Tim Seeley, who is probably best known for his work on the hit Horror Book Hack/Slash, took time out to discuss his plans for his new title, Top Cow’s flagship “Witchblade” along with what he’s doing for Free Comic Book Day. If you like “Hack/Slash,” “Witchblade.” or supernatural themed book, or live in Chicago and want a neat event to go to on Free Comic Book Day, read on!
Before leaping on to the book, what was your history with the character of Sara Pezzini and what did you find most attractive about the character and her world?
Tim Seeley: I bought the first issue off the shelf. Hell, I bought the Shi/Cybalde x-over that debuted Sara off the shelf! I read the series off and on, until Ron’s run, which I followed monthly. So, I definitely have a history as a fan.
What drew me towards the book as a reader is that it’s a book about a female character that’s not afraid to show her as intelligent, competent, and sexy. That and the monsters.
How was it that you were recruited for the project? Was it something like with Bloodstrike where you pursued the opportunity?
TS: I’ve known the Top Cow guys through post-comic con boozings for a lot of years. When Ron was coming to the end of his run, I was asked to throw out some ideas as to what I would do with Sara if I were writing the series. I think Image Grand Poop Eric Stephenson may have recommended me for the job, I dunno. But, somehow they decided I was the right guy, with my years of writing ‘hot girls killing shit’ experience.
For those new to Sara Pezzini and the Witchblade, what’s the elevator pitch for your run and the character?
TS: My take is that Sara is a down on her luck, hardboiled PI, with a mystical artifact who keeps running into the dark, supernatural underbelly of Chicago. There’s a bunch of other stuff involving Sara’s connection to the larger Top Cow Universe, and Jackie Estacado (The Darkness) but that one-liner will give ya the basic gist!
In the short time you’ve been on the title, you’ve taken Sara in a radically different direction, going from an NYPD Cop to a Chicago Private Dick. How did you decide to take her in such a radically different direction, and what storytelling opportunities did it open up for you?
TS: Well, for one I felt like Ron had really done the police procedural angle quite well, and quite thoroughly. And, since going in, I knew that the end of Artifacts involved a drastic change in Sara’s life, it made sense to take her out of her comfort zone. Ron’s run was about building Sara towards a certain point in her life, and then undoing it. My Sara is picking up the pieces, and finding that they don’t go back together the way that they used to.
I live in Chicago, and came here as an outsider. I distinctly remember that learning curve of understanding this city, and I thought it’d be interesting to see Sara go through that as well, albeit from a different perspective.
Do you plan on bringing any of the characters from her NYC time into the equation, or are you planning on building up this new locale before doing so?
TS: Yeah, first it’s going to be about building our Chicago and Sara’s new cast. But, we’ve had Jackie Estacado in and out of the book already, and that will continue. The next arc has a major guest star from the Witchblade’s past. There’s a really rich mythology already laid down for me to play with, and if I’m not adding to it, or playing with it, I’m doin’ it wrong!
You have significant history with a different supernatural, female led title in your very own Hack/Slash. How do you feel the adventures of Cassie Hack have prepared you for the decidedly different story of Sara Pezzini?
TS: Hack/Slash was born out of my love for b-movies and slasher flicks, but while writing it, I researched so much other horror stuff, and that’s really helped with my Witchblade. And, I mean, people have been telling me what they like, and don’t like about the way I write female characters for the past eight years, so I think I have a pretty good handle on it now.
Continued below“Witchblade” has the feel of a noir-classic, albeit with a supernatural edge. It’s very hard-nosed and gritty. What influences did you look for when crafting this story, both in comics and in other mediums like film or television?
TS: The vibe is very much an extrapolation of the absolute masters of crime noir. I read a bunch of Raymond Chandler and Elmore Leonard before I started the book. And I watched a big pile of noir DVDS…’Touch of Evil,’ ‘Maltese Falcon.’ My hope was that I’d come out with something new, but ultimately familiar. I’m not great at completely creating a new genre, but I think I’m pretty good at picking up on the biggest themes and ideas of a genre and reconfiguring them a bit.
What do you feel is Sara’s most central defining attribute?
TS: To Sara there’s no such things as shades of grey. She always knows good from bad, and she never doubts it. It makes her a great person to wield the Witchblade, which in the hands of others could be used for selfish gains. She’s a “rock.”
You’re following Ron Marz and his very successful and lengthy run on the title. Did you talk out the new direction you planned on taking the book with him?
TS: A little. We have monthly Top Cow calls where we all talk about our plans. Mostly my point man was Editor Supreme, Filip Sablik. But Ron has been really cool about it, and very supportive which is so cool.
There were quite a few new characters you introduced during this arc, including a ridiculously awesome biker gang witch coven. What else do you have planned for Sara’s rogues gallery, and what could possibly top a biker gang witch coven?
TS: The main adversary in issues 157 and 158 is an evil hobbit arms dealer. And the villain in 159 is pure evil concentrated into the form of a cute hipster girl. Does that top Biker Witches?
I’d say so! Free Comic Book Day should be a big day for you, with Bloodstrike already in stores, Revival launching in Image’s FCBD offering and Witchblade appearing in the Top Cow FCBD book. How do you plan on celebrating Free Comic book Day?
TS: I’m signing at my buddy Pat’s store, CHALLENGERS in Chicago! I’m actually excited to get to stay in my own town for FCBD.
What can longtime fans expect from Sara and company in the future?
TS: A lot of fun, a lot of drama, a little bit of dark, and at least a dash of sexy. I want people to be surprised, and I want them talking!
If you live in the Chicago area, stop by Challengers Comics on Free Comic Book Day and say hi! Check challengerscomics.com for more information. Thanks to Tim and Top Cow for taking the time out to chat about “Witchblade!”
Free Comic Book Day returns to Challengers and it’s bringing with it TIM SEELEY (writer of the Witchblade free comic and contributor to the Image free comic), CHRIS MITTEN (artist of the Bad Medicine free comic) and MIKE NORTON (contributor to the Image free comic)! If three talented creators signing and sketching isn’t enough for you, we’ll also have THOUSANDS of free comics to give away from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Archaia, IDW and more! Free Comic Book Day at Challengers is an all-day celebration of comics, starting at 11am, so bring family, friends, foes, fans and Fantomex: everyone gets free comics!
Challengers Comics
1845 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
