Binker
Superhero
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Source: http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000332767.cfm
Palmiotti is becoming the man of summer.
In June, two “Superman Returns” prequel books scripted by Palmiotti and Justin Gray will debut. In July, Palmiotti and Gray get patriotic and introduce Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters. In August, Palmiotti and Gray resurrect Heroes for Hire in the midst of Civil War and drop Wolverine and Black Cat on an island in Claws.
Palmiotti found some spare time in the midst of working on his summer projects to fill us in on the details.
WIZARD: You’re working on two of the “Superman Returns” prequel comics, correct?
PALMIOTTI: Yeah, we’re doing the “Origin of Superman,” which starts from Krypton to Earth and the Lex Luthor book.
WIZARD: Did you work closely with Bryan Singer and the screenwriters on these?
PALMIOTTI: Well Justin and I, we worked via e-mail and telephone conversations since we’re not in Los Angeles. We went back and forth until we got the book pretty much where everybody was happy. It’s not like we all sat in a room and palled around but we definitely all spoke and got the book where DC and everybody involved was happy with it.
WIZARD: What kind of challenges did you face scripting these books since you couldn’t meet face to face with anyone?
PALMIOTTI: It wasn’t too hard. It’s writing and it’s not a visual thing. The only challenge was the page count and getting the story in the page count. Justin and I had a lot more aggressive ideas than what was presented. We wanted to get into the life in Krypton and that kind of stuff, but because of time restraints and because we were following the film, things that we wanted to do had to be pushed aside a little bit to make sure that everything was covered.
It’s like any project. We had our editor keeping us all involved with what’s going on and pretty much we go from there. I wish I could say it was a great free for all and we all sat around, got drunk and put it together and had a great time. Basically it was a gig. A fun gig, but it was a gig nonetheless.
WIZARD: How closely are these books tied in with the film?
PALMIOTTI: The first one, “The Origin of Superman,” is tied in with the original film more than the new one. It definitely presents what happened in Krypton and Superman’s parents and how the planet explodes and they send their only son to Earth.
The Lex Luthor book is tied in with the movie. We introduce Luthor, some past stuff that happens with Luthor and Superman, and pretty much how he gets out of prison.
WIZARD: So are these books going to help bridge the gap between the old movies and the new one?
PALMIOTTI: I think they help the gap. Your imagination is totally going to bridge the gap. The movie does a good job with it and the books don’t hurt.
WIZARD: From what you picked up about the movie while working on the comics, how excited should fans be about “Superman Returns?”
PALMIOTTI: They should be totally freaking out and getting in line this week for it. From what I’ve seen, it looks great. From what I’ve read, it reads terrific. It’s going to be a really fun movie. It’s going to be one of the bigger movies this summer.
WIZARD: If the film ends up getting sequels, would you like to work on comics based on those in the future?
PALMIOTTI: Yeah. Doing original work based on the films would be great. Obviously we’re not doing adaptations, but in a way it is. I’d be interested in taking some of the storylines and going to the left or going to the right with it. Trying to introduce something new. I think so much has been done over and over again that people who buy comics already know the story backwards. So these stories were made for people who have never read comics. Would I be interested? Yeah, if it’s a good concept or a good idea. Totally. But I’m not waiting for it.
WIZARD: So if you’re already familiar with the Superman comics, is there anything in these comics that will enhance your viewing experience with the film?
PALMIOTTI: No. The film stands alone. I think the Krypton one gives you some background and the Luthor one covers some of what’s in the movie and kind of fills some gaps that are in there. I don’t think you have to run out there and get these to appreciate the movie. If you’re a fan of the movie you’re going to want to get them to see what else is going on. I think if you see the film, the film stands alone pretty well.
WIZARD: So is there any chance of seeing a Richard Pryor or Nuclear Man cameo in these comics?
PALMIOTTI: Absolutely not. Doesn’t exist. You’re the only who would miss it. [Laughs].
The movie is based on films 1 and 2 and I think it was a smart decision. The third and fourth one, me personally, I’d never watch them again. They were one time viewing, pretty much like all the Batman movies except for the new one. Even the Tim Burton ones I wasn’t crazy about. The first one was fun but the second one was like an hour too long for me. I think the better superhero movies are ones you can watch over and over and “Superman” 1 and 2 are both really fun movies. Watching the third and fourth over and over again, you’ve really got to love it. [Laughs]
Palmiotti is becoming the man of summer.
