John Carpenter, 78, Turns 2024 Demon Dream Into 'Cathedral' Graphic Novel
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 20
John Carpenter, 78, Turns 2024 Demon Dream Into 'Cathedral' Graphic Novel
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 20
Summary
A 2024 dream about a church portal to the underworld became Carpenter’s new graphic novel, “Cathedral,” paired with a soundtrack he says fit a heavy-metal groove.
At 78, Carpenter said he misses filmmaking only partly, describing Hollywood’s studio system as a draining “creative war” that left him happier after stepping away from directing.
His last two films — 2001’s “Ghosts of Mars” and 2010’s “The Ward” — flopped, but Carpenter said he has no regrets and now spends his time making music, gaming and following basketball and the news.
$325,000 horror hit “Halloween” grossed more than $70 million and helped define the slasher genre, while films such as “The Thing” and “They Live” later grew into touchstones despite mixed initial receptions.
That legacy still stretches across horror, sci-fi, television and music, even as Carpenter says he stays largely offline and remains more focused on creating than on his influence.