Weaving Folklore and Heroism: An Interview with Ben and Max Berkowitz on The Writer
Dec 17, 2024
Interview by Mike Szymanski
In The Writer, storytellers Ben and Max Berkowitz team up with actor Josh Gad and legendary artist Ariel Olivetti to craft a thrilling graphic novel rooted in Jewish folklore, family, and adventure. The story follows Stan Siegel, a renowned comic book writer, whose reality unravels as he faces Nazis, demons, and mythical creatures alongside his mother Liz and daughter Izzy.
At its heart, The Writer explores legacy, heroism, and the power of storytelling while celebrating the cultural richness of Jewish mythology. In this interview, Ben and Max share the inspirations behind the story, their creative process, and how collaboration brought this gripping tale to life.
Check out the full interview below and make sure to pre-order the direct market exclusive collection (NOV241090) at your local comic shop, featuring a special cover from artist Mike Mignola!
The Writer effortlessly weaves Jewish folklore into a modern adventure. How did you decide which elements of folklore to include, and how did you ensure they integrated naturally with the story's contemporary setting?
We were deeply inspired by our friend Mike Mignola, whose ability to take global folklore and put his own magical, unique spin on it is nothing short of genius. Mike’s work showed us how to approach storytelling in a way that feels both reverent to its origins and fresh with a personal perspective. That was exactly what we wanted to do with The Writer—to celebrate the richness of Jewish folklore while making it uniquely our own. But it wasn’t easy to decide which elements to include. Honestly, it was overwhelming because there’s so much to draw from—resilience, mysticism, moral complexity—it’s all there. We spent countless hours researching, reading, and building this massive spreadsheet filled with everything from creatures, demons, and dybbuks to magical texts, angels, and trinkets. It felt like being kids in a candy store, but the challenge was figuring out what truly served our story.
The Ring of Solomon, for instance, was an obvious choice—not just because of its symbolic weight, but because it mirrors Stan’s personal struggle with control and creation. At the same time, we didn’t want to simply repeat what other stories have done with it. Inspired by Mike’s approach, we aimed to honor the ring’s legacy while adding our spin—something a little satirical but still deeply respectful. Ultimately, the key was grounding these fantastical elements in the personal stakes of our characters. By weaving them into Stan’s everyday challenges as a father, son, and writer, they became a natural extension of his world rather than something external or forced. That balance of the magical and the deeply personal is something we owe not just to the folklore itself but to the creative trailblazers like Mike, who showed us how to tell these kinds of stories.
With heroism and legacy being key themes in The Writer. How do these themes reflect Stan Siegel's journey, and what do they mean to you personally as storytellers?
Stan’s journey is deeply tied to the idea of legacy—both the one he inherits and the one he wants to leave for his daughter. Heroism, in his case, is less about grand gestures and more about the quiet bravery of persevering through life's challenges, whether it's navigating his family dynamics or confronting his own self-doubt.
For us as storytellers, these themes are personal. Writing is itself a legacy—it’s how we preserve memory, honor history, and connect with future generations. And as Jews, we’re particularly attuned to the importance of remembering and storytelling as acts of heroism.
What significance does Jewish folklore hold in The Writer, and how do you see its inclusion contributing to the broader comic book landscape?
Jewish folklore adds such a unique and underrepresented perspective to the comic book world, and for us, it was important to lean into that unapologetically. The comic book industry itself was built by Jewish creators—giants like Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, and so many others whose stories and characters were shaped by Jewish culture and tradition, even if they weren’t outwardly Jewish. We wanted to honor that legacy while celebrating Jewish identity in a way that couldn’t be sidelined or stripped away if these stories ever moved from the page to the screen.
At the same time, we wanted The Writer to feel like an adventure for anyone who loves fantasy, folklore, and big, mythic storytelling. But it was essential to us that this story was grounded specifically in Jewish folklore. These tales—steeped in mysticism, morality, and survival—fit so naturally into comics, which thrive on larger-than-life ideas. In The Writer, they gave us a lens to explore universal themes like identity, power, and history, while also connecting back to our roots. We hope it’s a reminder that there’s room for every culture’s mythology in this medium and that stories grounded in Jewish identity deserve a place front and center.
The relationships between Stan, his mother Liz, and daughter Izzy are central to the story. How did you approach writing these dynamics to make them resonate with readers?
Family relationships are messy, complicated, and full of love, and we wanted The Writer to reflect that in a way that felt honest and real. Liz is very much inspired by our own mother, who is not only a cancer survivor but also one of the strongest people we know. She shares Liz’s name and her unflinching ability to speak her mind, and we wanted to explore what it means to survive something as life-altering as cancer—not just for the individual, but for the entire family.
