MEETING THE LEADING MAN: MOORE & HAUN ON THE LEADING MAN

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

Nick Walker has the life. Jet-setting across the world, visiting remote locations at his own pace, getting to hang out with some of the most rich and powerful people in the world, and being sought after by beautiful women. He's an actor…no wait, he's a spy.

No, wait…he's both.

In the upcoming miniseries The Leading Man from Oni Press, Nick Walker balances a life in Hollywood with a stealthy spy career and making sure his enemies don't find out. Created by the Battle Hymn team of writer B. Clay Moore and artist Jeremy Haun, the miniseries promises both stunning action sequences and celebrity-frenzied lifestyles. We caught up with the two men behind it all to find out more.

Newsarama: Let’s start with the big picture – what’s the central story of The Leading Man miniseries?

Jeremy Haun: The Leading Man is an action/adventure/spy story about Nick Walker the hottest man in Hollywood and international super spy.

B. Clay Moore: Hollywood intrigue mixed with super-spy shenanigans.

JH: Things start off with Nick working on his latest film on the coast of France and from there kick into high gear. He sort of stumbles onto a training base for the world's most notorious terrorist organization Code Black and at the same time has to keep his costars from stumbling onto his secret.

NRAMA: Nick Walker…what's he about? How does one get to be both an actor and spy?

BCM: Nick's a guy just doing his jobs. Trying to juggle the jet-set lifestyle of one career with the clandestine activities required of the other. He's a pretty grounded guy, and most of his highly visible Hollywood lifestyle is as much an act as anything he does on screen.

Which is probably true for most actors.

JH: Nick is our version of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or Tom Cruise. He's a superstar. At the same time he works for the Agency, a multinational espionage organization masquerading as a Hollywood talent agency.



NRAMA: Which is more important to him; the super spy or the acting part?

BCM: Probably the spying. He was recruited as a spy who could act, so he never gets too caught up in being pretentious about his work. I mean...he acts pretentious, but that's just to make his fans happy.

JH: Both jobs are a part of him, but in the end he is the spy pretending to be the actor.

NRAMA: The Agency. Just what is the group?

BCM: The Agency is a real talent agency in Hollywood with very few clients. The Agency dates back to the early days of Hollywood, and it's possible many of the industry's leading men and women have played a role in espionage at the request of the group, which serves as a sort of independent terrorist watchdog. Many of Hollywood's most infamous and puzzling deaths are rumored to have involved Agency missions...

NRAMA: Nick is joined by someone named Travis. Can you tell us how he factors into Nick's exploits?

BCM: Travis, on the surface, is Nick's assistant. Slacker Hollywood hanger-on who sleeps past noon.

In reality he's Nick's right hand man and tech expert. Sarah is his personal stylist, and she spends a lot of time masking his wounds so the camera doesn't notice.



NRAMA: From the solicitations, Nick is up against Code Black. Who are they, and what are their goals?

BCM: Code Black is a group that has taken advantage of the upsurge in global terrorism by providing stolen weapons, trained terrorists, and clandestine information to the highest bidder, no matter who they are.

The government doesn't work too hard to stop them, since they've provided them with all or some of the above in the past, but the Agency is doing what they can to stop their sinister machinations.

NRAMA: Surely one of his dual careers would give him more than enough work for a day. Why does Nick juggle it?

BCM: Again, he was recruited specifically for this job. Sure, it's not always fun dating starlets and drinking yourself under the table with Brad Pitt, but a guy's got to protect his cover.

JH: Obviously one job helps the other out. Sure they can become complex and cause problems for one another. Getting bruises and wounds on a mission that might make shooting a close up the next day difficult, but luckily that's what Nick has Sara Diamond his trusty makeup genius for. Part of what makes the duality work so well is that film stars are constantly bouncing around all over the world for various events and film shoots. This gives Nick and the Agency a chance to place him into areas that ordinary people wouldn't have the chance to go.

NRAMA: Jeremy, your artwork for this series looks quite more modern that your most popular work on Battle Hymn. Can you explain for us what decisions you made to adapt your style for this miniseries?

JH: Everything I did on Battle Hymn went through this 1940s filter in my head. I tried to make the people and environments feel like they were from that era. The Leading Man is about Hollywood and spies, sexy stuff. Aside from just a natural progression in my work I've also worked hard to give The Leading Man a more sleek, modern look.



