Deadman is coming back to DC Comics this October. DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #1 puts the character into a gothic horror setting and features writer Sarah Vaughn and artist Lan Medina. We chatted with the two creators about this upcoming book to find out what's new for Boston Brand.

Comic Vine: What is your Deadman series all about?

Sarah Vaughn: Berenice is living a quiet life at Glencourt Manor, trying to hide the fact that she can see ghosts, when Deadman swoops in after sensing a distress call. Tensions ramp up when a dark mystery of the house surfaces, while at the same time Berenice attempts to keep her ability secret from her boyfriend Nathan and her best friend Sam.

What separates this series from others we've seen in the past?

SV: Many times, back in the 1960’s and 1970’s, romance comics were anthologies, devoting only a few pages to an entire story. Gothic horror played around with that a bit, sometimes giving a whole issue to one story. Our book is threading back in classic romance comic elements, while also spending more time with the characters.

What draws both you to this character?

SV: I loved the old 1960s issues of Strange Adventures that featured Deadman. He was this surly ghost that solved small crimes. He didn’t save the world, he just helped out those people for a minute. I really wanted to tell a story more like that, something more intimate.

Lan Medina: For me it’s Deadman's character that interests me most. He's one of my favorite characters since Jose Garcia Lopez and Neal Adams’s work. He also reminds me of my previous project, Aria. I like stories with mysteries because they are full of surprises.

Considering the tone of the book is a bit different than the traditional superhero book, did you make any changes to your style or storytelling for this miniseries?

LM: Yes, there is a big difference compared to other superhero books I’ve made. I feel like with superhero books, the scenes were too demanding but it was easier for me to think of the settings. In Deadman, the story only evolves inside the Dark Mansion which is tricky for me. But whenever I work on project like this, I always give what is needed so we can effectively convey the story to the readers.

We've seen a growing interest in romance comics, like Fresh Romance, for instance. Why do you think readers are becoming more attracted to this genre?

SV: I really don’t think people are becoming more attracted to romance. I think people have been wanting romance to be a significant genre in American comics again for quite a while. Its just there haven’t been many stories put out by mainstream American publishers in recent times. Webcomics have made a huge difference in the past few years, and there are a lot of titles that are being published by small and independent press now, which really helps. I very much hope it continues to grow.

LM: Well, I'm also a reader so I guess as a reader you always find something new and fresh. Moreover, most readers are emotional and hopeless romantics. So I think reading a romance novel gives them a satisfying taste of what they are missing from their own life.

How will Deadman fit into genre? Are we getting light horror and romance?

SV: I suppose it could be considered light horror, but gothic horror to me has always been eerie, dramatic, and supernatural. Deadman is the perfect superhero to place into a gothic horror romance. He’s a tragic figure, murdered, suspended between the living world and the dead. I loved how introspective and melodramatic he was when he was first created. He really does fit right in.

Lan, were there any design changes you made to Deadman?

LM: Yes, I made a few. I changed his boots to no longer be the robin hood style and the letter D icon to a less polished design like the one in his first appearance. I made it a bit creepy to fit his character.

Who is doing the colors on the book and what do they bring to this series?

SV: José Villarrubia is doing the colors, and Janice Chiang is the letterer. They’ve both been amazing. Lan’s art was already breathtaking, but to see José’s colors just takes it to a new level. Janice has made magic of the captions and dialogue. I’ve learned a huge amount working on this book.

LM: Jose gives life to every character, which makes the series more sensational.

Thanks to Sarah and Lan for talking to us and make sure to check out DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE when it hits stores on October 5.