Izzy, on the other hand, was influenced by Josh’s daughter, who’s brilliant, inspiring, and has that same sharp wit and boundless curiosity we wanted Izzy to embody. For Stan, Liz represents a generational legacy, a reminder of what’s been lost and fought for, while Izzy is his hope for the future—the person he’s trying to protect in his own messy, imperfect way. We pulled from our own lives and family dynamics—the arguments, the misunderstandings, but also the humor and those small moments of connection that make it all worth it. Hopefully, readers see a little bit of themselves in these relationships, because at its core, The Writer is about the people we love and the ways we show up for each other, even when it’s hard.
How did Josh Gad’s background as an actor and storyteller influence the writing process for The Writer?
Josh is more than just a collaborator—he’s a real-life hero to us. His genuine kindness, bold stances against antisemitism, and unwavering dedication to doing what’s right are a constant source of inspiration. When we talk about Stan as the everyman, what we really mean is that we want him to reflect the best of us—someone who’s flawed and human but ultimately brave, kind, and driven to stand up for what matters.
That’s who Josh is, and that’s the heart he brought to this project. Josh’s natural sense of humor and emotional depth were vital to shaping The Writer. His deep understanding of character and dialogue, honed through his incredible acting career, helped us find Stan’s voice—authentic, relatable, and a little self-deprecating. He also has this infectious love for adventure stories like Indiana Jones, which inspired so much of the comic’s tone. Josh helped us strike the perfect balance between heartfelt moments and high-stakes action, giving The Writer both its emotional core and its thrilling energy. His contributions made the story not just richer but more meaningful in every way.
Ariel Olivetti’s art is legendary. What was the collaborative process like in bringing The Writer to life visually, and how did his style enhance the narrative?
Working with Ariel Olivetti was nothing short of a dream come true. His early work is what made us fall in love with comics in the first place, so having the chance to collaborate with him on The Writer was both surreal and deeply humbling. Over the course of this project, Ariel has become more than just a collaborator—he’s a lifelong friend, someone we now and forever consider family. Ariel brought a biblical scale to the story, imbuing it with a grandeur that perfectly captured the mythic weight of Jewish folklore. At the same time, he grounded the visuals in a realism that exceeded anything we could have imagined.
As first-time creators, this was a massive learning experience for us, and Ariel was our maestro, guiding us through every step of the process. He didn’t just bring the story to life; he elevated it. Every choice he made, from panel composition to character expression, improved our writing and enriched the narrative in ways we never expected. We had endless conversations about everything from the designs of mythical creatures to the subtle emotions in a single glance, and Ariel’s attention to detail and storytelling instincts made all the difference. We are beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with not only a legend but also a friend who believed in our vision and helped us bring it to life. His work on The Writer is nothing short of iconic, and we are endlessly thankful for his partnership.
The Writer tells such a rich and layered story—do you see this as the beginning of a larger universe or series? Are there any other projects or collaborations on the horizon that you’re excited to share with readers?
Absolutely! The Writer has always been conceived as a story with layers waiting to be explored, and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface. The mythology we’ve built is rich and expansive, and we’re excited to expand on it through spin-offs, including one-shots that venture further into the Unknown World or dive deeper into the lives of characters like Liz and Izzy.
Beyond The Writer, we’re also developing some incredibly exciting new projects. We’re collaborating with the Lawrence Brothers (Joey, Matt, and Andy) on a fresh, darkly funny detective series and working on another project tied to a beloved ‘90s property that’s close to our hearts. There’s so much we’re eager to share, and we can’t wait to take readers along for the ride. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning!
The Writer TP (NOV241089, NOV241090) hits your local comic shop Wednesday, April 23rd 2025. Pre-order now at your local comic shop!
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Josh Gad and the Berkowitz Brothers team up with legendary artist Ariel Olivetti for a thrilling graphic novel of Jewish folklore and magic.
The Writer plunges readers into the captivating world of Stan Siegel, a renowned comic book writer, whose life spirals into a terrifying adventure beyond the confines of reality. Alongside his mother Liz and daughter Izzy, Stan faces an onslaught of Nazis, demons, and mythical creatures drawn from Jewish folklore. As they navigate a landscape steeped in occult mysteries, their quest for answers reveals hidden identities and ignites a high-stakes race against an emerging terror.
This gripping series not only celebrates the essence of comic book storytelling but also embarks on an exploration of heroism, legacy, and the power of writing.
Collects The Writer issues #1-#4.
