I was late to the party for Monica Gallagher’s wonderfully romantic, awesomely action-filled, and super-frequently funny webcomic Assassin Roommate, but I’m glad I found it. I learned about Assassin Roommate through Gallagher’s other rollickingly wild webcomic Bonnie N. Collide, back in my days as a roller derby ref and I was looking for fictional content connected to all things derby. And from the jump of that first Assassin Roommate comic I consumed, I was hooked.
For folks not familiar with the webcomic, Assassin Roommate follows two former college classmates who end up sharing an apartment, despite the fact that they are polar opposites. Mags is an introvert; Kurt is an extrovert. Sure, they’re different, but those differences are workable, right? Oh, did I mention Mags is an assassin? And that Kurt has no idea? And that drama drama drama throws another monkey wrench in the mix? Heartfelt and fun, Assassin Roommate will have you anxious for each new webcomic chapter.
Gallagher recently launched a Kickstarter to bring Volumes 2 and 3 of Assassin Roommate to print, as well offer a bevy of backer rewards. She has partnered with Rocketship Entertainment, with who she worked on a Kickstarter for Volume 1. I spoke with Monica Gallagher recently about the conceit of Assassin Roommate, where we find the characters in the second volume, the Kickstarter itself, and the reaction from fans of the series.
FreakSugar: For folks who might not be familiar with the comic, what can you tell us about Assassin Roommate?
Monica Gallagher: It started as just a story about assassins that I wanted to write, but Webtoon was big into romance, so I thought what if the assassins all made out? I was inspired to make the main character, Mags, and unassuming assassin, which we rarely get to see, and of course would be the BEST assassins. So, if I made this seemingly nerdy, shy, socially awkward girl fresh out of college the assassin, I thought the possibilities were endless!
FS: What can you tell us about the characters we meet in the series?
MG: It starts off with Mags and Kurt as our main couple, but expands to Mags’s BFF Jamie and Kurt’s girlfriend Tara and Mags’s workplace crush Jason. And then the more we dive into the Assassin World, we met ALL sorts of agents and family members and jilted lovers alike! None of them can escape their past, even when under a presumed secret identity. It
FS: Where do we find Mags and the cast at the beginning of Volume 2?
MG: Trying to pick up the pieces from Volume 1 – now Kurt knows Mags is an assassin, and she thinks she bought him a new identity and he returned to Normal Person World. She’s trying to focus on NOT thinking about him and instead finding out who kidnapped her and why from Volume 1. Of course, now Jason sees this as his chance to woo Mags, and she becomes more confused when she discovers Kurt didn’t leave and is still very much around. Add to that Jamie’s new romance with an old flame that may or may not be appropriate, and increasing threats to Mags’s safety!
FS: What kind of reception have you gotten from readers of the book?
MG: All surprisingly cool! The best reviews I’ve ever gotten are when people say how much they identify with Mags, love that she is 100% herself, that she’s not stereotypically built, and that she can still kick all the ass required as people continue to underestimate her.
FS: Has the cast and story evolved in ways that have surprised you since the series began?
MG: Oh, FOR SURE. I’ve learned especially from this series to just loosely plan out a story outline, because the characters will twist and turn the story in entirely new directions. Plus, I think it is always important that characters evolve in some way. Maybe not much, maybe they go down the wrong path, but they’re all capable and expected to change.
FS: The series is so much fun! Are there any influences you can point to that have impacted the comic?
MG: Definitely all the books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen – in particular for the characters in this I was initially inspired by Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park and Melissa McCarthy in the movie SPY. But there are TONS of other little influences in there as well, especially in helping me write dialogue. Lots of 90s references that none of my teen readers got, lol!
FS: On to the Kickstarter itself, what can you tell us about the campaign?
MG: It’s going AWESOME, but there are still fun products that we can unlock that then everyone can get! I just love the look of the book set, the stickers and patches and prints you can get, and even an Assassin Membership Card?? I mean, come on.
FS: With over a week left [as of this interview], you’ve already hit your initial funding goal AND unlocked a stretch goal. That has to be incredibly gratifying. What’s next for Assassin Roommate?
MG: Yeah, Kickstarters are run differently these days! I wasn’t sure what to expect. For most of us comics creators, we just want to see the books in print and run around talking to people about them. The other stuff is fun merch icing. After the campaign is over, I can go back to posting NEW Assassin Roommate (Season 6!) comics which are new for Patreon members, but come out eventually on my website. I’m also selling a bunch of original art from the comic, since it was the last project I worked on completely traditionally. So yeah – can’t wait to see the books in person, can’t wait to get them in stores, can’t wait to make more Assassin Roommate!
FS: If you had a final pitch for the series and the Kickstarter, what would it be?
MG: It’s a super fun story about identity, capability, strength, friendship, and love with lots of fighting and drama in between. And some jokes! As for the Kickstarter, get that sweet, sweet merch while you can, otherwise it’s gonezo!
As of publication, the Kickstarter for Monica Gallagher’s Assassin Roommate Volumes 2 & 3 has already hit its initial funding goal AND unlocked a stretch goal. With two days left in the campaign, it’s well worth your time to check out the campaign and, as Monica puts it, the “sweet, sweet merch”—and it is pretty sweet!