Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Adam Markiewicz, Ben Fisher, Comics, dynamite, entertainment, Great Divide

It Can Be Easy To Let Dystopia Become The Dominant Character Of An Apocalyptic Story

Published Fri, 16 Sep 2016 17:00:11 -0500

Writer Ben Fisher talks about the November issue of his Dynamite series, The Great Divide #3, with Byron Brewer. Covers by Adam Markiewicz and Ben Dale.

BYRON BREWER: Ben, usually there is a heavy gloom that falls over a book set in "a post-apocalyptic world," bringing down everything and making any other atmosphere/mood almost impossible. But thus far in The Great Divide, the stories have been set up where the horror, the desperation are on a human level, a relationship level. How did you conceive to "break the mold" with this book?

BEN FISHER: It can be easy to let dystopia become the dominant "character" of an apocalyptic story in and of itself, especially when it requires as much planning and consideration as the Divide. But our intent was always to keep the series focused on the relationship between Paul and Maria, and the friends they meet during their journey together.

We felt a story about a world with no human contact – without genuine intimacy – needed to be grounded at the human level to work effectively.

BB: A horrifying reality – that the faintest touch from another's skin results in agonizing death – faces humans who survived a catastrophe. I know this is sci-fi, but it isn't too far from conceivable reality. Was there any real-world occurrence of such a "plague"/ "disease" that was this story's catalyst?

BF: My father was a physician, and as a curious (read: exceedingly nerdy) child, I often read through the literature he kept around the house. So there wasn't any specific occurrence that triggered the idea for The Great Divide, but inexplicable medical conditions have always fascinated me.

Not that I'm suggesting the Divide is necessarily biological in origin. You just tried to trick me, didn't you? NO SPOILERS!

BB: Sometimes the tension between Paul and Maria is almost palpable, but the character that really makes it that way is Maria's brother, now a "part" of Paul. Will we be perhaps seeing this character in flashback, perhaps embellishing what he meant to Maria?

BF: We'll certainly learn more about Carlos in coming issues, and he will continue to be a critical part of Paul's story arc. Paul is constantly struggling to disentangle his personal feelings for Maria from her brother's sibling affection. Can any of your emotions be trusted when you're sharing headspace with someone else?

Love is kind of complicated post-Divide.

BB: The first issue of The Great Divide set up so many questions, and in November here we are with #3 already. It is hard to believe this is just a 6-part miniseries. If the opportunity presented itself, would readers perhaps see a continuation of the Divide saga? Is it too early to say what that sequel would focus on? (Perhaps a zany Baredevils tale? LOL)

BF: Adam and I have plotted The Great Divide far into the future. If readers want more, we'd be thrilled to oblige. And as much as I'd love to talk about the focus of a sequel, I'm afraid that really would be a spoiler for the current series!

But I agree – you can never have enough baredevils.

BB: Any new characters out and about in #3? What can you tell us about them, if so?

BF: Issue 3 gives us a more "proper" introduction of Pug, the former MMA-star baredevil who captured Paul at the end of Issue 2. We'll also get to know Eli a lot better as he gets brought into the fold. And finally, we'll meet Victoria Sallaska, an entomologist who may have discovered … oh, but I've said too much already.

BB: We didn't really mention the great work being done by artist Adam Markiewicz on this book last time 'round. How are his interiors reflecting the character-driven epic you're spinning?

BF: Adam is an absolutely fantastic co-conspirator. He manages to work such loneliness into his landscapes. But more importantly, he captures so much emotional subtlety in mere glances between characters … basically, he makes me look good.

I've been very lucky to work with both Adams (Markiewicz and Guzowski, the colorist) on this book.

BB: And as usual, each issue of The Great Divide comes with unique (like the series) additional digital content. What's in store for readers of issue #3, Ben?

BF: I'm very excited about this issue's bonus content. Readers will be treated to an excerpt from "How to Hear Yourself," the self-help guide written by our resident psychopath, Sebastian Gibbs.

So if you're looking for personal growth advice from a serial killer who thrives on collecting the memories of his victims, you're in luck!

Oh, and one final item: Adam and I realized this series was missing an ambient John Carpenter-styled original score. So we made one, and it's available free to anyone interested in really deep-diving into the Divide: https://soundcloud.com/user-867986415/sets/tgd-ost (you can also find it on iTunes, Spotify, etc).

This interview was provide by Dynamite Entertainment.

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