DF Interview: Michael W. Conrad walks the halls of horror in ‘Plague House’

By Byron Brewer

Thirteen years ago, Orin McCabe was a family man living a privileged life in the suburbs. Today, he's condemned to death row for murdering his entire family in an unexpected fit of hammer-wielding brutality. In the aftermath of his heinous crime, it's fallen to a trio of eclectic, but dedicated, ghost hunters – Jacob, the holy man; Holland, the skeptic; and their leader, Del, a true believer in the occult and worlds beyond – to surveil the abandoned McCabe home in search of proof for the existence of the undead . . . and whatever supernatural source may have possibly fueled McCabe's inhuman massacre. But this ill-matched and uneasy squad of investigators is about to discover something much more terrifying than any ordinary spirit . . . Something much more pernicious, much more contagious, that if not contained, could take full advantage of America's unquenchable appetite for violence and deliver a plague of blood unto us all . . .

This spring, architect of terror Michael W. Conrad (Wonder Woman, In Bloom) and 2024 Ringo Award winner Dave Chisholm (Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound) begin a deep and disturbing excursion into 21st century horror with Plague House, a new kind of tale that will rebuild the four walls of the American ghost story from the foundation up. I was on board before the concrete was poured! Here’s what scribe Michael W. Conrad told me.

Byron Brewer: Michael, what is the origin of your new book, Plague House? Is it a new inspiration or a tale which has been on the Conrad backburner for some time? This deep dive into modern horror is billed as “a new kind of tale that will rebuild the four walls of the American ghost story...” What can you tell us?

Michael W. Conrad: Plague House is indeed about hauntings, but hopefully the reader will be left with some interesting new perspectives. Plague House reconsiders the Western lens basis of many stories about ghosts. In some ways this is a reaction to the assumptions we make about the nature of haunted locations and tacitly agreed upon truths. I love ghost stories, this one willfully explores and subverts the tropes we may expect.

Byron: Introduce readers to Plague House’s trio of ghost hunters: Jacob, Holland and Del. Who were they, who are they now, and what challenge(s) do they face (non-spoiler) as this limited series unfolds?

Michael W. Conrad: Each of the ghost hunters represent elements we are all familiar with. Jacob approaches ghosts in a theological manner, Holland is a skeptic, and Del is a true believer. While Del has some insight that the others lack, it’s in this that Del’s story threatens to topple into madness. Del will likely be seen as a hero to some, but I don’t know that this is an appropriate title for him.

Byron: Who is Orin McCabe? Will his horrific act in this story be more than just a MacGuffin?

Michael W. Conrad: I don’t really believe in MacGuffins. When I woke up this morning, I was driven to do so for the desire of coffee. The coffee got me up, but is ultimately a quite important, albeit small part of my day. McCabe is like the coffee, do with that what you will.

Byron: What other characters will take on an important role in this book? Can you spotlight a few here?

Michael W. Conrad: Plague House is a big story with a very limited cast. Really, this is Del’s story, and is in many ways told through his point of view. As I wrote this, I came to identify with Del less and less. I like things to be interesting, and I don’t believe that we need to “like” everyone in our stories. Comics are weirdly still tethered to the idea of overtly likable characters, perhaps due to the ubiquity of superhero comics. Del is well meaning, but solipsistic, as such the series doesn’t allow for a broad cast of characters…most people don’t live very long in this story.

Byron: As Jacob, Holland and Del search for clues – and more – about the “supernatural source” which may or may not have fueled McCabe’s dastardly deed, will the mag have a component in it for clues (and red herrings) that will allow sharp readers to ghost-hunt along with the dedicated sleuths?

Michael W. Conrad: It’s all there, but we don’t belabor the point. We embrace the knowledge that readers are far more clever and wise than one might expect. I know that our readers will be able to keep up. Oni has built a stage for intelligent horror comics in the same way A24 has created a culture that allows for more cerebral explorations of genre material. Plague House is less of a mystery than it is a conversation, a Trolley Problem of a story.

Byron: Talk about the awesome artwork of Dave Chisholm. What does he bring to this table?

Michael W. Conrad: Dave is an auteur, and I’m quite lucky to be able to collaborate with him. I think Dave’s greatest skill as an artist is in grabbing and yanking out all guts of a script and smearing them on the page. As the art has turned up in this process, I have often felt dirty. Dave made a name for himself as someone who captures the power of music and humanity; I feel like I’ve pulled him into a dark place, and that’s very exciting for me as a fan of his work.

Byron: Michael, what other projects that you are working on can you tell readers about?

Michael W. Conrad: I have a variety of books and shorts through a variety of publishers. I’m delighted to say that I will continue to work with Oni, particularly with Bess Pallares, the editor who saw the vision of Plague House and brought it to life. I haven’t entirely left behind “mainstream” comics, but I’m most excited about the work I do that isn’t dictated by people I’ve never met, and interests that don’t align with our interest in pushing the envelope.

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Michael W. Conrad for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Plague House #1 from Oni Press is slated to be in stores April 2!

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