In March 2020, AWA Studios released “The Resistance,” a six issue superhero miniseries about a new generation of “Reborns” getting their powers in the midst of a global pandemic. Needless to say, it suddenly became very timely upon release. Prophetic or not, the series would create AWA’s first shared universe of superheroes, setting the stage for multiple books to follow. Prolific TV and comic writer J. Michael Straczynski scripted the series. But when it came to what this new universe of heroes should look like, the Babylon 5 creator had only one choice in mind: industry veteran and Eisner-winning artist Mike Deodato Jr.
With “The Resistance Universe: The Origins” available now, collecting the beginnings of this new shared universe, we spoke to Deodato about the series that launched it all. We would also like to thank him for his time.
The first issue of the series came in March 2020. And from page one, it seems to eerily foreshadow certainly pandemic-related global events. Were either of you prepared for how relevant it would almost immediately become?
Mike Deodato Jr.: I wasn’t! I had no idea JMS was not only one of the best writers around, but also a clairvoyant! Jokes aside, only a writer so in tune with the world could pull this off. Proof he was the right choice to create an entire new universe of super heroes for the new generation.
How long had you been working on the book beforehand?
MD: I started the book on May 28, 2019.
How much creative freedom did you have with the scripts? The panel work in the series is interesting. Images seem to overlap and spill out of the margins through each of the issues. Sometimes there are panel breaks between single splash images. Was that something that was scripted? Or was that a touch you added?
MD: Complete freedom as usual. I wouldn’t accept the job otherwise. I have been doing this for so long people know what they will get from me. And they know it’s gonna be good. The style you described I have been developing for some years. I think I started using it on the “Original Sin” event at Marvel but it has matured to its best form in The Resistance.
“The Resistance” was your first book with AWA Studios. And since then you’ve worked on multiple titles for the publisher. Stuff like “Bad Mother” and “Not All Robots.” What sets your first series apart from the other great work you’ve done with them since?
MD: The Resistance was the beginning of the entire AWA shared universe and it was such an honor to be chosen to be part of such a pivotal moment in comics history.
How has it been working with AWA creatively? Particularly as someone who has worked for almost every major publisher.
MD: I spent 24 years working at Marvel with Axel Alonso and now I am at AWA Studios working with… AXEL ALONSO! The only and mainly thing that changed is that I’m with a company that prioritizes the creator. At the big ones, I was working for them. At AWA Studios I feel like they work for me.
Any chance of you returning to “The Resistance” world for a new series in the future?
MD: That would be amazing, I truly hope so.
“The Resistance Universe: The Origins” is available now. It can be purchased in stores and on AWA Studios’s website. “The Resistance” #1-6 can be purchased there as well. Check out AWA Studios at AWAStudios.net, and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
