WINICK PULLS A CAPER

[MattBrady]

With his Blood + Water just wrapped, Judd Winick is moving on to his next non-spandex project for DC in October, the 12 issue crime series, Caper, which tells three different stories and spans over 100 years. Newsarama caught up with Winick for the lowdown.

“Caper is a 12-issue creator owned maxi series that follows a thin familial line over three time periods,” Winick said. “These are three separate stories, four issues a piece, each set in a different time period and each revolving around a particular crime oriented adventure.”

All three stories, according to Winick have been inspired, in one way or another, by real events, although the line connecting all three is his creation. Each story will have a different artist, starting with Farel (Pop Gun War) Dalrymple on the first, John Severin on the second, and Tom Fowler on the third. Winick broke down the stories for each.

“The first arc, ‘Market Street,’ takes place in turn of the century San Francisco, and was inspired by Murder Incorporated - the Jewish mob,” Winick explained. “I've always found it fascinating. Jews aren't necessarily thought of as gangsters and I felt it could make a good story. I put it in San Francisco because the history is so rich and the characters are just amazing. Many of the characters in ‘Market Street’ are historical, as are some of the events – it’s a blend of fact and fiction.

“Specifically, this story is about two brothers, Izzy and Jacob Weiss, both hitmen who turn on their mob boss who raised them like sons. They're going to try and kill him, but no one can know about it. With Farel's art, it looks amazing.”

Winick moves the series’ focus to Hollywood for the second arc, entitled ‘Hollywood Treatment,’ which is set in the ‘70s. “In this story, we meet a Hollywood attorney,” Winick said. “If an actor gets busted for a fight, drugs, or some scandal, she's the lawyer who'll get you off - the attorney to the stars. Her best friends are Hollywood's most celebrated couple. He's the most popular actor on the planet, and she's probably the most successful actress. Then one of them turns up dead. The other looks guilty. Guess who is defending the accused? It's the crime of the century and the whole world is watching.

“This one spins out of my fascination with the Fatty Arbuckle scandal,” Winick continued. “He was one of the biggest silent film star in the world, was tried for rape and murder, was acquitted but his whole life was ruined. The whole case and everyone involved lived in the press. This story plays on that.”

The final story of the series is entitled “On Ice,” but it’s not about the Ice Capades. “It's set in
modern day San Francisco,” Winick said. “This one is a comedy - the tale of two idiots. One delivers organs for transplant, the other is his moron buddy who comes along for the ride. On a delivery when they're supposed to be dropping off a pair of eyes, they find that they've got a severed hand instead. Then a whole bunch of people try to kill them.”

As Winick has drawn on personal experience for his other stories, he does the same for “On Ice.” “This story was born out the life of a buddy of mine who delivered eyes for transplant,” Winick explained. “He really did it. Okay, he never found a hand, but that's where the idea came from.”

Okay – the stories are one thing, but the artists? Falrymple, Severin and Fowler are no slouches. “They got phones, we got phones, we gave each of them a shot,” Winick said when asked how he was teamed with each. “I wanted a distinct look for each arc and these guys all render in
unique ways. We batted around a bunch or artist, each time we wanted an artist who best matched the time period and the tone. Farel's stuff just screamed to be a period piece from the 1900's.That and should have Tom Waits music playing under it at all times. Daryl is going to be a star. I'm glad I was blessed with his work.

“Severin can do it all. But I grew up reading him in the 1970's and it just felt right to me to have the living legend drawing it. I still can't believe he's on board, and as I write it, I still get goose flesh thinking, ‘ Severin is gonna draw this...’

”And Fowler is hilarious. I wish I could draw like Tom, I truly do. He's master craftsman who can also deliver the funny. That’s hard. The facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission. This is the first of many projects I hope to do with Tom.”

The series is edited by Bob Schreck.

