A year ago, Ray Fawkes was not the most likely guy to be writing three books for DC Comics. Best known for his dense and terrific graphic novel “One Soul,” it wasn’t clear how he would fit into the more streamlined, interconnected world of DC. However, we had no reason to doubt. His co-written “Justice League Dark” has been one of the great surprises of the past six months – Fawkes’s arrival brought a little more humor and edge to the book – and his “Constantine” has had the unenviable task of replacing “Hellblazer” on the shelves, but Fawkes has handled the transition well, simply telling good stories and not worrying about the public perceptiom.
And now, in July, “Trinity of Sin: Pandora” is launching, following the mysterious character introduced in “Flashpoint” #5 through her solo adventures, just as DC’s long-coming “Trinity War” starts in the Justice League books (and crossing over into both “Constantine” and “Trinity of Sin: Pandora”). We spoke to Fakwes about all three books.
Special thanks to Multiversity’s Vince Ostrowski and Zach Wilkerson for providing additional questions.
What has been the biggest difference, in your process, between your creator owned work and your work for DC? How did you come about this gig?
Ray Fawkes: The biggest difference, really, is in how much I discuss what I’m doing with other people. When I work on my creator-owned books, my experience is nearly that of isolation. I produce the work, and rarely talk about it until it’s done. Since work for hire is a collaborative process, the whole piece is talked over from concept to completion – sometimes I like that better, sometimes I think it’s worse.
I came about this gig the way almost everybody gets ahold of most of these gigs: I heard there was an opening, I threw my hat into the ring with a pitch, and I came up lucky.
You have become pretty firmly entrenched in the magical side of the DCU – is that where you feel most comfortable writing? Or is this simply happenstance?
RF: A little bit of both? I find the magical side of the DCU appealing in its philosophy – it’s the part of the universe where the mutilated freaks don’t necessarily go bad – they may actually be the heroes. No doubt my enthusiasm shows, and that may have something to do with the nature of the gigs I get into.
Pandora is a character that, though appearing in many books thus far in year 2 years or so as a character, is a mysterious one. How strong is the impulse to keep her shrouded in mystery as “Trinity of Sin: Pandora” begins?
RF: I’d rather not keep her shrouded in mystery, to tell the truth. Maybe that’s where someone else would go, but this is her story, and I want readers to know her. There are mysteries surrounding her and her circumstances, to be sure, but as a character, she is someone I’d hope readers could identify with. And that means spilling her secrets.
What is appealing to you about Pandora as a character? What sort of stories can we expect from the new books?
RF: Pandora is, to my mind, the protagonist of a high tragedy. I would hope that readers expect the kind of emotion and energy that truly tragic stories provide: passion, anger, violence, and a journey that is as difficult to watch as it is to look away from.
You are currently co-writing “Justice League Dark” with Jeff Lemire – what is that working relationship like? Is one of you more the plotter versus the scripter?
RF: On Justice League Dark, Jeff and I split the duties almost 50/50 – we discuss the plots together, and break them down into scenes that we write individually. We then go over each other’s work and ensure that everything dovetails together well, and that all of the characters’ voices are consistent throughout. Some characters, of course, fall completely within one or the others’ purview. Jeff is very protective of Frankenstein and all his dialog! I think I’m equally possessive of Madame Xanadu, when it gets down to it.
How did you and Jeff come to be working together?
RF: We live in the same town, and we’ve been friends for a long time – we used to see each other at conventions, hawking our self-published indy work. Jeff used to discuss his Justice League Dark plots with me all the time, and at one point he simply asked me to come on board and help him out. Of course I said yes!
Constantine is a character that has had many creators shape and reshape over time. How would you describe who your Constantine is?
RF: Under my watch, Constantine is a confidence man who must sit at the table to play with Gods. He didn’t choose to be where he is, and he believes he has no choice but to play for the highest stakes there are. He’s among the world’s greatest talents when it comes to quick wits and the ability to take advantage of opportunity – and there’s nothing he won’t do, no dirty trick he won’t stoop to, to win the day.
Does your approach to writing Constantine differ between “Justice League Dark” and his solo title?
RF: Yeah, absolutely. In Justice League Dark, John’s got a manipulator’s face on – not necessarily nefariously, but still, he does and says what he needs to to keep the team on target. That means that he might be a bit more gentle with people than normal, or might be a bit disingenuous with his behavior. In his own title, he’s generally more unfiltered and more direct.
Are there any specific DC characters you dream of getting your hands on?
RF: Yes! But I’ll say nothing here. I don’t want to jinx anything.
Is there pressure for the ‘New 52’ Constantine to be more valiant or less of an anti-hero than his previous incarnation?
RF: Absolutely not. John’s the guy who Gets Things Done – that doesn’t mean he has to be a good guy. There are plenty of books at DC starring straight-up heroes with refreshing smiles. John is down and dirty, and he’s always been that way. Nobody has ever suggested he should behave otherwise.
