright, shiny, sci-fi future. Since most of the 20th century was hostile to LGBTQ+ people, I mixed all of this together to tell a fun, classic story through a 21st-century lens. I came up with the title and the main characters in Max and Alex. Once they were in place, hijinks ensued.
Off the bat, I love how Killer Queens’ debut issue plays with femme and masc identities. Alex is definitely leading the charge and is so comfortable in playing the Han Solo-like leader in a sensible outfit with striking red all around her. Max is the opposite — more vulnerable, seemingly more open sexually, softer. Do you think these contrasting qualities are what draws them together as partners?
Booher: Totally. They’re both outsiders. They don’t conform to gender stereotypes. They’ve become comfortable in their own skin. As the series goes on, we’ll see how they understand one another on a deeper level. Behind all the punchlines and the action, both of them are vulnerable and insecure.
Claudia Balboni: Yes, when I read the story for the first time, the sense of complementarity was strong and clear. They are the fusion of very different elements. This feature offers the possibility of creating many different scenarios, thus becoming the strong point of their relationship.
The issue opens with Max’s Galacti-Grindr hookup scene in Stan’s Diner. Aside from its awesome comic relief and unapologetic fun, what’s something that was important for you as a writer, David, and you as an artist, Claudia, to depict in this scene for comic readers?
Booher: We had to set the tone right away. I mean, they’re on a double date while also on the run from a very angry monkey. So right from the opening pages, the reader knows this isn’t some serious, dystopian sci-fi story. This is Archer, not Invincible.
Balboni: I immediately visualized David’s intentions.They were straight like an arrow; it was easy to follow his idea. I tried to use all the more classic elements of the 50s diner and 50s sci-fi world, to make sure that the reader was immediately catapulted into that world and was clear to him where he was being led. About the characters, I tried to mark their acting as much as possible to convey David’s funny intention to the audience.
For readers curious about the seemingly complicated and juicy history between Alex and Callisto, what can you tease about their potentially reignited romance going forward?
Booher: Juicy, right?
Alex and Callisto have the textbook love-hate relationship. Alex is an assassin, and Callisto does what it takes to survive in the universe. How can they trust each other? They can’t. But that doesn’t stop their undeniable attraction. The whole thing is, um… Complicated. Their romance isn’t reignited as much as it’s a smoldering pile of dynamite that could explode at any second.
Alex and Max are on the run from Bieti, who wants to reclaim his stolen ship and is also a fluffy monkey who hates being called fluffy. Where did the idea for this fun character come from?
Booher: Bieti was inspired by the adorable golden snub-nosed monkey. It was funny to imagine this cute, furry creature trying to be badass. No matter how evil or awesome he is, he’s still a fluffy monkey with a jetpack. It’s been a riot to see him try to fight his undeniable cuteness.
Setting a story in space can give so many fun creative freedoms with forming or showing complex identities. Aside from the amazing space otters, what’s something about this sci-fi environment that you hope to take advantage of when landing on new, alien worlds?
Booher: I want to use the great big universe out there to explore issues we face in real life. That’s what all good sci-fi is, right? A mirror we hold up to ourselves to expose our truth. There will be alien worlds, anthropomorphic animals, humans, and so much more.
What’s something that readers will likely assume about Alex or Max that is totally off-base?
Booher: Max just loves all those one-night stands. Alex absolutely needs to be in charge. That may seem like who they are, but their truths are very different.
Considering the first issue’s focus on the evils of fascist dictators, was the creation of this title inspired by any particular current events that you’d wish to shed light on or educate readers about?
Booher: Heck yeah it was. Like I said, the best sci-fi stories hold a mirror up to ourselves. Killer Queens was developed through most of 2020. Max and Alex are holding up a very big mirror to the current events over the last few years. As their adventure goes along, they have some very specific things to say about the dangers of tyranny we face right now.
Written by David M. Booher with artwork by Claudia Balboni, colors by Harry Saxton, and letters by Lucas Gattoni, Killer Queens #2 goes on sale Sept. 22 from Dark Horse Comics.
About The Author
For all the latest Comics News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
