Terminator/RoboCop - Kill Human

[Punisher Rising]

Article

The ultimate killing machine meets the future of law enforcement. In the Terminator's future all humanity must be wiped out, so when Robocop is woken from an enforced hibernation, Alex Murphy finds himself amongst the final hunted. But will his body side with Skynet? Or can man finally overcome machines? Rising star Rob Williams (Ghost Rider, Punisher Max: Get Castle) and P.J. Holden (Battlefields, Judge Dredd for 2000 AD), create the ultimate tale of life and death for humanity in Terminator/Robocop: Kill Human #1 this July from Dynamite Entertainment!

"I'm hugely excited to bring together two much loved Hollywood war machines in the ultimate mash-up of action sequences, satire and very heavy metal," says writer Rob Williams. "What makes for a stronger machine? The desire to uphold the law or the desire to wipe out humanity? We're going to find out!"

"As someone who grew up on a strict diet of 80s/90s machismo and robot laced action movies (not to mention the dark humour of 2000AD) - Robocop/Terminator is dream project for me," says artist P.J. Holden. "I've known Rob for years, and it's a real pleasure to finally work with him. I look forward to drawing many, many, things being blown up while I speak all the dialogue to myself in a faux Ahnuld accent (even the dialogue that isn't supposed to be)."

"We've been fans of Rob's writing for years, and he's proven himself with an excellent Robocop run for Dynamite," says Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "While we're saddened that he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, we're very happy for him and his success. It reinforces that we worked with such a great writer. But Rob has written one more excellent story for us, and we're sure that the fans will agree! And working with P.J., whose body of work says it all, is perfect to help ensure that this story sure to be a timeless tale."

"Rob and PJ bring a fresh, wonderful sensibility to both of these characters and each, in their own way, inject a serious amount of "soul" into these two machines and their worlds," says Dynamite Editor Joe Rybandt. "Well, that and all the guns and killing."

I look very forward to this, hope these comics don't disappoint and it leads to an ongoing RoboCop/Terminator series.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Bad-ass. I will be picking this up.

 

[Shockdingo]

Oooh, sounds interesting. I'm interested in seeing this tale get another go in this modern day.

 

[Punisher Rising]

It's awesome seeing another RoboCop and Terminator crossover series picking up. Hope this one lasts.

 

[Punisher Rising]

Interview with writer Rob Williams

(some possible plot spoilers in this interview)

Spoiler

CBR News: Rob, we've got two incredibly iconic robotic characters here. How do the two universes collide?

Rob Williams: We're going way into the Terminator future for this. When our story opens we're with the last couple of human beings left alive. They break into a Skynet facility and find Skynet's own A.I. museum, and one of the artifacts is... Robocop. In stasis. Switched off, effectively. He's woken to discover that everything he's ever known has disappeared. He has no clue how long he's been switched off. Then we add time travel to the mix (of course, it's a Terminator story) and send him back into the past to try and save the world.

With Robocop as half-human, half-man, how does his robotic side struggle with Skynet's destroy-all-humans edict?

That's the key conflict of the story. The title "Kill Human" is as much about Murphy's inner struggle to remain a man as it is all the gunplay and killer robots. He's been kept "alive" by Skynet as it sees him as a robot, pure and simple. He's not considered a threat. Murphy has to prove to himself as much as anything that he's still human.

You've been working on the "Robocop" ongoing for Dynamite -- how does this series link to the ongoing, if at all? Is Robocop stuck in the future for good, or is there a possibility he'll get to return to his time after this is over?

This isn't strongly linked to the continuity of the Dynamite "Robocop" series, but it's the same character, transported far into the future. This is very much a self-enclosed story. People will, hopefully, enjoy this if they've only seen the movies -- or even just the good Robocop and Terminator movies. It's two fan-favorite future sci-fi franchises going head-to-head.

Obviously, there are many different types of Terminators in Skynet's future -- which versions can readers expect to see Robocop come across?

NOT THE FEMALE ONE FROM "T3" WHO INFLATES HER BOOBS!!! Aside from that, you'll be seeing the future war against the machines and then, when we travel to the past, the Terminator and T1000 from "T2" both play a large role. As do John and Sarah Conner.

Robocop is awakened from enforced hibernation, so we know that he's squarely in the middle of Skynet's new regime -- but at what point? When in the Terminator timeline does this story take place?

I think this is probably as far into the future as we've seen with the Skynet history. Way further on than the actions of "Terminator: Salvation," certainly. When we open there are three human beings left alive. And then soon after there's two, and then there's one. And it's up to Robocop to "serve and protect."

By the same token, it's difficult to imagine a future ruled by machines without the leader of the human resistance, John Connor. What role, if any, does John Connor and the human resistance play in Robocop's journey to the future?

