Tuesday's Pete Woods interview was such a blast, I thought I'd give it another shot with superstar Sci-Fi writer and Dr. Who alumni, Paul Cornell, for today's monumental anniversary release. Cornell took over the Action Comics title, roughly a year ago, with issue #890. In the months since, he's crafted a diabolically intense Lex Luthor story. Some have even dubbed The Black Ring as the definitive Luthor tale.
Volume one of The Black Ring has even hit the #1 slot on the New York Times bestsellers list for hardcover graphic books.
So, you ready for the main event? Then, let's do it.
First of all, naturally, I really want to thank you for agreeing to this interview. It’s a big thrill for me, personally. Moreover, I know the readers of GeekDad will enjoy it.
1. Could you take a moment to tell us about your history with Superman's universe as not just a pro, but also as a fan?
I've got the same shared experience as the rest of the planet, knowing all about Superman and his supporting cast as a result of cultural osmosis. Names like Lois Lane entered the public consciousness because of those enormous radio audiences back in the day, and they've stuck.
2. What is it about Action Comics that brings back the same fans month after month and has captivated new readers for 900 issues?
I think various creative teams, and especially over the last couple of years my current editors, Matt and Wil, have kept the Superman universe remarkably coherent and exciting. It's clearly the same guy you saw in the movies, and they keep finding interesting new things to do with him.
3. Your run, in particular, has seen a lot of critical acclaim. What do you feel is the contributing factor for this reaction?
Lex Luthor is an incredibly intriguing personality in an age where personalities (rather than heroes) are the dominant mode on television. (Look at House or Stargate Universe.) I like to think I write mainly about character, and he has layers and layers of it.
4. For a while, now, DC Comics has been putting villains in the spotlight. Examples include Villains United, Salvation Run, Secret Six, the current Titans title and Final Crisis: The Rogues' Revenge. You have added an incredible cherry to the top of that mound, adding Luthor to such a prominent title as Action Comics. What does it take to pen a series with a bad guy lead?
Mainly that you put him up against things worse than himself, so it's not just about failure or cruelty every issue. You have to empathize with him, but I don't want to make the reader root for a bad guy going up against good guys.
5. As a new comic writer, myself, it floors me to see each new sketch page show up in my inbox. It has to be exponentially so for you, working with an incredible artists like Pete Woods?
Oh, it's my favorite thing. You just always see that the artist, Pete especially, has added so much to what you imagined the page would look like.
As with our Pete Woods' interview, I've pulled questions from various sources, including not just GeekDad.com, but also the Bendis Boards, Twitter and my own off-line friends, too. In one form or another, they pretty much ask what I wanted to, so I'm going to hand it off to the fans.
6. Nina asks, two of my favorites: "Did Lexcorp get a bailout?" and "Does Lex Luthor have a presidential library?"
Being from the UK, I'm not entirely sure what the first part of that means. And yes, I'm sure he does. Whether or not he ever bothers visiting something that would so remind him of failing, I don't know.
7. Mike writes, "What is it like to write a super-genius?"
It's the most fun, because you have to think about how hard it is to out-think him.
8. Jack Massard asks, "What would Lex's life be like if Superman never existed? What would Lois' be like?"
Lex would have found someone else to blame for him not getting everything he wanted, probably some other superhero. Lois would be exactly as she is now, I would think. She's her own person.
9. K-Dog7p7 wanted to know what it was like being able to play in Neil Gaiman territory?
He was wonderfully helpful and accommodating. I like to think we entertained him. He wrote a lot of Death's dialogue for both her appearances in Action.
10. The Beat of Yucca Flats asks if you have found any degree of difficulty in writing the actual Superman character since wrapping your Lex Luthor mega-arc?
Not really. I was kind of considering him from Lex's perspective all this time, so I've had a lot of time to think about it.
11. Pseudicide wants to know just how the writing process varies for you based on medium (comics vs. screenplay vs. book).
It's all about changing modes in one's head. It's hard to write comics and screenplay on the same day, because you have to make a very small change about whether the frames are caught mid-action or continuous.
12. Tobias M asks about the possibility of a spin-off series for Robot Lois.
Wouldn't that be great? If they ask me, I'd love to write it.
__13. Regarding your work on Knight and Squire, Duxdoom asks, "Do you ever have to change mindsets to write American characters instead of British characters?" __
Not at all. They're all people, after all.
I guess that's enough for one sitting, eh, Paul? Again, on behalf of all of us at GeekDad, thank you so much. We would love to have you back soon.
Thanks very much!
Previous posts in this series:
Part 1
Part 2: Why So Valuable?
Part 3: Retailers in Action
Part 4: 20 Questions With Artist Pete Woods
