THE ART OF WAR: PETE WOODS ON AMAZONS ATTACK

[MattBrady]

by Matt Brady & Chris Arrant

Spinning out of the events of Infinite Crisis, 52 and Wonder Woman, the six issue miniseries Amazons Attack! promises to deliver epic scale battles as the Amazons return with a score to settle with the U.S. Government.

After they left the DC Universe during the events of Infinite Crisis, the Amazons return and mount a major strike against the U.S. government for attacks previously made on Themyscira and the illegal prison detainment of Wonder Woman by the Department of Metahuman Affairs.

As we've seen from the preview pages Included following the interview), the Amazons' ability to "get their war on" is immense. Large groups of Amazon warriors in full battle garb, astride such mythological creatures as Chimeras and winged horses as well as several giant Cyclops. Lead by the Amazon Artemis, this marks the first time that the Amazons have launched a full military campaign in their full military uniforms.

We talked with writer Will Pfeifer previously, and now we turn to artist Pete Woods whose artistic abilities are tested on an epic scale with the Lord of the Rings style battles.

Newsarama: What got you on to this project in the first place? Were you looking to round out your time on the three icons of the DC trinity?

Pete Woods: I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't occurred to me.? I'd done a year on Detective Comics and then the Up, Up, and Away story arc on the Superman books. Rounding out things with a shot at the Wonder Woman corner of the DCU certainly had it's appeal. That being said- I didn't go looking for this project, it came to me. I was just coming off the Back in Action arc on Action Comics when Matt Idelson asked me if I'd be interested in the project. He told me a bit about it's history and what the story was going to be about and it sounded exciting. I like stories to have repercussions on the character and the universe they inhabit and this story has repercussions in spades.



NRAMA: Did you realize the scope of it when it was pitched to you, and/or when you signed on. After all, the spread that appeared in Previews looks rather...Lord of the Rings-esque...like something that could drive an artist insane. In terms of cast size, I'm guessing this it he biggest one you've tackled so far?

PW: After hearing the initial pitch it was pretty obvious to me that this story would be heavy on crowded wide shots. We've got the Amazonian army versus the US military and then throw in just about every character in the DCU. Yeah, lots of detail intensive work- but very fun!

I'm glad you said "Lord of the Rings-esque" because that is the kind of feel we're going for. This thing is massive.

NRAMA: This is also a re-teaming with you and Will Pfeifer. Are the two of you familiar enough with one another now that there's a deeper communication there, or on something like this, which is so different for both of you, do you need to re-learn each other's likes and dislikes from the ground up?

PW: The great thing about working with Will is that he really knows what he's doing. Will has a very strong sense of visual storytelling. When I get a script from him I know all the beats are in the right place. He's not going to throw too much in one panel or give me 8 pages of talking heads when he can cover the same ground in 2. I also know that he's comfortable with any minor tweaks that I may feel are necessary. It's a good working relationship- that kind of rapport is valuable.

NRAMA: Let's talk basic stuff here - before you put pencil to the first page, there was the design work. What did that consist of? How much did you produce in regards to the "world" the Amazons live in?

PW: Most of the Amazonian world has been established, so that part was easy. Also, Terry Dodson has done much of the individual character design work. Most of what I designed is military equipment and the mythological creatures that show up in the story. I also sketched a few of the major cast members just so I could get a feel for what they looked like before I got started.

NRAMA: What references did you pull from? Actual images of the Amazons in armor or more have been here and there, scattered throughout Wonder Woman's history, but it looks like you had to draw designs for the full rank and file...

PW: When doing research I was frustrated by the fact that I couldn't find a definitive look for the armor other than it being vaguely Greek. Every artist had a different take on the Amazonian military. What I decided to do was try to come up with a definitive look- something that could be used to keep things consistent. DC never asked me to do it, I did it for my own sanity!

NRAMA: Did you break down the armor according to rank/class? What were some of the subtle and not so subtle differences you put in between the different versions?

PW: I did break things down by rank. I did a little research on the ancient Greek military (and I'm sure I got quite a bit wrong so I apologize in advance). I started from the premise that Wonder Woman wears a sort of ceremonial costume, almost like a dress uniform. Her uniform is a stylistic representation of the actual uniforms worn by the Amazonian military.