In June, two “Superman Returns” prequel books scripted by Palmiotti and Justin Gray will debut. In July, Palmiotti and Gray get patriotic and introduce Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters. In August, Palmiotti and Gray resurrect Heroes for Hire in the midst of Civil War and drop Wolverine and Black Cat on an island in Claws.
Palmiotti found some spare time in the midst of working on his summer projects to fill us in on the details.
WIZARD: You’re working on two of the “Superman Returns” prequel comics, correct?
PALMIOTTI: Yeah, we’re doing the “Origin of Superman,” which starts from Krypton to Earth and the Lex Luthor book.
WIZARD: Did you work closely with Bryan Singer and the screenwriters on these?
PALMIOTTI: Well Justin and I, we worked via e-mail and telephone conversations since we’re not in Los Angeles. We went back and forth until we got the book pretty much where everybody was happy. It’s not like we all sat in a room and palled around but we definitely all spoke and got the book where DC and everybody involved was happy with it.
WIZARD: What kind of challenges did you face scripting these books since you couldn’t meet face to face with anyone?
PALMIOTTI: It wasn’t too hard. It’s writing and it’s not a visual thing. The only challenge was the page count and getting the story in the page count. Justin and I had a lot more aggressive ideas than what was presented. We wanted to get into the life in Krypton and that kind of stuff, but because of time restraints and because we were following the film, things that we wanted to do had to be pushed aside a little bit to make sure that everything was covered.
It’s like any project. We had our editor keeping us all involved with what’s going on and pretty much we go from there. I wish I could say it was a great free for all and we all sat around, got drunk and put it together and had a great time. Basically it was a gig. A fun gig, but it was a gig nonetheless.
WIZARD: How closely are these books tied in with the film?
PALMIOTTI: The first one, “The Origin of Superman,” is tied in with the original film more than the new one. It definitely presents what happened in Krypton and Superman’s parents and how the planet explodes and they send their only son to Earth.
The Lex Luthor book is tied in with the movie. We introduce Luthor, some past stuff that happens with Luthor and Superman, and pretty much how he gets out of prison.
WIZARD: So are these books going to help bridge the gap between the old movies and the new one?
PALMIOTTI: I think they help the gap. Your imagination is totally going to bridge the gap. The movie does a good job with it and the books don’t hurt.
WIZARD: From what you picked up about the movie while working on the comics, how excited should fans be about “Superman Returns?”
PALMIOTTI: They should be totally freaking out and getting in line this week for it. From what I’ve seen, it looks great. From what I’ve read, it reads terrific. It’s going to be a really fun movie. It’s going to be one of the bigger movies this summer.
WIZARD: If the film ends up getting sequels, would you like to work on comics based on those in the future?
PALMIOTTI: Yeah. Doing original work based on the films would be great. Obviously we’re not doing adaptations, but in a way it is. I’d be interested in taking some of the storylines and going to the left or going to the right with it. Trying to introduce something new. I think so much has been done over and over again that people who buy comics already know the story backwards. So these stories were made for people who have never read comics. Would I be interested? Yeah, if it’s a good concept or a good idea. Totally. But I’m not waiting for it.
WIZARD: So if you’re already familiar with the Superman comics, is there anything in these comics that will enhance your viewing experience with the film?
PALMIOTTI: No. The film stands alone. I think the Krypton one gives you some background and the Luthor one covers some of what’s in the movie and kind of fills some gaps that are in there. I don’t think you have to run out there and get these to appreciate the movie. If you’re a fan of the movie you’re going to want to get them to see what else is going on. I think if you see the film, the film stands alone pretty well.
WIZARD: So is there any chance of seeing a Richard Pryor or Nuclear Man cameo in these comics?
PALMIOTTI: Absolutely not. Doesn’t exist. You’re the only who would miss it. [Laughs].
The movie is based on films 1 and 2 and I think it was a smart decision. The third and fourth one, me personally, I’d never watch them again. They were one time viewing, pretty much like all the Batman movies except for the new one. Even the Tim Burton ones I wasn’t crazy about. The first one was fun but the second one was like an hour too long for me. I think the better superhero movies are ones you can watch over and over and “Superman” 1 and 2 are both really fun movies. Watching the third and fourth over and over again, you’ve really got to love it. [Laughs]
