The Deviant is a nine issue mini series by James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson. Tynion’s name is synonymous with horror and in The Deviant Tynion and Hixson explore the horror of a serial killer. The tightly focused story has a cast of five principal characters with Michael Schmitz being on of the two on which the entire story hinges.
Michael and his boyfriend Derek are a couple who’ve made their home in Milwaukee. When the two men met in 2015 they were both excited to learn they share a mutual interest in true crime stories. Michael’s attraction to the genre is more intense in comparison to Derek while it seems to be more of a diversion for Derek. As with almost every couple they complement the other while also having their differences. Michael is a comic book writer and Derek works as a nurse in a Milwaukee hospital. Michael tends to be moody and becomes lost in his imagination with Derek acting as the anchor. Derek loves to play video games and lives in the moment and wishes his boyfriend could be less sad.
What sort of things might their jobs hint at about their characters? As a writer Michael seems driven by his curiosity though he’s found his interest in writing typical super hero stories has disappeared. To fill that void Michael’s decided to write a comic about a serial killer, but not one fabricated from his imagination. Michael’s plan is to write a biographical one based on Randall Olsen, a man convicted in the Santa Clause murders of two young men in December 1973. Michael’s methodical research of the murders (books, newspaper articles, and two movies) is condensed in to what Derek calls a “murder shrine.” Olsen is serving a life sentence in a nearby prison and Michael sets up a meeting. Michael puts on a confident face when meeting Olsen for their initial interview. It’s all for nothing as Olsen easily dismantles Michael’s facade though out of boredom rather meanness. The two men come to terms with one another because they both need each other. Olsen is bored yet also hopeful that someone will correctly write his story while Michael feels he’ll learn something about himself. That does happen for Michael over the course of the interviews as they form a sort of friendship.
Being a nurse means Derek is part of a team interacting with doctors and other staff. He’s formed a close friendship with a coworker named Josh who he jokingly nicknames “work wife” in his phone. Medical school would likely have made Derek to be more fact oriented in his outlook. Having quick wits to rely on in emergencies and also being able to focus on the everyday matters are necessary too. That ability to focus also comes in handy working twelve hour shifts that are typical for nurses.
Michael becomes even moodier than is typical for him with each new prison visit with Olsen. The discovery of a horrific copycat murder ninety miles south in Chicago becomes a topic during Michael’s visits. Derek becomes increasingly concerned for Michael’s well being while work wife Josh picks up on Derek’s additional stress. Several honest conversations between them show how deeply in love and committed Derek is to Michael and their relationship. That love and commitment will be tested as first Michael and then Derek are unwittingly caught up in the mystery surrounding this new murderer.
Michael Schmitz and Derek’s first appear in The Deviant #1. Derek’s last name is not mentioned.
Please read the profiles for Randall Olsen, Baz Hall, and Josh.
Art by Joshua Hixon
All rights reserved James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixon