"Never appeal to a man's better nature. He may not have one."

 

"Never appeal to a man's better nature. He may not have one." - Robert Heilein, Bad Guys

Check out these advance reviews on some of our Kickstart Comics!

Check out these advance reviews on some of our Kickstart Comics!

Pulled from www.newsarama.com

Rift Raiders OGN
Written by Mark Sable
Art by Julian Totino Tedesco and Juan Manuel Tumburus
Lettering by Bill Tortolini
Published by Kickstart Comics
Review by David Pepose

If Rift Raiders is the flagship of Kickstart Comics, I have to say — this could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Imagine National Treasure mixed with Runaways and throw it through time instead of space, and you've got the basic gist of Mark Sable and Julian Totino Tedesco's new book. Broad enough to embrace new readers and way more stylish than it has any right to be, there is a whole lot to like about Rift Raiders.

While the overall structure of Rift Raiders isn't anything too revolutionary, what Sable succeeds in doing is packing in as many flights of imagination as he can into his globetrotting treasure hunt. And why not? He's got all of history (and even mythology) to choose from, so why not pack in things like Medusa's head or steampunk exoskeletons or weapons of mass destruction disguised as pyramids? And something else that works in his favor is the wittiness of all of his characters, who move so fast that even if you recognize that they're just playing to archetype, at least they're being entertaining about it.

But the real success story in this book is Julian Totino Tedesco, who pulls a page from the Sean Murphy playbook with some looser, more cartoony lines than his work on Unthinkable — and man, does it look absolutely slick. Dodger and his friends could have been a lot more two-dimensional, but Tedesco manages to take the stock characters and really give them some expressiveness and speed. His work looks the best when there's some action going on, as Tedesco plays with panel angles and motion lines to really bring everything home. But it’s the cartoony lines that make everything so stylish, and that's the true charisma of this book.

Granted, there will be those who argue that the broad nature of the book — the stock characters, the time travel, all the things that show there aren't a lot of bold choices being made — but I'd argue that that's why this book will succeed in its chosen market. Comics are an intimidating beast for a lot of people, so why toss your most convoluted high concept to customers at Walmart? This is the sort of book that is easy to get on the ground floor, and almost demands sequels, just like any good cartoon series. Rift Raiders is so fun and so beautifully illustrated, it's a fantastic first impression for the Kickstart Comics platform.

Hero Complex OGN
Written by Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin
Art by Javi Fernandez and Thomas Smith
Lettering by Bill Tortolini
Published by Kickstart Comics
Review by Erika D. Peterman
 
There’s a reason Superman keeps his day job. Even if you save the day several times a week, there’s still rent, utilities and phone bills to pay. Unless you’re willing to sell out, market yourself, or both, you’re just a schmuck in Spandex who has to haggle with the landlord.

That’s the cold, hard reality for Captain Supreme in Hero Complex, and his struggles make for a sharply funny, richly rewarding new comic. I lost track of the number of times I laughed out loud while reading this story that winks at Big Two archetypes while establishing its own endearing identity.

Warren, aka Captain Supreme, is a principled guy; an all-around Boy Scout who wants to do good for good’s sake. But as his loyal sidekick, Randall, aka Geniac, keeps reminding him, pure-hearted heroics don’t serve the bottom line. The crime-fighting roommates are broke and on the verge of being evicted, just in time for Warren’s 10-year high school reunion. Meanwhile, brooding antihero Eclipse grabs all the glory, largely because of his edgy, tortured soul routine. Warren and Randall don’t buy it, but the public and the press can’t get enough of the guy. Writers Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin mine this injustice for comic gold in a bank robbery scene where Captain Supreme and Geniac are upstaged yet again. Even the cops are swooning.

“Captain Supreme and what’s-his-name tried to rush me out of there before I got my free toaster,” an ungrateful bystander says. “Thank God Eclipse showed up. He got me my toaster AND a lower interest rate.”

The fun really begins when Warren heads home to Tinyville, where his parents, unaware of his alter ego, give him a hard time about being a slacker. His dad, who has a penchant for hilariously inappropriate one-liners, also misinterprets Warren and Randall's friendship.

“Don’t be silly, Stan,” his mother retorts. “Warren’s not interesting enough to be gay.”

