At the start of 2009, I spent some time furiously scribbling new ideas for characters and stories in my digital notebook. Many of the ideas were superhero-based or superhero-adjacent (i.e.: special powers, adventure stories, overtly morally positive characters, etc.), but this one was a little darker, and more science-fiction oriented.

Le Mot Faux was designed to ask a simple question: what would a dead man do with another night in the world? Not as a ghost - not as an impartial observer - but as a solid, mobile, intelligent memory.

Would they try to settle old scores? Would they run to see their loved ones? Would they dread the dawn? Or would they just go to the pictures?

And how would their loved ones, enemies or acquaintances react? Fear? Relief? How cruel would it be to be teased by a second chance with a loved one, only to see them leave again?

It occurred to me that such a device would be the product of a dangerous, dedicated man. Someone of supreme arrogance, tempered by profound grief. I liked the idea that the device needed monitoring - and probably protecting! - by a small support staff. I also liked the idea that they, too, would be uneasy around the thing, and in the dark about it's true nature.

In short, I was extremely happy with the idea, and keen to get this pilot comic started!

Ultimately, however, I really wanted to try my hand at creating a reuseable framework, rather than a single story. Something that could be used to explore a wide range of characters and themes, all with the same underlying structure.

Le Mot Faux is (or will be, if I get the chance) that sort of anthology engine. The core gimmick - that of a "ghost" returning to its former life - is straightforward enough. I'm looking forward to writing plenty of self-contained stories in this milieu. But I'm hoping that it will allow me to stretch my long-term story muscles at the same time, by building on the relationships and personalities of the recurring, or framing, cast.

Because Le Mot Faux is more than just the story of what we might do with one more night in the world. It is also a story of obsession. Of compassion. Of the eternal fight against despair. And of how far we might go to defy Death.

I truly hope you enjoy Le Mot Faux. I hope to be able to bring you more stories in the near future. The print edition will cost you £1.25 plus postage. It sold out on its debut at Leeds Thought Bubble in November 2009, which was pretty great.