Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, conan, dark horse, dynamite, entertainment, red sonja, Roberto Castro, Victor Gischler

Victor Gischler's Writer Commentary on Red Sonja / Conan #1

Today saw the release of Red Sonja / Conan #1 from the combined efforts of Dark Horse and Dynamite. Here we have a writer's commentary by Victor Gischler for the first issue. Art is by Roberto Castro.

Page 1 – Joe and I had discussed that it would be better to have some connective tissue between Zub and Simone's arc and mine.  So I wanted to take us back to the city where their story started and even use one of the characters – the spoiled prince.  I do think you can read this arc on it's own, but it a rich experience if you read the other one first.  I think one flows nicely into the other.

Pages 2-3 – Space is limited in a comic, so it's generally good to do a couple things simultaneously.  We're moving the story along, re-introducing blood root (also from the first arc) and also introducing Kal'Ang our primary antagonist and giving readers a preliminary idea of what kind of dude he is.

Page 4 – Here we introduce the character of The Seer.  In the initial pitch, he was a less significant character, just a device to move things along, but I saw an opportunity to get a lot more done in the story with his help. No spoilers, but you'll see in future issues.  It sometimes surprising to see how characters or story elements evolve from pitch to synopsis to first draft to final draft.  You have to be open to opportunities and changes as you progress.  Writers develop an instinct for this and so do editors. So … you'll see plenty more of the seer.

Pages 6-7 – When you first show a character it's always nice to do it with a big, eye-popping image.  I thought Castro did an especially good job with Conan.  Them's a lotta muscles!  I'm usually a bit wary of introducing our title characters this late in the comic, but it was important to lead up to it in a certain way.  A bit iffy when you think of a single issue, but less of a problem if you think of it in the context of the whole arc.

Pages 8-10 – The fight with the other mercenary captains was an easy choice.  First, when you have a book like this, you're simply going to want some people swinging around some swords and axes.  It's fun!  Also, if given the choice, Sonja and Conan would obviously rather be leaders than followers.  In this scene they take steps to facilitate that.

Pages 14-15 – Here we catch up with Kal-Ang and the Seer.  Yes, some years have passed, but we need to show that Kal'Ang has not been sitting idle while also showing what he's going to do next and moving the story forward.

Page 16 – Again, picking up on a vibe from Zub and Simone's arc, Conan and Red Sonja are meant to be the supreme examples of manhood and womanhood in the land.  It's only natural they be attracted to one another.

Page 20 – Interesting side note.  I was told one time that Conan thinks of a bow and arrow and a woman's weapon.  If "woman's weapon" means "smart weapon so you can kill things from a safe distance" then I agree, so I gave a bow and arrow to red Sonja.

Page 22 – End of the issue.  We've introduced characters, established the situation and tone.  Off we go to get into trouble next issue!

For more on Red Sonja / Conan #1, click here.

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