Post by /\/\att on Jul 9, 2006 21:16:18 GMT -5
LoG sat down with writer extraordinaire J. Torres to pick his brain on the eve of the release of his second issue of Batman Strikes (#23) and the questionable future of his powerhouse Teen Titans Go! comic, now that the show is done!
******************
Are you a big Batman fan...or is it all of the DC Universe?
Both for sure. I think it was probably the "Super Friends" cartoon that sparked my interested in comic books, particularly the DCU. Batman was always my favorite hero of the group and I've been reading his comics and watching his various cartoon exploits on TV for some three decades now.
What appeals to you about writing for Batman?
He's Batman! As a kid, when we'd play superhero, while my best friend would always play Captain America, I always wanted to be Batman. And yes, this was way before the whole "DC vs. Marvel" thing. I'd also write and even draw comics back then, and Batman along with Robin were usually part of the stories. So, to get to actually write Batman professionaly is a childhood dream come true. On top of that, there's a cachet to being able to say "I've written Batman comics." Even people outside of comics get that that's a pretty big deal.
What elements go into your determining your plots for the Batman Strikes?
It's obviously a different approach from working on something like "Legends of the Dark Knight." It's almost like I apporach each issue of "Strikes" as if I'm writing more of a storybook than your typical comic book. You have to be mindful that this is an all-ages title and that the majority of your audience are younger readers, including kids who might not be able to read yet. It shouldn't be dumbed down of course, but it also shouldn't be too cerebral. This isn't that kind of Batman book. So, I attempt stories that are character-driven, although the action can be more plot-driven, but in either case I feel it should move fast like the show, and also be very visual with lots of fun sound effects to be read out loud. Actually, I think you should be able to "read" the story in the art alone, without dialogue or captions, for a comic like this, and the words are just icing. But that's just me.
Your last issue of Strikes had a bit of a twist with Joker and Clayface...can we expect any plot turns this time around?
Uh... yeah! In the end, Batgirl is revealed to be Dick Grayson with a red wig! And this will all be confirmed in the next season. Heh. All right, all right... I got nothing. But... it's a fun story! Ask Chris Jones! He seemed to really dig it...
Note from /\/\att - and thats sayin' something! Ol' Chris Jones is a tough customer to impress!
What are your thoughts on the show, "The Batman", thus far? What do you like and dislike about it as a fan?
I'm really loving the direction it's going with the whole Batman Family thing, first with Batgirl and now Robin. As part of my research, I had the privilege of reading some of the scripts for the new season, which I really enjoyed, and I can't wait to see how it all looks. I find that I enjoy the show more and more with each new season, and even with each re-viewing of older episodes.
As for what I dislike... if I'm being honest... I'd have to say I wasn't a huge fan of Detective Yin or even Ethan Bennett, at least at first. I totally get what they were trying to do with all of that, and I admire the attempt to add some twists to the Batman lore, and some of it like the Clayface stuff worked out wonderfully in the end... but I guess it's the "old fashioned", stubborn, "aging fanboy" in me that resisted that more than anything. Sorry?
But, really, I have a great respect for the folks working on the show. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if they weren't doing what they're doing. And I really am a fan.
If you could chose any one character that you haven't had the chance to write about in the Batman universe, which would it be?
Well, for "Strikes" what I really want to do next is a Riddler story. I was developing a Riddler versus Cluemaster plot for Nachie at one point, but it had to be shelved. In it, Riddler and Cluemaster capture Batman, then individually make Robin and Batgirl run gauntlets to save him. It would have been like this crazy competition.
But apparently, we're not allowed to use Cluemaster and the powers that be want any "riddling" to only be done by the Riddler, which makes sense. I guess they just don't want competing riddle masters. Especially when Cluemaster's "Oogie Boogie" look was Riddler's original proposed design for the show, so it's really like having the same character around.
Anyway, Nachie did suggest replacing Cluemaster with another villain, and I was thinking Joker, but we'll see. For the time being, I'm working on another plot for my next issue... but I really want to do a Riddler story!
What is the status of Teen Titans Go? How long will it survive without the show attached?
Well, we're approaching our third anniversary. Yay! And #36 will be commemorated with a Glen Murakami cover and the introduction of Wonder Girl into the series. I've plotted up to #40 or so at this point, but how far we go beyond that of course depends on sales. So, please support TTG! If it's not your cup of tea, surely you know a fan of the cartoon or have a son or daughter or nephew or niece who would like a subscription or a couple of the digests for their birthday or Christmas or Hanukkah?
Ahem.
What other projects can we look forward to seeing you on in the near future?
I'm writing an all-new "Ninja Scroll" comic book series for WildStorm and that debuts end of September, beginning of October.
Also coming out this October are two graphic novels I wrote based on the "Degrassi: The Next Generation" TV series. Both of these projects are, like "Batman Strikes", continuations of their TV counterparts and not adaptations.
Lastly, there's the final issue of "Love as a Foreign Language", a romantic comedy published by Oni Press. That one's about an English teacher dealing with culture shock and falling in love in Korea. So, there you go... something for everyone!
Thanks,
J.
The Batman Strikes #23, featuring Batgirl and Manbat, will hit comic shops this wednesday, July 12th! The issue also features amazing art by our pal Chris Jones! This is a MUST have!
As always, you can see a sneak peek of this issue on this forum by clicking here!
