2026/10/21 18:05:31 +00:00 | Derek Anderson
Last year, co-creators and co-writers Shannon Eric Denton and Dirk Blackman introduced readers to a vibrant apocalypse nearly 100 years after Earth was overrun by cosmic parasites in the action-packed pages of the PANICK Entertainment comic book series Savager, featuring stunning interior artwork by Kewber Baal, colors by Schimerys Baal, and lettering by Sal Cipriano.
Only Riley Phillips, a human/alien hybrid who has formed a unique bond with the enigmatic parasite within his skin, can save what’s left of the planet, but his journey will be more precarious (and blood-splattered) than ever in the third and fourth issues that comprise Savager Vol. 1 Part 2.
Ahead of the November 25th release of Savager #3 (final order cutoff is October 26th) and the December 23rd debut of Savager #4 (FOC is November 30th), we caught up with Shannon and Dirk in a new Q&A feature to discuss exploring more of Riley’s emotional past, taking readers deeper into a “horror-infused parasitic apocalypse,” as well as their continued collaboration with the amazing team at PANICK Entertainment, and they also share their Halloween season recommendations for the page and the screen!
Below, you can read our full Q&A with Shannon and Dirk, and we also have a look at cover art and preview pages from the third issue of Savager. To learn more about the exciting comic book series, visit PANICK Entertainment’s official website!
Thank you for taking the time to answer questions for us, and congratulations on the first two issues of Savager! It’s been quite a relentless ride so far in the series, as readers have followed Riley Philips and his internal extraterrestrial companion through a post-apocalyptic America on a mission to save what’s left of humanity. What has it been like to see the positive reaction from readers so far?
Shannon Eric Denton: I’ve gotta say it’s been very fulfilling to have so many likeminded folks step up and say how much they love these kinds of stories. We love these kinds of “badass heroes going up against overwhelming odds” stories, too, so it’s been very reassuring for sure to have so many folks just reach out and say, “Thanks for making this.” We can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next in this monster-filled, horror-infused parasitic apocalypse!
Dirk Blackman: It’s the artist’s dream, right? You create a story, go through whatever hell you have to in order to get it in front of people and they like it. It’s what keeps you going.
With the first two issues of Savager introducing readers to a parasitic apocalypse, the stage is now set for plenty of cosmic carnage in the third and fourth issues. How much fun has it been to bring the parasite-fused Riley into his most dangerous and deadly scenarios yet in these issues?
Shannon Eric Denton:I am so excited for everyone to see what Dirk and I came up with. We did a lot of in-person meetings on this one, which is so out of the ordinary for most of comics-making, so I think that fun we had crafting this definitely comes through. Kewber took all that and amped it up to levels we could only dream of.
Dirk Blackman:I’ve spent most of my career putting people in harm’s way. Swords, vampires, crazed wannabe-mothers… It’s been fun to be in a different sandbox swarming with tentacles and mutated beasts.
In addition to taking Riley deeper into a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the third and fourth issues of Savager explore more of Riley’s haunted history, including the tragic backstory with his daughter, Emma. How important was it for you to continue to flesh out Riley’s past even as you move further into the future in this story?
Shannon Eric Denton:Pretty essential. This is a human who in his quest to kill the monsters had to basically become one. We wanted you to see how he got here. I think if he hadn’t lost so much, he wouldn’t be as savage as he is. It also shows how far he’s gonna have to go to get even an iota of that humanity back… and maybe in this new world that’s not a good thing.
Dirk Blackman:Giving Riley a tragic backstory was inevitable—he’s the lone survivor of the death of all humankind. Of all animal life. But being specific is crucial to us. It’s fun to watch a killing machine at work, but people have to care about him as a person and understand the drive that made him what he is. He is that killing machine because of the deaths of his wife and child. But it goes one step beyond that. As you’ll see, the hate that turned him into Savager is the foundation of his bond with the creature inside him.
Savager #3 and #4 will feature killer cover art by Kyle Hotz (Absolute Carnage, Legacy of Vader,Redcoat) and E.J. Su (Blood & Thunder, Godzilla,Invincible: Tech Jacket), respectively. How exciting has it been to see how Kyle and EJ each bring their own unique visual style to the post-apocalyptic world of Savager?
Shannon Eric Denton:For me, the joy of making worlds is when other creators become a part of them. You no longer are the only architects of the world, and these other visions allow it to grow and take life in a way that feels like it’s alive. I’m a huge fan of both EJ and Kyle as well as their stellar work, so I’m excited for everyone to see their take on Kewber’s visuals!
Dirk Blackman:Film is all about collaboration. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. As a writer you don’t have much control over what aspect downstream of the script might enhance or destroy. Comics are also collaborative, but in a much more controlled way. The vision is tighter. Kewber’s, Kyle’s and EJ’s work are indelibly part of the story but created with their own brilliant brand of chaos. Working with them has been an absolute blast.
Do you each have a favorite moment in particular that you’re especially proud of or excited for readers to experience in these climactic issues?
Shannon Eric Denton:We packed SO much into these next two issues, so it’s hard to find a favorite. Just from a spectacle POV, that underwater scene is hard to top. Emotionally, I really love how the flashback with Riley’s family turned out.
Dirk Blackman:For me, there’s a moment where someone Riley cares about has been infested, and Riley is in such despair that he may not be able to continue. The creature inside him recognizes this despair as a threat to its own existence. So they strike a devil’s bargain involving the creature healing the person at a very distinct cost: it has to leave Riley’s body.
