Come April, all of us will have the powers once only granted to those like Booster Gold and Rip Hunter: we will all be time travelers. “Convergence,” DC’s two month event, features books set in various eras of the past, including Brian’s personal sweet spot, the “Zero Hour” era.
Brian and Alice got to chat briefly with Fabian Nicieza and Karl Moline, the creative team behind “Convergence: Superboy” about the book, and a bit about that era in comics.
As we saw on the cover by Babs Tarr, it looks like you’re bringing back the 90’s version of Superboy for this story, a version of the character who hasn’t been seen in a while. Is this a grown up version of the Superboy we saw in the 90’s or that very same Superboy frozen in time?
Fabian Nicieza: Without giving too much away from the main Convergence story, this is Superboy circa the Karl Kesel/Tom Grummett era, about a year older, but maybe no more the wiser.
Karl Moline: We were trying to recreate a faithful version of the character as he existed at that point in time. Of course it is a different time now, and by our very nature, our version of that Kon-el is going through a filter of sorts. But I know my memories of him were the main ingredient for the fuel of the final version.
With Superboy, or, more specifically, the Metropolis Kid as he was called at the time, being a staple of 90’s comics and this issue’s solicitation mentioning the “Zero Hour” event, what was it like almost travelling back in time through DC Comics history for this story?
FN: It was one of the main reasons I was so excited about the assignment! At the time the original Superboy series came out, I was working exclusively at Marvel, but I read plenty of DC books that I enjoyed a lot, and the Karl/Tom Superboy was at the top of the list!
Getting to write the character has been a lot of fun, especially considering his situation in the Convergence world brings out all the best — and worst — aspects of his personality. His cockiness and insecurities are at full display in our story.
KM: I thought it was a lot of fun to go back and actually work with the versions of characters that I came up reading. A unique opportunity, and a heavy responsibility considering the respect I had for the source material.
The solicit mentions an appearance by the Superman of Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ “Kingdom Come,” and “Convergence” seems to be priding itself on smashing different eras and universes of DC comics together. Will we be seeing other characters from different universes and timelines show up?
FN: The Convergence series are predicated on the continuity mash-up you mentioned generating interesting character conflicts. In our case, to defend his home, the Kingdom Come JLA has to combat Superboy.
The core conflict for our hero is a simple one — and an impossible one for him — what if in order to win the war, it’s best that he lose the battle?
Karl – you came up as an artist after this era had, more or less, morphed into something else. When prepping the issue, was it easy to fall into the style of the time, or was it tough to stay in that mindset?
KM: I think I knew from the beginning that it would look different than that great Grummett work. After all, it’s coming out of my own minds eye. Grummett’s work rolls around back there mixed up with Alex Ross and everyone else that’s been an influence on me. I certainly looked at plenty of his work in the beginning of this, but I never wanted to copy him, stylisticly.
Will this story tie in to any of the other events happening in “Convergence,” or are you looking to keep it more stand alone?
Continued belowFN: All of the Convergence series are completely stand alone with some ties sprinkled throughout to the core series.
KM: 8. These stories all tie together ultimately, but our story is stand alone within that framework. It has a complete story. A compelling, fun ride if I do say so myself. I was very lucky to work with Fabian.
Fabian – you are known for working with some of the most iconic characters of the early to mid 90’s – what was the atmosphere around comics like at that time?
FN: I’ve also worked on iconic characters in the 80s, 00’s and now 10’s, but the time period you’re referring to was special for me. The atmosphere at Marvel (where I worked on staff as well as writing for them), was an energizing combination of perpetual creative turmoil and escalating success.
Yes, it was a bit of a runaway train, but I enjoyed the ride!
How does writing this Superboy story now differ from how you were writing comics then?
FN: I think comics are driven a lot more by dialogue and visual pacing now then they were 20 years ago. The pacing of stories is incredibly different, much more measured (or drawn out for some critics), where less happens in any given single issue, but where the characters have become more contemplative about their situations.
IMO, this has led to better dialogue and characterization, but worse depiction of action.
Part of the fun of the Convergence series is that they are only 2 issues long, which means we have to pick up the pace while still providing plenty of character conflict, too!
Given carte blanche, which character from this period would you have liked to sneak a guest appearance by into the miniseries?
FN: In this Superboy series, I got to write Kon-El, Dubbilex, and the incredible Kingdom Come characters. That was more than enough to keep me happy!
KM: I’m with Fabian on this. I couldn’t have asked for a more incredible lineup of iconic and interesting characters to draw! That being said… the Blue Beetle!
“Convergence: Superboy” #1 is out on April 15.