Javi Fernandez’s illustrations are easy on the eyes, and he has an energetic, expressive style that works with the story. He’s clearly a multifaceted artist who can handle shoot-’em-up action sequences and quieter moments. The art is a bit inconsistent though. Some panels look rushed and a little sloppy, while others, like a scene of Captain Supreme ferrying Geniac through the sky in a homemade sling, are fantastic. Thomas Smith’s colors are luminous in the comic’s heroic moments and more subdued where appropriate. On the whole, it's an attractive package.

Many comics stumble in trying to make their heroes relatable, but Hero Complex pulls it off in a way that’s sincere, witty and believable. It’s an effortlessly winning book with legs, and quite a bit of heart.



The comics writer who wants to be his own man: Jimmy Palmiotti

The Comics writer who wants to be his own man: Jimmy Palmiotti

Pulled from http://www.comicbookresources.com/

Posted on October 5, 2010 - by Chris Arrant

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/10/the-comics-writer-who-wants-to-be-his-own-man-jimmy-palmiotti/

Photo by Seth Kushner

Jimmy Palmiotti has been a lot of things in the world of comics: inker, publisher, editor, writer and even journalist and interviewer at times. A veteran inker who transitioned to writing and editing, back in the late 90s and early 2000s he and Joe Quesada helped turn around then-beleaguered Marvel Comics giving the publisher a new style and swagger. But when Quesada became Editor-In-Chief, Palmiotti famously decided to jump back into the freelance world and carved out a niche for himself as a go-to writer for superhero titles and also a strong voice in independent comics.

Fast forward to today, and he’s riding high on the success of his longest running series ever, DC’s Jonah Hex, is doing some editing for publishing newcomer Kickstart, and has a bevy of projects on both sides of the Big Two on the verge of announcement. But despite his success as writer, or perhaps because of it, his name is often bandied about as a viable candidate for top jobs at both Marvel and DC — but as of yet, Palmiotti continues to freelance. Why? That’s because he likes it.

Chris Arrant: Easy one first, Jimmy – what are you working on today?

 

Jimmy Palmiotti: Like today this minute or right now? Well, an issue of Jonah Hex with Justin Gray, Freedom Fighters #5 and a big project in the works at DC that will catch people off guard; for Marvel, two mini-series with characters I love and another project with Radical Comics as well. I have almost finished editing most of my Kickstart projects, which have been a total blast. Right now on my screen I am going over the colors on the book Headache by Lisa Joy and Jim Fern and its beautiful; and as well, looking over the balloon placement on Joshua Williamson and Lee Moder’s Mirror, Mirror hardcover. Outside of comics, I finished an animated script for a fun project and am developing a graphic novel for a studio that’s a blast.

Arrant: You’re a very busy man, balancing several writing gigs, editing for Kickstart, and maybe still doing some inking perhaps? What leads you to such a busy life, and one of changing things up into such different things?

Palmiotti: Well, I am not inking anymore at all — I haven’t in years and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean I don’t draw; it’s just that I am done with that part of my life for now, which leaves me more time for my writing. I love what I do: comics and telling stories are my life and there is nothing that makes me happier to do daily…so at this point in my life I am getting to put the skills I learned as an editor to use working with Kickstart, I get to work on some of my favorite Marvel and DC characters and most important, I get to work with other talented people and create new worlds and creations. It may seem to someone on the outside that I change my work up a lot, but at its core, it’s all about storytelling…and entertaining people. Anyone that has spent any period of time with me knows I love to talk and swap stories with people and this field is perfect for that kind of love.

Arrant: Awhile back there was a big rumor going around that you were being eyed for a big role at DC, perhaps as a publisher even. Although that ultimately panned out into something else entirely, you’ve worked in virtually every position in comics… even being half of the team that revitalized the Marvel Knights line. When that ended you went back into the creative pool, while your friend Joe became EIC at Marvel. Can you tell us why you didn’t segue into something like that?