”This could easily turn out to be some of the best work I've ever done,” Winick said. “I was taken aback at the reaction from DC - very surprised and enthusiastic. I should have realized that none of them have seen me do this sort of storytelling. I love crime, I love foul language, and I love a
good mystery. It's a strong set of characters and I'm loving it. The team of artists are so different and all powerhouses.

”I hope folks dig it.”

[emblem]

as an Israeli I found the cover image very offensive,
I know you try to provoke to get free publicity,
but it's just tasteless, and unjustified. there are other ways to sell an "artsy" comic.

you should think twice before you put one's national symbol in a pool of blood. I don't have to remind you about the "extra" connections and reference you're making.

[MattBrady]

I can't say I didn't expect that post, and not saying there's anything wrong about it, but here it is:

The appropriateness/inappropriateness, as well as the effects and/or necessity of basing a set of stories on Jewish criminals can be discussed.

Anti-Semitic posts, hate-mongering, and attempting to derail this thread into a political forum will not be tolerated. Please keep the discussion on topic, which is Caper, and keep the tone of the posts civil - leave the ad hominem for Springer and other messageboards.

MattB

[emblem]

I didn't even comment on the synopsis, or the connection made 'tween criminals based on their race/religion/origin.

I can deal with stories about criminals of any race/religion.
but comics is a visual medium, and there are other, wiser visual options to deliver the basic idea.

since the stories (as I understand) DON'T have political aspect, and are not trying to be some kind of a weird protest, than this provocative (and overused) image is uncalled for.

[TazMan]

I think the cover’s says it all! U can’t create such a provocative cover without thinking people won’t respond to it. It’s the cover that caught my eye, and without reading the story synopsis I’m not going to buy it!

[Barry]

Originally posted by emblem
as an Israeli I found the cover image very offensive,
I know you try to provoke to get free publicity,
but it's just tasteless, and unjustified. there are other ways to sell an "artsy" comic.

you should think twice before you put one's national symbol in a pool of blood. I don't have to remind you about the "extra" connections and reference you're making.

I'm a Jew as well (I assume you are). I have no problem with the cover image. In fact, this series has become a must-buy for me just from reading the first few paragraphs and viewing the image.

As you well know, our history has been anybut but peaceful and in the early part of the 20th century Jewish gangs and violence were a big part of our history. I hope that this series, like so many other novels and movies, tells a compelling and historically accurate tale.

[tralfaz]

Ive noticed the the two posters that find the cover OFFENSIVE are newbies, interesting...

as for the comic, sounds like an interesting crime comic because I acctually READ the article before passing judgement.

[Matches Malone]

I think I'll be picking this up; it looks interesting. The cover really doesn't have anything to do with my decision, but I don't see anything wrong with it. Is the use of a religious symbol in a gory context really all that novel? They've used crosses and satanic symbols and the like in comics for decades.

[batlash]

Hmmmmm.... sounds like Mr. Winnik saw Once Upon a Time in America too.

Actually, this sounds like a great series. I'll definitely buy it. And for what it's worth, I love the cover.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Well, I'm not a newbie and I find the cover offensive. Far too many times in our history has the Star of David been bathed in blood for no other reason than for hatred and prejudice. Granted, this is not what the story is about, but for someone who is not Jewish to be offended, I simply cannot imagine how those who are Jewish feel.... While this may or may not be an excellent story (yep, it sure does sound like a very near copy, or homage if you will, of Once Upon a Time in America), that cover image needs to be changed. It's completely inappropriate compared to the story that's been described in the article.

[L'Zoril]

Originally posted by tralfaz
[b]Ive noticed the the two posters that find the cover OFFENSIVE are newbies, interesting...

Yes.. that is interesting... Maybe these folks are unaware that in the comics medium this kind of stuff happens frequently. I've seen worse happen. What I can say is that you have to wait and read the comic book first. It's got an interesting pov. Read it and then say whatever you want about it. Don't analyze just the cover.

[tralfaz]

I would like to pose a question.

