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NILES AND HAMPTON ON BATMAN: GOTHAM COUNTY LINE
by Jennifer Contino (Pulse)
The final part of Batman: Gotham County Line is due in stores this month, and we've got some details from writer Steve Niles and artist Scott Hampton about this dark, gritty, tale.
Writer Steve Niles said Batman: Gotham County Line is a look inside the dark world of the Batman. He told THE PULSE he finds the human side of the character very appealing to work with. "I wanted to explore the more human sides of his life," said Niles. "There's still plenty of action, but I wondered what makes a guy like Batman react so strongly to loss? We all lose people, but very few of us completely transform as a result."
"I've been reading Batman since I was a kid," Niles continued. " I read the tortured Batman of Neal Adams days all the way through Frank Miller, so I feel like Bats is pretty ingrained in my subconscious. I’m a big ‘ol geek and Batman is really cool, so me getting to write him was the thrill of a lifetime."
Artist Scott Hampton said he's a big horror fan and that suits him well for this Batman project. Batman: Gotham County Line is a gritty, dark story steeped in reality. "I loved the concept," Hampton said. "The challenge is to take the suburbs, which are basically dull and same, and infuse them with an ominous 'quiet before the storm' quality. Actually, when I think about it, the suburbs are pretty scary, especially when there's a serial maniac on the loose and the streets are deserted."
"Batman: GCL is sort of like Batman meets Night of the Living Dead," Hampton continued. "Not the usual. Steve and I share a love of great horror stories - Matheson, Beaumont, etc. - and from all I've read, he's keeping the tradition alive. Batman: GCL is a great read. For me, the story is so immediate - and my progress so essential, that I don't have time to linger. My instinctive feeling is that the story is more of a ride than a journey. A really fun ride!”
Hampton said the main challenge for drawing this series deals with the suburbs or, rather, “making the suburbs creepy.” Hampton told THE PULSE achieving that look is possible by working closely with his colorist. “I'm leaning heavily on Jose [Villarubia], the colorist here.”
Niles said some of his biggest challenges to coming up with a unique story featuring a character like Batman who has appeared in thousands of comic books was making the small things memorable. "The conversations he has with Alfred or the undying friendship with Gordon can always be made fresh," Niles said. "I also took Batman out of the city and plopped him into the suburbs to put him in a different environment. He comes with all the toys and baggage instead of me having to create them all. It’s a lot of fun for me."
Hampton said what he finds interesting and inspiring about Batman is that almost everyone has "their own take on the character, yet he's always Batman." He also explained, "The longevity of the character, his history give me the sense of making a contribution to an enduring and honorable piece of authentic Americana. Also, he looks really cool."
"Bernie Wrightson, Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, Alex Toth, George Pratt, John Van Fleet, Mark Chiarello, Chris Moeller, Dave Dorman, Dick Sprang," are who Hampton cited as inspirations and creative influences for the rendition of the Batman.
The artist said he enjoyed getting back to Batman. “I’ve been away and his world is so much fun to come back to,” said Hampton. He admitted there were a few kinks to work out in the first issue though. “The more high-tech cop research, the slower my pace. Issue one took longer because I had to design most of the look for the series."
Niles described Hampton as a "pro's pro." Niles said, "He is so great to work with, I can't say enough. His work is beautiful and he's an absolute pleasure to work with. [People should read this story] because the art is really great, the story is something different, and, if they don't, I won't get to write anymore Batman, so please pick this one up ... if not for me, then for the children."
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