The Latest in Comic Book News

Comic Vine talks to the Daredevil And Thunderbolts Writer!

  We had the opportunity to ask Marvel writer and British native Andy Diggle a few questions about his work on Thunderbolts, Daredevil, what it is like working overseas for a company like Marvel, and what his guilty pleasure is. Check it out below!

 
1. Being that you presently live in the UK, what is it like working for Marvel when you live overseas?   
 
These days everything's done by email and FTP, so it doesn't really make any difference whether my editor's in London or New York. Technology makes the collaborative process massively freeing. I recently did some work where I was writing in England for an American editor in Japan, with an Australian artist and a designer in New York. Gotta love that global economy!
 

•  Do you think it makes interacting with your editor difficult?
  

 
Wacker can still ring me up and yell at me if he wants to.  And believe me, he wants to.

 

• Would you ever consider moving to the United States? Why/why not?

I'd love to become an American citizen. "It's the chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure... "
The only thing that's holding me back right now is the fact that my daughter has just finished her first year at school here in England, and she's doing so well and has made so many friends, I'd hate to tear her away from that.

 

2. If you could take over writing any comic, (it could be any Universe, not only Marvel,) which would it be?

Nick Fury and Blade. Plus maybe some obscure characters from old-school 2000AD, like Joe Black or Orlok the Assassin.

 

3. What can you tell us about the film adaptation of your comic book ' The Losers' which will be hitting theaters in April 2010?

I could tell you LOADS... but then I'd have to kill you. We recently visited the set in Puerto Rico and met the cast and director Sylvain White, and trust me, it's gonna kick seventeen different kinds of ass. It's very faithful to the crazy action comic Jock and I put together. We were frankly freaking out seeing these characters we'd made up years ago suddenly taking on a life of their own, walking and talking and blowing stuff up!

•     Did you have any involvement or say in the production of the film or the screenwriting?

Yeah, when director Sylvain White came on board he sounded me out about the screenplay, and it looks like he's taken most of my suggestions on board. I've been pleasantly surprised at how faithful they've been to our original comic. It became very clear as soon as we met Sylvain that he wanted to steer very close to the book. I wish I could show you what we've seen, but we're sworn to secrecy!

•       Are you excited about the project?

 
Are you kidding? This is like six months of the night before Christmas for me! They have an awesome cast and a director who's hungry to show the world what he can do. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was born to play Clay, and Idris Elba is genius casting for Roque. Chris Evans was the best thing in the FANTASTIC FOUR movies, and he's hilariously cool as Jensen in THE LOSERS. And we all know Zoe Saldana is drop-dead gorgeous, but you've never seen her kick ass they way she does as Aisha.

 

4. You are presently the writer for 'Daredevil' and 'Thunderbolts.' Which book do you prefer writing and why? Is it more difficult to write a team book or a story focused on an individual character?

Honestly, I think I'm more comfortable with solo books. THUNDERBOLTS was an absolute hoot to write, but it can't compete with getting right inside Matt Murdock's head and taking him places he's never dared to go before. I've got some stuff planned out for him that's... uncompromising. It hopefully cuts right to the heart of the character, and defines -- and redefines -- what Daredevil stands for as a Marvel character.

 
 
5. My guilty pleasure is eating a pint of ice-cream (often in one sitting)...what is yours?

CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE multiplayer deathmatch. I gotta get my daily dose. MODERN WARFARE 2 can't get here soon enough -- but then Steve Wacker will have to yell at me even more...

We take to the floor at APE to catch up with the creators and fans of the show!

  
 
 
To really understand what makes APE so special, we decided to take to the convention floor to catch up with both the fans of the show, and the creators that put so much of their hard work on display. We combined four of the creator videos into one in order to make it easier for you guys to watch and to find later. First, I talk to a friend of mine, STORM, who has previously submitted articles to Comic Vine and he tells us about his book, 'Princess Witch Boy.' Next, I discuss 'Brazilianoir' with Emily Stackhouse and she talks about the plot line and the inspiration for her book. I also talk to some of the volunteers from the MoCCA, Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art.

 
  
Former Director of Image Comics and President of McFarlane toys, Larry Marder talks to Comic Vine about the importance of first amendment rights when it comes to comic book content. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) board member talks about the importance of the organization and why it is necessary to have  a non-profit group that exists to defend creator owned ideas should they be challenged in the court room. Should all ideas and content be protected by the CBLDF as long as they do not physically hurt anyone?  If so, then how do you separate your personal sentiments regarding the content from the idea that all ideas should be protected? What do you guys think of the issues Larry discussed? 
 