Palmiotti: I have been offered just about every big job in the industry and am still flattered when I get these calls. Really. The thing is, I had to make some choices in my life and did a lot of soul searching when these times came around to what I really wanted in my life and what was most important to me…and that’s where I figured out what I had to do and not do. Honestly, right out of college I worked in an office and had enjoyed it but left the world of advertising to work in my passion: making comics. Since then, I have done just about every single job and found that my favorite one is writing and creating new projects and working with creative people on something together. I love comic artists and writers…they are some of the sweetest and most talented people in the world…and I knew that taking a position that doesn’t allow me to create my own projects would eventually take its toll on me. I admire the way Joe and Dan handle their jobs and I think they were both made for it, but I personally its not for me…at least not for a giant company with 1000 characters. I could see handling a boutique line that allows me to contribute, but who knows what the future holds. For now I am happy as hell…and enjoying all the work I have. I know I am blessed and never take it or the people around me for granted.

Arrant: You’re a free man – after working under an exclusive at DC for a number of years, I hear you’re out and able to work for anyone and everyone. Can you tell us the pros and cons, for you at least, at being under an exclusive?

The Resistance TPB

Palmiotti: Well, I was only exclusive for DC comics for a year…but yeah; I prefer not to be exclusive. That’s just me though. Most of the people I know love it. It would have to be a huge amount of money and freedom to ever get me to do it again. The pros and cons are that while under exclusive, you are guaranteed a better page rate and a certain amount of guaranteed work…as well as medical coverage for you and your family. The cons are that you may be put on something you don’t like and have to do it and cannot leave it…and that’s when it becomes a “job” and the joy of working in comics becomes …well…not such a great thing. As well, you have to pass on some pretty spectacular projects along the way because of your contract, so its just not something I can ever see myself doing again.

Arrant: So what kind of comics do you want to do?

Palmiotti: The kind of comics that aren’t the “same old thing” the stuff that pushes a reader to think, redefines genres and is more adult as well. I want people to read one of my books and sit after and think about it…go back and look at the art again…I want them to be an experience for the reader and I want to create new worlds as well. I want to be Stan Lee, but the Stan that does genre comics …I want to create things that live a long life way after I am gone and I want to have fun doing it.

Arrant: If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you still be doing comics?

Triggergirl 6

Palmiotti: Not for the first few weeks…lol…but after that I know exactly what I would do. I would take the Paperfilms name I own and start publishing my own books…sort of what Justin and I do now for Image…but do it ourselves and I would hire 5 people right away…I already know who they are…and start putting out 6 graphic novels a year. Now…I am not waiting for the lottery because that’s a pipe dream, so I go out and get people interested in investing in books, like Kickstart did with me on Back to Brooklyn and Random Acts of Violence and put them out through Image. At this point, Justin, Amanda and I have plans for 4 new projects in 2011 that we are using our own money to put out. If we break even, awesome…but the likelihood is slim…but that won’t stop us. So yeah…winning the lottery is a fun dream, but I am not sitting around waiting for it to happen.

Arrant: Where do you see yourself in ten-fifteen years?

Palmiotti: Hopefully alive enjoying myself with Amanda right by my side and creating projects we love that people embrace and being surrounded by good friends. maybe a pool in my yard as well…that would be nice.

The Suddenly Ubiquitous Joshua Williamson

The Suddenly Ubiquitous Joshua Williamson

Pulled from www.comicbookresources.com

by Shaun Manning, Staff Writer  

Wed, September 22nd, 2010 at 1:58PM (PDT)   |   Updated: September 22nd, 2010 at 3:55PM

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?id=28457&page=article

Williamson is currently writing for DC Comics, Kickstart and more

Joshua Williamson, a relative newcomer to the industry, is suddenly very busy. A writer who has contributed to “Superman/Batman,” the “Fractured Fables” anthology, and some DC Comics specials as well as creating “Necessary Evil” at Desperado, “Dear Dracula,” “Overlook,” and “Johnny Monster” at Image, by the end of 2010 Williamson will have added two original graphic novels, a meeting between Supergirl and Damian Wayne, and a Hulk family drama to his bibliography. CBR News spoke with Williamson about his new projects, in particular the Leed Moder-illustrated and Darwyn Cooke-covered “Mirror Mirror” and “Endangered,” both from new publisher Kickstart, as well as “Superman/Batman” #77 and his installment of Hulk's “Smash Files.”

