CATCHING UP ON THE PILOT SEASON: JASON AARON ON RIPCLAW

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

At first glance, some people might think of Ripclaw as just another Wolverine rip-off. Sure, they both have claws and they're animalistic. Sure, Ripclaw was created by one of the defining artists of Wolverine's life – Marc Silvestri. But there's more to Ripclaw than that.

Debuting back in 1992's Cyberforce, the character of Ripclaw has roots in American Indian tribes, clocking time with the Apache, the Cheyenne, the Navajo and the Lakota Sioux. While some of his special attributes were with him since birth, it was a shadowy organization known as Cyberdata that replaced his hands with cybernetic replacements. In the recently released Pilot Season: Ripclaw, we saw writer Jason Aaron and artist Jorge Lucas explore these ideas – and more – firsthand.

This isn't Aaron's first brush with American Indian culture – he's currently writing the Vertigo series Scalped about organized crime on an Indian reservation. But Pilot Season: Ripclaw is different. Aaron has compared him to the child from the movie The Sixth Sense, "except he kills a lot of people". To find out more, we caught up with Jason Aaron.

Newsarama: Jason, as readers of the recently released issue can attest, your story gives Ripclaw a new quest in life - he's haunted by people who have died wrongly, and led to set right what went wrong for them. How did this come to you, and how did it fit into place with the character's roots as a character?

JA: I love tortured and haunted characters, in case you hadn't noticed, so I definitely wanted to move Ripclaw in that direction, and give him more of a purpose. And it had already been established that he had a deep, personal connection to the spirit world, so it made sense that he would be stuck in this situation.

NRAMA: How would you describe the character and approach you're taking to Ripclaw?

JA: This one-shot is an action story without any typical action scenes. I mean, we've already seen what Ripclaw can do with his claws, in pretty much every other book he's ever appeared in. I was more interested in what happens before and after those fight scenes. And in setting up the character for lots of future stories, stories that could be action driven or just dark, character dramas, stories that could be set anywhere in the world.

NRAMA: If this issue gets voted in for an ongoing series, do you have some ideas in store of how the series should go?

JA: I have lots of ideas for future stories. If you've read the one-shot and seen that last page, then you realize there's lots of work for Ripclaw still to do if he ever wants to be at peace. And then there's also the backpack he's carrying around filled with human remains. What's up with that?

NRAMA: This issue marks your first real jump outside the auspices of the big two of DC and Marvel. How has it been for you?

JA: Rob Levin and the folks at Top Cow pretty much gave me free reign to do what I wanted, so I got no complaints. That's just the best situation to be in as a writer, as far as I'm concerned.

NRAMA: How did you get involved with Top Cow and end up writing this?

They came to me. I was already writing a gritty Native American series in Scalped and had previously written Wolverine, so I guess I just seemed like a natural to write Ripclaw, who's basically the Native American Wolverine.

NRAMA: And finally… Now that the book's been out for a couple weeks, what has the response been to it from your perspective?

JA: I've heard from a lot of people who had never read Ripclaw or Cyberforce but loved this book, so I've been really happy with the response.

Pilot Season: Ripclaw is written by Jason Aaron with art by Jorge Lucas. Published by Top Cow,it is in stores now For more information, visit Top Cow.

[iyamwhatiyam]

I've never read, nor had any desire to read, Ripclaw or Cyberblade. But my shop slid me a copy of the Pilot issue since it was Aaron, and I have to say it's a total blast. When it gets converted into an ongoing, I'm adding it to my list. Scalped is one of my handful of favorite monthlies period, and I can't praise the collected Other Side enough.

[Skinshark]

I think my new name for Jason Aaron is going to be "THE FIXER".

He seems to cut right to the core of known characters and show us why they're so great all over again.

=s=

[BillReed]

Yes, this issue was great, and I wouldn't mind seeing a series.

[Moonbeam]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

NRAMA: If this issue gets voted in for an ongoing series, do you have some ideas in store of how the series should go?

JA: I have lots of ideas for future stories. If you've read the one-shot and seen that last page, then you realize there's lots of work for Ripclaw still to do if he ever wants to be at peace. And then there's also the backpack he's carrying around filled with human remains. What's up with that?

Great interview with a great writer.

