Outland Entertainment has released an omnibus edition of Jason Rosen‘s Monsterwood, a dark fantasy coming-of-age story co-created by Nick Efstathiou. The tale follows Princess Jocasta and teen troublemaker Jovis as they struggle to navigate a magical forest packed with monstrous denizens, the same monsters that supposedly murdered Jocasta’s parents, the king and queen. Art for the book comes from Steve Ellis, Chris Campana, and Figue.
Rosen chatted with The Beat about the new omnibus release.
DEANNA DESTITO: What inspired this tale?
JASON ROSEN: The birth of my first born son, Joseph. He was the impetus for Jovis, the central character of Monsterwood. I was mind blown with this little human and had so many questions; who are you? What did you come here to do? From there, I started building an entire world around him and those external questions became his questions. In a world so big and complex, how do we make our lives meaningful? How do we develop ourselves to be part of the solution for a better life and society? How do we dig deep enough to have the faith, courage, and dedication to self to become something or someone who honors all that has come before while preserving a way of life worth living in the future?
DESTITO: How did you work with the creative team to create the look and atmosphere of the story?
ROSEN: The creative team of co-writer, Nick Efstathiou, and artists, Steve Ellis and Chris Campana, and myself are all around the same age. We grew up in an amazing and inspiring time of the ’70s and ’80s, which in my mind was the Golden age of comics, films, and even toys like He-Man, etc. We can discuss mood, attitude, and atmosphere in almost a kind of shorthand referencing aspects of this or that. I knew I wanted that old school hero’s journey feel to the story that took place in a world big enough and fully formed enough, to feel like you could live there. We spent a lot of time on sketches, sculptures, and maquettes. As a concept designer and sculptor, I take an active role in creating the look of both the world and the characters. Together, this all combines into one cohesive look and feel to the world of Magog, one that is both mysterious, beautiful, and haunting at the same time.
DESTITO: Why do you like creating in this universe?
ROSEN: Monsterwood allows me to explore complex themes, philosophical questions, and even societal issues in an entertaining and imaginative way. It may not all be on the page (yet!), but the world of Monsterwood has a history, many different cultures, and even its own laws of nature, or internal logic, to the world that makes it feel real and engaging to the reader. This world feels old and lived in. It really is a love letter back to all of the things that influenced me as a kid. That stuff never left me. The thought that Monsterwood might entertain and inspire the reader in a similar way is a huge ambition of mine. I hope that your readers will search it out and take the ride, ideally, enjoying it as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
DEANNA DESTITO: If you could pitch this to someone who knows nothing about it, how would you describe it?
ROSEN: The king and queen are dead. Long live the princess.
When the king and queen of Magog are murdered, and the monstrous denizens of the Monsterwood are blamed for their deaths, infant Princess Jocasta is left as the heir to the throne, with the ominous Tiberius as Regent. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, she is determined to return to the Monsterwood to complete the rite to be anointed as queen— but Tiberius forbids it, due to the dangers that lurk there.
The streets of Magog, however, are no less dangerous, especially for those with Mahru heritage, who are oppressed by Tiberius and his elite Zumari forces. Teenaged Jovis has gotten into trouble one too many times, and his only safe haven is the equally treacherous Monsterwood. When he encounters a disguised Jocasta and her companion, Scrag, traveling there, he boldly assures them they won’t make it far without him. Together, the three discover there’s danger in the Monsterwood— and Magog— than they ever realized, and none if it is quite what they believed…
The Monsterwood Omnibus: All Become One is packed with outlandish creatures, otherworldly jungle landscapes, and a sinister villain! Featuring a ’70s and ’80s fantasy aesthetic, it’s perfect for any reader who enjoys comics, tabletop/rpg games, such as Dungeons & Dragons, as well as the rich cinematic worlds such as LOTR and the Dark Crystal!
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