The Defenders of the Earth are again in a brand new Flash Gordon collection by Dan DiDio and Jim Calafiore from Mad Cave Studios. Impressed by the basic cartoon collection, the comedian “is not only about superheroes; it’s concerning the human struggles and triumphs behind the masks—drawing inspiration from modern points and timeless themes, whereas tackling related subjects of gender, familial expectations, and the moral dilemmas of recent heroism.”
To rejoice the collection, Comics Beat caught up with Didio and Calfiore over e-mail. We requested all about their private histories with the property, about how this incarnation of the characters compares to these prior to now and about what readers can count on from the collection. Are you trying out Defenders of the Earth? Ensure and let The Beat know within the remark part.
AVERY KAPLAN: Are you able to inform us about any private historical past you will have with Defenders of the Earth and Flash Gordon?
DAN DIDIO: I’ve all the time been a fan of animation, so I used to be on this collection when it premiered, particularly because it got here from Marvel Studios and had Stan Lee listed as one of many story editors.
For Flash, I had watched among the outdated serials however was by no means an enormous fan. In all probability as a result of rising up in NYC, the papers there by no means carried Flash and even the Phantom or Mandrake, so I didn’t have that ongoing publicity to the character.
JIM CALAFIORE: Truthfully, none with DOE. I wasn’t conscious of the animated present (or Marvel’s collection), which is perhaps higher in a means. I’ve no preconceptions to limit me, aside from being true to the established designs, to which we’re conserving fairly shut.
After all, with Flash, I’m a giant fan of the unique strips and what Alex Raymond did. And the Phantom has been a part of the collective consciousness. Mandrake and Lothar had been unknown to me.
KAPLAN: How did you come to be concerned on this challenge?
DIDIO: I got here into this challenge somewhat accidentally. I ended by the Mad Cave sales space at SDCC to say hello to Mike Marts, and we received speaking. He put the Defenders of the Earth bug in my ear, and whereas strolling the ground of the present, I stored going again to talk to him as I labored by an idea for the collection. By the top of the day, I had a pitch he appreciated.
CALAFIORE: I’ve labored with Mike Marts (EIC) have labored collectively for a very long time, again to even earlier than EXILES at Marvel. We had been simply catching up on e-mail, and he stated he had one thing he thought I’d be proper for.
KAPLAN: Do you will have any private inventive routines or rituals?
DIDIO: Earlier than I sit down to put in writing, I wish to take a 4 to five mile morning stroll to work out my concepts. Then, after I sit down, I preserve a TV on with both Twilight Zone or Columbo taking part in within the background. I discover the dialogue and banter of these reveals stress-free and a bit inspiring.
CALAFIORE: For those who imply for work, I’m all routine; work the identical hours daily, often into the night time. Course of doesn’t change a lot. I attempt to work from web page 1 to web page 24 so as, and never do the “cool” web page first. They is perhaps extra thrilling to work on, but when I did them first, I’d be doing all of the non-action/speaking pages all collectively on the finish. That may be enervating.
KAPLAN: How have your skilled experiences outdoors of writing knowledgeable your work on this e book (if they’ve)?
DIDIO: I’m continually pulling inspiration from all the pieces round me, each private {and professional}. It helps me join with the characters and conditions, so irrespective of how incredible occasions in your story get, there’s something grounded and relatable.
KAPLAN: What goes into artistically balancing the human drama with the superhuman parts of this story? Does this come naturally, or do you method it with a private technique?
CALAFIORE: It’s all half and parcel, simply totally different emphasis. The motion/super-normal sequences are extra focused on the angles and dynamic fireworks, whereas the human moments are extra centered on subtlety; physique language and facial expressions. However it’s all simply storytelling.
KAPLAN: Are you able to inform us a bit concerning the generational theme of this comedian? Why was it vital to discover this theme and the way is it included within the e book?
DIDIO: The generational tales had been important to the animated collection, so it was vital to proceed them right here. Additionally, given the scale of the solid, it all the time for some nice emotional beats. Every household faces their very own challenges, as they’re all somewhat older and their relationships have modified.
KAPLAN: Are there any earlier incarnations of the characters that you’ve got discovered particularly influential in your interpretation? Are there another characters or tales that had been influential (together with any you labored on your self)?
CALAFIORE: It’s being devoted to the DOE designs (which is vital on any licensed gig). I typically don’t wish to equate characters with different characters in my head. If I say, this character is like so-and-so, then I’ve an opportunity of shedding the character’s uniqueness. For instance, it’s straightforward to say Phantom has a domino masks like another superhero, however he doesn’t. The design is a a lot narrower profile. That offers him a specific really feel and facial “temper” that I’d miss if I simply did a masks formed like, say, Robin’s.
KAPLAN: Why ought to followers be enthusiastic about this Defenders of the Earth story particularly? What does it convey to the desk that they haven’t seen earlier than?
DIDIO: For those who had been a fan of the collection, you’ll love this e book. It touches upon so many themes and characters that make the collection nice. And in case you’re a brand new reader, there’s no want to fret about not being conscious of what got here earlier than. There’s a transparent place to begin to the story, with enjoyable twists alongside the best way.
KAPLAN: Did any factor of your work on this challenge current a specific inventive problem for you? How did you navigate this, in that case?
CALAFIORE: As unexciting because it sounds, a gig’s a gig. Licensed properties have their logistical points, however nothing I haven’t handled earlier than. I simply do my greatest to get the author’s imaginative and prescient down on paper.
KAPLAN: Are you able to give readers a touch about what to anticipate from future problems with this eight-part collection?
DIDIO: The primary half of the collection, we take time to discover our 4 leads, whereas the primary risk stays hidden. We discover Flash overwhelmed making an attempt to assist Earth rebuild following the conflict with Mongo, The Phantom, is remoted and unable to return to his fatherland, whereas being judged by a ghostly tribunal generally known as the Council of Phantoms. Lothar is being pulled, reluctantly, again to the function of chieftain of the Seven Nations, over the objections of his ex-wife, the present Chieftain, and eventually, Mandrake has determined to return to the stage and take his present on the street, however its all a canopy his investigation into a brand new risk that’s emerged. There’s additionally a thriller across the demise, and obvious return of Dale Arden. So much is happening.
KAPLAN: Is there any particular side of your work on this title that you just hope will probably be appreciated by readers?
CALAFIORE: Simply that I present them an excellent time. We’re the hosts they usually’re our visitors.
KAPLAN: Is there anything you’d like me to incorporate?
DIDIO: We lined a bunch, so there’s not far more so as to add aside from that people ought to learn the e book. Hopefully, the enjoyable I’m having with the characters made it to the web page and made it an pleasant studying expertise.
CALAFIORE: You possibly can point out my creator-owned self- revealed e book NED, Lord of the Pit: quantity one obtainable; vol 2 about to go to the printers; each Kickstarted.
Study extra about Defenders of the Earth at Mad Cave’s web site.
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