TALKING TO BARRY KITSON ABOUT THE ORDER

[MattBrady]

by Zack Smith

Barry Kitson surprised many fans earlier this year when he announced he was leaving as artist for The Legion of Super-Heroes at DC to work on Marvel’s The Order with writer Matt Fraction as part of a new exclusive contract with Marvel.

Though he’s worked on Marvel books before, including Avengers/Thunderbolts and the UK version of Spider-Man, Kitson’s clean, detailed work has made him a fan-favorite on many DC books in the past, including L.E.G.I.O.N., JLA Year One, Azrael, JSA: Strange Adventures, The Titans and Empire. We caught up with the congenial Kitson at Heroes Con, where he saw the longest line of any artist at the convention, day-in, day-out. As he sketched and sketched, he talked to us about The Order, moving to Marvel from DC, and hinted at some other projects he has in the pipeline.

Newsarama: Barry, thanks for taking the time out to talk with us. Is this your first Heroes Con?

Barry Kitson: No, actually I was here once before, seven years ago. That was around the time we were launching Gorilla Comics.

NRAMA: That’s right! I remember, there was a launch party. My friends and I did a karaoke version of “Wannabe.” Mark Waid called it “the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen.”

BK: That’s only because he’s never seen himself singing.

NRAMA: You’ve obviously never heard him do “Volare.”

BK: (laughs) Oh, I have. Many times.

NRAMA: He’s a showman, our Mr. Waid. I should ask, are you two ever going to do more Empire?

BK: Oh yes, we will. One day. More than that I cannot say, but one day we will.

NRAMA: Mark actually said that he left Legion of Super-Heroes because he didn’t want to do the book without you. How did that make you feel?

BK: I think that’s Mark being too kind. (laughs) We like working together, and it’s like, if had been Mark leaving first, I would have probably left for the same reasons. We do look upon our collaborations as real co-creations so it would be difficult for either of us to continue a project without the other’s input I think.

NRAMA: Sounds like you two have some strong creative chemistry.

BK: Well, yes, I think it works because we’re sort of diametrically opposed in how we approach most things – we don’t really share any tastes except creating comics so coming together to do that keeps the work fresh and always makes our collaborations interesting. Mark’s a fabulous writer and always amazes me with his ability to perfectly sum up characters in just a few lines of dialogue. He’s always a pleasure to work with.

NRAMA: Why’d you decide to move from DC to Marvel?

BK: That’s a really hard one to answer. It was certainly a really big move for me, after so many very happy years with DC, but I’ve always loved the Marvel characters and my first big influence was Jack Kirby, so the desire to draw them and feel part of the Marvel Universe has always been tugging away at my psyche. I was kind of at the stage in my career where I felt if I didn’t take the chance now, I was probably never going to. So when Marvel offered me some really, really wonderful projects, and great people to work with, I just couldn’t say no, really.

NRAMA: When I talked to Matt [Fraction], he said he was determined to write the “ultimate Barry Kitson book” for you…

BK: (laughs) It’s absolutely great for me and very, very kind of him to say. I have to admit he was one of the big reasons I decided to make the jump, because I really wanted to work with him. I think he’s one of the most promising writers in the field at the moment; I’ve enjoyed everything he’s written. His writing is full of wit, intelligence and energy and a LOT of unpredictability. I really wanted to do something where the challenges were different from other projects I’d done over the years and The Order is exactly that – it’s very fresh, very new….it’s exactly what I wanted, really.

NRAMA: How is The Order different from your previous projects?

BK: It’s different in that it’s entirely new characters. Instead of working on old characters or coming up with new slants on existing concepts, it’s an entirely straight-up-from-scratch book – just like Empire was. And it’s Matt, really, he’s the big difference! He’s bringing something new to superhero team comics, this is the first one he’s ever done, so it’s a whole new thing for him. It’s nice to be working with someone who’s bringing something entirely new to the game. I think we’ve got a great team on the book – Mark Morales is inking me, we’ve got Dean White who’s a great colorist.

NRAMA: You and Matt met each other in person for the first time at the con – what’s it been like?

BK: Well, I knew Matt was a nice guy from talking to him on the phone, but he’s even nicer in person. I don’t really know how to quantify what it’s like to meet somebody – it’s just been a real pleasure! As has meeting Mark for the first time!

