Dark Red: FAQ

Read the comic script using the script button below.

Who's behind Dark Red? Meet the cast and crew.

Meet Richard Cavendish on the interviews page.

See our favourite artists on the links page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did you get the idea/inspiration for Dark Red?

I suppose I started getting interested in the strange and magical when my Dad read me Grimm's Fairy Tales and Hans Christian Anderson when I was little. He would get me to open the book we'd chosen at random and would read the story there. Oddly enough I don't remember any macabre stuff so either it never bothered me or he was a whiz at on the spot editing.

Lurking about my head must be all those science fiction and fantasy books and films I've loved over the years. Terry Pratchett, Joss Whedon and Neil Gaiman must be the strongest sources of influence recently.

Unfortunately, I can't tell the original source that triggered the story of Dark Red in my head. It would give away future plot, but I will tell you that it's musical in origin.

Where does the name come from?

After three weeks of trying to come up with a name I got really frustrated. One of my first ideas was 'Mystics Inc.' which looks good on paper but is something completely different when you say it out loud. Eventually I cut out words that best embodied the comic and spent three hours moving them around into different combinations.

So 'Dark Red' it eventually was and I'm really happy with it. 'Dark' because of Sarah's blindness and 'Red' because of her hair. It also lends itself to mystery and blood splatters quite well.

How do you modify the photographs?

The process has changed since the start of Issue #1. Over the past year or two I've learnt a lot about what I'm doing. Gradually the process has been stripped down and refined. In the beginning my camera wasn't so good for indoor work so extra filters were added to compensate. As the photography has improved these filters have been taken away. This is good, as it also minimises the rotoscoping to just a touch up. I wouldn't even call it rotoscoping anymore.

As to the exact process, I'm still not entirely comfortable saying. But I'm sure that if you knew a lot about Paintshop you could replicate it these days.

Why does it take so long to make an issue?

Before any work can be done on an individual page the entire issue needs to be scripted and several photoshoots in a number of locations are required. Dark Red uses an unusually large page and high quality images for a web comic because it was originally going to be produced as a real comic. While I'd love to be able to spend more time on Dark Red, I still have to earn a living during the day.

Why don't the demons and special effects look like the rest of the comic?

We can't get real demons along to the photoshoots. :D So all the demons and other special effects have to be drawn on afterwards. Unfortunately, they never have the same feel that comes from the photograph. Sometimes the demons come out really well and sometimes they don't. It's a learning process and I have to practice my drawing skills as I go. In the mean time, the story must go on.

When do you update?

Every Friday, touch wood! Once in a while there will be two pages in one week, if I have time. This has happened twice in Issue #1 but not in Issue #2. So extra pages are a bit random.

Did you write the characters with anyone in mind? I.e. did anyone influence the characters?

Sarah was based on a previous character of mine. She wasn't blind then and had very curly red hair. I also think the previous Sarah was calmer and, if I remember correctly didn't swear quite so much. Our current Sarah has become very grumpy since her affliction.

Iain was based on a friend of mine at the time, the guy that was going to co-write Dark Red with me in the beginning. It was exam time and he couldn't begin the writing with me. By the time the exams were finished I had written three issues and wanted to continue alone. He says that was his plan all along.

As to the other characters, I'm not sure there was anyone in mind for them.

Where is the comic set?

Although the comic is photographed in Glasgow, it's supposed to be just a generic city. I didn't want to tie it down in name. The reader is supposed to be able to walk out the front door and wonder if the story is happening in the streets he sees before him.

What kind of blindness does Sarah have?

Doctors have diagnosed Sarah with Stargardt's blindness. There is a bit of the retina that is really sensitive; it's called the macula. Mostly macular degeneration affects the elderly but when it happens to younger people it's called Stargardt's blindness, which is quite rare. Macula degeneration will cause a loss of central vision. Sarah doesn't have as much peripheral vision as she probably should and her blindness happened overnight, which is highly unusual. I'm sure you'll find more about that in the story.

For more information on blindness in general:

UK: Royal National Institute of the Blind - Links Page
US: NFB's Resource Page
World Wide Database: RNIB's Database of Companies

These links are for information only. The Dark Red webcomic is not affiliated with any organisation. Just so you know.

What kind of car does Gary drive and what kind of bike is Iain riding?

I will pass you over to the owner of both vehicles to clarify.

"The car is a 1985 Toyota Celica 2.0XT Liftback. It has a RA61 chassis, which is the last of the RWD Celicas.

The bike is a 1995 Honda CBR1000F and is called a Hurricane in the states. In the right circles it's also known as a Ballistic Sofa!"

What are your views on fan fiction and fan art?

Fan art is fine; send it here as we've started a gallery for that. It's great to see Sarah and the gang in different styles of art. Guest comics are also fine. I'll even post them up for you.

Fan fiction, on the other hand, is a bit of a tricky subject. I definitely don't give my permission for someone to make money from Dark Red stories and the same goes for the art. If the fiction kept true to the original spirit of the story, it might be okay. On the other hand I'm not sure I would be able to read any slash fiction based on my characters. I may defer judgement on this until I actually read some.

Is there a hard copy of Dark Red available to buy?

Yes, hard copies are available to buy at some point after each issue has finished online.

Are you working on any side projects just now?

I'm writing additional graphic novels to go along side the comic. They are meant to augment the Dark Red world. Of course there is the release of the hard copy, which could be seen as a project in itself. I also have several art and photography projects on the go just now.

Are you available for working with me on my comic?

At the moment I have far too much to do on my own comic. I wish you well with your projects.

Can I link to the Dark Red website?

Of course! You can use one of our banners if you like.

Can I email you?

Certainly! Just check our contact details.

Why do you make us do a test just to see your email address?

We're sorry for the inconvenience but it stops us getting spam and helps read old books, intrigued? All the words appearing in the ReCaptcha system have been scanned from old books. Some words can be recognised automatically by the system but others need the human touch, which's where you come in. By presenting the same word multiple times the system can be sure who's a real person and what the word actually is.