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Post by /\/\att on Mar 3, 2008 11:08:40 GMT -5
Hey gang, Batman Strikes writer and friend of LOG, Russell Lissau, has graciously offered his time to take questions from the fans here on the forum this week! How cool is that? With the Batman wrapping up, this will be a fun thing to keep us all occupied for the week. Lets ask an industry professional all about his work...what he does..how he does it...and maybe even why! Ask away, gang! Please refer to our past interview with him to avoid anything he has already answered. Beyond that, ask away!
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Post by /\/\att on Mar 3, 2008 12:28:57 GMT -5
I'll get things started.
How long does it take you to write a typical story for the Strikes title?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 3, 2008 12:54:59 GMT -5
Hello, Matt, and thanks for the invitation!
Your first question's a great one; I don't hear it very often. I typically take about two weeks to write and self-edit a script. It takes that long because I write comics part-time, in my "off hours" from the day job. When I have an assignment I try to write 1-2 pages of script a day. Sometimes it's more, but it's never less. And since I write a 20-page book, I can knock out an issue in about 2 weeks.
If I was writing comics full-time, as I one day hope to, I imagine I could do an issue a week.
That's a far cry from my early assignments. My very first spec script took nearly a year to write, and the next few took months each. But once I became more comfortable with the medium and confident in my abilities, it got easier.
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darkclaw
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Post by darkclaw on Mar 3, 2008 13:24:01 GMT -5
Hi Russell! First, thanks for taking the time to answer questions from us.
My question is: Do you come up with the storyline completely or does your Editor give you an outline to start with?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 3, 2008 14:17:51 GMT -5
<<Do you come up with the storyline completely or does your Editor give you an outline to start with? >>
It's all me. I develop a story concept, write a pitch (which varies from one paragraph to one page) and then send the proposal to my editor. Sometimes I write a beat-sheet, too, which describes the action I'm proposing page by page. If he green-lights the concept, I write the script.
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baTT
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Post by baTT on Mar 3, 2008 15:18:35 GMT -5
<<Do you come up with the storyline completely or does your Editor give you an outline to start with? >> It's all me. I develop a story concept, write a pitch (which varies from one paragraph to one page) and then send the proposal to my editor. Sometimes I write a beat-sheet, too, which describes the action I'm proposing page by page. If he green-lights the concept, I write the script. Do you ever have to write based on the current arcs in the show?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 3, 2008 15:28:35 GMT -5
<<Do you ever have to write based on the current arcs in the show? >> Nope.
The original rule -- until last year, really -- was that we couldn't introduce a character until they first appear in the cartoon. So when I wrote the series' first Harley Quinn story, it had to run after she appeared in the TV show.
That rule no longer is in effect, however. That's exciting, because it's allowed me to introduce -- in a future issue -- at least one character who hasn't appeared in the show but is one of my all-time favorite heroes.
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Post by batmaster on Mar 3, 2008 15:49:43 GMT -5
Hello i've a question! Can you do more differn villains! And it is dificault to write a story?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 3, 2008 15:58:30 GMT -5
<<Can you do more differn villains!>> Stay tuned! Hopefully you'll be surprised by who appears in future issues!
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SuperPa
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Post by SuperPa on Mar 3, 2008 19:17:42 GMT -5
Hey,i was wondering if you had any plans to introduce the Justice League that now appear on The Batman into the Comic book series??? Thanks for talking the time to read this.
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 4, 2008 1:33:25 GMT -5
The first League member to appear in BATMAN STRIKES will be Superman, who visits the series in May's #43. And where Supes goes, I'm sure others will follow.
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Post by batmaster on Mar 4, 2008 8:10:39 GMT -5
In this issue(41 with bane) i saw on the last page martian manhunter, wil he come back in issue 42?