NRAMA: It's been said you're a stickler for detail when it comes to research. What kind of stuff you get into specifically for The Leading Man?

JH: Lots and lots and lots of gun magazines. I'm not really much of a gun guy in real life but I've worked hard to give each character the right weapon that sort of exemplifies them. When I started work on the book I began putting together a Hollywood style guide. I have this huge file of various clothes, hairstyles, accessories, and cars that I've tried to reference for the book. So when Clay writes, "Nick walks out of his trailer and jumps into a sports car..." I go through my file and try and pick out exactly what kind of car would look cool in that scene. I'm sure it's sort of overkill and 90% of readers aren't going to even care if Nick is driving a Maserati Cambiocorsa or a Panoz Esperante GTLM but for me, it's a big part of the fun.

NRAMA: Jeremy, it's been revealed in other interviews that you originally came up with the idea behind The Leading Man. Can you tell us what this core nugget of an idea was, and why you took it to Clay?

JH: The story was something that came from a conversation my brother and I were having late one night when he was over keeping me awake while I was working hard to finish up Battle Hymn. The idea of an actor/spy came out of that conversation and it was one of those things that I kept coming back to over the next few weeks. Clay was an obvious choice to work with on this project. We worked well together on Battle Hymn and he's one of the only guys out there that can take a crazy concept like this and give it a realism and humanity.

NRAMA: Clay, when Jeremy originally approached you with the idea that would become The Leading Man, what did you see in it?

BCM: A very easy to grasp concept with room for all kinds of fun and entertaining stories. I also knew it would be a good vehicle to provide a bit of commentary on the national obsession with celebrity.

NRAMA: You've done a lot of work with Image; why'd you decide to go with Oni for this book?

BCM: I've known the Oni guys for years - and actually pitched Hawaiian Dick to them back in the day, and have long wanted to do something with them. James Lucas Jones kept pestering me to pitch them the idea as I chatted with him about it, and when I did they leapt at it.

But I've still got lots of stuff planned for Image.

NRAMA: This is the second of a series of collaborations between you two, with last year's Battle Hymn and the upcoming G.I. Joe: Special Missions: Manhattan. Why do you think you two work so well together?

BCM: Well, first of all, we're good friends. Jeremy lives a couple of hours south of me, and our families get together on occasion. In a sense, he's a part of the extended Kansas City creators community, which includes people like Tony Moore, Ande Parks, Mike Huddleston, up and coming writer Seth Peck, Hector Casanova, Matt Fraction and his wife, Kelly Sue...and it's always easier to work with someone you can actually make contact with when you need to.

I think I get what he's capable of, and enjoy tailoring things toward his strengths. In turn, he seems to like working with me.

If I enjoy working with a guy, I'm always up for repeating the process.

JH: I think you just work well with certain people. Clay is honestly one of my favorite writers, I enjoy working on projects with him and getting to see where he takes these stories. I hate him.

NRAMA: This is the first full color book from Oni Press is some time. Why do you think colors, provided by Dave Bryant, are so important to the complete package of the book?

JH: This book is a big action blockbuster kind of story. It was something that always felt like a color book from day one. I've worked with Dave on four projects now and just love the work he does. On every project we do we work to pick out a specific color palette to create the feel we want for the book. Battle Hymn had a muted earthy color palette the Leading Man is all about lush, rich, vibrant color. Dave makes me look good.

BCM: I think it's easier to sell the summer blockbuster, widescreen feel of Nick's life using full color. Hopefully retailers realize that it's in color, as many of them prefer the color to the not color, for various reasons.

NRAMA: One last one, since we’re talking mysteries and secrets, Clay, what does the "B." stand for?

BCM: That's a trade secret, amigo.

The Leading Man is published by Oni Press, and issue #1 is scheduled for a June 2006 release. This full color 22 page comic is priced at $3.50 US, and can be pre-ordered through Diamond Distributors (APR06 3291). For more information, visit www.onipress.com.

[lisiecki2]

damn i want to love this book

[bishop-m]

This looks really good. The colors look really nice. I haven't been let down with B Clay Moore, so I am in for this book!

[Cray_ws]

Clay, Keep it up man, I love your output, I don't care what your sales figures are on books like Hawaiian Dick, The Expatriate, and Battle Hymn. These books are exactly what the market needs. The leading Man looks to be a hit (no pun intended).

