Once upon a time, I stopped reading comics for an extended period of time (for a few years at least). I thought about picking books up often, but nothing I looked at seemed to hook me in the way the last book I completed before I dropped comics altogether did (that book was Preacher).
Then, I stopped by a shop and one of their employees suggested another Vertigo book: Y the Last Man.
That book from Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra ended up being one of my all-time favorite comics, and acted as the initial domino in getting me back into comics.
So when I say I’m excited to present an interview I recently did with Vaughan, my all-time favorite comic writer, you will realize it’s an absolute truth.
Today on Multiversity Comics Presents, I talk with the man known as BKV about his upcoming Image Comics book Saga with artist Fiona Staples, where he’s been the past few years, and I even slip in a question about the finale of Y the Last Man. While BKV can’t give us too many details about Saga (it wont be out until 2012), it’s still fantastic to talk with him. Thanks to Brian for chatting with us, and you can find this interview after the jump.
Up first, I have the question we’ve all been wondering: where in the world was Brian K. Vaughan these past few years?
Brian K. Vaughan: I’ve just been having weird little adventures and working to become a better writer. Also, I’ve watched an obscene amount of Venture Brothers.
When did the first inklings of the idea of SAGA first come to you?
BKV: I’ve had this universe in my head since I was a little kid, but I didn’t think I had a story to tell in it until I had kids of my own. I mapped out pretty much the entire story between the births of my two children.
In January, we had an interview with Eric Stephenson (Image’s publisher) in which we asked who would he want to work with if he could work with one person. His answer was a simple “Brian K. Vaughan.” Was SAGA already in the works back then? How did the decision to release this through Image come together?
BKV: Saga was definitely in the seedling stage back then, but I hadn’t started thinking about potential publishers yet, though Eric and Robert Kirkman had both been very inviting over the years. After I pitched the basic concept of the series to Fiona, I mentioned that I wanted to try something new, and she was really enthusiastic about doing this a little more independently. We worked up a quick proposal for the Image guys, and they greenlit it on impact. The whole experience has been great so far.
For those that do not know (and who apparently do not like press releases), what can you tell us about the concept of SAGA?
BKV: Well, the series isn’t launching until next year, so I’m hoping to keep as much of the story under wraps as possible. Sorry, I blame my time with Bad Robot! But I can say that Saga is a far-out sci-fi/fantasy about the all-too-real experience of starting a family in a time of never-ending war. And the artwork is breathtaking.
One of your strengths has always been your ability to ground fantastical concepts to real, human drama, in the way the best sci-fi always is. How did becoming a father influence this book, and how important is the idea of family going to be to the heart of the story?
BKV: Thanks. Fatherhood has had a huge impact on me as a human being and as a writer, but I also recognize that there’s nothing more boring than a creator writing about his or her stupid kids, so I’m trying to hide as much of my personal family drama as possible behind a fast-paced galactic adventure.
Continued belowYour two longest running creator-owned works – Y the Last Man and Ex-Machina – both had very human, very engaging leads in Yorick Brown and Mitchell Hundred. This might be too early, but you can tell us anything at all about the lead/leads of SAGA?
BKV: All I can say right now is that they’re not the kinds of protagonists you normally see in stories of this genre. And it’s the most fun I’ve had writing characters since Yorick and Agent 355.
We recently spoke with SAGA co-creator Fiona Staples about the book, and she told us the two of you met through her Mystery Society collaborator Steve Niles. What is it about her art that made her such a good fit for this book?
BKV: First of all, she’s obviously just an amazing artist. And I love that her style is totally unique. Saga is an intimate romance set against the backdrop of an epic war, and Fiona is amazing at capturing both elements. She even colors everything herself! I’m so fortunate to be working with her.
In terms of the development of the visual world of SAGA, how loose are you on the scripting in allowing Fiona to develop both the macro and micro scale look of the book? What kind of process did the two of you go through in developing that look?
BKV: I try to give Fiona very detailed descriptions, as well as the freedom to ignore/improve/reinvent anything and everything I write. She’s definitely earned that much trust. We’re usually on the same wavelength, but whenever she’s changed something, it’s always ended up turning into something I love. The universe has really evolved for the better since she came aboard, which is all you can ask from a co-creator.
You’ve said previously about this book that this will be the longest running book you’ve ever created. Do you have any expectations of length? What is it about the idea that makes you think you can run with it for so long?
BKV: I always wanted to create an ongoing comic with the scope of a novel like War and Peace. I can’t promise Saga will be that good, but it will definitely be at least that long. Stories about families usually are.
The first issue is being printed completely without ads, and from what I understand, you’re working with Image to do that with every issue. Is that going to be a reality? Why the decision to go that route, and how exactly are you pulling it off? I can only assume some sort of Jedi mind tricks are involved.
BKV: Ha, I don’t have anything against ads, especially when they’re ads for other cool comics at the end of an issue. I’m less crazy about randomly placed ads ruining the flow of a story in individual issues. It’s a small thing, but one of the many factors I think contributes to so many readers “waiting for the trade.” It’s very cool that Image will let us do whatever we think is best for the series, regardless of how it might impact our bottom line.
You’re a guy who has had opportunities to work in industries outside of comics, and you’ve been very successful in those ventures as well. What is it about comics that always has you coming back?
BKV: Because I love inventing stuff, and comics has always been the very best medium for creating new ideas. Film and tv are great, but working in both just makes me appreciate the freedom, speed and power of comics all the more. It’s in my blood. Like Lyme disease.
This is a time of cynicism in the world of comics. A lot of publishers are making drastic decisions and/or cutting of job and titles as a reflection of sales, and some creative decisions are seemingly being made to reflect the film versions of the same characters. For you, as both a fan and someone who works in the industry, what is your take on the health of the industry?
Continued belowBKV: Well, the health of the industry is pretty dire, but I think the medium is in the best shape of its young life. Times are gonna be hard, but great stories and creators and retailers will always endure.
What other projects are you currently working on?
BKV: I’ve been hard at work on some cool film and television projects, but nothing I can talk about just yet. This week, I’ve just been fleshing out the second arc of Saga. It’s a real luxury to be able to afford to give all of my attention to just one comic at a time.
The last question, and only because I cannot resist: did you always have the last page of Y the Last Man planned? And I think I speak for everyone at MC when I say “thank you” for that brilliant end.
BKV: Thank you! And yeah, I always had that final page planned, but I never dreamed it would look as gorgeous as Pia Guerra and the rest of the team made it. Saga will have a very different kind of ending, as our first issue will pretty clearly suggest, but I hope it will have just as much of an impact on you guys when it finally arrives.