NRAMA: Are you using a different style for The Order as opposed to Legion? You’ve done team books before, but the ones where you’ve had extended runs have mainly been set against fantastic environments, such as the space or in the future, as opposed to contemporary America.

BK: Well, one difference is I’ve had to get reference – because Matt likes to say, “I’d like you to draw this building or that locale.” Whereas, if it’s set in the future or out in deep space, I design the buildings, so it doesn’t really matter what they look like – nobody’s seen them! It’s actually quite a fun exercise, to realize you don’t actually know what say a particular telephone looks like, because you’re used to drawing little black monitors and stuff.

To answer your question a little more seriously – one of my main drives is to keep improving my work and learning as much as I can with every assignment. There will be changes in my style on The Order because the absolute paramount thing for a comic artist to do in my opinion is to serve the story – The Order is a different story stylistically to the Legion so hopefully I can adjust my style accordingly. I definitely won’t be resting on my laurels! (there’s a terrible Legion pun in there somewhere that I don’t even want to think about).

NRAMA: Do you have any favorites of the new characters you’ve designed for The Order?

BK: I very rarely pick any favorites from anything, because they change from week to week. Usually, my favorites on any assignment are the characters I’m focusing on at the moment. I’m very pleased with these characters. I do particularly like this character called “Mulholland,” a little girl with a big hammer. She’s real fun to do. But I like all of them, at this stage, I shouldn’t really complain about any of them, when I’ve designed them all. (laughs)

NRAMA: How long are you planning to stay on the book?

BK: As long as they’ll have me. One of the great things about it so far has been working with the whole creative team including the editorial staff at Marvel. I’m having a great time; I’ll stay as long as everyone involved is happy to let me!

NRAMA: Earlier, you mentioned some other projects coming out through Marvel. Are you willing to talk about them at this time?

BK: I do have a couple of other things I’ll be working on when The Order schedule allows – one of which is a mini-series the nice folks at Marvel have been kind enough to give the go ahead for me to write and draw. I don’t really know if I can reveal any more about it at the moment other than it’s a somewhat ambitious idea that could probably only be attempted by a writer-artist rather than a team just because of the way it will need to be structured in the story-telling.

I’ll also be writing occasionally for other artists on some well known Marvel characters…

NRAMA: Tease! You've spent most of your career working from other people's scripts -- how does that affect your approach to a script as a writer?

BK: Well, I hope it makes me pretty sympathetic to the problems an artist is going to face. I try to work out thumbnails for myself as I write as to how each page could work – not that I show these to the artist unless he asks to see them – but just so I know I’m not asking the impossible of him.

NRAMA: Do you ultimately plan to work as a writer or an artist in the long run, or do you want to continue trying both?

BK: I certainly couldn’t claim to have an ultimate plan - I would love to be able to do both. Writing is a lot of fun, there’s a real joy in seeing someone visualise your ideas in ways you might never have thought of – I just love seeing the pencils come in for a story I’ve written. If it came to choice between writing or drawing I think I would probably choose to draw though – it’s what always wanted to do – but to be honest I’ll be happy to do any job that keeps me

NRAMA: Any final thoughts?

BK: (silence…thinks) You know, this is why I draw, rather than talk! (laughs) .
I’m not sure if this counts as a ‘final thought’ or not, all I know is I’m doing what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid: Drawing superhero comics. I get to fly around the world, meet interesting people, lose luggage and shop at Wal-Mart - it’s all great fun and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who’s helped keep me in this business for so long!

[Rich L]

I had the pleasure of doing a phone interview with Barry Kitson a few years back - and he's a great guy.

Not only that but he's a hell of an artist too - glad to see him taking on some Marvel stuff for a change.

But yes, more EMPIRE is required in the future!

[Jeff Bohn]

Great to hear that Empire hasn't been forgotten about!

Now who's arm do I have to twist to get a Golgoth action figure? Marvel Toys' Legendary Comic Book Heroes?

[Bingo1]

I remember Barry's work on the early UK Transformers comics - wonderful wonderful stuff.

Good luck to him.

[nobleman]

Apparently if you're a female and joining this team, You Must Show Your Belly! And all the guys get covered up. Why again? Where's the equality?

[BubbaKanoosh]

I just got 3 words to say:

Soviet. Super. Soldiers.