The resistance has been wiped out by the time our story starts, but John will play an important part in our story, as will Sarah. Robocop will basically insert himself into the plot of "T2" and then quickly take our narrative off in a completely new direction. He's seen how the world turns out, and it's very, very bad. He wants to create a new timeline. There's none of the the 'I don't dare change things in the past.' Humanity has nothing left to lose here.

"Kill Human" is a title that evokes a number of connections -- that of Robocop versus himself and Skynet versus the entire human race. How do you plan to explore these concepts in the book?

The book has to have an emotional core and journey. It can't just be robots shooting robots (although, hey, that's fun too). This is a story about Murphy. The struggle within himself. He has to choose a side. Now, that might seem an obvious decision to make -- humans or killer robots -- but we all change over time, and good intentions can sometimes lead to the worst actions. We'll see, by the end of our story, just how much Murphy has changed.

Why do you think the Terminator universe is a good fit for Robocop and the character as you've developed him in the ongoing series?

The Terminators are such a brilliant and simple core concept. Unstoppable killer robots that will never give up. Writers are always looking for ways to create drama in a story -- to create a credible threat and sense of danger. The Terminators automatically give that to a story. There's the fanboy aspect too of course - it's fun to have a Robocop/Terminator fight. But The Terminators are also a great comparison for Murphy to see that he's not like that. Compared to them, he's incredibly human.

How did you prepare to send Robocop into the Terminator universe? Did it involve a lot of research?

I rewatched "T2" for the first time in years. It's still a pretty great film -- apart from the "why do you cry?" bits, which are virtually unwatchable. But the "T2" chase and the visceral sense of danger that conveys? That's still hugely effective. And the T1000 remains an amazing movie moment. "T2" is still a real kick ass movie. I knew we'd be sending Robocop partially into the plot of "T2," so I wanted to get my reference right, but as I said earlier, we quickly go off on our own narrative. I watched "Terminator: Salvation" and "Terminator 3" too. They're... not so great, unfortunately.

Who do you think would win in a fight: Robocop or the original Terminator?

The original Terminator would kick Robocop's head in, I'm sure. But, as you'll find out in the series, Murphy has a few tricks up his robo sleeve.

Sounds very promising from what the writer described, can't wait to read this. It sounds like it could even be a good basis for an RVT movie, if it ever gets made at this point.

 

[Shockdingo]

Agreed, I like seeing things start off horrific. We've never really been thrown into the "holy crap, all hope is nearly lost." Plus, I always loved ol' Murphy, it'll be nice to get into his head on this AND see how this horrific reality affects him.

The Darkhorse books were really interesting with Murphy's thoughts especially towards the end with the temptation scenes; "we can give you your wife, remember the fullness of her breasts, her gentle touch, the smell of her hair! We can give you more, we can give you Ann Lewis, and all who you've ever cared about"

 

[Punisher Rising]

I find it particularly intriguing that,

Spoiler

a solid chunk of this storyline sounds like it'll occur during the events of T2. Should be interesting to see how T2-era Sarah and John interact with Murphy, especially if it's when Sarah was so initially distrusting of the T-800 at first. Makes you wonder how she'd feel about a half-human/half-machine automation.

 

[cthulhu]

Im looking forward to it but I dont think it will ever match the Miller/Simonson tale Dark Horse published almost 20 years ago. Hopefully it will be good as Im a big fan of both franchises but the original Robocop is still a personal fav. Any word if Dynamite are going to publish the original crossover as a TPB? tried to get this a few years ago and couldn't believe it was never actually collected properly

 

[Punisher Rising]

Not sure. I think Dark Horse released the original RVT series as a TPB but I'm not 100% certain if it was or not. It'd be nice if this comic spawned a whole new RoboCop/Terminator crossover series that's ongoing, just like the AVP comics. I enjoyed the original series and always wanted more.

It's doubtful an RVT film will ever be made at this point (so much time passed over the years for it to happen), but it'd be sweet if this comic generated interest in it happening. With a fifth Terminator in the talks to be made and the RoboCop remake/reboot seemingly on the backburner for now, it'd be nice for this comic to revive interest in both and possibly get interest in a film version finally getting produced.

 

[Anubis]

I gotta admit, the thought never occurred to me to put these two together, but now that I see this, I can't believe that the thought of putting these two together never occurred to me.

 

[Punisher Rising]

I played the old RVT Genesis game for the first time in years earlier. Still one of my favorite games. Would love to see a remake for the current generation of consoles.

