TALKING WITH TEAM GALACTICA

[MattBrady]

by Byron S. Dane

In case you haven’t heard…there’s a Battlestar Galactica comic coming out. Dynamite Entertainment’s take on the top-rated SciFi series launches next week with a #0 issue for 25 cents by Greg Pak and Nigel Raynor. We’ve spoken with Pak and Raynot previously, but now, with the debut so close, we caught up to them (as well as cover artist Billy Tan) one final time to talk Galactica.

for a 4.5 page preview, click here

Newsarama: Greg, let’s hit the hardest question first. You're an award-winning director and a revered comic writer…but if you were told right now that you could only follow one of those paths from here on out, which would you choose?

Greg Pak: Head... exploding... can’t... choose!

NRAMA: Alright, alright – to the topic at hand. You're writing Battlestar Galactica, creating a "missing chapter" in the existing TV continuity. What can you tell us about the process for something like that? And is it true that you've heard from the man himself, Galactica boss Ronald D. Moore?

GP: I was a huge fan of the show and couldn’t say no when Dynamite offered me the job of writing the comic book tie-in. The show’s so dense and evocative that I had a huge number of story ideas almost from the minute I heard about the possibility of the job. But I had no idea what Universal would approve. So I wrote a treatment, building on what I thought were the most compelling ideas and emotional conflicts from the first season. Dynamite sent it in and we crossed our fingers and waited. They came back with a few notes, I did a revision, and we got to have a conference call with Ron Moore, the man himself. It was great — he had a few key questions and helpful suggestions, and then we were off. It’s exciting -- they’re letting us tell some real stories here, stories that take the characters and ideas to new places. We’re working in some insane twists that really delve deep in shocking ways — it’s gonna be a heck of a ride!

NRAMA: How deeply tied into the continuity is this initial story arc?

GP: We’re 100 percent tied into the continuity of the television show — our storyline takes place in the middle of the second season, right after the return from Kobol and before the arrival of the Pegasus. So fans who loved the ideas and relationships of that time period are going to be right at home reading the comic book. We’re also striving to write the book in way that makes it immediately accessible to folks who’ve never seen a single episode of the television show, so non-Galactica junkies shouldn’t hesitate to pick up Issue #0 if they’re interested in good science fiction comics with trippy ideas, intense action, compelling characters, and mind-blowing cliffhangers.

NRAMA: What can you tell us about the story?

<>b>GP: After the robot Cylons destroy their worlds, a rag tag fleet of humans led by the Battlestar Galactica fight for survival while searching for a semi-mythical planet known as Earth. Our story begins as the Galactica discovers a group of human survivors in a small Medivac ship under attack by Cylons. Commander William Adama suspects a Cylon plot. But President Laura Roslin points to the Sacred Scrolls, which contain an ancient prophecy: “The dead shall return in an ark of fire.” Who are the “Returners”? Will they unite or divide the fleet -- and heal or break the heart of Commander Adama?

NRAMA: Galactica is well known for delivering on many fronts: politics, religion, action, deep characterization and even some romance / sexual tension. What aspects will come to the forefront in your take on the universe?

GP: All of the above! The great thing about the show is that it combines great genre ideas and action with real human drama. That’s the kind of story we’re doing our best to tell in every comic book in the series.

NRAMA: When you started work on this project, did you find yourself saying "I have to use these characters because I love them" and creating a situation for them, or did the situation come first?

GP: : There was one emotional storyline in particular that hit me hard during the first season - I can’t say what it was right now for fear of spoilers, but when you read Issue #0 you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. And when I was thinking about what the comic book should be, I kept coming back to that storyline. I knew there was more to explore there on an emotional level, and when I came up with a hook that could tie it in to questions of the Cylon’s origins and the Cylon/human relationships, I knew I had a story.

NRAMA: Does your directorial experience ultimately help or hinder your comic book creation? Do you have to switch gears between the two?

GP: It’s all the same muscles, just utilized in a slightly different way. I’d say the biggest difference is that with a comic book, I have to do much more of the work up front, in the script. If I’m writing a film script, I’m writing dialogue and barebones action. I would never write out in precise detail how a shot is framed in a film script — I might have a strong idea of framing and camera movement for every shot as I’m writing, but it drags down the read if it’s spelled it out in the script, and at any rate, nailing that stuff down is best left to when I’m working in rehearsals and pre-production and then on set with actors and crew. In contrast, with a comic book script, I’m describing each frame in great detail, because I don’t have the face time with my creative team the way I would on a movie set — I’ve never worked with a comic book artist who lived in the same city, for example - and actually, I’ve rarely worked with a comic book artist in the same country! So the most efficient way to get all of my ideas across is to do the work up front and put ‘em in the script.

NRAMA: Can you share any details about what's coming up after this initial arc?

GP: GREG PAK: It’s going to be crazy! Sharon fans, you may commence rejoicing now — she’ll play a huge role starting with Issue #4. As the series progresses, we’ll discover more about the origins of the Cylons, learn about an underground group of human saboteurs trying to prevent the Galactica from reaching Earth, and delve deeply into the most compelling and dividing emotional storyline from the first season. Huge twists are in store — particularly at the end of Issue #0 and Issue #3 — with major emotional, thematic, and story payoffs. And here’s one more word, just for kicks: “Pirates.” I’ll say no more.

Moving over to the art side:

Newsarama: Nigel, what are your favorite science fiction works? Are you a fan of the genre?

