CHRISTOS GAGE ON STORMWATCH #5's REVEALS AND SECRETS

[MattBrady]

Safe to say, StormWatch PHD #5 had a little of what older fans were looking for, a little of what newer fans were wondering about, and a lot of head-scratching questions were raised.

The quick version – the issue explained how Winter, Fahrenheit, Hellstrike and Fuji were back in the land of the living, confirmed what happened with “Worldstorm” and established that the Wildstorm Universe is being watched…by parties known or unknown.

To run through the reveals and give some of the inside scoop on what’s going on, we sat down with StormWatch PHD writer Christos Gage to talk turkey.

Newsarama: Looking at the big picture of issue #5 - Fuji, Winter, Hellstrike and Fahrenheit came back, or rather, the circumstances of their return were revealed. Was this your idea from the start of the series, or something that Wildstorm suggested would be a good thing to do?

Christos Gage: From the start, I knew I wanted them back, roughly how they would come back and that their returns would be connected to one incident rather than “Fuji came back here, then Hellstrike came back there.” But the specifics were shaped as we went along. [Editor] Ben Abernathy and I discussed it at length. The timing of it just worked out; artist Doug Mahnke needed a one issue break for family time around the birth of his son, and since he is so closely identified with the StormWatch PHD team, the presence of a guest artist in Matt Smith seemed like the perfect time to do a story more centered on StormWatch Prime. Now that the PHD team had been established on its own for four issues, we felt it was a good opportunity to do one of those “here are the answers you've been waiting for…and some new questions!” bits you see on Lost from time to time.

NRAMA: That said though, why bring them back? What function do they serve?

CG: As the shadowy figure who saved them said, they'll be needed. When? Why? Keep reading.

From a creative standpoint, I just love the characters and feel there are good stories yet to be told about them. And Jim Lee created them, and he agreed, and he runs the company, so there you go! Judging from fan reaction, there were a lot of people who felt the same way.

NRAMA: Fair enough, but while the return of the four was a major element of the story of issue #5, the fuller picture was essentially, the origin of Stormwatch PHD, which showed, basically, pun probably intended, that you have a PhD in Stormwatch history. Had you been reading the series in all its iterations all along, or did that require hitting the books?

CG: I had read the Warren Ellis issues that led into the Authority, which consisted of Volume One #37-50 and all of Volume Two. Beyond that, when I first discussed working on a StormWatch book with WildStorm, I went out and found all the other issues and digested those as well. I love it when my homework is reading comics!

NRAMA: So break it on down then. In simple terms, Winter was still in the sun, right? He was just...unreachable? What allowed the Doctor to be able to reach him now, when previously, Winter was just trouble?

CG: As shown in the one-shot Authority: Scorched Earth, when Winter piloted SkyWatch (StormWatch's satellite) into the sun to destroy the deadly aliens infesting it (as seen in the Stormwatch: Final Orbit TPB), he expected to die in the process. But because his powers involved absorbing energy, including the sun's, he lived on in an energy form. The massive power and isolation drove him insane, and he was threatening to take the sun nova as well as lashing out destructively at Earth. The Authority had to confine him in the sun, helpless and immobile, to ensure the survival of the star that gives our planet life. The Doctor of that time could not figure out another solution.

But now we have a new Doctor, who doesn't abuse drugs the way the last one did, so he may have a few more brain cells with which to focus on the problem. Or, as he alluded to, it could be that the physical laws of the WildStorm Universe have subtly changed as a result of its destruction and rebuilding in Captain Atom: Armageddon. Or a combination of both. Whatever the cause, the new Doctor was able to restore Winter to human form, and as we saw, the other characters were linked to him on a quantum level, held in stasis in a pocket dimension, so they came back as well.

NRAMA: So – as you said, in essence, the Doctor clarified the conceit behind the larger "Worldstorm" relaunch, that is, as he said in regards to the WS Universe, "It's as if it was destroyed and remade with slight differences," referring to Nikola/Void's remaking the universe at the end of Captain Atom: Armageddon right?

CG: Yes. While all the creators involved respect WildStorm history, this gives us the freedom to make certain tweaks.

NRAMA: So - with that giveaway, er...given away...broadly speaking, what are some of the "slight differences" that you're operating under?

CG: Well, off the top of my head, I'd guess that Youngblood (a team owned by Rob Liefeld, not WildStorm) is no longer involved in the Wildcats' first adventure!

Honestly, the full ramifications remain to be seen. I've been asked by longtime Wildstorm fans about The Monarchy, a series in which things happened (like Jackson King dying and becoming a being of pure thought) that are obviously no longer the case in StormWatch: PHD. The Monarchy could be seen as one of the things that no longer happened…or not, if some future writer comes up with a cool story to reconcile it all. The “slight differences” thing is, let's face it, a “get out of jail free” card for creators, like the Superboy Prime Punch in the DCU. But we are all trying to be careful not to abuse it.

NRAMA: Is that how the new series was pitched to you, that is, "what would you do with Stormwatch set now in the WSU, and you could implement a handful of changes?"

