Binker
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Just because their island home of Themyscira disappeared during Infinite Crisis doesnt mean that you should count the Amazons out of the DC Universe. The race of warrior women come back with a vengeance in April in Amazons Attack, a six issue miniseries that re-teams former Catwoman collaborators Will Pfeifer and Pete Woods for a story that
lives up to its name.
Newsarama spoke with the writer for some more on the project.
So the Amazons will return.
Newsarama spoke with the writer for some more on the project.
Newsarama: The first time this title came up in conversation, it was due to be one of the miniseries leading into Infinite Crisis - were you on it then? Is this the same story?
Will Pfeifer: Thats a big no on both counts. I just came onto this project a few months ago, and as I understand it, pretty much the only thing it has in common with that original mini-series is the name. This is something new, created from the ground up.
NRAMA: So take us from the ground up - why are they attacking?
WP: Because theyre an ancient race of warrior women, of course! What else would you expect them to do? And lets face it, Amazons Attack is an amazingly alliterative title, isnt it? Joking aside, theyve got both good and bad reasons to attack. The good reason that its to avenge what they consider a horrible crime committed by the world of men. The bad reason is that, to a certain extent, theyre being manipulated into it. Someone saw the potential of all those incredible warriors living a peaceful existence for centuries, and decided they were the sort of weapon that could have a tremendous impact. My goal in this miniseries is, like most wars, to have the motivations be murky at best something that will come back to haunt all sides in the eventual conflict.
NRAMA: Er, yeah but one would assume that to "attack" the Amazons would have to return from...wherever they went during Infinite Crisis. Would one be assuming correctly if one were to assume such an assumption?
WP: One would indeed be correct. One would also be correct that Im not going to spill any more beans on that particular topic.
NRAMA: Fair enough. On another front - you can't talk about the Amazons in general without talking about the most familiar one, specifically - what role does Wonder Woman play in this? Is it connected to, say, her appearance in Manhunter? Her ongoing series?
WP: Wonder Woman, as you guessed, plays a central role in Amazons Attack. Its connected to both her appearances in Manhunter and whats going on in her regular series specifically, the issues Jodi Picoult is writing. Ive read several of Jodis scripts to make sure everything dovetails nicely between Amazons Attack and Wonder Woman and I have to say Wonder Woman readers are in for a real treat its a helluva fun read.
NRAMA: There've been a ton of "named" Amazons through the years - are we going to be seeing them again, or are you going to be puling up new ones from the ranks?
WP: There will be some name Amazons returning, but well focus on some of the foot soldiers, too. Im thinking of it sort of like HBOs Rome series - now on DVD and highly recommended by this guy, by the way. It focused on both the generals and politicians who controlled matters, as well as the soldiers and average troops being controlled. That sort of contrast in viewpoints makes for a compelling story, I think.
NRAMA: That said, will Artemis be playing a role?
WP: Sure. You couldnt have Amazons attack without their greatest military mind leading the way, could you?
NRAMA: Probably not. So tell us about Artemis - what's her role on the Island, as well as in the larger picture?
WP: Artemis is the head of the Amazonian military, but Im hoping to go beyond the usual cliché of the gung-ho soldier who has to be restrained by saner minds. Artemis is a military genius and is, in a large part, responsible for the initial attack being so devastating, but shes also a soldier at heart and values the lives of her troops. Shes not going to send them into a meat grinder for no good reason. Thats why, when some of the reasons behind the attack and the people behind those reasons become known, Artemis will make some surprising choices.
NRAMA: What's life like on the island since it up and disappeared?
WP: Things are very un-Paradise-like on Paradise Island. Troubles in the world of men are, for the first time in a long time, having a direct impact on the populace and, like I said, certain factions are using this to beat the war drums. We dont see much of life on the island in this mini-series were too busy with the attack but I can safely say this: Life after the attack on Themyscira is going to be very, very different than its ever been before. And not in a good way.
NRAMA: Back to the storyline as hinted at by the title - if the Amazons are attacking the US...isn't that going to be a quick battle? One nuke, and the series is over.
WP: Well, if an army attacked Washington D.C., do you really think theyd nuke the capital? The beginning of the war is swift and brutal, but the battles last longer than you might expect. And remember, in the DCU, there are other weapons besides nuclear ones that can be deployed. Weapons in capes and costumes.
NRAMA: Okay then how does the US see the Amazons? I would assume that, through 21st century eyes, they're almost alien...sexy aliens, but alien.
WP: First and foremost, theyre an invading army and something that needs to be dealt with swiftly and violently. The fact that theyre all warrior women who have a connection to Wonder Woman just makes everything a touch more surreal.
But mostly, theyre scary, deadly and dangerous. Think of the attack on Pearl Harbor and how it a) caught everyone by surprise andgalvanized America against a common enemy. Now imagine the same thing involving the Amazons. Thats the mood in America after the attack.
But hell, they are sexy. Scary, but sexy.
NRAMA: You mention Pearl Harbor, so overall the scope of the miniseries is this a sweeping war epic, or more of an espionage thing with more elements of modern-day war?
WP: There are elements of espionage specifically involving another group not affiliated with the Amazons doing some covert work but this is a full-scale, sweeping, scorched earth war epic. In the first issue, the Amazons lay waste to our nations capital. Epic enough?
NRAMA: Finally lets look at the large picture - how will this shakeup the DCU? The Amazons are not ones to be ignored, after all...
WP: No, theyre not, and Amazons Attack will have a big impact on the DCU, both on specific characters - including a certain well-known Amazon - and the mood in the country as a whole.
So the Amazons will return.
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