Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, dynamite, entertainment, Grand Passion, james robinson, Tom Feister

"We See A Little Of Ourselves In The Characters" – James Robinson Talks Crime Fiction And Grand Passion

Published Fri, 18 Nov 2016 17:00:39 -0600

James Robinson talks Byron Brewer about Grand Passion #3, on sale in January from Dynamite. Cover by John Cassaday.

BYRON BREWER: James, what is it about crime stories, especially character-driven stories like Grand Passion, that often holds a mirror and microscope up to society, to ourselves?

JAMES ROBINSON: I think that crime fiction by virtue of the actions and acts in each drama mirrors the human psyche. We see a little of ourselves in the characters, more so I believe that a standard drama. Even the bad characters remind us of ourselves sometimes, which is why the genre remains so compelling. It forces us to look at ourselves.

BB: Writers usually, even unbeknownst to themselves sometimes, have bits and pieces of their collective psyche invested in their characters? Which part of you is represented by Mac, and which by Mabel?

JR: I am an inveterate "faller in love at first-sight," so there's that. I think the sad weight in Mac's shoulders is me, as is some of Mabel's craziness.

BB: As we discussed, Mac and Mabel do, in a manner, feed off each other. If you had to extrapolate from a place where they had never met, what differences would there be in those characters at the time of issue #3's occurrence?

JR: Well, I guess Mabel would have made her getaway and be somewhere far off by now. Mac would be sad and emotionally lost.

BB: Can tell us any more at all about some of those curious characters at the police station? Some who might become of more import as Grand Passion unfolds?

JR: No … best to wait and see.

BB: What changes would you as a writer make, if any, should Grand Passion be made into a feature film?

JR: Hmm. I think the whole series needs to be out when I answer that question. To do so now would reveal too much.

BB: How powerful is the love each of the main protagonists has for the other? Is there any sequence coming up in the book in which this love is demonstrated, one for the other?

JR: Yes, as the series' latter half unfolds.

BB: Artist Tom Feister has really been doing great character work in this series. Has the art matched what you intended in the script?

JR: Honestly, when I heard Tom was the artist, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I know now is that Tom's art has surpassed what I hoped for the series. It's really great. Exciting and big when it needs to be, and small and intimate when it requires that too. Very nuanced. It's been great seeing Tom's art grow and we've progressed together. The guy will be a big name, I'm sure.

BB: James, what's next for Grand Passion going forward from January's issue #3?

JR: Read it and see.

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