CG: Not at all - it was the opposite. I pitched an idea about a team of non-powered rejects using smart, cost-effective methods to battle superhumans and was asked “do you think you could make this into a Stormwatch book?” Everything that's happened has been my or Ben's or both of our idea. That's the great thing about working for Wildstorm - since you're not dealing with icons like Superman, you get to come up with wild ideas and, more often than not, you're allowed to do them!

NRAMA: In addition to the clarification this provided as to the nature of the WSU now, Fahrenheit's story had a guest star in the form of a Monitor who prevented her from...what, dying?

CG: Hold on…who says that was a Monitor?

NRAMA: Well – there was the look, the fact that he was…monitoring…

CG: It was a shadowy figure whose silhouette resembled a Monitor's, but that could be a red herring…one of several possibilities thrown out in the issue. Anyway, the upshot is that this mysterious figure essentially “froze” Fahrenheit (and Hellstrike, and Fuji) in time just before their moment of death, then shunted them into a pocket dimension in the Bleed. They were linked on a quantum level to Winter, on the assumption that whoever was sufficiently powerful to restore him to human form could save them as well. It does seem like whoever did this would have to have some knowledge of the future, doesn't it? One has to wonder what upcoming catastrophe would be so horrible that they'd need to snatch superhumans from death's door to fight it…

NRAMA: Okay then - Monitor...your idea or handed down to you?

CG: I prefer laptops. Monitors are too bulky and don't travel well.

NRAMA: Ba-dum-bump.

CG: I’m here all week, folks.

NRAMA: Since it's beginning, one of the hallmarks of the Wildstorm Universe (with a small set of exceptions) has been that it's grittier than the DCU nature, as well as it standing a little closer to realistic than the DCU. That said, the presence of the “Monitor” feels very deus ex machina. You've got plenty of experience under your belt as a writer - did the inclusion of that element raise any hackles for you? After all, it seems that there could've been any number of perhaps more WSU-centric ways to explain why Fahrenheit did not die that wouldn't have included a “Monitor...”

CG: Again with the Monitor stuff! Look, let's be honest - bringing these characters back pretty much required a deus ex machina of some type or another. My job was to make it as palatable and reasonable as possible. I wanted to do it this way rather than some convoluted, multi-part story that alluded to a dozen other obscure events. One of my goals has been to make StormWatch: PHD accessible to new readers, and from the fan feedback I've been getting, it seems to be working. Issue #5 is, of course, the most continuity-centric of the lot, but I wanted to try to provide all the information anyone needs to follow the story in the issue itself, and I hope I succeeded. And if I didn't, it shouldn't affect the other issues of the series. But I figured I needed a massively powerful entity to pull it off. Is it a Monitor? Is it Elvis? It looked like he might have sideburns…

NRAMA: going down that road – as for who the Monitor reminded Jackson of - despite having hair, and as seen in the flashback his armor had Monitor-esque shoulder pads, he reminded Jackson of his father? This mind-reading stuff isn't 100% is it?

CG: Well, Jackson's telepathy is not on the level of a Charles Xavier, but keep in mind that Jackson was seeing things through Fahrenheit's memory, which means from the perspective of a dying, barely conscious person in great pain. There wasn't a lot of detail. Jackson saw a shadowy, immensely powerful figure in armor. People can change their armor, and grow hair. Jackson fixated on his father, Isaiah (aka Despot) because it's such a sore spot for him. His Daddy got godlike powers, went insane and tried to conquer the world, forcing his own son to kill him. You'd have issues too.

NRAMA: Very true. Finally though - end result - there's a Monitor…or someone… watching the WSU earth? Are we going to be seeing him again in StormWatch PHD, or was the point here just to establish that there's a “Monitor” in the WSU?

CG: La la la, I can't hear you! But whoever that was at the end of issue #5, you will see them again…somewhere.

NRAMA: But really - given the power of the characters in the WSU - the Doctor, Apollo, Midnighter, Stormwatch and the rest, as well as their difficultly with small-a authority...are those the kind of folks who take kindly to being watched?

CG: Hell no!

Duck and cover, baby.

[theodoros2]

I have a hard time finding old Stormwatch paperbacks. Dc could support the new title with republishing the old series. At least the first one.

Good luck C.G.

[badmarru]

When this serie came out, I thought I'd try it if only for Mahnke's art.It's been a surprinsigly great read, intelligently written and as this interview's emphasized, very knowledgefull of Wildstorm's past history.And though this past history has sometime been dull, Gage took those dull elements (like lame characters or stupid commercially flashy concepts) to incorporate them in his plot resulting in fun references.So far the best serie of the relaunch IMO.Hopes it does well enough and that the word of mouth is sufficient to warant a long run

[Bugaboo-X]

The facial features of the cover art are ridiculous.

[Kryptokid]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

The Monarchy could be seen as one of the things that no longer happened…or not

Oh how I wish the Monarchy hadn't of happened. Definitely not my cup of tea.

So is Stormwatch PHD any good?

