DEVIL'S DUE & CAPCOM: JOSH BLAYLOCK EXPLAINS

[MattBrady]

by Lucas Siegel

As announced on Tuesday, comics publisher Devil’s Due Publishing and video game developer/publisher Capcom have a new deal set up for DDP to produce comics based on several Capcom properties. We spoke with Josh Blaylock, President of DDP to get the details on this new license.

Newsarama: Josh, thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for us. Let’s get right to it. DDP has a history of successful licenses; how did this one come about? What made you go after Capcom properties?

Josh Blaylock: We're always in pursuit of new licenses that fit our tastes. We were also looking specifically for a strong partner in the video game arena. Enter Capcom. They have a wealth of properties that transcend video games and work in other media - not every game does that. The fact that we've released Capcom comics before, even though through partners, also didn't hurt.

I want our Capcom comics to not only stand alone as great stories and art, but to also become a truly interactive experience between comics and games. We don't want to give all of our ideas away, but this is a chance to do some truly innovating stuff.

NRAMA: The press release mentioned four titles would be coming from you, but only mentioned two games, Lost Planet and Bionic Commando. Can you fill us in on the other properties you’ll be covering?

JB: Not right now, but soon!

NRAMA: Why each of these properties? Did you go after those particular ones, or were those the ones Capcom offered?

JB: Well, there were a lot of trips and meetings to discuss which books to do first, but Bionic Commando has a huge relaunch coming up Newsarama Note: Two games, in fact: a modern technology remake of the original, and an all new high-end adventure for current gen systems, and the story is the perfect recipe for action packed comic goodness. It just made sense to kick off the line with that project. Lost Planet is equally kick-ass sci-fi, and a book we feel strongly about, so we're focusing on those first.

NRAMA: Can you give us any details on creative teams or any specific plans for any of the titles yet?

JB: We'll be announcing them shortly. It's gonna be exciting. Someone who's never written comics before but who everyone wants to.

NRAMA: Intriguing, let the speculation begin. Video games are getting deeper and more expansive stories as the years pass. Will the comics be retreading the stories from the games, or will they be expanding on the established mythos?

JB: Both! We may delve into what's happened in games, and will definitely be expanding upon the already established stories. You're right though, that the stories are getting more and more expansive every year. They're almost 'choose your own adventure' movies at this point. We're going to offer something with our comics, though, that benefits the game players. There will be plenty of reasons to read our Capcom books even if you've never picked up a comic before, and if you're a comic book reader who doesn't care about video games (are there any of those left?) you'll still be able to enjoy a normal comic.

NRAMA: Some games, like Lost Planet, have a very established art style, while Bionic Commando has two different styles in the two current games. Does the deal have you accessing some of the concept art used in the games’ development?

JB: We're about to meet with the game producers later this month, so we're going to be discussing some of these things. I can only hope so, though.

NRAMA: How much freedom do you have as a company to put unique spins on the properties?

JB: Everything's been great so far. Each game has different producers and different requirements, so it's hard to say. It's a case by case scenario. Bionic Commando has a distinct feel to it, but that doesn't mean we can't play around with various art styles so long as we maintain the correct vibe. There's also wide open territory as far as the stories go.

NRAMA: Do you play video games? If so, what are some of your favorites?

JB: I don't have a lot of time to personally, but there's a Wii in the office that we use all the time to surf the internet. My favorite game is "Check the Diamond Vendor Site." Haha. Anyone? Anyone? Okay, that's an industry joke. Our office is packed with video game fanatics, though. I played the hell out of the old-school Bionic Commando, though, so I will definitely be checking the new one out.

Have you seen the revamped side-scroller they did? It's amazing.

NRAMA: Yeah, it’s really killer. If you have that on your console, you’ll unlock the old-school skin for the main character in the new fully 3D game, too. Thanks again, we look forward to seeing some art as it comes. Any other upcoming DDP projects you’d like to tease?

JB: I have my first written works in over a year debuting this Summer. Mercy Sparx, my own creation, debuts in August along with Bionic Commando in its own 99¢ special. Mercy is a devil-girl who is secretly hired by Heaven to take down rogue angels who are living amongst us. Voltron: A Legend Forged hits a month earlier in July, which tells the origin of the mighty robot from centuries past. I'm also doing covers for both series.

And anyone who wants can check out regular DDP news can check out my blog at myspace.com/joshblaylock

[darmstr745]

Congrats on the new licenses. I have enjoyed Devil's Due over all handling of all the stuff they put out.

I did have one question though, what is the official word on the GI Joe license?

[sean phillips]

Hey, that's my Bionic Commando pic up there!

Sean
www.seanphillips.co.uk

[Floyd Barber]

Bionic Commando was one of my favorite games for the old 8-Bit Nintendo. If they're making a new one that might actually get me playing video games again. I'll definitely be checking out the comic.

Wonder what the other two will be? You know what other Capcom game would make an absolutely awesome DDP comic?

STRIDER!

Make it so!

Originally Posted by darmstr745

I did have one question though, what is the official word on the GI Joe license?

My Official word is that Hasbro is a buncha dumbasses. No one pays respect to licenses like DDP. Good luck to them in finding a company who will put half the effort, half the passion, half the love of the source material, that DDP put into G.I. Joe. What a bunch of maroons. Oh well, Hasbro's loss is Capcom's gain.

