Interview: Brian Buccellato Talks INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US: YEAR FOUR

Brian Buccellato is ready to start Year Four in the Injustice universe. INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US: YEAR FOUR #1 is now on sale. It's been labeled as the 'year of the gods.' Last 'year' there was a focus on magic. Buccellato took over the series and there was plenty of action and mayhem throughout. The fight in Year Three may be over but obviously the story is far from that. Here's the solicit for the first issue:

Superman has battled against an army of Green Lanterns and the assembled forces of magic and remained standing. But how will he fare against the Gods themselves?

We asked Brian some questions to find out what we could expect to see.

COMIC VINE: How long after Year Three does this take place? One day or some other period of time?

BRIAN BUCCELLATO: It’s a few months. Things have settled down as Batman has gone underground and the Regime is in full effect. Superman sits on his metaphoric throne, as tyrant. He DOES still have that infernal Batman itch to scratch and won’t rest until he KNOWS Batman is out of the picture.

CV: What’s the status of the heroes and the world after all the magical business in Year Three?

BB: Batman is underground and hasn’t been heard from. His resistance has dwindled to a pathetic few. Superman is on top and the status quo is getting closer to the video games. But like I said, Superman is NOT resting easy because he knows it’s only a matter of time before Batman resurfaces with one of his damned crazy plans.

CV: What can we expect with this being the year of the Greek Gods?

BB: Expect to see Zeus, Hera, Hercules and a host of other characters. And punches will be thrown. Many of them at Superman’s face.

CV: Will there be a wide mix of characters or will we see a smaller cast?

BB: The cast will fluctuate. It’s not easy to juggle SO many amazing characters in a world this rich and interesting. But I will try to service as many of them as I can… AND introduce some new ones along the way. And spoiler, we will see the return of old favorite, Lex Luthor in year four!

CV: Will there be any carry over of events from Year Three?

BB:Raven starts year four OUT of the picture. We won’t see her for a while because she was hit really hard by what happened. But she will be back. Also, Harley continues her fixation on SHAZAM. And Batman has a hard time shaking of his betrayal at the hands of Constantine.

CV: Can we expect any newer characters that haven’t appeared in the INJUSTICE stories?

BB: Yes. The Greeks Gods, Batgirl, and a few others that I won’t spoil.

CV: Will we see more deaths?

BB: Duh. It’s Injustice… so people WILL die.

CV: Can we expect some character development on these versions of characters when everyone isn't fighting each other?

BB: Absolutely. Characterization and personal conflict are what original series writer Tom Taylor built this series on, so expect a lot more of that. It’s really not all the fight scenes that keep people coming back. It’s the relationships -- some odd, some new, some tragic — that have made this series endure. I just hope I can keep it going and honor all that’s come before.

The chapter is available for download on today, May 5, via the DC Comics App, Readdcentertainment.com, iBooks, comiXology.com, Google Play, Kindle Store, Nook Store, and iVerse ComicsPlus.

Here's a few preview pages for the first chapter.

YESSSS! I love Injustice! The only DC book I f*ck with at the moment.

I like this direction going forward.

Bigger threats to deal with.

Batman trust issues just double by 10000.

I can't wait!

I didn't care for the magic year but I am looking forward this

Ares seems to get punk'd around a lot in Injustice :(

Annoyed and puzzled, Raven was hit hard by the end of Year Three... hit hard by what exactly? She was nailed to the ground for 95% of the entire 'year', did nearly nothing in the final fight where Shazam and Fate pulled the weight... so what's keeping her out this time?

Just read it and it's off to a great start

I enjoyed the first half of year three, but it got weaker after Brian took over, maybe it was the ten issue battle that felt longer than a DBZ fight that tired me out. I may pick this up, but at present i think i'll be trade waiting.

I must have missed something in year 3. When did Superman lose his power ring?

Raven is out, nooo!

Still haven't read year 2, shiittttt

Can't wait.

When Wonder Woman woke up and told him to drop it... which she did after punching Sinestro in the face.

Exactly. Tom Taylor's run was awesome, and his finale was touching. Bucci has been mediocre at best.

I agree.

@outside_85: Her dad died at the end. While trying to save her as well.

Whom she had spent the best part of her life fighting.

Tell me again what blow she suffered?

I've only read so far as Year 2; Volume 1 (I'm waiting to get the hardback editions) - Should I be worried about Tom Taylor no longer writing the series?

From what I've read, it's been amazing so far under his direction.

@outside_85: Idk, this is the universe in which Lex Luthor is a good guy, so they could have had a better relationship. ( he did go crazy trying to save her )

Like Constantine said: Trigon only fights for Trigon, the only reason he wanted Raven back is because he needs her. And Lex isn't really a good guy, he's just supporting the horse thats going to burn him and his house to the ground if he doesn't. (He is the guy supplying Batman with the pills after all).

@scolton97: Booch's half of Year Three wasn't as good but that could have something to do with having to continue all the plot points Taylor left him. I loved Booch's "Forever Evil: Rogue's Rebellion" so we'll see what he can do at the end of of year four.

Harley has a fixation on Billy? I wanna read that. I think done right it could be funny.

@dernman: It is :)

@darthdanman: Okay, thank you! Regardless I'm gonna keep reading, I love this universe that's been created and the concept as a whole - it's one of my favorite titles.

I hope the videogame gets a sequel, whether the format is another game or another comic series!

Year 3 I thought was pretty weak overall but I've loved the series so far. Just read the first chapter of Year 4 and it was pretty great.

So when are the Regime and the Insurgency getting their new uniforms?

I hope Hawkgirl can actually do something now.

Cool.

Didn't even finish it.

ARES IS BADASS

Year Four, It's on!!!!!!!

Having read it, whish I could be more excited, but for some reason I think/fear that this is just going to be like Year Three again with everything revolving around Superman and Batman while everyone else is just sort of dragged along.

Finally MIGHTY HERCULES!!!

Injustice is just like that Superman vs Batman nothing else looking for which one is better hero. Technically Marvel's Civil War but with Gods. Civil War din't had Thor on it. Well not Thor Odinson anyway.

I hope hercules kicks some superhero ass

I'm still sad Fate went down. At least he went down with two of the DCU's most powerful beings though. That's a lot better than anyone else in Injustice has gotten. As for this Year, I really hope The Gods lay down a beating on the Regime. I could see some intersting matchups.