If the symbol were a Nazi symbol would you see the cover as a man killed by Nazis? Would you have found the cover just as offensive?

[L'Zoril]

Originally posted by tralfaz
I would like to pose a question.

If the symbol were a Nazi symbol would you see the cover as a man killed by Nazis? Would you have found the cover just as offensive?

I imagine if I were a Nazi I wouldn't find it offensive. I would find it utterly disrespectful.

[aphterburn]

I honestly don't understand how people can take offense to that image after reading the article. It's IN CONTEXT!! People keep saying that they should "find another way." Why? It's an intense image, fitting with the book. I'm a Christian, and if this book was about a murderous church sect, then I'd have no problem with seeing a bloody cross. I'm also black, but if the book was about the KKK, I wouldn't be surprised nor shocked to see a lynching either. Context, folks.

[L'Zoril]

Originally posted by aphterburn
I honestly don't understand how people can take offense to that image after reading the article. It's IN CONTEXT!! People keep saying that they should "find another way." Why? It's an intense image, fitting with the book. I'm a Christian, and if this book was about a murderous church sect, then I'd have no problem with seeing a bloody cross. I'm also black, but if the book was about the KKK, I wouldn't be surprised nor shocked to see a lynching either. Context, folks.

A KKK murder sect book with a bloody cross in the cover. Sounds like a job for Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon if you ask me.

[qnetter]

Originally posted by Kevin T. Brown
Well, I'm not a newbie and I find the cover offensive. Far too many times in our history has the Star of David been bathed in blood for no other reason than for hatred and prejudice. Granted, this is not what the story is about, but for someone who is not Jewish to be offended, I simply cannot imagine how those who are Jewish feel.... While this may or may not be an excellent story (yep, it sure does sound like a very near copy, or homage if you will, of Once Upon a Time in America), that cover image needs to be changed. It's completely inappropriate compared to the story that's been described in the article.

Well, I'm Jewish, and I'm not offended -- far from it.

The history of the Jewish gangster in America (and the Jewish "freedom fighter"/"terrorist" in pre-Israel Palestine) is something most people, certainly most Americans, and interestingly enough most Jews know little to nothing about.

My dad went to school with the Jewish gangsters of Murder, Incorporated; they tried so hard to get him and his buddies under their fists that he quit school in 10th grade and started working construction just to get away, and the decision haunted him and kept him underachieving and in the throes of low self-esteem and depression all his life.

The modern history of violent Jews is a double-edged sword: nobody wants to be associated with groups like Murder Incorporated or the Stern Gang (the Jewish terrorists who blew up British-owned properties and murdered British and Arab citizens in pre-Israel Palestine, but were swept under the rug when the UN came into the picture). However, they also go a long way toward breaking down the stereotypes of the wimpy, weak and ineffectual Jew.

I'd suggest anyone vaguely interested in the issue read Rich Cohen's wonderful TOUGH JEWS: FATHERS, SONS AND GANGSTER DREAMS. It follows four young men in the situation my dad was, around the edges of the Jewish gangs. (One of the four, by the way, was Larry Zeigler, who you know better as Larry King.)

This cover clearly communicates to me that it's a story about Jews and violent death. It's a strong statement and it does its job.

[TVerBeek]

A few comments:
- Unless I've been repeatedly misinformed, Judd Winick is Jewish. So is Paul Levitz, the guy at the top of the DC pecking order. Any perception of anti-semitism in this image is certainly unintended.
- Calling the 6-pointed Shield of David a "national symbol" is missing the point, I think. Outside of the Middle East it's perceived as a religious or ethnic symbol, so if you feel a need to attack its use, it should be in that context.
- This image reminded me of the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, whose flag features a blood-red Shield of David on a white background. My immediate thought was, "Yeah, this guy needs medical attention."
- After "reading" the cover for a few seconds, it says two things to me: "murder" and "Jew". That seems a fairly good fit to a story about Jewish murderers. If they were hitmen who just happened to be Jewish, or Jews who just happened to have killed someone, it'd be different, but for members of the Jewish mob - which to me is one of the more interesting aspects of the story - spotlighting both factors seems appropriate.
- It's not immediately obvious from the image whether it's the killer or the victim who's Jewish. That kind of ambiguity is routinely used to pique the potential reader's curiosity. People who lack that curiosity or who react before it can kick in are probably not the audience of this series.
- If you replace this cover with something more banal, people will still find reasons to object to the portrayal inside, of Jews as killers.

