MISSISSIPPI – A group of creatives, united by their love for Mississippi and storytelling, has brought the state’s legends and folklore to life in a unique way.
“We all have a love for the state we live in and all have a love for storytelling,” said Steven Butler, a freelance comic book artist from Lucedale.
Butler, who has worked with major publishers like Marvel and Archie Comics since the 1980s, crossed paths a few years ago with Rodney Mooney, an English professor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Mooney, a Hattiesburg resident passionate about Mississippi legends and folklore, had also taught Butler’s daughter. Their shared interests sparked a connection that grew into a creative partnership.
Later, Butler met Blake Barnes, a Jackson resident and publisher of Jackson Comics, through Mississippi Comic Con, a pop culture convention. Barnes and Butler first collaborated on a comic celebrating Jackson’s bicentennial, but they soon realized their shared vision extended far beyond a single project.
Inspired by the 1950s comic anthology series Tales from the Crypt, the trio set out to create an anthology showcasing Mississippi’s rich cultural heritage. The result was Mississippi Macabre, a comic series dedicated to retelling the state’s most iconic legends.
Bringing Mississippi’s legends to life
Mississippi Macabre tells the stories of iconic Mississippi legends, including the Witch of Yazoo, Robert Johnson at the Crossroads, and the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula. While Butler, Barnes, and Mooney contributed to several stories, they also enlisted a diverse group of local artists and writers to ensure the anthology truly reflects Mississippi’s creative community.
“This is a great local way of getting people into comic books,” Barnes said. “We get to support our local artists and writers along the way.”
Authenticity is a cornerstone of the project. Only Mississippi-based creators work on the series, bringing their deep connections to the material. The team doesn’t stop at research; they visit locations tied to the legends, conduct interviews, and gather firsthand accounts to enrich the stories.
“We go above and beyond with it, so people appreciate that,” said Mooney.
The challenges of comic creation
Despite their experience, the creators emphasize that making a comic book is no small task. It requires rigorous collaboration, detailed storytelling, and a commitment to quality.
“Even with professionals, it’s a lot of work,” Butler admitted.
But the team is driven by their vision of Mississippi Macabre as more than just a comic—it’s a cultural preservation project with the power to educate, entertain, and inspire.
A vision for impact
Each of the creators bring a unique perspective to the impact they hope Mississippi Macabre will achieve.
For Barnes, the project is an opportunity to share Mississippi’s history and ignite curiosity about the state’s cultural legacy.
“I think it’s important to get people into these stories and their influence,” he said. “For example, I hope people will check out Robert Johnson’s music after they read his story in the comic book.”
Barnes also dreams of seeing the series featured on historical markers and in museums.
“One of our main hopes is to preserve these legends and histories,” he said. “Folklore is always part of a culture, and southern culture itself is rooted in oral traditions.”
Butler envisions Mississippi Macabre as a tool for engaging younger audiences.
“I’d love to see this in schools,” Butler said. “It could promote literacy and provide entertainment at the same time.”
For Butler, the project is also deeply personal.
“I’m about to turn 60, and I want to be remembered for more than just being one of the thousands to draw Spider-Man,” he said. “This is something important I can leave for my family.”
Mooney sees Mississippi Macabre as a modern-day effort to preserve Mississippi’s cultural history, likening their work to that of the Grimm Brothers.
“Some of these stories have never been written down; most have been passed orally,” Mooney said. “When things aren’t written down, they disappear. We’re trying to preserve them.”
Mooney also hopes the project will inspire pride in Mississippi’s often-overlooked cultural richness.
“Too often, Mississippi is shown in a poor light,” he said. “But when you really get down to it, so much comes from Mississippi.”
A community connection
The creators are proud of the impact Mississippi Macabre has already had. One story, which featured the Ole Tavern on George Street in Jackson, revitalized interest in the historic business.
“Their business had declined after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mooney said. “Now, they’re hosting parties related to the legend, displaying our comics, and even making cups with the artwork on them. These stories can bring money into the community, too.”
Looking toward the future
The team’s work is far from finished. A second issue of Mississippi Macabre is already in development, with Mooney collecting stories from all 82 Mississippi counties to ensure each one’s unique folklore is represented.
Beyond Mississippi, the creators hope their work will inspire similar efforts in other regions.
“We hope this may inspire artists in nearby states like Alabama or Georgia to look at their history and folklore and share it, too,” Mooney said.
With its blend of local artistry, cultural preservation, and storytelling, Mississippi Macabre is more than just a comic book. It’s a celebration of Mississippi’s past and a beacon of pride for its future.
