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A SNEAK PEEK AT WILDSTORM’S FUTURE
by Newsarama
Though it’s been widely known since last August or so that a Wildstorm relaunch was coming (with Grant Morrison and Jim Lee helming Wildcats no less), only a few further details had hit.
As for why a relaunch of the entire universe with him in one of the captain’s chairs was needed, Lee told Newsarama last year:
“I’ve been meaning to jump back into the WSU for some time now; in fact, it was supposed to be after ‘Hush,’ but then I kept getting hooked up with dream assignment after dream assignment in the DCU which kept pushing my return date back further and further. But as for the ultimate reason why? Obviously, the WSU needs a shot in the arm, and I knew that if Grant Morrison signed on as the writer...well, that we could collectively blow the doors off the universe and really pull in old and new readers alike. So waiting the couple of years for me to get my career back up to speed so to speak probably will help make it a bigger deal in the long run.”
The “revamp” of the Wildstorm Universe has already begun, albeit a might subtlety with Captain Atom: Armageddon, a nine issue miniseries that sent Captain Atom from the DC Universe into the Wildstorm Universe. Since the miniseries launch in October, writer Will Pfeifer has been dropping major hints that something serious is going to happen if and when Captain Atom leaves the WSU.
All of that in mind, we sat down with WildStorm Executive Editor Scott Dunbier to run down the full list of titles and roster of talent joining up for the various series and find out a little more just what is going on.
Newsarama: Scott, we've spoken to Jim Lee about it a little, but from your point of view, what's (publishing side) behind the revitalization of the Wildstorm Universe? Why now, and why the major, line-wide effort? What got the ball rolling?
Scott Dunbier: Well, to be perfectly frank, it was time for an overhaul. Jim and I sat down and basically decided to really shake things up, to get people excited about the WildStorm Universe again. So I sat down and thought about who I would really like to see take a crack at some of our books, after that it all sort of fell into place.
NRAMA: And although I'm sure you're not letting this cat out of the bag so to speak, but maybe a hint if the speculation is in the right direction - Captain Atom: Armageddon plays a key role in the overall restart?
SD: It does have a part in it, yes, but I'm afraid we'll need to wait and see how it plays out-wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, would you?
NRAMA: The larger idea of a restart itself. Not to put a negative spin on it, but why, in your view, is it needed?
SD: As I said above, it was time. We've done wonderful things with our core characters in the past. But now it's time for something different, this is a new direction, a new evolution. Much in the same way every so often the Superman titles get a revamp, only with us it's the entire WSU line. It's really pretty exciting stuff.
NRAMA: Overall with the titles that are starting/restarting - what kind of tone are we looking at? A return to the early Wildstorm days of the WSU being primarily a superhero universe, something that's returned to its superhero roots, but after what we've seen go down in The Authority, Wildcats 3.0, Sleeper, etc?
SD: There will definitely be a return to superhero roots. I was lucky enough to talk Grant Morrison into coming on board and he's been great, coming up with all sorts of ideas that stretch the characters creatively in many directions. He's been called an idea machine and it's an apt term for him.
We're also taking a step away from the mature readers superhero books we've done in the WSU. While those books were critically successful the readership could have been higher. We don't want to limit ourselves. That doesn't mean we won't be telling stories adults can enjoy, it just means we're making an effort to appeal to everyone, and do the best stories we possibly can.
NRAMA: When are the titles looking at restarting? Will they all launch in one month, or will things be organic, coming out as needed, tying into a larger story? Do you have the full launch schedule?
SD: Wildcats is debuting in August with Grant Morrison and Jim Lee. The Authority in September with Grant and Gene Ha, and will be published on alternating months than Wildcats. You'll be seeing a number of titles before the end of the year, including Deathblow by Brian Azzarello and Carlos D'Anda, Gen13 by Gail Simone and Talent Caldwell, Wetworks by Mike Carey and Whilce Portacio, and the solo Midnighter book by Garth Ennis and Chris Sprouse. There will be others as well.
NRAMA: Along those lines, something that set the WSU apart in its early days was its cohesiveness and interconnectedness. That is, Lynch was the lynchpin between the past and present, Team Zero's actions had ramifications in the present, etc. Will the new goes at the titles share that same connection?
SD: Yes, there will be connections but there will be shake ups too. Some will be similar, others more a departure. The goal is to tell exciting stories that can also surprise the reader.
NRAMA: If we could, let's run down the titles and you can give a line or two about the titles - what to expect, the tone, the characters, etc - almost stream of consciousness type stuff... Wildcats?
SD: Grant Morrison and Jim Lee, taking on the flagship WildStorm title and stirring it around. The idea was to let Grant run with the concept and revitalize it in much the same way he did JLA, X-Men, and Superman. I think he looked at it as a challenge, I know that's how I wanted him to view it.
NRAMA: Wetworks - this is the same one that's been worked on for years, right?
SD: Yes, this book has been around for a while now. Whilce and Mike really meshed well on it, and Whilce has taken a step back in time with the art, he's doing full on Whilce from the WildStorm Glory days, and he's having a blast.
NRAMA: The Authority - why do you feel it's been so hard to catch the lightning in the bottle again? Are you looking to return to the level of controversy/infamy the title had in its Ellis/Millar days?
SD: The Authority is a tough book to write, it's got a history that's tough to live up to. First you have Warren doing something that was almost unique in comics, along with Bryan Hitch. Together those guys were an impossible act to follow. That is, until Mark Millar and Frank Quitely took over, and it was in its own way just as big a deal as the first series. Then things got a bit mixed up, we lost our artist in the middle of a story, we lost momentum. We had some good stuff going on with the title but never quite regained our footing. But I think that will change now with Grant and Gene.
Am I looking for infamy? No, I just want something to knock my socks off, to surprise me. I think these guys can do that.
NRAMA: Deathblow - isn't he dead?
SD: Hey, ever hear of Superman? Seriously, if you're reconfiguring a universe you have a lot of latitude. Brian came up with a great take on the character, one that will surprise people in both his actions and his motivations. As for Carlos, Deathblow is his favorite WS character, he's stoked.
NRAMA: Gen13?
SD: Gail Simone has such a great sense of humor in her work, and she's so good with young characters, that she was a natural for the book. I'm really looking forward to what she and Talent Caldwell come up with.
NRAMA: And finally, Midnighter?
SD: You know, this is kind of funny, A few of us were having lunch with Garth Ennis a while back, we were discussing our plans, and he just came out and said why not do a Midnighter solo book. Well, I sort of blinked a bit and thought, sure, why not?
Garth had always brought up Chris Sprouse as an artist he wanted to work with so it was pretty easy to sort out the details on it.
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