Thats all folks! Thanks to J. for taking the time and being extremely fan-friendly (as always!) and while you're sitting in front of your computer anyhow, go check out J's site and forum at www.JTorresOnline.com!
******************
Are you a big Batman fan...or is it all of the DC Universe?
Both for sure. I think it was probably the "Super Friends" cartoon that sparked my interested in comic books, particularly the DCU. Batman was always my favorite hero of the group and I've been reading his comics and watching his various cartoon exploits on TV for some three decades now.
What appeals to you about writing for Batman?
He's Batman! As a kid, when we'd play superhero, while my best friend would always play Captain America, I always wanted to be Batman. And yes, this was way before the whole "DC vs. Marvel" thing. I'd also write and even draw comics back then, and Batman along with Robin were usually part of the stories. So, to get to actually write Batman professionaly is a childhood dream come true. On top of that, there's a cachet to being able to say "I've written Batman comics." Even people outside of comics get that that's a pretty big deal.
What elements go into your determining your plots for the Batman Strikes?
It's obviously a different approach from working on something like "Legends of the Dark Knight." It's almost like I apporach each issue of "Strikes" as if I'm writing more of a storybook than your typical comic book. You have to be mindful that this is an all-ages title and that the majority of your audience are younger readers, including kids who might not be able to read yet. It shouldn't be dumbed down of course, but it also shouldn't be too cerebral. This isn't that kind of Batman book. So, I attempt stories that are character-driven, although the action can be more plot-driven, but in either case I feel it should move fast like the show, and also be very visual with lots of fun sound effects to be read out loud. Actually, I think you should be able to "read" the story in the art alone, without dialogue or captions, for a comic like this, and the words are just icing. But that's just me.
Your last issue of Strikes had a bit of a twist with Joker and Clayface...can we expect any plot turns this time around?
Uh... yeah! In the end, Batgirl is revealed to be Dick Grayson with a red wig! And this will all be confirmed in the next season. Heh. All right, all right... I got nothing. But... it's a fun story! Ask Chris Jones! He seemed to really dig it...
Note from /\/\att - and thats sayin' something! Ol' Chris Jones is a tough customer to impress!
What are your thoughts on the show, "The Batman", thus far? What do you like and dislike about it as a fan?
I'm really loving the direction it's going with the whole Batman Family thing, first with Batgirl and now Robin. As part of my research, I had the privilege of reading some of the scripts for the new season, which I really enjoyed, and I can't wait to see how it all looks. I find that I enjoy the show more and more with each new season, and even with each re-viewing of older episodes.
As for what I dislike... if I'm being honest... I'd have to say I wasn't a huge fan of Detective Yin or even Ethan Bennett, at least at first. I totally get what they were trying to do with all of that, and I admire the attempt to add some twists to the Batman lore, and some of it like the Clayface stuff worked out wonderfully in the end... but I guess it's the "old fashioned", stubborn, "aging fanboy" in me that resisted that more than anything. Sorry?
But, really, I have a great respect for the folks working on the show. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if they weren't doing what they're doing. And I really am a fan.
If you could chose any one character that you haven't had the chance to write about in the Batman universe, which would it be?
Well, for "Strikes" what I really want to do next is a Riddler story. I was developing a Riddler versus Cluemaster plot for Nachie at one point, but it had to be shelved. In it, Riddler and Cluemaster capture Batman, then individually make Robin and Batgirl run gauntlets to save him. It would have been like this crazy competition.
But apparently, we're not allowed to use Cluemaster and the powers that be want any "riddling" to only be done by the Riddler, which makes sense. I guess they just don't want competing riddle masters. Especially when Cluemaster's "Oogie Boogie" look was Riddler's original proposed design for the show, so it's really like having the same character around.
Anyway, Nachie did suggest replacing Cluemaster with another villain, and I was thinking Joker, but we'll see. For the time being, I'm working on another plot for my next issue... but I really want to do a Riddler story!
What is the status of Teen Titans Go? How long will it survive without the show attached?
Well, we're approaching our third anniversary. Yay! And #36 will be commemorated with a Glen Murakami cover and the introduction of Wonder Girl into the series. I've plotted up to #40 or so at this point, but how far we go beyond that of course depends on sales. So, please support TTG! If it's not your cup of tea, surely you know a fan of the cartoon or have a son or daughter or nephew or niece who would like a subscription or a couple of the digests for their birthday or Christmas or Hanukkah?
Ahem.
What other projects can we look forward to seeing you on in the near future?
I'm writing an all-new "Ninja Scroll" comic book series for WildStorm and that debuts end of September, beginning of October.
Also coming out this October are two graphic novels I wrote based on the "Degrassi: The Next Generation" TV series. Both of these projects are, like "Batman Strikes", continuations of their TV counterparts and not adaptations.
Lastly, there's the final issue of "Love as a Foreign Language", a romantic comedy published by Oni Press. That one's about an English teacher dealing with culture shock and falling in love in Korea. So, there you go... something for everyone!
Thanks,
J.
The Batman Strikes #23, featuring Batgirl and Manbat, will hit comic shops this wednesday, July 12th! The issue also features amazing art by our pal Chris Jones! This is a MUST have!
As always, you can see a sneak peek of this issue on this forum by clicking here!
Thats all folks! Thanks to J. for taking the time and being extremely fan-friendly (as always!) and while you're sitting in front of your computer anyhow, go check out J's site and forum at www.JTorresOnline.com!