JOE CASEY ON PILOT SEASON: VELOCITY

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

Pilot Season 2007 is a contest run by Top Cow, in which five self-contained one-shot specials vie for the chance to get its own ongoing series, as voted online at MySpace. Each of the one-shots focus on an established Top Cow character currently without a regular series – first was Ripclaw, then Necrommancer… and now, Velocity.

Velocity is the second Cyberforce member featured in Pilot Season, but with her special abilities she's bound to be first in any race. As her name suggests, her forte is speed… but no matter how fast she runs, can she protect herself and those close to her from people out to get her?

Writer Joe Casey is teaming with Kevin Maguire in this one-shot special due out October 24th, and Newsarama.com caught up with Casey to talk about the speedster.

Newsarama: Velocity bursts out of Top Cow's signature team book, Cyberforce, which has at times been both sci-fi and superhero, and even a bit of fantasy. Joe, how would you classify Pilot Season: Velocity for those familiar with the character's past?

Joe Casey: All the reader has to know is that she's a speedster superhero with a cybernetic implant, and we get that info across in the first few pages. From there it's all about having some classic superhero fun. If you're a die-hard Marvel and/or DC reader and you've never ventured outside those publishers, this might be the book you want to pick up, because we're definitely playing your song.



NRAMA: How would you describe Velocity as a character?

JC: On the one hand, she's an open-minded, fun-loving gal. On the other, she's a seasoned superhero that's been through a lot in her life. That balance is what was interesting to write. She's the kind of character that's always trying to scrape the ____ off her shoes... and I like that.

NRAMA: You've said this issue will be more superhero than Top Cow's ever done in the past. Can you elaborate and tell us what the story is about?

JC: Well, when it comes to comic books, superheroes are what I like to write. It's just good timing that Top Cow was open to that approach to this character. In the story itself, we'll see what happens when a superhero actually tries to date a civilian. We'll also see Velocity become an unwilling pawn in a mad revenge scheme. And, of course, there's gonna' be all sorts of speedster-related gags that I hope would make the late, great John Broome proud. And, of course, you've got the great Kevin Maguire drawing it, so what else do you need to know? It's a great-looking comic book.

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

JC: Matt Hawkins have known each other for years, but recently that we actually started talking about me writing for Top Cow. Pilot Season seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to test the Top Cow waters. So far so good. I like those guys a lot. Plus, I knew I wanted to write a different type of book that Top Cow was known for, and this was my chance.



NRAMA: What led you to choosing the character of Velocity to write about?

JC: I always felt that Velocity was the closest thing that Top Cow had to a classic superhero character, so it was a no brainer for me. She looks great, has cool powers and her life away from Cyberforce was pretty much a blank slate, as far as I was concerned. That's all I needed...

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

JC: The coolest thing about any speedster character is that there seem to be a million cool stories to tell with them. So, if Velocity wins the gold medal, there's no limit to how far it could go.

Velocity: Pilot Season is written by Joe Casey with artwork by Kevin Maguire, and is scheduled to be in stores on October 24th.

[Derek Ruiz]

So if this wins does that mean both Casey and Maguire will be on for the mini?

[gazoo]

but will it be on time?

[DaVeO]

This has my vote. With Kevin on art is was a lock for me. Plus Velocity was my fave Cyberforce member back in the day.

[Equinox]

That looks awesome, and the pacing from panel to panel is wonderful. With no dialogue, it's kinda early to call a favorite, but for Mags' artwork, I'll be picking this up as a one-shot and if it turns into a full-on mini.

[KentL]

Originally Posted by Derek Ruiz

So if this wins does that mean both Casey and Maguire will be on for the mini?

Good question.