[renodakota]

I'm glad someone finally got around to covering this issue - it seemed like the internet just wasn't paying attention when it came out!

Kryptokid: Stormwatch PHD is very good. Along with Welcome To Tranquility, it's probably the best thing WildStorm has going right now. Go check it out!

At this point, Gage pretty much automatically gets my money. Everything he's written has been fantastic; I'm still waiting for DC to collect his Deadshot series.

[frimfram]

The silhouetted deus ex machina dude was totally Warren Ellis.

[Sunless]

SW newbie here and I love this book! 5 was probably a weaker point for me, but still the best team book on the market.

[Pupasweet]

This book is exceptional and I really encourage everyone to give it a try! It is very accessible and does a great job blending all the attributes of a great comic like action, mystery and a really hip sense of humor.

[NoPrize]

Specifically, New- X-men

[BanMan]

Originally Posted by frimfram

The silhouetted deus ex machina dude was totally Warren Ellis.

I'd prefer that to a Monitor.

[I am MODOK]

This is my favorite book coming out right now. Great art, excellent story every month, and best of all, a fantastic mix of old and new characters.

That said, I was bummed when I saw the old team was saved by a Monitor. That was who I thought it was too.

[J.D. Lombardi]

I think we needed one or two more questions about whether or not that was a "Monitor."

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally Posted by Kryptokid

Oh how I wish the Monarchy hadn't of happened. Definitely not my cup of tea.

So is Stormwatch PHD any good?

YES!

Buy it. It's an excellent book.

[TCJohnson]

Originally Posted by Kryptokid

Oh how I wish the Monarchy hadn't of happened. Definitely not my cup of tea.

So is Stormwatch PHD any good?

Pretty much everything that Gage has written so far has been somewhere between very good to great.

I think it is the best of the Wildstorm books right now.

[christosgage]

Originally Posted by renodakota

At this point, Gage pretty much automatically gets my money. Everything he's written has been fantastic; I'm still waiting for DC to collect his Deadshot series.

Glad to hear it! You ca Direct Deposit your paychecks right into my bank account.

I'm still waiting for the Deadshot TPB as well...sigh...

J.D., further questions about whether that was a Monitor would have been dodged like the others. It's a mystery, dude!

NoPrize, I enjoy New X-Men, but you will see me write most X-characters in World War Hulk: X-Men #1-3, out this summer, drawn by Andrea DiVito, and they'll be fighting...wait for it...the Hulk!

And frimfram, have you seen Warren Ellis? Far, far scarier than that deus ex machina dude.

Thanks for the kind words, folks!

CNG

[kingofcities]

Christos should write everything, all the time. I'm just saying...

As for Stormwatch specifically, this book is fun on so many levels. I'm also very hard pressed to think of a title that is able to cater to both the hardcore fans as well as new readers so equally. Very well done. This article was great timing because I just read 4&5 last night. I don't ever want to see Doug leave this book but if he has to take a break I think Matt Smith is an excellent pinch hitter.

[Burnt Frog]

Very upset to see a Monitor in WildStorm, and worried this will lead to DC Editorial trying to screw things up again ala Millar's Authority and Casey's WildCats.

But the writing was good, the art was good, and the characters were themselves. It could have been worse, imagine Chuck Austen writing and Pat Lee drawing aaargh!

Keep going Christos, and good luck with that new Authority project with Darick Robertson. I like my Jennys to be a bit older than 12 though... just saying.

[TCJohnson]

Originally Posted by Burnt Frog

Very upset to see a Monitor in WildStorm, and worried this will lead to DC Editorial trying to screw things up again ala Millar's Authority and Casey's WildCats.

We don't know it was a Monitor yet. I really doubt it is.

[Jed Saxon]

I want Santini, Tefibi, Jaeger Weiss, Jukko, Galena, Pickney, Barak and Grunier back.

I don't give a rat's ass about those other characters!

[tim seeley]

This is a REALLY good book. Please, everyone buy it.

TIM SEELEY

[Steve Magnum]

Originally Posted by Kryptokid

Oh how I wish the Monarchy hadn't of happened. Definitely not my cup of tea.

So is Stormwatch PHD any good?

It's only the BEST StormWatch title EVER! And it's easily the best Wildstorm title on the stands. PHD has become one of my favorite titles and it's only been out for about 5 months. So yes, PHD is VERY Good. Gage hits a home-run with every issue and Mahnke's art is top notch in EVERY issue! You should totally check it out. Especially if you weren't too happy with Monarchy.

[Steve Magnum]

Originally Posted by TCJohnson

We don't know it was a Monitor yet. I really doubt it is.

I truly hope you're right. I'd hate to see the WSU get swept into the crapfest that the DCU has become under DiDio.

[Charlie Hustle]

So basically do people only complain about resurrected characters if it's done by a major company?

[J.D. Lombardi]

Originally Posted by christosgage

J.D., further questions about whether that was a Monitor would have been dodged like the others. It's a mystery, dude! Thanks for the kind words, folks!

CNG

lol Internet sarcasm doesn't always translate well. You just said what I was implying.