Shawn Hainsworth, who writes under the pen name Darin S. Cape, is the author of the graphic novel Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King, a fantasy adventure that combines action, humor, and coming-of-age storytelling. The book has received positive professional recognition, including a favorable review from Kirkus Reviews. Hainsworth is also a publisher and producer who established an independent publishing initiative centered on original stories for readers of different ages. In this interview, he shares the experiences that have shaped his creative journey, his approach to storytelling, and the ideas that continue to inspire his work, giving readers an opportunity to learn about the person behind the stories in his own words.

Editor’s Note: This interview contains the interviewee’s personal reflections and opinions based on his own creative experiences and professional journey. Statements about his work, creative process, and aspirations should be understood as personal perspectives.

Shawn, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. To begin, would you introduce yourself to our readers, tell us about your background, what you do today, and what you hope your creative work contributes to readers?

I’m the founder and publisher of SHP Comics, an independent publisher dedicated to creator-owned graphic novels, and I write under the pen name Darin S. Cape.

I’ve wanted to tell stories for as long as I can remember. Before publishing graphic novels, I worked in filmmaking and theater. Graphic novels ultimately became the perfect medium because they combine the power of words with the immediacy of art. They also allow me to collaborate with incredibly talented artists while maintaining creative control and ownership of the stories we’re creating together.

What I hope readers take away from Zicky is a sense of fun and adventure. At its heart, it’s a story about imagination, family, courage, and discovering the hero within yourself. More than anything, I want readers to have a great time turning the pages, laughing at the humor, enjoying the action, and getting lost in the world alongside Zicky. If they finish the book smiling and eager for the next adventure, mission accomplished.

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Your biography mentions that you work as a publisher, author, and producer. Could you tell us how those different roles developed over time, and how each has influenced your approach to storytelling?

Looking back, each role gave me storytelling skills that proved invaluable in finally putting all the pieces together. Film taught me to think visually, to tell stories through composition, pacing, and imagery. Theater taught me the importance of dialogue and character relationships. Together, those experiences shaped the way I approach graphic novels, where the writing and artwork work hand in hand to create an experience that’s both visual and character-driven.

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You write fiction under the pen name Darin S. Cape. What inspired you to adopt a pen name, and how does it fit into your creative identity as a storyteller?

I chose the pen name Darin S. Cape because I wanted to reserve Shawn Hainsworth for my work as a publisher and editor, as well as for the possibility of writing more literary fiction later in my career. Darin S. Cape became the name under which I write genre graphic novels, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and adventure. The distinction simply helps readers understand the kind of stories they can expect from each name.

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Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King blends fantasy adventure with everyday childhood experiences. What first sparked the idea for this story, and what inspired you to tell it through the graphic novel format?

The idea for Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King began with my own children. When they were little, I pretended to be a character named Zicky, a super-secret ninja who went on adventures while they slept. I honestly can’t remember where the name came from. Zicky just seemed to pop into my head, complete with the voice I used to tell his stories in the first person. My children, Miles and Zoe, loved teasing Zicky as much as they loved hearing about and contributing to his adventures.

As they grew older, I realized how much I missed those nightly stories, so I decided to bring Zicky to life in a graphic novel. It felt like the perfect medium because the stories had always been so visual in my imagination. Comics also capture the sense of energy, humor, and wonder that I wanted the books to have. My hope was to create a story that children would love while including enough depth, heart, and humor for parents to enjoy reading along with them.

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Imagination plays a central role in the book. What interested you most about exploring the relationship between an ordinary child’s life and an extraordinary fantasy world?

I’ve always loved the imagination of children because anything is possible. The line between reality and imagination is wonderfully fluid, and they can move effortlessly between the two. I also believe that children use imagination and storytelling to understand the world around them and to work through their emotions.

That made it feel natural for the fantasy world in Zicky to be an extension of the real world. The adventures, friendships, and challenges Zicky faces in his fantasy world reflect the emotional journey he’s experiencing in everyday life. While the monsters and magic are exciting, the heart of the story is about growing up, building confidence, and getting along.

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Graphic novels rely on both writing and visual storytelling. How did you approach working with artists to ensure that the story and artwork strengthened one another?

One of the most rewarding parts of creating graphic novels is the collaborative partnership with artists. I provide detailed scripts, but the artists are always full creative partners.

For Zicky, I always intended to use two different artists and two different art styles for the real and fantasy worlds, combining manga and Western-style art. In some ways, it was easier because the two artists would inspire each other. The tricky part was working on the pages where the manga characters invade the real world. To develop these pages, one of the artists would draw a sketch, leaving space for the other artist to add their work. We would then pass the page back and forth until everyone was happy with the result. This took more time and coordination, but we were able to integrate Zeno’s kinetic manga style with Hiorsh’s looser Western comic style in a way that I think really serves the story.

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Readers often appreciate stories that entertain while encouraging qualities such as perseverance, curiosity, kindness, and courage. How do you naturally incorporate those ideas into your writing without making them feel like lessons?

I have never enjoyed stories that feel overtly didactic. When I write, I prefer to dive into an interesting situation with compelling characters and see where it takes me thematically. Children are incredibly perceptive. They don’t want to be lectured. They want to have fun and experience the journey alongside the characters. If readers take something positive away from the story thematically, I hope it’s because they connected with the characters and the themes emerged naturally.

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Looking back on your creative journey so far, what milestones, recognitions, or accomplishments stand out most to you? Could you share which of those experiences have been especially meaningful and why?

Of course, I’m grateful for every award, positive review, and milestone along the way. It’s encouraging to know that the stories are connecting with readers, and that recognition helps introduce the books to new audiences.

But for me, the most meaningful accomplishment is more personal. It’s the moment when I finish writing a story that I have been wrestling with, often for years, and I feel like I nailed it. At the end of the day, I just want to keep telling the stories that inspire me, in the way I want to tell them. Recognition is wonderful if it helps me continue doing what I love, reach more readers, and make the next project possible.

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Your biography mentions launching an independent publishing initiative. How has that experience influenced the kinds of stories you hope to create and support in the years ahead?

Starting SHP Comics gave me the freedom to publish stories that might not fit neatly into traditional categories. I’ve always been drawn to projects that blend genres or take familiar ideas in unexpected directions.

It has also reinforced my belief that there’s room in publishing for original voices. Independent publishers can take creative risks, discover new talent, and build unique worlds and experiences. That’s something I hope SHP Comics continues to do for many years to come.

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Many aspiring writers have ideas they hope to turn into completed books but are unsure where to begin. Based on your own experience, what practical advice would you offer to help them take those first steps?

This is always a hard question for me because I think everyone’s experience and process is unique. I think it just comes down to doing whatever you have to do to bring your vision, whatever it is, to life. In the words commonly attributed to Goethe, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

Related

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King by Darin S. Cape