“Mirror Mirror,” an original hardcover debuting November 20 (both in comics shops and, due to Kickstart's distribution program, Walmart), focuses on the fate of the magic mirror from the tale of Snow White and the perpetual dangers it represents. In Williamson's story, the mirror has been shattered and entrusted to several guardians, but now someone is trying to put the pieces back together. “There are a lot of fairy tale modern remakes out there, but this is more of a distant sequel that focuses just on one aspect that I’ve always felt was ignored in the Snow White fairy tale… the Magic Mirror,” Williamson said. “The Snow White legend is referenced in flashback and a few different Grimm Fairy Tales are also used throughout the story, because it’s revealed that the Grimm brothers' fairy tales were written as clues to hide the broken mirror pieces. So our heroes are looking at the told fairy tales to find the mirror pieces.”

Williamson told CBR that he was always bothered by the fact that the Snow White story never resolved what happened to the magic mirror after the wicked queen is thwarted. “In a lot of ways the mirror was just as evil as Snow White’s step mother. It could be viewed that the mirror was manipulating things the whole time,” the writer said. “That’s the idea I ran with here. The Magic Mirror was the real bad guy of the fairy tale and after Snow White was saved by Prince Charming, Snow White destroyed the magic mirror with a big sledge hammer.”

"Mirror Mirror" examines the untold tale of Snow White's Magic Mirror

Snow White then charged a secret society called the Huntsmen with protecting the shards, according to Williamson's lore. "They are for sure the good guys. There are multiple secret societies introduced in this story but it’s the Huntsmen’s job to protect the mirror pieces,” he told CBR. “By the time our story starts, most of them are dead, having been betrayed by one of their own.

“One of the Huntsmen, Prince Mason, has been around the mirror pieces for too long,” Williamson continued. “He has slowly begun to be manipulated by the mirror. He is losing his mind and literally getting cracks in his skin.”

Perhaps reminiscent of the Grimm brothers themselves, the hero of “Mirror Mirror” is Owen Grim. “Owen Grim is a playboy sort of kid who just wants to travel and have a good time. He lives for the party and doesn’t want to be stuck in a classroom,” Williamson said. “In some ways Owen is a con artist who has conned his way around the world using his parents' good name. Owen’s parents, a pair of adventurers, were members of a secret society called the Huntsmen and, when they are betrayed by another member, their roles are passed down to him. Owen is hesitant to get involved, but throughout the story realizes that this is his true calling.”

Joining Williamson on the book is artist Lee Moder, who was brought onto the project by Kickstart and Jimmy Palmiotti, who is editing some of the new publisher's titles. “The finished hardcover is going to look awesome,” Williamson said regarding Moder's work on “Mirror Mirror.” “Since his work on 'Legion of Super Heroes,' Lee has been one of my favorite artists. Lee worked really hard to make our deadlines and turned in some absolutely incredible pages. A story likes this needs to have an artist who can convey action, excitement and humor. Lee did all of those things and more. I can’t wait for people to see his work in this book.

“I’m really proud of this book and Lee is a huge reason why. Also it can’t hurt to have a cover by Darwyn Cooke.”

More of Lee Moder's art from "Mirror Mirror

Williamson's other Kickstart book, “Endangered,” sees two brothers take an adventure to the stars to rescue their father. “It’s a lot like 'The Last Starfighter,' where there is an epic battle going on in space but nobody on Earth knows about it,” Williamson said. “Earth is just a small blip in all of space so we only have one representative and that’s Captain James Donner, who is an amazing space pilot and hero. He has kept his job as Earth’s protector a secret from everyone on earth except for his son, Chris. So when Captain Donner gets kidnapped Chris tries to help him.”

This, of course, is all news to Chris' brother Mikey. “Chris and Mikey are two rival brothers in their mid-to-late teens. Chris is the good, smart kid, while Mikey is the rebel. Not only does Chris know about his father’s secret life but he also has been training to take his Dad’s place in the future. Chris is getting ready to leave for college when his dad’s ship shows up to teleport him off into space to take up his dad’s role - but it accidentally takes Mikey along as well,” Williamson told CBR.

“Mikey is pissed that his dad kept the space hero life a secret from him and he thinks he’d do a better job than Chris. So that brings the two brothers into conflict.”