 

[cthulhu]

PR: actually looks like the Robocop remake is going to happen http://www.comingsoon.net/imageGall..._Expo_1/Licensing_International_Expo_1_67.jpg
this is a bit of promo art from the recent expo which looks pretty sweet. I believe the director od Elite Squad is attached to direct so it looks like it could be interesting, a much better choice than aronofski. Anubus I actually had wanted these two to meet for about three years before the original series came out whan I was a kid. When the original series came out it really blew my mind being much better than I expected and it introduced me to Frank Miller and Walt Simonson! t: Also I did a little research into the Robocop/terminator tpb when I tried to get it: it was never properly released as a tpb. There was a previews exclusive copy which did collect the 4 individual comics together but it literally got the 4 comics cut the spines and bound them together covers, inserts, ads and all. Its pretty nasty, much better just getting the original comics. New TPB please!

 

[Punisher Rising]

It'd be nice for the original RVT series to get a proper TPB release, someday.

On the subject of the RoboCop remake, I'm not entirely against it happening, though I still cling to the small hope one day we can get a good RVT film made before either series gets rebooted. What an awesome swansong it'd be for an RVT movie to happen, and if this comic series could get interest in it happening, too.

 

[Punisher Rising]

Some new cover art:

 

[Jochimus]

Some new cover art:

This one seems kinda bland.

The improbability of Murphy, physically stilted as he is, being able to take a T-101 notwithstanding, I like this one.

This one's obviously an homage to a panel from the previous crossover.

 

[Punisher Rising]

I've never been a fan of the flight pack (although that probably has more to do with RoboCop 3 than anything, ugh), but it looks rather cool in the second cover there.

 

[Punisher Rising]

Issue 1 came out today and I picked it up and read it first thing as soon as I got home. Perhaps it's too early to judge now based solely on one issue (and a rather short one to boot), but so far it's promising.

Spoiler

Seeing ED-209 in action against the T-800s was definitely a cool action moment and I also enjoyed the implications that ED-209's technology was actually a precursor to some of the Terminators' technology, as was RoboCop himself being something of a blueprint for the creation of the Infiltrator series.

There are a couple of continuity errors, though,

Spoiler

Murphy's neural spike is for some reason now in his left hand rather than his right as in the films (although I guess he could easily have another spike in his other hand), and seeing as Murphy is part-organic, wouldn't his organic system decompose after being offline for so long? It isn't mentioned if he was cryogenically preserved.

All in all, not a bad first issue and am eager for the rest.

 

[Punisher Rising]

Cover artwork for Issue 4:

 

[Cobblepot]

Does Dynamite release any trades?

 

[Punisher Rising]

I think they do.

 

[Punisher Rising]

I got Issue 2 today and the story, despite not having the greatest artwork, is still keeping my interest.

Spoiler

Apparently, RoboCop has himself sent through time to the events of T2 when the T-800 with John and Sarah have raided Cyberdyne and it shows the T-1000 also making it to the scene. It ends with RoboCop taking down the T-800 with a virus attack and telling the Connors he's there to help them and to come with him if they want to live, and it ends there.

The issue is still too short, but nonetheless I am enjoying the storyline so far. There is one glaring goof, though,

Spoiler

How was RoboCop able to go through time without some sort of flesh covering? Only living tissue can pass through time and RoboCop is almost completely cybernetic from head to toe, so how he passes through easily is a mystery.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

I read issue 1 a few weeks ago and I hated it. Anybody else hated the first but kept on reading and eventually liked it?

 

[Punisher Rising]

I'm still reading it to see where the story goes. The artwork's not the best but I'm eager to see where the plot leads.

 

[cthulhu]

Meh its ok - I expected it to pale in comparison to the original and it certainly does in both story and art. But its not total poo. there are a bunch of issues I have with things in it like the time travel mentioned above but its interesting that it jumps into the events of T2 which is a nice idea. I think this is only 4 issues so not too much of an investment either.

Dynamite definatly release trades, I have several of them, really hope they realease the original after this story is done.

 

[Punisher Rising]

Issue 3 came out today and I got it. The comic is sadly going downhill.

Spoiler

Even if it isn't Murphy's mission to protect John Connor, there's just no way he'd be so callous and uncaring towards him. Saying his mission is to change the past and not protect John, that just made him seem so cold and uncaring, not like his character at all.

While the sequence with the ED-209s surrounding the helicopter the T-1000 is chasing Murphy and the Connors, and blowing the helicopter to bits, was kinda cool from a fanboy perspective, it just seems like silly overkill for there to be that many ED-209s and in such a convenient spot. Which brings me to Murphy apparently altering the past by... having Dick Jones' ED-209 deal be a success and then have Jones show at the right spot. WTF? Last I checked, Jones was a corrupt businessman with criminal ties, including Murphy's worst enemy in Clarence Boddicker, so why of all people would Murphy choose him?

Issue 4 has a LOT to make up for.