[Speedball93]

This book has a grand total of ONE issue to get me onboard. I just don't understand the whole celebrity newbie hero thing being part of the Initiative. How are these guys going to be any different then the "untrained" New Warriors were? Somebody explain this to me?

[Grievous]

I love empire,

best of luck to barry at marvel,

i might check out the order #1 when it hits.

[nakatago]

He'll be nice with Fraction...

...btw, The Order does sound better.

[Varrus]

Originally Posted by Speedball93

This book has a grand total of ONE issue to get me onboard. I just don't understand the whole celebrity newbie hero thing being part of the Initiative. How are these guys going to be any different then the "untrained" New Warriors were? Somebody explain this to me?

Yeah, I've been trying to figure that one out myself.

[Dalarsco]

Originally Posted by nobleman

Apparently if you're a female and joining this team, You Must Show Your Belly! And all the guys get covered up. Why again? Where's the equality?

Tony Stark designed the putfits.

[Space Canuck]

I really like the art. Can someone post a link to an article describing what the The Order is?

[I-Ching]

I wonder if the title change would've effected the design of the costumes...even though it was a "C" it can easily be turned into an "O".

I too think the title is a lot better...The Champions didn't really suit the overall concept while The Order actually does...there's a certain "order" to the team line-up that regardless of who the name/face is, someone will fill the "order" of the hero name.

It's sort of a Menudo meets Strikeforce-Morituri!!!

[Zugernaut]

Originally Posted by nobleman

Apparently if you're a female and joining this team, You Must Show Your Belly! And all the guys get covered up. Why again? Where's the equality?

Apparently the bare midriff fashion never went out of style with DC and Marvel superheroines.

Tragic, that.

[nobleman]

Originally Posted by Zugernaut

Apparently the bare midriff fashion never went out of style with DC and Marvel superheroines.

Tragic, that.

Do they ALL have to have the same fashion statement

[bigdaddyhub]

1. How did I miss that Fraction is writing this??? I am now actually looking forward to this!

2. This groups has been training since Civil War #5 or 6 (forget which) so you would presume that they have more training time than the Initiative team.

3. As far as fashion goes, this is a team fielded as much to be good PR as it is to actually defend California. As such, it would make sense that the dress code would be somewhat trampy for the girls in order to make them have the Papparazzi sex appeal. (As an aside, I have directed camps in summer for 3 years and it is amazing what 15-19 year old girls consider appropriate to wear!) Could be worse, they could be the hellfire club.

[MightyMarvel]

What? Do you all want the women to look like nuns or something?

That's too small of a problem to complain about.

[BarryPKitson]

Hi All - thanks for all the good wishes - they are most appreciated!

Hope you enjoy the book!

Cheers
Barry

[shj81]

i'm looking forward to checking out the debut of the Order...i'd be willing to wager that there's gonna be more to this book than they're letting on.

[Scavenger]

Originally Posted by MightyMarvel

What? Do you all want the women to look like nuns or something?

Sure!

www.sexynuns.com

[Zugernaut]

Originally Posted by nobleman

Do they ALL have to have the same fashion statement

No, I agree it's overdone. Then again, it's nothing more than what you see on Dancing With the Stars. And it certainly doesn't rise (or perhaps sink) to the level of women chopped up in refrigerators. Barry does seem to have a fondness for the bare belly, but I don't think his women are nearly as oversexed, pneumatic or otherwise impossibly proportioned as what you see from many other artists. There are certainly problems with the portrayal of women in comics, but I personally don't think this issue is one of them.

[rwe1138]

Originally Posted by BarryPKitson

Hi All - thanks for all the good wishes - they are most appreciated!

Hope you enjoy the book!

Cheers
Barry

More Empire! Golgoth demands it!!

[cyclopsfan]

Awesome Interview. I'm really looking forward to following Kitson's Marvel work. The order sounds interesting enough!

[tim seeley]

Kitson is a disturbingly nice guy. Young comic guys should aspire to have their s#%t together as much as this guy. He told me the secret to life, but I was so blasted I don't remember it.
TIM SEELEY

[tim seeley]

Kitson is a disturbingly nice guy. Young comic guys should aspire to have their s#%t together as much as this guy. He told me the secret to life, but I was so blasted I don't remember it.
TIM SEELEY