Working backwards from that premise I incorporated several of Wonder Woman's costume elements into the standard Amazonian uniform. I most common element is the "WW" breastplate and the stars on the lower portion of the costume. As you proceed up the ranks the Wonder Woman colors (red, blue, gold, and white) become incorporated into the design.

NRAMA: Speaking to the larger world of the Amazons, Paradise Island disappeared in the middle of Infinite Crisis. Now, obviously, it's back, but it's also got a fair share of mythological beasties. Were these guys always there, or did they pick up some travelers?

PW: My assumption was that these creatures had always existed somewhere in the world. That said, it is perfectly reasonable that the Amazons picked them up during their absence from Earth. In the end I suppose it'll be decided by whoever wants to tell that story.

NRAMA: As for the beasties - again, what references were you pulling from? Are these guys recognizable form myth, or are they unique to this world?

PW: All the creatures that appear are from Greek mythology. In issue one alone we've got Chimera, Hydra, Cyclopses, and Pegasi (Pegasuses? What's the plural of Pegasus?)? As I continue to do research I'll throw more critters in there...

NRAMA: Likewise, the machinery and weapons. These clearly aren't "generic gun a" pointed at "unnamed bad guy b" here...did you bust open the references on them as well? Learn any weird facts?

PW: In discussions with the editorial team it was decided that the Amazons stick with traditional weaponry- swords, spears, bow and arrow, etc. It's not that they won't or can't use modern weaponry- they just prefer not to. I'm not sure if it's true or not, but it's been my belief that the Amazons had a little mystic/magical boost to their already fantastic warrior skills.

NRAMA: In all of this research, are you someone who's able to do just enough and get to the work, or can the research almost become a handicap for you, in that you want to drill down further into the information and get more and more detail?

PW:There is a member of our studio, Paul Guinan, who is an avid history buff. I've always had a great respect for his ability to gather information and make things as accurate as possible. Gathering reference and doing research has always been a problem for me. I never spend as much time as I would like to- usually because by the time I'm ready to do the research I really need to get working on the actual pages. That's is the nature of working on a project with a schedule. Often times I'm designing and researching things as I'm putting them on the page.

NRAMA: Character-wise, did you find yourself gravitating toward anyone in particular? How did you approach Wonder Woman? After all, she's almost the prototypical "many things to many people" in that everyone sees something a little different in her...

PW: There's such a HUGE cast of characters in this book it's hard to pick out one I like more than another. I think in the end Sarge Steel will be the most fun for me to draw. There's another character in the story that I'm having a lot of fun with, but I can't say who as yet...

Working on the "Big Guns" of the DCU can always be intimidating. Wonder Woman is especially challenging because so much of who she is and what she represents is told in her face rather that a cowl like Batman or the big chin and spit-curl of Supes. No matter what Wonder Woman must always look dignified and strong. What I hope is that if I approach the character with respect then that will come through the art.

NRAMA: Going back to the Previews spread with the amassing army - how long did it take you to draw that? Any idea how many soldiers are in there? Is that the only one like that, or is Will giving you more?

PW: That spread took about a day and a half. I have no idea how many Amazons there are in there- anyone want to count?

The very nature of this story demands that we have a lot of wide shots with thousands of soldiers fighting each other. In other words, yes- many, many panels with a whole lot of people! Too bad I don't get paid by the figure...

NRAMA: Career-wise, where does this fit in? Do you see this as a step up from Up, Up and Away, or a lateral one...a resume-builder that will speak for you to future editors?

PW: I try not to think about things that way. No matter what I'm doing I try to bring my best to the table. In the end I'm not trying to impress any editors or make a name for myself- I want the work to be as good as it can be. It's the readers who are shelling out the three buck a copy that I need to worry about, not my resume or an editor I have yet to meet. That said this project in a great opportunity and it's definitely pushed me to do better. It's incredible to be involved in.

NRAMA: End of the day, what do you want people to remember about this project, at least on the art side of things?

That it didn't suck!

Seriously though, as long as the artwork tells the story and engages readers I'll be happy. If some people find it pretty or inspiring- well that's a great bonus!

Amazons Attack #1 (of 6) is written by Will Pfeifer with art by Pete Woods, and is scheduled to be released on April 25 in comic stories. For more information on Pete Woods' work, visit his website at www.velvettiki.com.

[KyleCowstar]

Woods is an awesome artist.

