Kelley Jones: Shadows, Vampires & the Art of Fear
Send us a text What happens when the Dark Knight meets Gothic horror? You get Kelley Jones — the artist who turned Batman into a living nightmare and made the shadows themselves come alive. From Micronauts to Red Rain, Kelley’s journey through comics has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, we explore his early days growing up in Citrus Heights, discovering Marvel reprints, and landing his first pro gig at Marvel. We dig into how a comment from Marshall Rogers set him on the path to...
What happens when the Dark Knight meets Gothic horror? You get Kelley Jones — the artist who turned Batman into a living nightmare and made the shadows themselves come alive.
From Micronauts to Red Rain, Kelley’s journey through comics has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, we explore his early days growing up in Citrus Heights, discovering Marvel reprints, and landing his first pro gig at Marvel. We dig into how a comment from Marshall Rogers set him on the path to becoming one of the most distinctive Batman artists of all time.
Kelley opens up about crafting horror within heroism — from Batman: Red Rain to Dark Joker the Wild, Swamp Thing, and Frankenstein Alive, Alive! — and how he balances the grotesque and the beautiful. We also dive into his latest project, Dracula: The Impaler under Orlok Press, co-created with Matt Wagner, where Dracula is reborn as a medieval warlord from hell.
If you’ve ever wondered how psychology, style, and sincerity intertwine to create lasting horror — this episode is your masterclass.
🦇 Topics Include:
- Marshall Rogers’ prophecy that came true
- The making of Batman: Red Rain
- The art of horror and clarity
- Collaborations with John Beatty, Doug Moench, and Matt Wagner
- Founding Orlok Press & Dracula: The Impaler
- Why “horror only works when it’s sincere”
Follow Kelley’s work and support Dracula: The Impaler on Kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/draculatheimpaler/dracula-book-3
📺 Watch, listen, and stay nostalgic — only on Back to Pop Media.
Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman
Audio composed and edited by
Lauren M. Antoine
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If you’re looking for comics then stop by Sean’s shop here’s the link.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1700957263/custom-listing-mc-the-last-will-and?click_key=10e3b2dbec164f3e4e3998d180f71c4828a47e9c%3A1700957263&click_sum=732fa5f1&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1&sts=1