Jeremy, absolutely beautiful artwork. I Hope this project goes well for you and I keep my fingers cross there are no delays.

This book might unseat my favorite Oni spybook Queen & Country.

[AlexLothos]

This looks and sounds awesome!

JH: Lots and lots and lots of gun magazines. I'm not really much of a gun guy in real life but I've worked hard to give each character the right weapon that sort of exemplifies them. When I started work on the book I began putting together a Hollywood style guide. I have this huge file of various clothes, hairstyles, accessories, and cars that I've tried to reference for the book. So when Clay writes, "Nick walks out of his trailer and jumps into a sports car..." I go through my file and try and pick out exactly what kind of car would look cool in that scene. I'm sure it's sort of overkill and 90% of readers aren't going to even care if Nick is driving a Maserati Cambiocorsa or a Panoz Esperante GTLM but for me, it's a big part of the fun.

Some of us appreciate those details and will notice them!

[Cray_ws]

I'll wager in that "B" in B.Clay Moore is Bartholomew

[Bakema NL]

Wow, this looks very solid, I'm getting it.

[Chris Hunter]

Wow. Jeremy has really stepped up his game. I'll definitely be getting this.

[Shanobi]

Good luck getting selling more of this, than the "this guy's head is the key to an alien spaceship" book!

[thefellowship12]

I've been looking forward to this from day one, love jeremy's art and Clay's writing is very enjoyable. should be very cool

[Egg]

The art is nice, nice, nice. I'm very impressed! Can't wait to sample the finished product!

[Koben Kelly]

Clay and Jeremy---
Seeing as how you two sunk your claws deep into me with the fantastic Battle Hymn, I am quite excited about your new work. Love the suit design. My only question is this: When are we going to get more Battle Hymn? I'm in detox-shock! Please give us a Midnight Hour one-shot at least?

Thanks
---Koben

[Kolimar]

Those are some very good pages.

[BClayMoore]

Originally Posted by Koben Kelly

Clay and Jeremy---
Seeing as how you two sunk your claws deep into me with the fantastic Battle Hymn, I am quite excited about your new work. Love the suit design. My only question is this: When are we going to get more Battle Hymn? I'm in detox-shock! Please give us a Midnight Hour one-shot at least?

Thanks
---Koben

This is very possible, Koben. Perhaps next year.

-BCM

[DynamiteKid]

An interesting if familiar concept but Jeremy and Clay haven't let me down yet so I know the delivery will be great. I can't wait to read it and see what the twist on the concept will be. I'm digging Jeremy's work and it's nice to hear the depth of thought put into the details.

[lex luthor]

Looks solid. Looking forward to it.

[Blackbeard]

Fantastic!
Count me in.

[BradyKiller]

Now I dont know the origins of this but it SMELLS of "creating for the movie option"

What happened to the interesting and crazy indie ideas of the 80's that weren't supposed to be movie options and were alternatives to the Big 2? I'm tired of these kinds of indies coming out that look ready for Hollywood...I want to see the new Grimjack, Nexus, American Flagg. Liberty Project, DNAgents, Elementals etc...

[BClayMoore]

Originally Posted by BradyKiller

Now I dont know the origins of this but it SMELLS of "creating for the movie option"

What happened to the interesting and crazy indie ideas of the 80's that weren't supposed to be movie options and were alternatives to the Big 2? I'm tired of these kinds of indies coming out that look ready for Hollywood...I want to see the new Grimjack, Nexus, American Flagg. Liberty Project, DNAgents, Elementals etc...

Yeah, that'e exactly what this is.

We decided to spend seven months of our lives writing, drawing and coloring a five issue movie pitch.

No offense, but if I want to pitch something to Hollywood, I go directly to Hollywood. That's why I have people out there who represent me.

This is an attempt at a widescreen, kick-ass, highly entertaining comic book with satirical overtones, and I resent the hell out of people sitting back and taking lazy potshots like that.

Producing comic books as movie pitches is an inane idea. If you create a book that you believe in, and don't try to pander like that, Hollywood may well come calling, but that's a by-product of creating a good book.