[dkc_2001]

Absolutely beautiful. A must pull!

[sweetmisery]

Its good. Silent War(Inhumans) in Marvel. Amazons in DC... all against the US government.

[Hokeyboy]

Thats some groin-grabbingly great art!

[loupgaroukid]

Wow...just...wow.
This is the look of an artist as he enters the top echelon.
That chimera looks awesome btw, wonder if it has a cowardly alter-ego...

[ichorskeeter]

This looks AWESOME!

[ednorris]

I love you DC comics.....SOOOOOOOOOO much

[bcondray]

beautiful...


I'm even more stoked about this now....

[KoozyK]

this looks very promising. but didn't we already see those preview pages?

regardless, i can't wait for this.

[5-0]

I'm usually pretty set in what I'm going to pick up from the time I first hear about it. That said, this art preview has made me want to get this. I love the overall cohesion that the DCU has right now,and this looks far better than I thought.

[BanMan]

Ok. If I do get this book, it would be because of the art.

[michaelman9]

Pete Woods sure has stepped up his game. I never really noticed him until the Up, Up and Away superman story, and he has really impressed me!

[vfxdammerung]

There are three artists that stand out to me that frequently employ the "horizontal composition" of the panels (i.e., an entire page filled with panels that span the entire width of the page, panels that are much wider than they are tall)--Steve McNiven, Al Barrionuevo, and Pete Woods. Pete Woods' take is my favorite amongst them. Though not as detailed as McNiven, there's something about his clean linework (even more clean and simpler than McNiven) that just makes it easier on the eyes, and just easier to follow storywise. Excellent art all around.

[Aaron]

I'm not as impressed as everyone else with the art, but it's not the worst I've ever seen. I'll check the mini out regardless.

One thing that always cracks me up about those Amazons, though... no matter how many times they've been slaughtered en masse, I mean where we're told hundreds and hundreds of them died, etc, they always seem to come back with more than they started... with no obvious means of reproduction.

[Kolimar]

Good interview. Absolutely cool designs. Woods is a great artist and he's really firing on all cylinders.

[BanMan]

Originally Posted by Aaron

One thing that always cracks me up about those Amazons, though... no matter how many times they've been slaughtered en masse, I mean where we're told hundreds and hundreds of them died, etc, they always seem to come back with more than they started... with no obvious means of reproduction.

They probably took a page from ol' Tony Stark.

[Akcoll99]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I'm not as impressed as everyone else with the art, but it's not the worst I've ever seen. I'll check the mini out regardless.

One thing that always cracks me up about those Amazons, though... no matter how many times they've been slaughtered en masse, I mean where we're told hundreds and hundreds of them died, etc, they always seem to come back with more than they started... with no obvious means of reproduction.

Asexual reproduction. They bud and sprout like potatoes.

[Stressfactor]

Okay, this image

You might think this is Diana, right? Take a closer look at the name blurred out at the top. Too many letters for Diana and if you look close you can see what appears to a 'y' in the name as well.

Hmmm..... WHO COULD IT BE?

[Not From Around]

While the title seems to make sense in terms of the story, it sounds unfortunately like a 1950s or 1960s exploitation flick.

[The Entropy]

Originally Posted by loupgaroukid

That chimera looks awesome btw, wonder if it has a cowardly alter-ego...

I doubt. That is AMAZONS Attack, not HE-MAN Attack ...

[venus_redsca]

I want to see the Amazons get schooled, but for some reason I don't think it will happen.

[SHIM'TAR]

Originally Posted by Stressfactor

Okay, this image

You might think this is Diana, right? Take a closer look at the name blurred out at the top. Too many letters for Diana and if you look close you can see what appears to a 'y' in the name as well.

Hmmm..... WHO COULD IT BE?

It does look like a certain Queen of the Amazons back from the dead. Awesome!
I can't wait for this to hit the shelves.

[leahcim]

WOO WOO! I hope Etta Candy is in this. I wish Diana's mum was blonde like in pre crisis times.I totally agree about the fuzzy lettering, lame spoiler for sure.

[HourmanLives]

It wasn't long ago that Pete Woods had a more cartoony style on Robin, and I realise now how much he's improved since then. His art ROCKS!

I might have to pick this up...

...Unfortunately.

I just can't afford all the awesome DC is throwing our way