Beginning with Batman The Brave and The Bold #5, scheduled to hit comic shelves this week, writer J. Torres takes over as the new regular scribe to the popular comic series based on the animated series of the same name. The World’s Finest had the opportunity to talk to Torres about what can expect from his upcoming stint.
The World’s Finest: Even though we’ve interviewed you before, there’s still the off-chance this is someone’s first time reading about you. So, once again, care to quickly us in on your background?
J. Torres: I’m a comic book writer whose credits include Teen Titans Go!, Ninja Scroll, and Wonder Girl among others. I’ve dabbled a teeny bit in animation doing a little bit of writing for the Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Show and Edgar & Ellen. Plus, I wrote several webisodes for Degrassi: The Next Generation, both live action and animated ones relating to the graphic novels I also wrote for the show. I live just outside of Toronto with my wife and son, and my favorite color is blue.
WF: How did you end up with the Batman: The Brave and The Bold writing gig?
JT: I was originally supposed to help with a couple of fill-ins and I think the original writer, Matt Wayne, got too busy with his work in animation so I was kept on by then editor of the book Rachel Gluckstern.
WF: Can you tell us a little about the first issue of your run on the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series?
JT:I team Batman up with Captain Marvel and they go up against the Queen of Fables. She’s going around luring kids into her tower of terror because she needs to drink their tears to stay youthful. Captain Marvel then figures out a way to use his own youth, if you know what I mean, to help Batman save the day. The art by Carlo Barberi is beautiful. I’ve already called dibs on a few pages of original art.
WF: What do you hope to accomplish with this series as the new regular writer for the series?
JT: I’m trying to keep it in the same fun, action-packed spirit of the show, which I think is a blast. There’s so much there for us older fanboys, but there’s also a ton for kids and people new to comics to enjoy. Hopefully, the show’s fans will check out the comic book and think it compliments the show enough to make it a must read.
WF: Now, you’ve developed a fan-base for your acclaimed run on Teen Titans Go! and Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century. You tackled ongoing subplots and moved storylines from the respective animated series forward in the comic. Will we see this approach in Batman: The Brave and The Bold, or will we be seeing something different here?
JT: The new editor of the book, Mike Siglain, really wants to explore the relationships established on the show and even connect up to certain episodes, which I think is a cool idea. So, for example, one of the most recent plots I pitched has the “Fearsome Fangs” returning as well as Batman teaming up with Green Arrow again. The trio tries to acquire a weapon that they think will help them take over the Wudang Temple, as seen in their debut episode. In the issue, I also want to play with the friendly competition between Batman and Green Arrow as we’ve seen in a couple of episodes. The Batman/Aquaman dynamic is another one I love on the show, so chances are you’ll see Batman returning to Atlantis. I’m also itching to get my Plastic Man on!
WF: Like most of the animated comics nowadays, the artwork will be provided by different creators on an almost monthly basis. Can you drop a few hints as to who we can expect to grace the pages in the coming months?
JT: I’m guessing you’re pointing to J. Bone coming on board for an issue? That cat’s already out of the bag with the solicitation for #7, but in case you missed it, the Doom Patrol teams up with Batman in that. I just looked over the black and white lettered proof of the issue and let me tell you, it looks quite spiffy! J. Bone did a terrific job. We’re both such fans of the Doom Patrol and this incarnation of Batman that it was a fun, fun assignment.
WF: The Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated series has made a name for itself thanks to a seemingly unending horde of guest-stars. Who can we expect to see pop-up in the comics series when you take over the series, side from those you’ve already mentioned?
JT: Olympian, Hourman, and Haunted Tank appear in my first three openers. And I kind of “cheat” with Kid Eternity summoning people like Viking Prince, Vigilante, and Shining Knight in #6. And I think people will be surprised that three or four of the Great Ten appear in #8.
WF: So, as well slowly wrap this up, can you tell us why fans should pick up your debut issue of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, coming this week? Convince us!
JT: Shazam! Oh, and Gail Simone blessed it.
WF: Outside of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, care to tell us about any other upcoming projects you’d like to inform us on?
JT: I’ve got Avatar: The Last Airbender comics coming up in Nickelodeon Magazine. And if all goes according to plan, my new graphic novel Lola: A Ghost Story will debut this fall. Lastly, some of my older work just might appear on iTunes so keep an eye out…
The World’s Finest would like to thank J. Torres for his participation.
Batman: The Brave and The Bold #5, written by J. Torres with art by Carlo Barberi & Terry Beatty, hits shelves Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 (with a possible delay to May 28th, 2009 due to the Memorial Day weekend in some areas). More information and images on the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series can be found at the Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite here at The World’s Finest.
Stay tuned for further updates.
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