What has it been like to continue working with the team at PANICK Entertainment as they gear up for the biggest distribution yet for Savager with these upcoming third and fourth issues?
Shannon Eric Denton:We’re amped they’re getting artists like EJ and Kyle on covers, and we’re excited to share the trade paperback cover artist down the line. It’s been really rewarding knowing we’re building this thing out together and they aren’t just publishing it and moving on! It’s a Savager world, and we’re all just getting started!
Dirk Blackman:They’ve been great from the first issue. Always supportive, always spot-on with their notes. And the signings they’ve set up have been super fun. We love meeting Savager’s readers face-to-face!
With the Halloween season upon us, do each of you have any favorite horror movies, TV series, books, comics, or video game recommendations for our readers to enjoy this time of year?
Shannon Eric Denton:All things John Carpenter. If you’re in the LA area, I highly recommend getting over to the Academy Museum for their horror exhibit. Go buy the other awesome PANICK horror titles, including the upcoming Halloween one my wife Kristen Fitzner Denton is working on!
Dirk Blackman:I’ve returned once again to Penny Dreadful, a truly fine, scary, bloody limited series with an insane cast: Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Patti Lupone. Just watched Hokum, an OG horror movie. And I have to push Them, an absolutely terrific limited horror series with very heavy racial themes (including an awesomely horrible demon minstrel played by Jeremiah Birkett).
The stakes have never been higher for Riley and the last remnants of humanity than they are in these next two issues. Ultimately, what do you hope readers take away from Savager Vol. 1 Part 2?
Shannon Eric Denton:With great power comes great responsibility… to DESTROY ALL MONSTERS! Mainly, I just want folks to be thoroughly entertained and despite how horrible Riley’s world has become, want to visit it over and over again… even if it’s from the safety of the comic book page.
Dirk Blackman:We hope they care enough about Riley and his companions to follow them as they wander through the world on their new mission to retake the Earth from the parasites. And we hope they trust us to keep coming up with new, crazy environments in a world where local physics mean anything can happen. There are a lot more stories to tell before Riley has to face the ultimate sacrifice.
With Savager #3 being released on November 25th and Savager #4 due out on December 23rd (just in time for the holidays!), what other new projects do you each have coming up that you can tease for our readers?
Shannon Eric Denton:I have a book with Mad Cave’s Maverick due out in summer next year, and even though it’s wildly different than Savager, it’ll be in my Monster Forge wheelhouse. For the listeners, we have our Monster Forge Radio horror podcast Horror Eternal, and you can go to our Linktree for everything else coming up.
Dirk Blackman:I just finished two books that I hope will be available in the coming year. What the F*** Was I Thinking, A How-Not-To Guide to Surviving a Creative Life, an acerbic take on helping young creatives by humorously pointing out all the ways a writer can screw up and how to avoid them. And shockingly, A Bag Elf’s Tale—Why Santa says Ho Ho Ho!, a read-along Christmas story that’s part of a planned series exploring the hidden stories behind all the things we think we know about Santa Claus.
From the Press Release: “MAD MAX MEETS H.P. LOVECRAFT” IN THIS RELENTLESS, POST-APOCALYPTIC MONSTER HUNT FROM THE MINDS BEHIND UNDERWORLD, AVENGERS, AND VAMPIRELLA
Created by Dirk Blackman (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) and Shannon Eric Denton (Monster Forge, Spectors), with interior art by Kewber Baal (Vampirella, Thundarr The Barbarian), SAVAGER has earned acclaim for its brutal fusion of post-apocalyptic action and cosmic horror. Set in a devastated future Earth overrun by monstrous parasitic entities, the series follows Riley Philips — known as “The Savager” — as he fights to protect what remains of humanity.
“The scope of SAVAGER keeps growing with every chapter, and these next two issues raise the stakes in every possible way,” say writers Shannon Eric Denton and Dirk Blackman in a joint statement. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created and can’t wait for readers to dive back into this world.”
“SAVAGER is one of PANICK’s foundational titles and we are incredibly proud of the series,” added PANICK Publisher Kris Longo. “It’s brutal, emotional, unpredictable, and visually unlike anything else on the shelves right now. Taking a little extra time to make sure these issues hit at the highest possible level with the best possible cover artists was absolutely the right call, and the fans are going to see that immediately when these books arrive.”
Adding to the excitement, SAVAGER #3 will feature a cover by acclaimed horror artist Kyle Hotz (Absolute Carnage, Legacy of Vader, Redcoat), while SAVAGER #4 will showcase a cover by celebrated illustrator E.J. Su (Blood & Thunder, Godzilla, Invincible: Tech Jacket).
The upcoming issues push Riley deeper into a collapsing world consumed by cosmic infestation, escalating both the action and psychological horror as humanity’s survival hangs by a thread.”
- On Sale: November 25, 2026
- Cover Artist: Kyle Hotz
- FOC: October 26, 2026
- On Sale: December 23, 2026
- Cover Artist: EJ Su
- FOC November 30, 2026
Savager #3 Cover Art by Kyle Hotz
Savager #3 Interior Artwork by Artist Kewber Baal, Colorist Schimerys Baal, and Letterer Sal Cipriano
Savager #1 Cover Art by Tehani Farr
