Posted in: Comics | Tagged: alice cooper, Comics, dynamite, entertainment, joe harris, Nancy Collins

"Alice Himself Has Long Referred to Alice Cooper As A Character" – Joe Harris On Alice Cooper #1

Tomorrow sees the release of the new Alice Cooper #1 from Dynamite. Nancy Collins (Vampirella) talked with new series writer Joe Harris about working with a rock start and bringing the Alice Cooper persona to comics.

NANCY COLLINS: I'll get the most obvious question out of the way: Are you an Alice Cooper fan?

JOE HARRIS: Yes.

NC: How did you end up as writer on this series? Is this your baby, or did someone approach you about it?

JH: I know Nick Barrucci for so many years I can't even remember the exact number, and Dynamite reached out to see if I was interested.

NC: Are you happy with the work done by your artist, Eman Casallos?

JH: Sure, Eman's been great. I've been surprised (in a good way!) by a lot of stuff that's come back to me once he's read the scripts and turned in pages.

NC: Have you discussed the comic with the IRL Alice Cooper? If so, what does he think about being portrayed as (amongst other things) as a washed-up rockstar working for a demonic talent scout?

JH: We haven't spoken, unfortunately. I'm assuming he's cool with everything because they tell me he is. Though I think your characterization is a little off. Our setup is that he's been out of action for a bit — both as a rockstar in his prime, and as this alter-role as the "Lord of All Nightmares" due to this bad deal he's gotten sucked into. Our opening arc is all about his clawing out of that deal, taking his revenge, and reestablishing himself as the artist and Nightmare Lord we need in times like these.

NC: Judging from the preview, your version of Alice Cooper is far more than your usual rocker and has what promises to be an elaborate back story. Can you hint at who the main movers and shakers will be in the series?

JH: Well, you've met some of Clan Black — the vile demonic 'family business' of bad artist management. Aside from them, Kachina, AC's beloved and first snake co-star will play a vital role. We've got a host of nightmares to introduce as we roll along too.

NC: What are the challenges that come with writing a fictional story centered around an Actual Person who isn't dead yet and a lot of people know about?

JH: Potentially, but I decided to just create and weave this sort of 'fantastical' alter-ego, partly based on some of the various strands of mythology associated with the character, and plenty of new stuff that just felt like it fit.

Alice himself has long referred to "Alice Cooper" as a character he depicts onstage and on records. Once you accept that it's fantasy, even in the 'real world,' it gets pretty easy to extrapolate.

NC:How does writing a comic book series like Alice Cooper or The X-Files: Season 10 compare to writing a screenplay like Darkness Falls?

JH: I have a lot more freedom to do what I want, and the vision is executed and released a hell of a lot quicker. I've been making comics and working in film, both, for a while now… so it all sort of just fits together for me.

NC: Final Question: School's Out, I'm Eighteen, Billion Dollar Babies, Elected, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Welcome To My Nightmare, or Only Women Bleed?

JH: I like all of those songs, and recognize they each have their own place in the 'pantheon'… but I'll say "I'm Eighteen," for this interview, as it's likely the first AC song that grabbed me as a kid devouring classic rock radio with both hands. I could extend this sentiment to "Billion Dollar Babies" since I bought that on vinyl when I was in grade school. But I have fondness for each song you listed.

For more on Alice Cooper#1, click here.

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