Nigel Raynor: I think any kid born in the seventies couldn’t help but be a scifi fan, thanks to Star Wars. I must confess I haven't read many scifi novels - a couple of Phillip K. Dick books, I'm more into crime writers - but I'm a huge fan of Shirow and Otomo. Akira's actually one of my all time favourite titles and is one of the books that made me want to do this for a living. Current writers like Warren Ellis can do no wrong in my eyes either. As far as movies go, I'll say, Blade Runner, Empire Strikes Back, 12 Monkeys and of course, Predator. "I ain't got time to bleed."

Best. Film. Ever.

NRAMA: When it comes to interpreting established characters played by real human beings, what's your approach?

NR: What I want out of the comic is for it to exist, not only as a worthy compendium to the show but as a book in its own right. As such I didn't want the characters to be wooden cut outs of the actors. Essentially, I just looked at the cast and tried distill the essence of what made the character recognizable and then built on that.

NRAMA: What about the camera angles? Do you look to the show for influence, or are you taking your own route?

NR: Both actually, the show is wonderfully shot and lit and I try to stay pretty faithful to that. I've actually modified my style somewhat to better fit the show and Greg's scripts. Gone are the forced perspectives and objects/characters flying out of panels. I've taken out some of the 'lighter' aspects of the style and tried to replace them with a level of grounded reality. Its now more about trying to create a more cinematic and authentic look for book.

NRAMA: Tell us about a Greg Pak script, and what the working process is like between the two of you.

NR: Well we've only really started to work together but he seems happy with what I've given him so far, which is really great for me. I've read the first four scripts now. After finishing them I had a big cheesy grin on my face ‘cause I knew I was going to enjoy the hell out drawing all this stuff he's got coming up. It’s got all the melodrama, comedy and action you get from the show and quite a few surprises too!

NRAMA: Do you have a favorite Galactica character to draw yet?

NR: My favorite’s also the most challenging: Adama. Trying to capture the authoritarian aspects of his character and marrying them with his compassionate side took a while but I think I'm getting there now thanks to endless sketchbook sessions. Oh and the Cylons of course, just ‘cause they look so damn cool!

NRAMA: Were you a fan of the show already, or did you come into it after accepting the gig?

NR: Well I’d seen the miniseries and really liked it and had just started watching Season 1 on reruns - I missed it first time around due to moving and not having cable for a while. As soon as I got the gig I got the DVD though, and sat and watched the whole season in about a week! It’s a tough job but someone's gotta do it!

And finally, cover artist for #1, Billy Tan

Newsarama: How did the cover gig for Battlestar Galactica come about?

Billy Tan: Dynamite always has cool covers they would ask me to do and this is no exception.

NRAMA: Were you a fan of the show?

BT: Honestly, I may have watched a few episodes of the old series.

NRAMA: Tell us about your cover, and the process behind its creation.

BT: Basically, I wanted to show the ship and use some main players to create a poster feel cover. I used an upshot view for the ship and that was hard because I didn’t have a good reference, so I had to draw it base on the top part of the ship. I think it worked out pretty well.

[toede]

Im stoked about this.. but does this interview mean that #0 is coming out this wednesday? Hope so, be awesome to get it in my next shipment.

[RedRonin]

I find myself looking forward to this more and more.

[TheFoo]

I'm so damn giddy for this!

[theodoros2]

I am too old to support monthly issues.

Paperbacks. I am going to buy the paperbacks.

[EmeraldGuy32]

looking forward to this. But wasn't Remender slotted to write this? Or am I just crazy?

[The_Adventurer]

No, Remender is going to writing the "Classic" Battlestar Galactica comic series that Dynamite is also putting out at some point.

Can't wait for that.

[EmeraldGuy32]

Originally Posted by The_Adventurer

No, Remender is going to writing the "Classic" Battlestar Galactica comic series that Dynamite is also putting out at some point.

Can't wait for that.

oh got it. Didn't realze there were two.

[Bearpod91]

Why isn't McNiven doing the inside work?

[The_Adventurer]

Originally Posted by Bearpod91

Why isn't McNiven doing the inside work?

Because he's probibly expensive and frankly I don't think his style would really fit the interiours. Lipstick wearing Kara should be an indicator of that.

[Warhawk1701]

Kara with lipstick? No way!

You know since I lack access to Sky (satelite TV in Britain) I have to wait for the DVD's which won't be out till august.So I have to wonder if I'll be spoiling S2 if I get this? Sod it I'll get it anyway.

I wonder how Classic Battlestar's going to work, will it pick up after the series ended or during it? Just so long as they ignore Galactica 1980 (shudders at the horror of it).

[The_Adventurer]

I hope During it. Richard Hatch's Classic BSG novels do a great job of fleshing out "what happened after the series ended" just fine. The comic shouldn't try to butt into that too much.

[mdhprime]

Originally Posted by Warhawk1701

Kara with lipstick? No way!

You know since I lack access to Sky (satelite TV in Britain) I have to wait for the DVD's which won't be out till august.So I have to wonder if I'll be spoiling S2 if I get this? Sod it I'll get it anyway.

I wonder how Classic Battlestar's going to work, will it pick up after the series ended or during it? Just so long as they ignore Galactica 1980 (shudders at the horror of it).

Obviously can't be sure since we've not seen the whole thing, but from the descriptions I don't think they are going to spoil anything. Just my guess. BTW you will LOVE Season 2