 
 
 Last but not least, we caught up with the fans of the convention to ask them about how APE differs from San Diego Comic Con, and which one they prefer. I also ask them about what is on their pull list!

Comic Vine asks the artist of 'Dark Avengers' a few questions!

 

 

Mike Deodato, Jr.

1. As a Brazilian native, what inspired you to work in American comics? How did you first get started? Do you think it was harder for you to break into the business?


The majority of the comic books published in Brazil are from USA, so I grew up reading them. My father is an comic book artist -- and writer -- as well, so he was my biggest inspiration.  He taught me to read and to collect comics,   and he introduced me to the work of great masters such as Will Eisner, Hal Foster, Alex Raymond, and so on. It was much harder for me to break into comics, being a foreigner.   Back then there was no internet, so the communication was very difficult, specially if you don't speak the language. I was relatively famous in Brazil, because of my independent work there, so one day I got a call from some people who wanted  to represent Brazilian artists in the American market, I accepted -- and the rest is history. :)  I recall inking a small super-hero project for a small company, and I was in heaven -- working for the U.S.!  I thought it was the greatrest thing in the world.  I spend a few short years drawing Beauty and the Best (which I painted), and I did some work on Lost in Space and Quantum Leap and other things.  The big trick, of course, was learning how to grow and keep studying my craft.  Growing and adapting constantly is what's brought me whatever success I have.  It's hard work.  I've been working in the U.S. market steadily now for close to 20 years, so I seem to be doing something right.

2. What is your favorite character to draw?

Captain America. It comes from my childhood. I just love the character.  Second on that list is probably Wolverine.  Can you tell I'm a comics fan?

3. How much interaction do you have with, say Brian Michael Bendis for example, when working on the 'Dark Avengers' books? What is the script interpretation process like?


I rarely interact with writers about the book I'm working. I wouldn't like them to say how I should draw, so I prefer not to stick my nose on their work too. :) Once in a great while, an author will contact me and ask, "What kinds of things would you enjoy drawing?" -- and sometimes those things may end up in the scripts.  As for interpreting the script, first I read the entire script though without making any drawings or notes.  I kind of take the time to absorb it all and fall in love with the story.  Then I read through it again, page by page, and make some notes.  Then the third time through, I make layouts as I got through each and every page.  Occasionally I make more than one layout for a page, but mostly I find my first impression was the right one.  Then after my editor approves the layouts, I start drawing, and I turn in my finished inks a page at a time.

That's new to me, as well.  These past few years, I've been drawing all my pages as tight, tight pencils, so dark you'd think the originals were inked.    But I'm always looking to grow and improve, and just this month I decided to go back to inking my pages, like I used to.  But I brought with me all these techniques I learned from making my own tight pencils look inked, and I felt refreshed to be working with pens and brushes again.  So now I'm on the lookout for some new and better tools to continue making my work better and better.


4. Do you still live in Brazil? What is it like working from a different country?

Yes.  I live in a beautiful beach city called Joao Pessoa.  That's the best of all. I can work from home, close to my family and friends. I feel much more inspired this way.

5. My favorite food is my grandmother's "feijao tropeiro," what is your favorite food?

Beans, rice, vegetables, and "Carne de Charque" Sorry, I dunno how to translate this, but it is just delicious.
*Bonus* (We had so many questions for you!) How many pages per day/week do you draw?

I do a complete book, pencils and inks, plus cover in about 26 days.  Add weekends with my beautiful wife Paula and my daughter Priscilla, and it comes out to a full month on the calendar.  I've got to make a little time for my family and friends, because that's what a good life is all about.

The DC writer sits down and talks to us about his upcoming projects!

 
  

When Isotope Comics is involved, then you know that it is a guaranteed fantastic event! The San Francisco comic book shop teamed up with Bloomingdale's in San Francisco, Details magazine and Warner Brothers to host a signing in the popular department store. The turn-out for the event was fantastic in that it allowed fans of the heralded DC writer to meet him, and have a 'Batman martini' to boot! As always, James Robinson gives us a taste of his witty British humor in addition to some insight on what he plans on working on in the future. We discuss his love for Donna Troy, in addition to his plans for the 'Blackest Night: Starman' one-shot set for release this January. 
 
I know what you might be thinking, "Bloomingdale's? Why?" If you stop to think about it, it does seem to make a lot of sense. In fact, one can go so far as to say that it is a good reflection of the way the industry seems to be shifting. With Lady Gaga getting her own comic book (sold only at select Marc Jacobs retailers,) and Hollywood looking to comic books for inspiration and new franchises to build; it makes sense that an event like this one could take place in the high fashion forward department store. Overall, it was a fantastic event and James Robinson was an absolute pleasure to talk to. A big 'thank you' to all those people involved in putting the fantastic event together.

