From Novel to Comic Book: The Story Behind Complete Darkness with Matt Adcock

What happens when a dark sci-fi novel becomes a comic book?On this episode of Talkin' Comics Podcast, AJ Reimann sits down with writer Matt Adcock to talk about his journey from novel writing to indie comics and the process of transforming his novel Complete Darkness into a comic book.Matt's original novel is a near-future dark sci-fi story built around a wild question: What if humanity discovered that Hell could actually be mapped?After artist Carl Brown read Complete Darkness and suggested that it would make a great comic, Matt began a completely new creative journey—learning how to translate a novel's ideas, characters, and world into sequential art. Matt explains how working with an artist changed the storytelling process and why comic writers have to let the artwork carry so much of the story.This is a conversation about more than just making comics. It's about taking an idea that exists in your head, finding the right creative people, and figuring out how to bring that idea into the real world.#ComicBooks #IndieComics #ComicBookCreator #SciFi #TalkinComicsHost: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_PodcastGuest: Matt Adcock @cleric20 https://www.etsy.com/shop/CompleteDarkness📚 About Matt AdcockMatt Adcock is a writer whose novel Complete Darkness began a journey into the world of indie comics. The comic adaptation is planned as a larger series, with Matt and artist Carl Brown currently working toward a ten-issue story.🚀 Don’t Miss Out🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast📚 Follow Our Journey Into Comics👫 Family Friendly🎙 Creator Conversations🦸🏼 Learning to Write & Draw👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comicsSponsors:• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete 👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...Printing-Comic Books-Fliers-Prints-Business Cards-Rack Cards-Promotional Items-Etc⏱️ Chapters00:00 Welcome to Talkin' Comics Podcast00:38 Meet Matt Adcock01:16 From Complete Darkness to Comic Book02:20 The Global Comic Book Community03:05 AJ's Journey Into Creating a Comic04:00 Traditional Comic Art vs. AI04:29 Black & White vs. Full Color Comics04:50 What It's Like to Hold Your Finished Comic06:17 Why Physical Comics Still Matter06:45 How Comics Can Inspire Young Readers07:31 What Inspired Matt to Become a Writer?08:12 The Notebook That Changed Matt's Writing09:19 Turning Comics Into Audiobooks?10:18 From Comic to Animation?11:25 Complete Darkness & Working With New Artists12:19 Discovering Jim Hobbs13:32 The Inspiration Behind Complete Darkness14:00 Mapping Hell Through Dark Matter15:57 Creating a Superhero by Accident16:15 Turning Complete Darkness Into a Comic16:42 How Many Issues Will Complete Darkness Have?17:10 Creating Comics With Family18:18 Learning to Draw Through Trading Cards19:28 The Real Cost of Making Comics20:27 Publishing Books vs. Comics20:32 Finding a Publisher for Complete Darkness21:10 Writing in Someone Else's Universe22:23 The Search for a Comic Book Publisher24:39 The Challenges of Manufacturing & Shipping27:55 Three Comics You Could Never Live Without28:21 AJ's Thor Reading Challenge29:30 Favorite Comics & Characters31:00 Comic Book Universes & Superpowers33:00 Thor, Captain America & Comic Book Morality36:00 If Your Life Were a Comic Book...38:00 Creating a Comic About Your Own Life40:00 The Reality of Being an Indie Creator42:00 Making Comics With the Right Artist44:00 AJ's Journey With The Chronicles of Panel Pete46:00 The Future of Complete Darkness48:00 Finding Comic Book Publishers50:00 Comic Book Conventions & HeroesCon52:00 Terrificon, Walt Simonson & Comic Book Memories54:00 Finding Your Place in the Comic Community56:00 Where to Find Matt Adcock58:00 Final Thoughts#ComicBooks#IndieComics#ComicBookCreator#ComicBookWriter#SciFiComics#ComicBookArt#IndependentComics#ComicBookPublishing#TalkinComicsPodcast#CompleteDarknessMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: EO67CCFFTRTPVKEW