For those who have read this issue and liked it, make sure to vote for it (or whichever Pilot Season comic you like best) so we can get the rest of the story. Unfortunately, we have to wait for all the Pilot Season comics to be published before they accept votes beginning in December (I supposed that's only fair ) -- let's hope they're all as good as this one so it's worth the wait.

- Vaneta

[filipsablik]

Originally Posted by Moonbeam

Great interview with a great writer.

For those who have read this issue and liked it, make sure to vote for it (or whichever Pilot Season comic you like best) so we can get the rest of the story. Unfortunately, we have to wait for all the Pilot Season comics to be published before they accept votes beginning in December (I supposed that's only fair ) -- let's hope they're all as good as this one so it's worth the wait.

- Vaneta

Vaneta is right, if you dig Jason's take on Ripclaw make sure you go to www.myspace.com/pilotseason to vote in December. We will have a fully active page up there very shortly and you'll have an opportunity to take part in polls and interact with other fans through MySpace. Heck maybe you can even pick Jason's brain directly as to what he's got planned next for Ripclaw.

Thanks for reading!

[filipsablik]

Originally Posted by iyamwhatiyam

I've never read, nor had any desire to read, Ripclaw or Cyberblade. But my shop slid me a copy of the Pilot issue since it was Aaron, and I have to say it's a total blast. When it gets converted into an ongoing, I'm adding it to my list. Scalped is one of my handful of favorite monthlies period, and I can't praise the collected Other Side enough.

You just nailed what Pilot Season is all about. Ripclaw by Jason Aaron and Jorge Lucas might not be for everyone, but I'm willing to bet if you like comics you'll find something in Pilot Season to like. Thanks for giving it a shot, Iyamwhatiyam!

[AlterEgoComics]

I just read this issue after we did an interview with Jason on the podcast. And I was blown away with how great it was. This book should DEFINITELY win the contest. So go vote for it!
And if you haven't checked out the Wolverine issue he did, do that as well.

-Jason

[iyamwhatiyam]

Originally Posted by filipsablik

Thanks for giving it a shot, Iyamwhatiyam!

No thanks necessary for me. Worthy books deserve their props. Thank Big Planet Comics, Vienna, for being on the ball and putting it by the front door on Wednesday. And for suggesting it to their readers who like Aaron, war comics, Westerns...even those who don't normally read Top Cow.

Get Aaron to do as much work for you as you possibly can and I guarantee your reader base can only grow. Lucas' art is part of the attraction as well. I definitely prefer it to the more common slick-lined, big-bosomed-and-wasp-waste stuff.

Looking forward to the Casey/Maguire issue, Velocity.

[Master Bates]

Bought it. Loved it. Want more.

I was always a fan of Ripclaws look and Silvestri's artwork, but this was just fantastic.

Lucas and Aaron make a great team.

[stlfan79]

I have loved Aaron on Scalped (as good as Y, Fables, and DMZ) and picked this up because I have always felt Ripclaw is a pretty cool character despite being a rehash of Wolverine, Aaron definetely changed my mind with his story. I will be voting for this in the pilot season polls.

[CaptainTemerity]

Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to.

Still thinking I'll prefer Velocity. She was always a favorite of mine, and the creative team is ideal.

Still, so far, I'm happy to be surprised. Based off of Ripclaw, I may try Cyblade after all.

[Xeero]

Yep, this in fact was a good read. I picked this up on a whim a few weeks ago based on the cover which looked kool and I fell in love with the whole thing. This currently has my vote, I want to see this on-going.

[PhilipAMoore]

What I would like to know is if Jason Aaron would write Rip Claw if it was an on going title ?
I did not that Rip Claw didn't always right the wrongs of the dead it was pretty cool consept good day

[shwa96]

Originally Posted by PhilipAMoore

What I would like to know is if Jason Aaron would write Rip Claw if it was an on going title ?

NRAMA: If this issue gets voted in for an ongoing series, do you have some ideas in store of how the series should go?

JA: I have lots of ideas for future stories. If you've read the one-shot and seen that last page, then you realize there's lots of work for Ripclaw still to do if he ever wants to be at peace. And then there's also the backpack he's carrying around filled with human remains. What's up with that?

Reading between the lines, I would say that the answer, at least at this time, is "yes". Of course, a lot can change between the time of this interview and when everyone votes.