Behind the Panels | Interview with ‘The Horseman’ Artist Joe Bennett
The hand behind Horseman's pencils sits down with the Soskas
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Jen & Sylvia Soska
Hello Joe!
Thank you once again for your time. It’s an absolute pleasure to speak with you today about your new character, The Horseman, which you co-created with Chuck Dixon. Let’s dive right in!
Where did the idea for The Horseman come from?
The Horseman was something Chuck and I developed as a street-level hero for the Rippaverse, a character who falls somewhere between Batman and Daredevil. Chuck’s open to anything, and we have a similar mindset when it comes to comics—we’re game for any genre, whether it’s westerns, sci-fi, you name it. He pitched me the idea, laid it out perfectly, and I was on board right away. I took care of the designs, Chuck approved, and it just clicked. I’ve been itching to create an urban hero like this for a long time, and Chuck’s enthusiasm matched mine. It’s been a real pleasure collaborating with him.
Are there any past characters you’ve drawn that influenced The Horseman?
Definitely. When I first entered the comics scene, I was heavily influenced by stories like Frank Miller’s Batman and Daredevil, as well as John Romita Jr.’s Punisher. Those works had a big impact on how I approach action and storytelling in comics. I wanted to capture that gritty atmosphere and pay homage to those artists while also bringing that vibe to a new generation of readers.
How does The Horseman stand out from other street-level heroes?
The Horseman, whose real identity is Hector, is driven by a desire to take care of his family—his sister and nephew. To do that, he resorts to unconventional means to support his family. Of course, that lands him in hot water, and the story takes off from there. What’s compelling about him is the irony of trying to do good for his family, but in the process, he risks bringing harm to them. That kind of moral complexity makes his evolution fascinating. Plus, he’s a very 80s character—Chuck’s writing and my art have clear influences from Joe Silver’s action movies and Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop. You’ll see a lot of that inspiration throughout.
Would you consider The Horseman a hero or an anti-hero?
Hector is motivated by his love for his family, and while his methods might paint him as an anti-hero to his sister and nephew, he’s very much a hero. The first story really focuses on his journey of self-discovery—how he comes to embrace his role as a hero. It’s a universal theme. I think a lot of readers will relate to the idea that the call to adventure can be delayed but eventually comes for all of us.
Without giving away too much, what was it like creating the villains for his world?
The villains are crucial—they make the hero. The more threatening and formidable the villain, the better it is for the hero’s journey. We’ve got some tough, hard-hitting villains in this first issue. They’ll really test Hector, and I think readers are going to remember these bad guys just as much as they remember The Horseman.
What do you like most about The Horseman?
Honestly, I love everything about him. Hector’s dedication to his family, his loyalty to friends, and his sense of justice—all of that makes him a really engaging character. Visually, too, I think we’ve created something that feels both familiar and fresh. From the uniform to the logo, I’m excited to see how readers respond, and who knows—maybe one day I’ll see people wearing Horseman shirts!
What’s it been like working with Chuck Dixon? You two really seem like a dream team!
Chuck’s like a brother to me. If we lived closer, I’m sure we’d be meeting up all the time, throwing out ideas—even if some of them ended up in the trash! But working with him is fantastic. He’s got the same youthful energy for comics that I do. We’re always thinking about new projects, and I’m excited about what’s next. There’s so much more to come from this partnership.
You and Chuck always seem to have something new in the works. While I know you can’t spoil too much, is there anything you can tell us about your top-secret project?
All I can share are the influences—think Space Opera, Jack Kirby, Moebius, Star Wars, Flash Gordon, and even a bit of David Bowie. That’s all I’ll say for now!
Thank you so much, Joe!
We can’t wait to see what’s next, and as always, we remain your biggest fans!
