By all accounts, the 1997 sci-fi horror film Event Horizon was a certified flop both critically and commercially. Despite its initial less than stellar reception, over the years the film has garnered a cult following as well as a greater new appreciation due to the several scenes that were ultimately cut from the final version that severely toned down the filmmakers’ original vision. Sadly, much of the excised footage has been lost thus depriving fans from ever seeing a fully restored version. Thankfully, IDW Publishing has come to satiate fan demand with Horizon: Dark Descent, the first official prequel to the film from the creative team of Christian Ward, artist Tristan Jones, and colorist Pip Martin.
Taking place before the events of the film, this five-part series explores the final fate of the original Event Horizon crew revealing what really happened to Captain Kilpack and the first crew as their ship journeyed across a nightmarish realm of demon forces led by the eyeless King of Hell known as Paimon.
Ahead of the pre-order deadline next week and the release of the first issue next month, The Beat had the pleasure of interviewing via email writer Christian Ward to discuss exploring new levels of cosmic horror and why the original film still resonates for audiences.
Taimur Dar: The first obvious question has to be, do you remember the first time you watched Event Horizon?
Christian Ward: I saw it on opening weekend! I wasn’t just a fan of sci-fi but of the Electronic duo Orbital who collaborated with Michael Kamen. It was actually their involvement as much as anything that put my ass on the seat. I still remember hearing their pulse pounding beats as the film opened with a swirling black hole vortex as the credits leaped out of the screen before being dragged back down into the void of the hole. “This is going to be a rollercoaster,” I thought to myself and I was right.
Taimur Dar: Though you are probably known best for your distinct art style, you’re no stranger to comics writing. According to an interview you did with The Beat a few years ago, I believe Machine Gun Wizards was your first time writing for another artist. I’m tempted to assume the plan was always for you to focus solely on writing for Event Horizon: Dark Descent. Was that the case and how did you end up enlisting Tristan Jones and Pip Martin?
Christian Ward: I actually love writing for other artists. You’re correct in saying Machine Gun Wizards was my first book as writer. In that case I handed the artist reins to Sami Kivela who I knew could sell the 1930’s Chicago setting that a book about prohibition but with magic needed. In this series we needed someone who could nail not just the cosmic horror of it all but the tangible steel and iron corridors of the titular ship. When we were discussing artists I couldn’t think of anyone who could handle that better than Tristan Jones. As far as colours go, I didn’t want this to look like any other book on the stands. I knew Tristan’s realistic inkwork could handle a more cutting edge contemporary colouring style and when we invited Pip to do a test run on some of Tristan’s old Alien pages, we all knew we’d found something very special indeed. Pip is new to the industry but I believe destined to be a very in demand colourist.
Taimur Dar: When Event Horizon was first released it was a critical and commercial flop. Despite borrowing quite a bit from the Alien films, the influence of the film can be seen in the Dead Space video games and even Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. Why do you think Event Horizon still resonates with people decades later as opposed to being forgotten in ’90s obscurity?
Christian Ward: I think, no pun intended, it’s about singularity. It managed to stay resonant because it’s NOT like Alien. There’s no monster stalking the hallways. There is no physical threat. It’s pure cosmic horror and actually there aren’t many films that scratch that very particular itch. It’s psychological and resists clear explanations meaning that it’s horror feels like it’s coming from something beyond our comprehension. Add to that absolutely unbelievable production design. Event Horizon, both the film and indeed the ship itself, look unlike anything else. Equal parts gothic cathedral and ’90s industrialism.
Taimur Dar: The best horror for me taps into current fears and anxieties. Given the current state of the world that’s in no short supply. While working on this project, did you channel any of those fears whether from your own personal life or the world at large?
Christian Ward: Absolutely, you can’t not. All of my books are about something beyond the stories themselves. Batman: City of Madness was about how trauma is passed down. Blood Stained Teeth is about the real threat of billionaires whilst also being a hymn to public health care. You have to channel your own personal life and fears into the characters to make them feel real. Horror is often about processing real life horror and triumphing over it. In many ways Event Horizon is about having hope in Hell. A very literal Hell in our case.
Taimur Dar: As I’m sure you are well aware, Event Horizon has gained a cult following over the years largely due to the original vision and cut that never came to be. Do you see this project as a way to rectify that or create something that could be viewed as the closest thing to an Event Horizon Director’s Cut since the original footage has sadly been lost and unable to be restored?
Christian Ward: Watching Andor was what solidified what I wanted to do with the property. I wanted to write something that would change how one would view the film. It’s a delicate balance as you don’t want to betray the original intent or introduce something that doesn’t fit within the existing lore. It’s all about giving additional and hopefully enriching context. In regards to the director’s cut and its infamous ‘blood orgy’ scene I can promise fans they won’t be disappointed.
Taimur Dar: Finally, what upcoming projects can you tease for fans?
Christian Ward: In addition to Event Horizon: Dark Descent, I’m writing and drawing a Dr. Strange story for the landmark #450 issue, beyond that i have a few creator owned books with other artists in pipeline that’ll hit in 2026 or 2027 and just maybe more Event Horizon, after all right now we’re telling you the story of what happened before the events of the film but there’s always the question of what happened afterwards. We have big plans and they all begin in Event Horizon: Dark Descent #1.
Event Horizon: Dark Descent #1 arrives in comic shops on Wednesday August 20th, 2025.
English (US) · 