The content that follows was originally published on the Darby Pop Publishing website at https://www.darbypop.com/press/what-are-they-up-to-now-jeremy-bernstein/

Darby Pop Publishing has had numerous up-and-coming writers and artists collaborating with us over the years. Each month, we’ll be highlighting the most recent work by one of these industry professionals who passed through our doors on the way to making their sequential storytelling dreams come true.

What Are They Up To Now? is getting into the Yuletide spirit as we focus on Santa Claus: Private Eye creator/writer Jeremy Bernstein!

Jeremy’s graphic novel is a favorite of ours… largely because it takes one of Darby Pop Publishing’s priorities — “a hook you wish you’d thought of” — and runs with it. In Jeremy’s hands, Kris Kringle is still a magical elf. But, Santa Claus: Private Eye is less concerned with Christmas Eve than with what the Man In Red does the rest of the time. As Bernstein: explained: “one night a year, he gives toys to children. The other 364, Santa’s a down-on-his-luck detective, working the mean streets.”

Bernstein’s tale was obviously inspired by classic noir films, and Santa Clause: Private Eye was his way to put a new spin on a character that people thought they knew well. “I wanted to write a supernatural detective story, but all the good supernatural creatures had been taken — vampire detectives, werewolf detectives, demon detectives, succubus detectives,” Bernstein explained. “That’s when a little voice in my head piped-up and said – ‘there’s always Santa Claus.’ No one’s made him a detective. Yet.” Plus, Santa has some very specific resources and skills that could prove quite useful to a gumshoe; his “Naughty or Nice” list and Santa’s ability to sneak into people’s homes being just two examples. Ultimately, Bernstein wondered “how does Santa pay the bills, anyway? Giving away toys for free isn’t exactly a profitable business model.” And thus, a new Christmas classic was born.

Currently, Bernstein is hard at work as the Principal Writer on the massively successful Saint’s Row video game series, with a fifth edition currently in development. While you’re waiting for the game to drop, why not check out Santa Clause: Private Eye via the . After all… we “need a little Christmas. Right this very minute!!!”

Have you worked for Darby Pop Publishing and would like to see your other endeavors featured in What Are They Up To Now? Just reach out on our Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail Jon with your Darby credentials and current projects, and you’ll be featured in a future article!