[Nick Wyche]

...are the most miserable people in the world.

In this day and age the proclivity for people to take something personal and muster a case of outrage has gotten ridiculous. Some people are so thin-skinned that they go around looking for something to get upset over or they are so immature as to believe they have a [i] right[/i} to not be offended.
Given that the creator is jewish and that they whole point of the story is to explore the history of Jews in organized crime, the image is absolutely appropriate.

[Elayne Riggs]

Originally posted by MattBrady
“The first arc, ‘Market Street,’ takes place in turn of the century San Francisco, and was inspired by Murder Incorporated - the Jewish mob,” Winick explained. “I've always found it fascinating. Jews aren't necessarily thought of as gangsters...”

Except for, you know, that whole Meyer Lansky deal, and Bugsy Siegel and that little piece of worthless land out in the desert, what was it called again?... Las something...

- Elayne

[MicroZone]

Originally posted by Nick Wyche
...are the most miserable people in the world.

So... you're offended because people are offended.

Originally posted by Nick Wyche
...In this day and age the proclivity for people to take something personal and muster a case of outrage has gotten ridiculous. Some people are so thin-skinned that they go around looking for something to get upset over or they are so immature as to believe they have a [i] right[/i} to not be offended.
Given that the creator is jewish and that they whole point of the story is to explore the history of Jews in organized crime, the image is absolutely appropriate.

I actually agree that sometimes people in this culture want to be viewed as a "victim" instead of just ignoring something that is ultimately very easy to ignore. And trust me, unless you're going to the movies it's real easy to ignore comic books these days.

OTOH, this cover is of questionable taste no matter the racial make-up of the creators. It's like a black man saying the "n" word in entertainment, you know someone's going to be offended by it and someone else is going to excuse it. Ultimately, it's just an easy way to get people talking about your product.

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Nick Wyche
...are the most miserable people in the world.

If you're going to riff Striesand, (a first on these boards) at least get the wording right...

MattB

[Poops McGee]

Speaking of Capers, Snatch was a great movie, and it even had Jewish people in it, too, they should make a Snatch comic.

and i don't find the cover image offensive, either.

[Poops McGee]

Originally posted by TVerBeek
- It's not immediately obvious from the image whether it's the killer or the victim who's Jewish.

yeah it is, he has the hat thing going on back there.

[damienhuxley]

As another Israeli, I must say that I really can't find anything offensive in the cover. It's actually quite amusing and effective. It takes a RELIGIOUS symbol (the fact that our country decided to make it a national one might point out some of the disturbing aspects of the Israeli state), and distorts it in order to make a statement, which is in my opinion one of the best uses of symbols.

The series looks pretty good, and though I haven't followed any of Winnick's mainstream works, I'm considering picking it up.

Emblem shows a tendency many Israelis (and jewish people in general) have, which is to take themselves too seriously. You can call that anti-semitic, but I doubt it is, when it's coming from a JEW.

LIGHTEN UP.

[Barry]

Originally posted by Elayne Riggs
Except for, you know, that whole Meyer Lansky deal, and Bugsy Siegel and that little piece of worthless land out in the desert, what was it called again?... Las something...

- Elayne

Except that's not the current stereotype that is currently attributed to Jews. Instead of the gangster or sweatshop worker, we're now thought of as nebbishy Doctors, Laywers, Accountants, etc., more along the lines of Woody Allen than Lepke Buchalter or Meyer Lansky.