From the article linked to above:

"Sablik took a moment to also point out that fans will be voting for the characters, specifically, and not necessarily the complete creative teams in every case. While the writers of the six projects have all expressed an interest in continuing with the characters in their one shots, Sablik said that Top Cow can’t guarantee that the artists will be able to return for a yet-unspecified project. Likewise, Sablik said, Top Cow could not ask the artists to hold their schedules open for a project next year which may or may not happen. Many of the artists on the list, such as Kevin Maguire, Sablik pointed out, are already scheduled through 2008."

[SpyGuy]

This is the only Pilot Season 2007 one-shot to grab my interest so far. Kevin Maguire looks like he's having fun drawing Velocity and it seems like Casey is more than willing to develop the character so this definitely gets my vote.

[Derek Ruiz]

Originally Posted by KentL

Good question.

From the article linked to above:

"Sablik took a moment to also point out that fans will be voting for the characters, specifically, and not necessarily the complete creative teams in every case. While the writers of the six projects have all expressed an interest in continuing with the characters in their one shots, Sablik said that Top Cow can’t guarantee that the artists will be able to return for a yet-unspecified project. Likewise, Sablik said, Top Cow could not ask the artists to hold their schedules open for a project next year which may or may not happen. Many of the artists on the list, such as Kevin Maguire, Sablik pointed out, are already scheduled through 2008."

Well see that's a bit of a problem to me now.

[waterdragon]

I don't see the point Top Cow, 3 out of the 5-6 one-shots are about Cyberforce characters so far. Here's a bright idea, make Cyberforce again. Duh. I don't even get why Necromancer has to fight for a new miniseries when she already had one that was mildly popular to warrant a second one.

[Rob Levin]

Originally Posted by Derek Ruiz

Well see that's a bit of a problem to me now.

We're going to be doing our best to keep the teams united on the winning titles. We know full well that if a book wins, it's because you liked what was in the Pilot. We're not going to suddenly stray from the formula and start from scratch. Problem is, when you can't guarantee that these books will be getting a series (and one way you can be sure this isn't rigged), it's really hard to keep in-demand artists on the hook for something that may never materialize.

If Velocity wins, we're going to do our best to keep the Casey-Maguire-Blond team together. If for some reason someone can't stick around, we're going to scour the earth in search of the best possible alternates.

[filipsablik]

Originally Posted by gazoo

but will it be on time?

Hi Gazoo,

It will be in stores next week (October 24th).

Take care,

[RobZero]

Why not set up your deals like the bigtime Hollywood movies: You get the team you want for a mini and sign them for conditional sequels, with a timeframe built in for when the next series might be published, and at which point you will let them know (based on the orders for #2 or #3). They can then pursue work for the intervening period, and will know in advance if they have something locked. Any other contract they sign can have that allowance built in as well. If it's a popular artist or writer, another publisher would likely just assign a fill-in for any lapse period.
Actors and directors do this all the time.
It's time to start to start thinking outside the comic box.

[TheWay]

Originally Posted by waterdragon

I don't see the point Top Cow, 3 out of the 5-6 one-shots are about Cyberforce characters so far. Here's a bright idea, make Cyberforce again. Duh. I don't even get why Necromancer has to fight for a new miniseries when she already had one that was mildly popular to warrant a second one.

I would like to see Cyberforce come back. They could do a team effort for a few issues, then focus on one character for a few, back to the team, then another individual focus. That would be great.

As for Necromancer, with the Cyberforce characters divided I just may prefer Necro over the other individual series.

[00scotty]

I'm curious to know have long after all the issues for pilot season come up can we expect:

a. the winners revealed
b. the expected date for the first issues

Will they be late '08 books????

[I am MODOK]

With Maguire's art, I'm sold on this. I'd even buy an ongoing with this creative team.

[waterdragon]

I actually like the artist enough to get this one-shot, but I just don't see the point of this contest at all when the majority all belong to 1 book anyway.

[beta-ray]

Ugh. I really like Maguire's artwork... and I like Casey too. Have no interest in Top Cow characters though. Hmn what to do... well maybe if I see this in-store...