Captain Donner's abductors are a race called the Decay, who have managed to exterminate most of their adversaries. “The Decay are the ultimate evil in the universe, a cancer that created itself to make space ill,” Williamson said. “Their leader is a creature named Ruin, who, like all great cosmic bad guys, is big and mean and obsessed with destroying everything,” Williamson said. “The only thing that can stop the Decay are the Ximeno.”

The Ximeno, sadly, are nearly extinct, and the brothers will find themselves teaming with and protecting one of the last of this species as they search for their father. “The Ximeno are creatures of light that the universe itself gave birth to, they embody all hope in the universe,” Williamson said. “The Ximeno have all been killed off by the Decay except for one girl named Caysea. Now that the Ximeno are almost all dead, the universe has become a very dark place. All the Ximeno had incredibly strong light powers, Caysea was learning to control and use these powers to defeat the Decay but her trainers were killed before she could finish.

"Endangered" deals with a space war Earth has no idea is happening

“Caysea was being transported to a hide-out by Captain Donner when they were attacked. Captain Donner allowed himself to be captured so Caysea could get away. Now it’s the boys’ job to get Caysea to safety. Caysea feels there is a lot of pressure is on her to save the universe and isn’t handling it very well.”

The artist on “Endangered” is Juan Santacruz. “He is awesome and the detail is amazing. He really went over the top with things I didn’t expect,” Williamson said. “I was worried at times that it would be too loaded but he really got the job done and surprised me. He has done a few things for Marvel and here he is doing the best work I’ve ever seen him do.” “Endangered” arrives in stores December 29.

In addition to his own original projects, Williamson maintains a presence at the Big Two, notably with his upcoming issue of “Superman/Batman” #77, which gives its titular heroes a rest to focus on Supergirl and Robin, Damian Wayne. “It needed to be done. A team-up between Supergirl and Damian was long overdue,” Williamson said. “When it was suggested by my editors I jumped at it because I immediately saw the potential for a great story between such opposites. AND! Because of this departure, this is the first time in a while that the title has taken place in current continuity.”

The story deals with Supergirl handling some of the grimmer aspects of superhero work and heading to Gotham for some assistance. “Supergirl has seen a lot of bad things, especially this last year with 'World of Krypton' and 'Blackest Night.' She is slowly getting over some of it but the crime she sees haunts and reminds her of all that she has seen this last year,” Williamson said.

“Supergirl isn’t used to dealing with murders and crime scenes, so she goes to talk to Dick Grayson about it and maybe get some help but runs into Damian instead. At first she is hesitant to get help from Damian but changes her mind.”

More art from "Endangered" by Juan Santacruz

This is not to say, however, that all runs smoothly. “They hate each other. Well, 'hate' is a strong word, but they really don’t get along. They bicker at each other constantly and, especially Damian, try to get under each other’s skin,” Williamson said. “But for the sake of this mystery they try to put things aside and save the day.”

The artist on the issue is Alé Garza, who has lent his kinetic style to the ongoing “Supergirl” series in the past, as well as series like "Fathom," "Gen13," and "Batgirl." "After I was finished plotting I found Alé was drawing it and I knew that he loved drawing Supergirl and Robin, so I made sure to include a lot of scenes that would work with his strong suits. Excitement, humor, fast-paced fight scenes and just enough grittiness,” Williamson said.

“The story is a bit on the darker side, but I think people will like what Alé did with the more sinister scenes. When people see Ale’s pages they are going to be blown away by what he brought to the table. Among the many characters in the issue, Ale draws one member of Batman’s rogues gallery and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite interpretations of the character.”

At Marvel, Williamson will be writing a short Skaar backup for the “Incredible Hulks,” part of the new “S.M.A.S.H. Files” features starring members of the extended Hulk family, which begin in issue #614. “It takes place after Skaar’s and the Hulks' big battle in 'Incredible Hulk' #611,” Williamson said of his story. “Banner is trying to figure out what to do with Skaar, if Skaar is ready for the coming Dark Son.”

The Hulk's world has been a wild place ever since 2006's “Planet Hulk” story arc, but with “Fall of the Hulks” and the current “World War Hulks,” there are now several gamma-powered behemoths ready for multiple flavors of smashing. “It’s awesome,” Williamson said of the current status quo. “The Hulk is my favorite Marvel character and I’ve loved what Marvel has done with him these last few years, especially Greg Pak. I always buy the Hulk books, but a few years back I had fallen behind a bit, until Pak took over and started 'Planet Hulk.' So like everyone else I was blown away with how good the book was and the direction it was going. Ever since then I haven’t missed a beat.