I don't mean to react so strogly, but that pisses me off, so I'm being honest (which is kind of my thing). Spending this much time on a book takes a lot more effort than writing up a one paragraph pitch and sending it to my agent would, you know?

Otherwise, have a nice day.

-BCM

[lex luthor]

Originally Posted by BClayMoore

We decided to spend seven months of our lives writing, drawing and coloring a five issue comic.
-BCM

I hope so. All the accolades, press, and reprints Fell has gotten should have been yours for Expatriate if not for the constant delays. I truly believe that.

[BradyKiller]

Originally Posted by BClayMoore

Yeah, that'e exactly what this is.

We decided to spend seven months of our lives writing, drawing and coloring a five issue movie pitch.

No offense, but if I want to pitch something to Hollywood, I go directly to Hollywood. That's why I have people out there who represent me.

This is an attempt at a widescreen, kick-ass, highly entertaining comic book with satirical overtones, and I resent the hell out of people sitting back and taking lazy potshots like that.

Producing comic books as movie pitches is an inane idea. If you create a book that you believe in, and don't try to pander like that, Hollywood may well come calling, but that's a by-product of creating a good book.

I don't mean to react so strogly, but that pisses me off, so I'm being honest (which is kind of my thing). Spending this much time on a book takes a lot more effort than writing up a one paragraph pitch and sending it to my agent would, you know?

Otherwise, have a nice day.

-BCM

No offense meant BCM - glad you can chime in here to say its NOT what it looks like on the surface.

But you do have to admit that on the surface this is what it looks like and you know that a comic with artwork sells a concept much better than a one paragraph pitch to an agent.

I have friends in Hollywood who know nothing about comics, but work on comics-as-scripts all the time. Hell there are even companies that DO that for scriptwriters (turn their script into comic format)

Anyways, good luck with it - glad you reacted this way so we, who just read the "hype-sheet" know you are doing this for the love of the medium and not for the option money (can't say the same for many others out there - so you can undertsand my skeptism.)

[Cray_ws]

Anyways, good luck with it - glad you reacted this way so we, who just read the "hype-sheet" know you are doing this for the love of the medium and not for the option money (can't say the same for many others out there - so you can undertsand my skeptism.)

Your skeptism is so misplaced you fired off a post claiming this project was pandering to Hollywood and now your second post says you didn't think so despite what you thought of the surface of the project.

If you need a Creator to reply to you in anger, and explain to you its not what you think it is on the surface then you got issues. You want to talk to Creators more about the project then you need to do a better job of investigating before you open your mouth and say something that can be taken as obnoxious and ignorant comment. Personally I think this is simply a case of lazy or poor perception skills on your part. Next time read the entire article.

[BClayMoore]

I just think people throw the "Hollywood pitch" thing around a lot, and I'm not sure they realize how much work goes into producing a comic book.

Especially a five issue full color series.

On the other hand, if someone does a one-shot or something aimed at Hollywood, that's their business. If the book is solid, I really don't care.

-BCM

[BradyKiller]

Originally Posted by Cray_ws

Your skeptism is so misplaced you fired off a post claiming this project was pandering to Hollywood and now your second post says you didn't think so despite what you thought of the surface of the project.

If you need a Creator to reply to you in anger, and explain to you its not what you think it is on the surface then you got issues. You want to talk to Creators more about the project then you need to do a better job of investigating before you open your mouth and say something that can be taken as obnoxious and ignorant comment. Personally I think this is simply a case of lazy or poor perception skills on your part. Next time read the entire article.

I love it when blind fanboys come rushing to gush in front of creators on message boards.

The one thing that bothers me the most is how people here stand up when a creator is "in the room" - sit back down Cray - anybody that has been in a comic shop in the last year will think the same thing I did...it will live or die by its own merits of course but surface looking this is how I call it.

I'm sure you've called a new "X" book as "another x book" in your lifetime so dont think your brain works better than others just because you automatically love the creator - because it makes YOU sound really obnoxious.

[Cray_ws]

BradyKiller, keep making assumptions and pretty soon you are going to lose all creditbility. Clearly you haven't read enough my post that I don't gush over creators. I have my favorites alright but I don't excuse their failings.

As it was pointed out your assumptions about this book were wrong, and I'm telling you straight from the source, you are wrong about me. I suppose I should expect your next post telling me thats all you needed to hear me in defiance to dismiss your skeptism again.