If you're a fan of the Johnny DC line at DC Comics, or just like to enjoy award-winning, fun all-ages comics, there's a good chance you're familiar with the writing team of Art Baltazar and Franco. These creators have enjoyed critical and fan acclaim for their work on the spectacular Tiny Titans and kicked off the recent Young Justice comic series. And now, they turn their sights to the Green Lantern Corps! Both Art Baltazar and Franco have taken the time to answer to discuss their all-new comic title Green Lantern: The Animated Series! Below, we hear from Franco... The World's Finest: Before we get going, care to provide us with a bit of background on yourself and your works? Franco: My Name is Franco and I write superly awesome comics with my awesomely super partner in crime Art Baltazar! We've worked on a whoooooooole bunch of stuff including Tiny Titans, Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam, Young Justice and now Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Franco: The book is in continuity of the show but it stands by itself. You can pick up each issue and read it cover to cover and you will understand everything that is going on. You don't need to watch the show or read the comic to enjoy the other but it sure is fun if you do! WF: Can you run us through how you set-up issue #0? Will readers need to have watched the one-hour pilot to get an understanding of this issue, or can anyone pick it up? Franco: We recap everything you'll need to know for the issue and it will be a stand alone. WF: Is it safe to assume that issue #1, coming next year, will hit the ground running? What are some of your plans for the comic series? Franco: If nothing else you need to know that Art and I are comics fans from way back. We are rooted in the Green Lantern lore being set forth in the series but we'll be bringing our own spin with new characters and stories but also reaching into the way back machine to pick out some cool things for those out there that are long time fans. WF: Dario Brizuela is providing the artwork for this series. How has the collaboration been with him so far on this book. What types of strength does he bring to the table and how does compare with the like of Mike Norton from your Young Justice run. Franco: We've been so blessed to work with top notch artist like Dario and Mike. They just make the story literally fly off the pages. As artist ourselves, we try to be sensitive to the strengths of the artist we are working with! As artist we know that all any artist wants to do is show the best of what they got... and these guys are bringing it! The pages from Dario are looking so awesome - wish I could share them with you guys! WF: When it comes to writing these tie-in comics, how ‘in the know’ are you with the storylines for the actual comics? How much free reign are you given when coming up with stories and events for these comics? Is there any worry they much collide with what is being done in the actual series? Franco: We've been given the run down on the entire first season and snippets of what is to come later. It's cool! We come up with the stories and run it by the powers that be and we've been given a clear flight path so far. There have been a few minor changes here and there but that is always expected, especially when you have to stay in line with what's going to be put out on TV. WF: Each project is different, but your assignments on Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series are somewhat similar (creating new stories for an animated series). How did writing for Young Justice prepare you for Green Lantern: The Animated Series? Franco: Both are different but both are fun. Young Justice you have quite a few characters that you're juggling in the air - we're talking the entire DC universe! With Green Lantern it's a core group of characters so it's a nice change of pace to focus on these 1, 2 or 4 characters at a time, plus it's in outer space! How cool is that? WF: And since I have to ask – Tiny Titans...you’ll be on that book forever right? Because that book needs to last forever. Any thoughts of ever trying to get it adapted for the small screen? Franco: You kidding me? I would love a cartoon series!! I love working on that book with Art! We've had a lot of fun with it and I think it's safe to say we'll be on that book fora little while longer at least! We ain't done telling funny picture stories of our favorite group on lil' Titans! WF: And, to wrap things up, can you tell us why we need to rush out on November 30th to pick up Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0? Franco: Aw yeah! You gotta go out and buy a whole bunch of copies and give em out to all your friends and family! It's all rip roaring adventure!
The special #0 preview issue of "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" debuts November 30th, 2011 from DC Comics. The comic title is then slated to return monthly beginning Early 2012! |
