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Radiation Interrogation: Jonathan Hickman
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Location: Blogs Atomic FalloutRadiation Interrogation |
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| Posted by: Atomic Online |
Friday, July 11, 2008 9:40 AM |
Questions submitted by Andrew Heinrich
by Kristy Wise
 Red Mass For Mars, a new mini from Jonathan Hickman, (with pens by Ryan Bodenheim) tells us about a world that has survived every end-of-days catastrophe imaginable. When a new threat arises from beyond the stars, the one man who could save everyone, won't. Red Mass is a story about the death of Utopia, the final days of Earth, and the end of humanity.
Hickman, creator of Nightly News, was eagar enough to take some time aside from working on his many projects to answer a few questions about his influences, hopes and beliefs, and how these ideals dominate the stories he loves to weave.
With Red Mass for Mars, you are taking your first foray into the superhero genre with Image, (or maybe not, we'll see how Transhuman turns out!), what made you want to write a superhero mini?
I’m just trying as much stuff as possible. I grew up reading those books – hell, I’m working on those books – so it was just something I wanted to do. Very happy with how it’s turning out. Lucky to be working with Bodenheim.
Tell us more about your work with Top Cow on The Core. What’s it about?
It’s a bit of sci-fi as commentary on the continual warlike nature of the Middle East. It’s also got a smidge of a special forces, adventure of the week, feel to it. I’m very happy with The Core, the artist, Kenneth Rocafort, has done an amazing job with the visuals.
What was your main influence that led to the creation of Pax Romana?
I simply wanted to do a time-travel science fiction story that had a centuries long look at how things would change from the insertion point. The influence for it is pretty blatantly DUNE.
I’ve noticed that in the character of General Chase, you have created an altruistic but a supremely rational hero. Does he believe that man creates his own path rather than a predestined order? Do you?
I think the General is just trying to do the right thing – to be a good man. As for me, I don’t actually believe that time is linear, that’s just how we perceive it – I don’t believe that there’s a difference between personal choice and fate (or destiny). I believe in both.
How did you get hooked up with Jim Ringnuet for Transhuman?
Internet, everything is the Internet now-a-days
Is the future/past interbreeding going to be a factor?
Absolutely.
Did you get a lot of flack from the press after Nightly News was published?
None. I’m pretty sure that a direct result of the numbers on the book – I was pretty under the radar at that point.
Where do you derive your inspiration from most?
Uhhh… I have no idea. Most of what motivates me is that I just want to tell cool stories that I would want to read myself. Pretty much everything I’ve got going on most the time is internal. Pretty sure that means I’m selfish.
What is your religious and educational background?
I was raised Protestant, but that’s kind of morphed into this kind of anti-religious, pro-spiritual, even keel, pro-cursing, disengaged Zen thing. I graduated from Clemson University.
What would you want your readers to take away from your elaborate tales?
That I’m trying hard. That I won’t phone it in. That they will get their money’s worth.
What kind of future do you hope for with the way the world is going?
I know it seems silly to a lot of people, but I think everything is going to be fine – Humanity’s going to be okay – we’re survivors, explorers and creators. Personally, I’m just concentrating on trying to be a good husband and father.
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