"Endangered" and "Mirror Mirror" are two of the first titles from new publisher Kickstart

“A million Hulks running around just increases the story telling potential in my opinion. The Hulk has always been a character that just wanted to be left alone, and that’s becoming more and more of a challenge.”

Williamson's Skaar story will focus on the familial relationship between Bruce Banner and the Son of Hulk, as well as the parallels between their stories. “So much of the Hulk’s personality is based on his relationship with his own father. I mean, c’mon, Bruce Banner killed his Dad after confronting him about killing his mom. Skaar tried to do the exact same thing! Where the two of them go from here will be very interesting.”

“Superman/Batman” #77 featuring Supergirl and Robin is on sale October 20, “Mirror Mirror” hits stores November 20 and “Endangered” arrives December 29.

Joshua Williamson's Interview for MIRROR, MIRROR!!!

Joshua Williamson's Interview for MIRROR, MIRROR!!!

MIRROR, MIRROR Still Holds Secrets Beyond Snow White's Tale

Pulled from www.newsarama.com

By Chris Arrant, Newsarama Contributor
posted: 16 September 2010 10:59 am ET

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/mirror-mirror-kickstart-interview-100916.html

Did you ever wonder what happened after the end of your favorite movie? Where the characters ended up, and where those powerful items they had were passed on to? That’s the story in the upcoming graphic novel Mirror, Mirror from Kickstart Comics.

In Mirror, Mirror, the hunt is on for the fragments of Magic Mirror used in the Snow White fairy tale by the evil Queen. If you remember, the Magic Mirror answered any question that it was given – the hard truth whether the Queen liked it or not. But since the events of Snow White, the mirror has been shattered and its pieces hidden across the globe; it’s too much power for one person, according to a secret society called the Huntsmen. But now in modern times, someone’s out to get that mirror – and the power that comes with it – no matter who stands in their way.

Set to debut in mid-November, Mirror, Mirror was created and written by up & coming comics writer Joshua Williamson, who did the Image series Dear Dracula and Unncessary Evil, as well as several projects for DC Comics. The book is being illustrated by comics veteran Lee Moder, as well as an attractive cover by Darwyn Cooke. For more, we talked with Williamson about this inventive spin one of our most heart-felt fairy tales.

Newsarama: Joshua, what can you tell us about this book Mirror, Mirror?

Joshua Williamson: Essentially it’s National Treasure meets the Grimm Fairy Tales. It’s written by me, with amazing pages by the great Lee Moder and all wrapped up in a great cover by some guy named Darwyn Cooke. It’s a family adventure book that I think anyone can enjoy.  

At the end of the Snow White fairy tale we never heard what happened to the Magic Mirror. In Mirror, Mirror we learn that the magic mirror was manipulating the evil step mother to cause everything bad that happened. After the fairy tale was over, Snow White destroyed the mirror and scattered all the pieces throughout the world to stop it from ever being put back together. There is a secret society called the Huntsmen whose job it’s been to protect those pieces. Even the Grimm Brothers were members who wrote their fairy tales as clues as to where the pieces were hidden and how to find to them again.

But now a member of the Huntsmen has betrayed them and is starting to rebuild the mirror using these clues. The newest member, Owen Grimm, is trying to stop that from happening.

Nrama: How much after the story of Snow White does Mirror, Mirror take place? Is it in modern times or some far away time?
 
Williamson: It’s all in modern times, with a few flashbacks to the original fairy tale with a few tweaks and to the history of the Huntsmen.

Nrama: Will any of the characters from Snow White be in this, besides the Magic Mirror of course?

Williamson: Aside from the quick flashbacks it’s pretty much only the Magic Mirror... but that doesn’t mean there isn’t someone related to a character from Snow White.

Nrama: The readers are seeing all this from the point-of-view from a guy named Owen Grimm. What's he like?

Williamson: Imagine if Indiana Jones and Lara Croft got married and had a kid. And this kid turned out to be a total screw-up.