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Post by /\/\att on Mar 4, 2008 8:22:47 GMT -5
I'd like to know, Russell, what character in the Batman Universe have you not gotten to write in yet that you are most looking forward to?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 4, 2008 10:24:19 GMT -5
<<In this issue(41 with bane) i saw on the last page martian manhunter, wil he come back in issue 42? >>
I believe 42 was the Bane issue. Regardless, I didn't write it and don't know if J'onn will return in the next issue. My next issue is slated for #46 in june.
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 4, 2008 10:26:32 GMT -5
<<what character in the Batman Universe have you not gotten to write in yet that you are most looking forward to?>> I've touched on most of my favorites already, either in stories that have been published, scripts that haven't yet come out or spec scripts that didn't make the cut. But: I haven't tackled Ra's al Ghul yet, nor Two-Face. The complexity of both villains always was attractive to me as a reader, and certainly as a writer. (Unfortunately, both characters are tied up in the movie franchise and off-limits for STRIKES, as I understand it.)
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Post by /\/\att on Mar 4, 2008 10:38:14 GMT -5
Ever thought about bringing in another Bat-family character, like the Huntress? Now that the show is over there should be more freedom to do this, yes?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 4, 2008 11:29:05 GMT -5
Time will tell.....
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Post by /\/\att on Mar 4, 2008 12:16:45 GMT -5
Tease! Ok, well lets keep the questions coming gang. We have a rare opportunity to pick the brain of an industry pro here!
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 4, 2008 19:24:59 GMT -5
<<Can we expect a Riddler issue from you soon?>>
I don't know when it will be published, but I've written a Riddler story for STRIKES. One of my favorite scripts, actually!
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Post by ??The Riddler?? on Mar 4, 2008 19:56:49 GMT -5
<<Can we expect a Riddler issue from you soon?>> I don't know when it will be published, but I've written a Riddler story for STRIKES. One of my favorite scripts, actually! [shadow=green,left,300] Awesome, thanks for answering Mr. Lissau![/shadow]
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 5, 2008 16:15:54 GMT -5
My next batch of pitches will include a Riddler story, too -- and a guest visit from one of my favorite DC heroes!
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 7, 2008 9:58:13 GMT -5
Going once...going twice...anyone else before the week ends and the thread gets locked up?
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robinjr
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Post by robinjr on Mar 7, 2008 15:54:08 GMT -5
has the wonder woman and bizzaro stories been confirmed by dc yet?
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clownprince1
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Post by clownprince1 on Mar 7, 2008 16:16:28 GMT -5
Any Joker stories in the future?
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 7, 2008 16:23:10 GMT -5
I'm unaware of WW or Bizarro stories planned for STRIKES, but that doesn't mean there won't be any. I'm sure the Joker will show up in the series again.
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robinjr
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Post by robinjr on Mar 7, 2008 16:30:54 GMT -5
oh ok i heard that info from an interview with Chris Jones on worlds finest. He said the stories were pitched and i thought you might know if they were confirmed or not.
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Post by electri on Mar 7, 2008 16:33:20 GMT -5
I got a few questions:
1) Now the show has ended would you like to make batman a little darker and show him hanging over rooftops and all like in the dark comics
2) Would you like to add a few more new villains and see how they work out
3) Did you always want to write comics
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 7, 2008 19:07:52 GMT -5
1) Now the show has ended would you like to make batman a little darker and show him hanging over rooftops and all like in the dark comics
Nope! I LOVE the tone of this book, and the fact that it's aimed at younger readers.
2) Would you like to add a few more new villains and see how they work out Of course! And I plan to!
3) Did you always want to write comics? No -- I only got the itch within the last 4-5 years.
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robinzuko
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Post by robinzuko on Mar 8, 2008 13:27:44 GMT -5
Hello Mr. Lissau i´ve got a question: Do the Strikes come out somewhere other than USA? I live in Mexico and would like to know if they come out over here. Thanks.
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rlissau
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Post by rlissau on Mar 8, 2008 15:05:52 GMT -5
Hola!
I don't know anything about international distribution -- but I suppose that's what eBay and Internet comics shops are for, eh?
Thanks for the interest! Adios!
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