Get More LVWITHLOVE Content
Guests:
-
Ian Mondrick – Comic Book Author, Co-Creator of STASH BOX www.stashboxcomic.com
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker sits down with Ian Mondrick, a comic author and Lehigh Valley native whose latest project, STASH BOX, is currently live on Kickstarter.
We talk about how Ian got started in comics, what goes into writing a horror book that’s equal parts terrifying and thoughtful, and how STASH BOX draws from both retro horror aesthetics and modern anxieties. Set in a quiet suburban home and spiraling into surreal terror, the book explores themes of identity, love, and transformation—wrapped in the gory fun of classic horror.
You’ll also hear about the behind-the-scenes process of comic creation, what makes Kickstarter such a powerful platform for indie creators, and why supporting projects like this matters.
👉 To learn more or support the campaign, visit: www.StashBoxComic.com
Watch Episode
www.lvwithlove.com
Thank you to our Partners!
WDIY
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Wind Creek Event Center
Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate
Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub
Banko Beverage Company
🧠 Episode Recap
Comic Author Ian Mondrick and the Dark Side of Suburbia in STASH BOX
“This book is for horror fans first and foremost.”
Ian Mondrick opens the conversation with a clear warning—STASH BOX is not for the faint of heart. It’s violent, strange, and deeply unsettling. But beneath all the gore is a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of young love, change, and the anxiety of growing up in a world that feels like it’s shifting under your feet.
That layered tension—between blood and meaning—is exactly what STASH BOX was built on.
From Script to Scare: Writing Comics from the Lehigh Valley
Ian shares how his journey into comics began in the Lehigh Valley and evolved into scripting indie horror books like Tomb of the Black Horse and now STASH BOX. He breaks down the mechanics of writing a comic—what goes into a script, how he collaborates with artists like Frederik Hornung, and why writing for comics is not like writing a novel.
“There’s a language to comics that you have to learn,” Ian says. “It’s not just writing dialogue—it’s pacing, paneling, page turns. You’re writing something someone else is going to draw, and you have to trust that relationship.”
The Horror of Transformation
At the center of STASH BOX are two characters—Harrison and Lou—caught in the kind of one-night suburban misadventure that goes from strange to full-on horrifying. Ian explains how the comic plays with body horror and psychedelic imagery to reflect the fear of growing up, losing control, and becoming something… else.
“It’s about transformation—physical and emotional,” he says. “And it’s not always pretty.”
The comic’s tone is inspired by classic EC Comics, Creepshow, and films like Videodrome and The Thing. But don’t expect a nostalgia piece—STASH BOX is modern in its themes, experimental in its presentation, and printed on retro newsprint to give it a haunting, vintage feel.
Kickstarter and the Power of Direct Support
Ian talks about why launching STASH BOX on Kickstarter was the right move—not just for funding, but for community.
“When someone backs a Kickstarter, they’re saying, ‘I believe in this idea,’” he says. “And for indie comics, that kind of support is everything.”
The campaign offers a variety of rewards: alternate covers, original art, mystery sketches, and even a chance to have your own comic cover drawn by artist Frederik Hornung. It’s not just a comic—it’s a piece of horror ephemera for collectors and fans.
Backing Creators, Supporting Local Voices
Though STASH BOX is set in a fictional suburban street, Ian admits that its quiet unease and layout were very much inspired by his own upbringing in the Lehigh Valley. That connection to place shows in the comic’s atmosphere—a mix of the familiar and the uncanny.
When asked why people should support this project, Ian puts it simply: “Because you’re helping stories like this exist.”
Final Takeaway
This episode isn’t just about a horror comic—it’s about storytelling, risk-taking, and the power of direct creative connection. With STASH BOX, Ian Mondrick is building something weird, thoughtful, and terrifying—and he’s doing it from the Lehigh Valley.
If you love horror, independent art, or just want to see something new, this is the kind of project worth backing.
👉 Back the comic or learn more at: www.StashBoxComic.com