Owen is a lot like Leonardo Dicaprio in The Beach. He just wants to travel the world using his parent’s money and connections to have a good time. He isn’t interested in relics or treasure hunting. The whole world is out there to explore and he doesn’t want to spend it in a classroom, museum, library or some cave.

When we first meet Owen he is hanging out on a Yacht in France with a bunch of women in bikinis having the time of his life. He gets pulled into this adventure and has to learn to deal with living up to his parent’s name and saving the world.

He is a risk taker and fast talker. Sometimes jumps without looking and thinks that life doesn’t have to be complicated but rather very simple. He’s a “lady in every port” type of guy, but at the same time is a bit of a con artist who pissed off a bunch of people all over the world.
 

Nrama: What is Owen up against in his quest to piece together the Magic Mirror?

Williamson: Aside from his own ego, he has Prince Mason who betrayed the Huntsmen and his solders but he also has to deal with the traps!

In order to protect the mirror pieces the Huntsmen devised traps in hidden locations all over the world. Now that Mason is searching for the pieces, Owen has to beat him to them, which also means facing the dangerous traps. To even get to these traps, Owen must use his head to figure out the clues hidden within the Grimm Fairy Tales.

Owen also has issues of living up to his parent’s names. They were famous and loved by everyone, but people have always looked at Owen like a screw up, including himself, so he has to learn to overcome that and get the job done.   

Nrama: Why does Prince Mason want the mirror?
 
Williamson: Mason wants it because knowledge is power. The Mirror, even if cryptic, knows all and could reveal all the world’s secrets. With that kind of information Mason could have, vengeance, riches, fame, power and immortality. BUT to be vague... the Mirror knows one large piece of information that Mason wants answered and will do anything to get it.

Nrama: Is there magic in this world?
 
Williamson: I wouldn’t say there was no magic, but it’s like Indiana Jones, where it’s all very real with hints of something supernatural building below the surface until it explodes.
 
For the most part the fighting is done with fists, wits and guns.

Nrama: What led you to creating this story, Joshua? Have you always been a fan of the Snow White fairy tale?

Williamson: Yeah, I’ve always been a fan of Snow White, but I was always obsessed with the Magic Mirror. It’s such an important part of the fairy tale and yet not much has been done with it since.

Disney did this TV special for Halloween about the Disney Villains back in the early 80’s that was hosted by the magic Mirror where he talked about the importance of villains. The Magic Mirror said “A hero is only as good as its villain.” A villain is there to test the hero and make the world a better place. Even at a young age that really spoke to me. This is what began my interest in villains and eventually lead me to create my comic, Necessary Evil. BUT ever since then I’ve always wondered what happened to the magic mirror. It intrigued me.  After some research on the originals of the mirror, I decided it would be fun to do a story about it being broken and people trying to find the pieces in modern times.

Nrama: For this you're working with a real comics veteran in Lee Moder. How'd you get hooked up with him, and Kickstart for that matter?

Williamson: Lee Moder is the man. I couldn’t be happier.  The book looks amazing! I can’t talk enough about how much I love Lee’s work and working with him.

One day Kickstart called me and said “We’re thinking about getting Lee Moder. What do you think?” I about passed out. It’s been an honor.

You have to understand I’m a DC nerd so of course I love Legion of Super-heroes. I’ve been following Lee’s stuff since his run on that which of course lead me to his work with Geoff Johns on Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E.S.. Everything he has done like Painkiller Jane and Dragon Prince I have followed him and loved. It was a shock that I got to work with him.

Lee took my heavy script and made it into magic. He really did some amazing things with scenes I was worried about and made them work. He really nailed the look of what I wanted. Now that he is finished with the book I miss getting pages from him everyday. Hopefully we’ll get to work together again someday.

Kickstart optioned a book of mine that I did with Image called Dear Dracula to be made into a film. While we were working on that they approached me about pitching some graphic novels, I pitched a few things here and there and actually another book got picked up first. Last year I was having lunch with Samantha Olsson, the managing editor, during the Long Beach Comic-con when I mentioned Mirror, Mirror. She immediately responded to the idea and we went from there. Samantha has been great to work with and has put a lot of work into the book. I can’t wait for people to see the final product. The hardcover is going to be amazing.