COVER REVEAL + INTERVIEW: Meredith Moriarty on THIRD SHIFT SOCIETY

In Third Shift Society by Meredith Moriarty, Ellie is on the verge of eviction. That’s when she discovers monsters are real, and lands a gig working for a Paranormal Detective. Oh, and did we mention that said detective has a Jack-o-Lantern for a head?

Now, the first season of Third Shift Society is being collected in a volume to be published by WEBTOON Unscrolled on February 2^nd, 2024. Interested in seeing the cover? Scroll on down past the interview!

But don’t scroll too fast. The Beat caught up with Moriarty over email to ask all about the genesis of Third Shift Society, to find out about the process of adapting the comic to a physical format, and to ask about the various influences for the irresistible supernatural comic.

AVERY KAPLAN: What was the genesis of Third Shift Society?

MEREDITH MORIARTY: It actually all started with a drawing of Ichabod. I was doodling during a university library studies course and decided I really liked the look of the jack-o-lantern-headed fella I had scribbled in my notebook. I think it was something about the silhouette. 

I had been watching a lot of shows about ghosts and hauntings at the time, so of course paranormal detective was the obvious job choice. And then he needed a partner to play off, which led to Ellie. It all developed very organically, but it would be several years before I had the confidence to start the comic.

KAPLAN: What was the process of world-building for Third Shift Society like? Did you face any particular challenges?

MORIARTY: The world of Third Shift Society is very much like our own but with the addition of a supernatural community that exists in secret alongside normal humans. 

There’s no shortage of folklore to pull from when it comes to creatures like vampires, demons, and fairies, but I wanted to use these myths as jumping-off points rather than concrete boundaries. There is, of course, a long tradition of creators putting their own spin on classic monsters, so I felt pretty free to experiment in that regard.

Developing the magic system and the Void was more challenging — coming up with rules, maintaining internal consistency, and providing enough structure for the audience to wrap their arms around ideas that are inherently rather squishy. It’s a balancing act and I’m hoping I managed to pull it off!

KAPLAN: Can you tell us about the process of adapting the WEBTOON to print? Have you been directly involved?

MORIARTY: I have! On my end, it’s mostly been touching up the art and editing files to make them easier to work with (my layer management in some of those older episodes left A LOT to be desired).

The actual adaptation process is surprisingly collaborative. Right now I’m working with an editor, who in turn is coordinating with a proofreader, cover designer, and layout designer. The sales and marketing team also has a good deal of input. It’s a big change from how I normally work, and it can be tough to reconcile everyone’s different visions. That said, I’m grateful to have so many dedicated people on board and can’t wait to see the finished book!

KAPLAN: What goes into running a successful comics Patreon? Do you have any advice for fledgling cartoonists?

MORIARTY: Ah, I’m probably the last person to ask for advice on anything social media related. I mean, there are general best practices that are always worth remembering – post consistently, engage with the comments, track your metrics and upload more of what performs well (Note: I am terrible at all of these. Do as I say, not as I do.).

In my experience, though, most Patrons aren’t subscribed for the extras, but rather out of a genuine desire to support their favorite creators. Comics are a tough business and fans nowadays know that. Just do your best, be honest, and be kind. No one can ask for more than that.

KAPLAN: Do you have a favorite single panel from Third Shift Society?

MORIARTY: I’m weirdly fond of the sequence in Part 6 where Ichabod and Ellie escape the burning building by jumping into the sea. It’s fun and over-the-top in that action movie kind of way, and there’s something very satisfying about the natural color shift from the reds and oranges of the fire to the cool blue of the water that mirrors the tone of the narrative. 

KAPLAN: Were there any comics (or any other kind of stories) that are particularly inspirational to you during the creative process for Third Shift Society?

MORIARTY: In terms of visuals, there’s a lot of Bruce Timm’s animated series (Batman, Justice League), Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, and other ‘00s anime knocking about in there. Narratively, I’m very inspired by the storytelling in the Dark Souls and Silent Hill series – namely their indirect styles of worldbuilding and their embrace of narrative ambiguity.  

KAPLAN: Have you seen any particularly memorable fan art or cosplay of the Third Shift Society characters?

MORIARTY: I’ve seen some pretty great Ichabod cosplays. The dedication required to walk around in a big ol’ pumpkin head is truly impressive! 

KAPLAN: Can you give us a hint about what the future may hold for Third Shift Society?

MORIARTY: Season 3! Yes, I’m still working on it. Unfortunately, I draw pretty slowly by Webtoon standards, and I’ve been having issues with my back that have delayed production even further, but I’m determined to get it done and really appreciate everyone’s patience! 

KAPLAN: Is there anything else you’d like me to include? 

MORIARTY: Just a big “thank you” to my editors, past and present, Dayn, Aria, and Emma; my lovely assistants Elora and Daniel; and everyone who has made this Webtoon (and soon-to-be book!) possible.

The first volume of Third Shift Society is scheduled for publication on February 2^nd, 2024.

You can follow Meredith and WEBTOON on Instagram.