“Roche Limit” was one of my favorite series of 2014 for good reason. Intriguing storytelling, gorgeous art, and dynamic colors made up a science fiction story that coaxed you into pondering deeper meanings while having a fun time. Writer Michael Moreci follows up the first part of his “Roche Limit” trilogy, “Anomalous,” with volume two in May. Titled “Roche Limit: Clandestiny,” the first issue takes a different direction and look, with volume one artist Vic Malhotra passing art duties on to Kyle Charles. Moreci was nice enough to let me interview him about the “Roche Limit,” its influences, and the amazing collaborators he gets to work with on the series.
Just below our interview, check out five exclusive pages from “Roche Limit: Clandestiny” #1, and check back later today for an opportunity to win some cool “Roche Limit” swag!
Make sure you pick up a copy of “Roche Limit, Volume 1” and reserve a copy of “Roche Limit: Clandestiny”, which is released on May 6, from your local comic book shop.
What were your influences while writing “Roche Limit”? The first volume had a great blend of science fiction and noir and “Roche Limit: Clandestiny” is quite different from the first volume. What genres and influences are evident in “Roche Limit: Clandestiny”?
Michael Moreci: My influences are all over the map, to be honest. In the first volume, “Anomalous”, I was definitely channeling Blade Runner and Dark City, both philosophically and visually. Both have really salient things to say about human nature and who we are, as people–what makes us unique. In “Clandesitiny”, I think you’re looking at a blend of “Aliens” and “Solaris”. “Aliens” in its insanely cool visuals and slick storytelling and “Solaris” for its meditative approach to grief, reality, dreams, and longing. Phillip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury loom over everything–I would be remiss not to mention those masters.
The art for the both the first and second volumes is vastly different from one another. Vic Malhotra brought a grittier look to volume one and aided in making the noir aspects of the story stand out, while the first issue of “Clandestiny” has a more purely science fiction feel to it. Even Matthew Battaglia’s gorgeous colors make the issue brighter with its neon hues. What does Kyle Charles’ art bring to the second volume’s story that differs from Vic Malhotra’s gorgeous contributions to the first volume? And will we see more from Malhotra in the world of “Roche Limit”?
MM: First, I love both artists and am beyond lucky to get to work with each of them. You’re right on in your assessment, and what I think Kyle brings is fairly similar to Vic, in that they are both heavily influences by Moebius and other European storytellers. While their linework is quite different, their storytelling is fairly similar. Kyle is a bit rougher and more kinetic, which makes him such a perfect fit for “Clandestiny”. Where “Anomalous” was a more controlled, precisely plotted story, “Clandestiny” is a little more wild and unpredictable. Kyle’s art lends itself to this, and Matt’s beautiful colors paint the entire world in this dream-like hue, which is perfect for what we’re trying to achieve.
I think we will see Vic more, one way or another!
It seems like there’s a connecting thread between the first volume and the first issue of “Clandestiny” with the mention of MoiraTech. Will the company and previous story threads and characters make an impact in the second volume of “Roche Limit”?
MM: Not so much, no. A little to the overall mythology, but nothing crucial. The main thread tying all three volumes together is thematic, in the story of the human journey that’s being told. Who are we, where are we headed? It’s kind of like “2001” in that way (if I can be so bold), where the sum of the parts is much larger than the pieces. When all is said and done, I think the “Roche Limit” trilogy will stand as an existential experience that really stands apart from other books.
Besides being an exciting series, the first volume of “Roche Limit” dealt with some deeper themes. Which themes are you looking to explore with the “Roche Limit: Clandestiny”?
Continued belowMM: I think, in addition to being about all those existential concerns mentioned earlier, the “Anomalous” story revolved around failure. Langford failed to make his waypoint, Alex failed to become a drug manufacturing rock star, Watkins failed to understand the human soul, and so on. “Clandestiny” is more about two things: reality and grief. Which, while seemingly separate, work together fairly nicely in the story. The characters are all struggling with dealing with what’s real and accepting reality for what it is–which so many of us struggle with–rather than making it what you want it to be. Especially in grief, you really lose sense of yourself and everything around you, and it’s easy to slip into things that aren’t real.
If it’s acceptable to ask without revealing spoilers, who came up with the word “Clandestiny” and why that title?
MM: Pure luck! The word popped in my head while driving to work one day, and I was going to use it for a spy project. It stuck in my head (the spy project did not), and it was the easy choice for “Roche Limit”.
Roche Limit: Clandestiny #1
Written by Michael Moreci
Illustrated by Kyle CharlesTHE BREAKOUT HIT OF 2014 RETURNS WITH VOLUME TWO OF THE GROUNDBREAKING SCI-FI TRILOGY! It’s 75 years after the events that left the Roche Limit colony in flames. When a crew of military and science personnel are sent to the forgotten and desolate planet on a mysterious expedition, they quickly learn its dark secrets—and that their mission is not what they thought it to be. With danger lurking all around, the crew members fight to find a way off the planet and resist the mysterious presence that haunts them all.
