Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, dark horse, dc, entertainment, Joelle Jones, Lady Killer, supergirl

The Stress Of Being A Hitwoman – Joëlle Jones Talks Lady Killer

Published Wed, 21 Sep 2016 12:00:26 -0500

It was announced this summer that Joëlle Jones was going to be exclusive with DC just as the latest run on her amazing series Lady Killer kicked off. With the final issue of the series being solicited at the same time as her first issue of Supergirl, it seemed like a good time to talk to the talented writer / artist about what she is doing on the Dark Horse book and just what the future is for Josephine Schuller.

DAN WICKLINE: Two issues are out with three to go, how does it feel to be back in the world of Josephine Schuller? What is it you want to say with this new series that is different from the first run?

JOËLLE JONES: I am having a blast working on it! It always feels like slipping on a comfortable sweater when I get to work on the book. My intent for it has always been just to amuse myself, and I wanted to delve in a little deeper into Josie's character for this arc and to explore her motivations. I also want to dig into the characters that surround her that shape her world.

DW: Going into the new series, Josie is dealing with the fallout from the World's Fair and starting her own business in Florida. Do you feel she's learned from everything that has happened or is she still reeling and a bit off her game at this point?

JJ: I think she is a bit out of her depth and trying to find her footing. She's had it pretty easy up till now, but with her striking out on her own she has to make big decisions that will effect both parts of her life, personal and professional.

DW: With the second issue you bring back Irving who seems almost too eager to help out and partner with Josie. Does she need to be weary of him? And why is she going along with him as much as she has so far?

JJ: I like my protagonists full of faults. I think she is eager to bring Irving into her business because she is overwhelmed at the work load of going it alone. I'm not going to say if this will be the right course of action for her just yet, but I don't think she would have been so keen to work with him so quickly had she not been feeling the stress of her new life.

DW: You co-write the first series with James Rich, but now you are doing the scripts solo. How does it feel to go it alone this time and what types of changes has that made in the series?

JJ: Jamie was a great help on the first series and started taking gradual steps back nearer the end of the last run. I always wanted to try writing on my own, and without his help and encouragement I wouldn't have thought that I could have done it. I have also been very lucky to have my editor Scott Allie really push me to trust in my own voice as a writer and artist.

DW: The art of the book is more than just retro. The fashion, décor and even the items that show up all look like they come out of a vintage catalog. How much research do you have to do art wise for each issue? And how are some of the classic items like Tupperware chosen? Do you decide while writing or does what you want to draw into the story feed the narrative?

JJ: I have to do SO much research! Every time I want to draw a clock or trash can or jewelry I have to go on a winding road of google searches to find the right thing for the period. Most of my scenes come from a desire to draw a certain thing, and even when the scene is transitional, getting from one bit of the story to another, I try to find a visual element that would make it fun for me to draw. I get caught up for hours looking for and then drawing wallpaper that mostly will go unnoticed, but I feel satisfied by the small challenges I keep coming up with. Hopefully by the end of each issue I'll have a new skill to put in my art toolbox.

DW: The second series ends with the fifth issue and unless I'm mistaken, it's your last book before starting your exclusive with DC. What does that mean for Lady Killer? Does her story end with this series or is this a character you'd like to get back to in the future?

JJ: I already started my exclusive with DC, and I have a Supergirl book coming out in December with Mariko Tamaki!

The best part about the deal for me is that I'll be able to keep doing Lady Killer! I really love the format of five issue arcs, because at the end of each one I can go in whatever direction I like for Josie and her family. The downside is that the idea I have for the next arc is so exciting that I want to get started on it right now, even though I'm still working on the second arc! I guess that is not a horrible problem to have.

DW: Now that you've done the writing and co-writing thing, will you be doing any of it at DC or are you mainly there as an artist? What made this the right time to sign an exclusive?

JJ: I was lucky to be a part of the DC writers workshop earlier this year, and though I've never considered myself a writer the class gave me a chance to learn about the skill on a deeper level. Scott Snyder and everyone at DC who was involved in it were amazing mentors! It felt like a safe place to try out writing scripts for really iconic characters. I didn't expect that I would enjoy it as much as I did, so when they approached me about the exclusive it seemed like a no brainer (as long as I can could continue on Lady Killer, that is). I have written a few shorts for them and I'm hoping to try for something a little more ambitious in the future. In the meantime though I'm really happy to be working on two amazing books!

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!