I can still recall the first time I read New Mutants #98.  Right away I could tell there was something to Deadpool.  Rob made a big name for himself.  When Image formed, he gave us Youngblood which currently has an ongoing series.  We've heard that Brett Ratner is interested in making a movie out of it.  Rob is also actively involved in the upcoming Image United, which is going to change the core Image characters.  There's also Rob's "Capeshooters" that Bryan Singer has optioned.  Of course there's some talk about Deadpool.  I even asked him how many copies of New Mutants #98 he has.
 
Sit back and enjoy the show.
 

Scarlett Johansson dons the 'Iron Man' suit, among other things...

'Iron Man 2' related movie news would make anyone excited, right? During filming, premiere french television network Canal Plus caught up with director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. on the set of the film and were able to get a sneak tour. During the interview, Favreau discussed how much easier it is for him to make a superhero movie sequel knowing now what he does about the process and the technology involved.
 
Note that the introduction is in french, but the interview is in English with french subtitles.
 
  

"Yeah number two is easier...comedies number two is bad because you do the same story again. In superhero movies it's better. Usually when you look at most superhero movies two is better than one...Robert might feel the pressure more than I do because his performance was so strong and he was the focus of a lot of the attention; it was his big comeback. Now it's a lot easier to make a comeback than to maintain a level of success."

This is a really short but in depth look not only at the way that Favreau has developed Tony Stark's character in his second film, but we also get the chance to get a peek at the process of directing the film itself. Did I mention we get to see Scarlett Johansson in the Iron Man suit? While watching the short documentary footage, be sure to look out for what promises to be a pretty intense scene between 'Iron Man' and 'Black Widow.' 
 
While the attraction between these two characters seems pretty evident, MTV more recently caught up with Favreau and asked about whether or not the film's romantic focus would stray from the relationship between Stark and his assistant Pepper Pots. 
 
  

"I think the central relationship is still Pepper and Tony, but now we introduce Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and she has a dual identity, so that ends up affecting both the superhero side of things and the personal side of things—as I think all good superhero plot-lines do"

Love triangle, anyone? Are you looking forward to seeing the upcoming 'Iron Man 2' film? What are you most excited about?

This was another fun interview.  Darick is a great guy.  He was the first artist to draw a picture for me way back before Comic Vine launched.  Not only is he a great artist ( The Boys, Transmetropolitan, etc) but he's also a taking on more writing jobs (check out his upcoming Conan story in December).  On top of that, the guy can sing as well.  Unfortunately, we did not capture his two song performance at the opening night party.  I asked him about the future for The Boys and how he felt about Transmetropolitan today.  Our conversation also went to his first project, Space Beaver.  If you're not sure who or what Space Beaver is, check out the video and look for the omnibus coming from Dynamite Entertainment (as well as his upcoming Conan story from Dark Horse).
 

Artist Dustin Nguyen steals the mic!

 
  
Apparently I don't know how to do an interview! Dustin Nguyen takes the mic and talks to comic creator Derek Fridolfs to talk to him about his upcoming projects! This interview, while informative, is not meant to be taken completely seriously. We had to really push Dustin to make fun of Babs; he was hesitant because he is such a nice guy! What we got was a really fun interview with the two creators that will be working on a brand new series set to be released later this year! Check out the fun interview.

Comic Vine interviews the creator of 'Mouse Guard'

 
 
The two Eisner awards that creator David Peterson received honoring his work on 'Mouse Guard' were certainly deserved. If you have yet to read his creator owned series, then you are really missing out on one of the most beautifully crafted and well written stories out in the market. I had the opportunity to catch up with David at the Archaia booth and we talked about the next installment of the 'Mouse Guard' books, what kinds of creatures we can expect in the upcoming stories, and the possible film adaptation of his books. I hope that David's interview pushes you to pick up the series in hardcover the next time you are at your local bookstore or comic shop, as I am certain you will enjoy the series!

Comic Vine catches up with the President of Top Cow!

 
  
It seems that Hollywood is looking to the comic book industry to get their "next big hit," and vice-versa with all the news that we have been hearing about upcoming comic book movie adaptations. If you have ever wondered how comic books become movies, then Matt Hawkins, the President of Top Cow, is your go-to guy. I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Matt about the current film projects that Top Cow has in the works, his personal favorite books, and what sorts of goals he has for the future of the independent publishing company.