[Eric Palicki]

Originally Posted by sean phillips

Hey, that's my Bionic Commando pic up there!

Sean
www.seanphillips.co.uk

Which explains why it rocks, Sean.

Hey, Devil's Due! How about a Mega Man comic?!

[Bevbos]

AWESOME!

Bionic Commando totally rocks, and I will absolutely be picking this up.

Now someone go breathe down Nintendo's neck and make Metroid happen (illustrated by Jae Lee).

[I.M.C.]

Interesting. The original Bionic Commando was one of my favorite 8-Bit NES games back in the day. So I'm looking foreward to seeing upcoming remake. Although I wonder if like in the original game will our hero be fighting it out with a resurrected Adolf Hitler ? That was one of my favorite parts of the game.

Anywho, I also have to say I'm saddened to see Devil's Due loosing the rights to [G.I. Joe][/i]. Not only has the news sucked out quite a bit of enthusiasm for the great World War III storyline going on through the series. I'm also saddened to think that this most likely means the end of the wonderful universe crafted by Larry Hama. But at least Devil's Due still has Hack/Slash and SPOOKS .

[JJMadera]

Hell yea, Bionic Commando and Lost planet...now we need one of Wrath of the Black Manta!!!

[CitC]

I'm not a gamer, and my interest isn't high for these (but Lost Planet looks great) but I was wondering how well books like this and Marvel's Halo title sell. I guess they would have to to make up for the liscencing fees.

[replica2618]

Congrat DDP! these are a bunch of stand up guys and gals. I meet Josh Blaylock a concert one time and he remembered me at Wiz World a month later. that really struck me as impressive. i got mad when they lost G.I. Joe, you could tell they loved the series. Will we have classic clone Hitler exploding head action?

[Ol Lefty]

I used to love fire my weapon in the neutral zones and setting the paratroopers on me- good times- Ill definitely check out the book. My idea for a game to comic would be Castlevania, get the whole Belmont clan history and some creepy monsters to boot.
Lefty

[Zach Adams]

Originally Posted by Floyd Barber

Bionic Commando was one of my favorite games for the old 8-Bit Nintendo. If they're making a new one that might actually get me playing video games again. I'll definitely be checking out the comic.

Wonder what the other two will be? You know what other Capcom game would make an absolutely awesome DDP comic?

STRIDER!

Make it so!

Strider would be pretty unlikely, I'd think, simply because it was a manga before it was ever a video game. The NES game used many of the same characters and the basic outline of the story (the Zain mind-control conspiracy), though it was science-fictioned up (the original had no Dragon space stations, for instance). At this point I'm not sure how well-known the manga even is in Japan, but since the Capcom Classics collections refer to the character as being owned by Moto Kikuchi, it might be hard to license him for a US comic.

[AlexLothos]

Originally Posted by Bevbos

AWESOME!

Now someone go breathe down Nintendo's neck and make Metroid happen

Yes, PLEASE someone bring Metroid to comics! I'd also love a live action movie and/or TV series (cartoon or live-action)!

[EMeadow]

Originally Posted by darmstr745

Congrats on the new licenses. I have enjoyed Devil's Due over all handling of all the stuff they put out.

I did have one question though, what is the official word on the GI Joe license?

There is no "official" word on GI Joe though its a very open secret that IDW now has the lcense.

They'll probably wait till use till the movie comes out I would think though if they do start up sooner, the real question will be will they continue the continuity or go the complete "Reloaded" approach? (Not that there obviously woudln't be a new series based off the movie versions.)

[Supreme Convoy]

I seriously hope they do a Resident Evil comic. I love the Wildstorm RE magazine from a few years ago.

[SMARTASS8]

I'm happy about this! I was scared Devil's Due would be in trouble after losing G.I. Joe.

[Floyd Barber]

Originally Posted by Zach Adams

Strider would be pretty unlikely, I'd think, simply because it was a manga before it was ever a video game. The NES game used many of the same characters and the basic outline of the story (the Zain mind-control conspiracy), though it was science-fictioned up (the original had no Dragon space stations, for instance). At this point I'm not sure how well-known the manga even is in Japan, but since the Capcom Classics collections refer to the character as being owned by Moto Kikuchi, it might be hard to license him for a US comic.

WoW. I didn't know any of that. I always thought Strider was just a Capcom original game. Hopefully they can still work something out. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by EMeadow

There is no "official" word on GI Joe though its a very open secret that IDW now has the lcense.

They'll probably wait till use till the movie comes out I would think though if they do start up sooner, the real question will be will they continue the continuity or go the complete "Reloaded" approach? (Not that there obviously woudln't be a new series based off the movie versions.)

If they go the complete "Reloaded" approach I think I'm gonna scream.
Aaaaaarrrrrggghhhh!
They already tried that a buncha times back in the 90's and it failed every-stinking-time. The Image and DDP run did well enough and the 25th Anniversary figures fly off the shelves, so now they are gonna screw it all up again? Seriously...what kind of morons do they have working at Hasbro? It's maddening!

[Jay_Bird7]

I hope they be able to make a stryder comic

I have always wanted that character to have his own comic

[NeroMan]

this almost makes up for Robo-Joe not appearing inside America's Elite