35. The Making of a Comic: 'Season of the Bruja #1' by Aaron Durán
From inspiration and script to working with series artist Sara Soler
Howdy Brave Being,
Welcome back to The Making of a Comic. This week, I’m chatting with comics writer and Geek in the City podcast host Aaron Durán. I met Aaron about four years ago through friend and comics colleague David Brothers and we instantly connected over our love of Star Trek. Particularly, Star Trek: The Next Generation. We even wrote a short and pitched it to IDW. But we’re not here to talk about that…
We’re here to learn all about Aaron’s upcoming book, SEASON OF THE BRUJA #1 with artist Sara Soler and letterer AndWorld Design’s Jaime Martinez, which debuts this month in comic book shops near you! I just finished reading it and I cannot wait for issue #2. Here’s Aaron to tell you all about it. Let’s hop to it!
Season of the Bruja
Brittany Matter: Tell us about SEASON OF THE BRUJA #1.
Aaron Duran: Season of the Bruja #1 introduces the reader to Althalia Cabrera, a bruja by birth who works at an oddities museum in Portland, OR. Through Althalia and her friends, Issue 1 also makes a statement early on about my own connection to my Mexican-American heritage and an attempt to reconnect with an often forgotten culture and beliefs.
BM: Who are Althalia's allies?
AD: First and foremost, her abuela Isadora, who of course transcends ally. Isadora is Althalia’s loving connection to her past, her powers, and in a sense her future. Besides Isadora, Althalia counts her co-workers at the museum as her friends and allies. Each one having something unique to bring to their friendship and work in general. Sorry for being a tad vague, but we’ve got some surprises in store for all of them. I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun.
BM: What kinds of supernatural threats will Althalia face?
AD: As I am a huge nerd for all things paranormal and supernatural, any supernatural creature is on the table. As the story opens in issue 1, Althalia is literally having a duel with a demon in a nice suburban home. As a character who has a connection to the afterlife, various spirits and the things that hide in the dark corners of night will make their presence known.
BM: What inspired you to tell this story?
AD: A desire to connect with the stories my elders would tell me as a kid. I grew up reading and loving comics, but so few of those characters looked like me. So, with Season of the Bruja, I really hope to join the work of many Latinx creators trying to tell their story. Stories we can pass on and hope to inspire those who will come after us.
BM: Who's your favorite character and why?
AD: I’m not sure I have a favorite. With Althalia I get to explore and discover with her, so I definitely feel some connection there. However, if I had to pick a character I enjoy writing the most, it would be her abuela. She’s just fun to write, with her mix of lighthearted joking and a genuine sense of concern for everyone around her.
From Script to Panel
BM: Tell us about working with artist Sara Soler. How did y'all work together?
AD: Sara is simply amazing to work with. They way she interpreted my writing truly elevated the book in ways I would not have imagined. She’s even responsible for characters I never once intended, but now there is no way the book would be as good as it is without them. And that 100% comes from Sara’s instincts as a storyteller, visual or otherwise. I was also completely comfortable with her taking the reins on panel flow if what I wrote didn’t work as well. In the beginning she would ask, but after the first time I told her to just run with what she felt worked best. She was right every time. Plus, she’s a bit of a food freak like me, so when we weren’t gushing over the book, we were trading Instagram food posts.
BM: What was your reaction to Sara's character designs?
AD: Always wonderful. There were a couple of times when I’d have notes on making an element of the character stand out more. Each time she would reply with an updated message and a note saying she had originally seen the character in such a way but didn’t want to push too hard. Her instincts on character design are always spot on.
BM: What has Sara brought to the story that has surprised you?
AD: Her style itself. When I first envisioned the look for Season of the Bruja it was a bit more…harsh? I don’t know if that’s correct, but I saw the book as having more of a visual edginess. Something that highlighted the danger that our characters will face. Sara can certainly create that danger, and does so amazingly, but her lighter and slightly manga-inspired approach to the book truly elevated the look. As I’ve said many times in the past, to her and other folks, I can’t think of anyone working on the book anymore. She’s as much a part of it as I am.
BM: Do you have a favorite panel from the first issue that you can share, and why is it your favorite?
AD: I do, but I can’t share it here. But it very much speaks to a moment I experienced myself that in a way led to the book coming to life. Sorry, wish I could say more. Once the book comes out, I can let folks know if they are still curious.
BM: Tell us about the variant cover artist Naomi “Franq” Franquiz and how you both worked together on this cover.
AD: As for the variant cover, I really love it, but there wasn't a whole lot of back and forth. We gave Naomi what we were looking for and she basically gave us that amazing cover with no notes. :)
Get the Scoop on Aaron
BM: In addition to writing comics, you're also host of Geek in the City, a podcast where society meets nerdery. What do you love most about podcasting?
AD: Heh, that it’s free therapy. Okay, not really, although sometimes we do treat it that way which isn’t a terrible thing. Honestly, I enjoy the freeform conversation style you can have with your co-hosts and guests. It never feels like a time constrained interview format you get on television or traditional radio. People let their guard down and feel safe to be themselves.
BM: How does podcasting contribute to your growth as a writer?
AD: It allows me to gain perspectives on other people and how they see the world. Also, I’ve had the opportunity to interview some wonderful creators and that simple act alone helps me grow as a writer.
BM: What books are on your bedside table right now?
AD: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Kitchen Witchery by Laurel Woodward, and Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft… I am such a nerd.
BM: How can folks read SEASON OF THE BRUJA #1?
AD: They will be able to get issue 1 from any of their local comic book shops or any online comic book retailer. It will also be on Amazon Kindle Comic Reader.
BM: Awesome! I can’t wait for folks to get their hands on this perfectly wonderful series that has such an action-packed opening with relatable characters, and I can tell, a lot of heart. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Althalia and her abuela Isadora immensely and I’m thoroughly invested in them both already.
Dear readers, remember you can find your local comic shop using this handy locator by inputting your zip code to order SEASON OF THE BRUJA #1.