this Earth Defender back to new flash gordon series by And Didio and Jim Calafiore From Crazy Cave Studios. Inspired by the classic cartoon series, the comic “is more than just about superheroes; it’s about the human struggles and triumphs behind the masks – drawing inspiration from contemporary issues and timeless themes while addressing gender, family expectations and modern heroes The moral dilemma of ism and other related topics.
To celebrate the launch of the series, Comics Beat interviewed Didio and Calfiore via email. We asked about their personal history with the property, how this incarnation of the character compares to past ones, and what readers can expect from the series. Do you want to check out? Earth Defender? Be sure to let The Beat know in the comments section.
Avery Kaplan: Can you tell us your personal history? Earth Defender and flash gordon?
and audio: I’ve always been an animation fan, so I was interested in this series when it premiered, especially since it was from Marvel Studios and had Stan Lee Listed as one of the story editors.
As for Flash, I’ve watched some of the old series but was never a big fan. Maybe it’s because I grew up in New York where the newspapers never covered The Flash, or even the Phantom or Mandrake, so I didn’t have sustained exposure to the character.
Jim Calafiore: To be honest, there isn’t one U.S. Department of Energy. I don’t know about animated shows (or Marvel series), which might be better in some way. I didn’t have any preconceptions limiting me other than staying true to the established design that we were always very close to.
Of course, with Flash, I’m a big fan of the original comic strip, what else? Alex Raymond Did. The apparition has become part of the collective consciousness. I don’t know Mandrake or Lothar.
KAPLAN: How did you get involved in this project?
God: I came into this project somewhat by accident. I stopped by the Mad Cave booth at SDCC to say hi Mike Matzwe started talking. he did Earth Defender I had bugs in my ears and as I was walking around the show floor I kept going back and talking to him while I was working on the concept for the series. By the end of the day, I had a proposal that he liked.
Calafiore: I’ve been working with Mike Marts (EIC) for a long time, even going back Exiles In Marvel. We just connected via email and he said he had a few things he thought I would be suitable for.
KAPLAN: Do you have any personal creative routines or rituals?
God: Before I sit down to write, I like to take a 4 to 5 mile walk in the morning to clear my mind. Then when I sit down I turn on the TV twilight zone or colombo Playing in the background. I find the dialogue and banter in these shows to be relaxing and somewhat inspiring.
Calafiore: If you’re there for work, I’m pretty average; working the same time every day, often late into the night. The process hasn’t changed much. I try to go from page 1 to page 24 in order, rather than doing the “cool” pages first. They might be more exciting, but if I do them first, I’ll end up doing all the non-action/talk pages together. This can be exhausting.
Kaplan: How, if at all, did your professional experiences outside of writing influence your work on this book?
God: I am constantly inspired by everything around me, both personally and professionally. It helps me connect with characters and settings, so no matter how exciting the events in your story are, there’s always something grounded and relatable.
Kaplan: How did you artistically balance the human drama with the superhuman elements of this story? Did it come naturally, or did you achieve it through personal strategy?
Calafiore: They are all important parts, but the emphasis is different. Action/paranormal sequences are more about angles and dynamic pyrotechnics, while character moments are more about subtlety; body language and facial expressions. But it’s all just stories.
Kaplan: Can you tell us a little bit about the generational themes of this comic? Why is it important to explore this topic?
God: Generational stories are crucial to the animated series, so it’s important to continue them here. Plus, given the size of the cast, it always needed some great emotional beats. Each family faces its own challenges as they all grow older and their relationships change.
Kaplan: Do you think previous incarnations of these characters had a particular influence on your interpretations? Are there any other influential characters or stories (including ones you created yourself)?
Calafiore: This is loyalty to U.S. Department of Energy Design (this is important for any licensed show). I generally don’t like to equate characters with other characters in my head. If I say, this character is like so-and-so, then I risk losing the uniqueness of the character. For example, it would be easy to say that the Phantom has a domino mask like other superheroes, but he doesn’t. The design has a much narrower profile. This gives him a special feel and “emotion” to his face that I would miss if I just made a mask like Robin’s.
Kaplan: Why fans should be excited about this Earth Defender Especially stories? What does it bring to the table that they’ve never seen before?
God: If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll love this book. It touches on so many themes and characters that make this series great. If you’re a new reader, you don’t need to worry about not knowing what came before. The story has a clear starting point and is full of interesting twists and turns along the way.
KAPLAN: Did any elements of your work on this project present special creative challenges for you? If so, how did you cope?
Calafiore: As mundane as it sounds, a show is a show. Getting a licensed property has its logistical issues, but I haven’t dealt with that before. I just try my best to put the author’s vision on paper.
Kaplan: Can you give readers a heads up on what you can expect from future installments of this eight-part series?
God: In the first half of the series, we spend time exploring our four leads while the main threat remains hidden. We find that after the war with Mongo, the Flash tried to help the Earth rebuild, but he was overwhelmed, while the Phantom was left alone, unable to return to his homeland, while being tried by a ghostly court called the Phantom Council. Lothar was reluctantly pulled back into the role of Chief of the Seven Kingdoms, despite the objections of his ex-wife and current chief. In the end, Mandela decided to return to the stage and continue his performance, but all this was to cover up his disapproval of what had emerged. Investigation of new threats. There’s also a mystery surrounding Dale Arden’s death and apparent return. There’s a lot going on.
Kaplan: Are there any specific aspects of your work on this book that you hope readers will appreciate?
Calafiore: It’s just me letting them have fun. We are the hosts and they are our guests.
Kaplan: Is there anything else you want me to add?
God: We’ve covered a lot, so there’s not much to add except that people should read the book. Hopefully the fun I have with the characters will show on the page and make it an enjoyable reading experience.
Calafiore: You can mention my creator-owned self-published books NED, Lord of the Abyss: Volume 1 available; Volume 2 to be printed soon; both launched.
Learn more about Earth Defender On the Mad Cave website.
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