GERARD WAY ON THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY

[MattBrady]

Announced at San Diego, Gerard Way of the rock band My Chemical Romance is taking a step into comics with The Umbrella Academy coming from Dark Horse in 2007.

The big picture? As Dark Hore describes, The Umbrella Academy is about seven extraordinary, maladjusted individuals and their plight to protect the planet. When the former team members become aware of a new world-ending threat, they must put their personal and inter-personal problems aside and unite the super-group once more to do what they were born to do—save the world.

The miniseries will feature art by Gabriel Bá.

So – does the rock star (and former DC Comics intern) have what it takes to make it in comics? Way and his Dark Horse editor Scott Allie had a conversation about that very issue for Newsarama.

Newsarama Note: This interview was conducted just before San Diego Comicon 2006, as Gerard Way was finishing final tracking on My Chemical Romance’s new album, and days after Gabriel Bá had been hired as the interior artist on Gerard’s series for Dark Horse, The Umbrella Academy.

Scott Allie: When the proposal for Umbrella Academy first came to me from a big rock star, I was skeptical, and I think it might have sat a little while on my desk. I’m probably not the only person who’s gonna be a little skeptical of a rock star slumming in comics—but you’ve actually got the background for it. You interned at DC. How did that go?

Click here for the full interview.

[lukewarmwate]

yay! more celebrities writing comics!

[jamdav86]

Whoo! MCR!

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by lukewarmwate

yay! more celebrities writing comics!

aaaaand we've had our predictable dig at that. thanks for getting it out of the way early.

For all those coming on later who wanted to say that, sorry, just carry on like you said it, and then, please opt to contribute something about the story, or Way's background in comics instead.

thanks

MattB

[delawarejoel]

Originally Posted by lukewarmwate

yay! more celebrities writing comics!

The difference here is that Way wanted to be a comic book artist and writer before he was a rock star. Because my son is an MCR junkie, I saw the (actually pretty fascinating) documentary they recently released to DVD and it makes it pretty clear that Gerard lived for comic books and rock and roll, and is actually a pretty talented artist (all the artwork on MCR's cd is done by him).

A good writer is a good writer, whether they write songs or comic books or novels or everything. If Gerard Way was a successful comic book writer first and then started a multiplatinum rock band, would that somehow be "better"? Your logic says Neil Gaiman shouldnt write novels or screenplays because he's already famous as a comic book writer.

And again, if somebody walks into a comic shop for the first time because they want to get that new Gerard Way (or Joss Whedon or whoever) comic book and walk out with a bunch of other stuff that looked cool while they were in there, does that not help the industry?

Sigh. Rant over.

[jamdav86]

To follow up on delawarejoel's comments, sample of said artwork.

[LobsterJ]

i probably won't pick it up but if MCR's legions of teenage girl fans are convinced to pick up a comic, this is a good thing.

[Punchy]

I really don't like MCR, but Gabriel Ba is an awesome artist, I hope this doesn't mess with Casanova, because that book is any number of superlatives.

[Egg]

Count me in. I'm curious. Very curious!

[Kelby]

My first question. Is the writing that good?
He has more experience than a lot of people as far as writing comics (example: Me), but is it possible that his fame as a "rock star" is pushing the title?

From what I read, I have the idea it’s a "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" type book.
Personally, I'm going to leave the emo kids with there Beatles haircuts and pop music.
Best of luck.

[Mundungus]

Kelby, my first impression was LoEG too, but I think I'll have faith in this guy. That's a really awesome cover by Jean, and some of the characters look pretty interesting. I've never listened to Chemical Romance, so I don't know how good they are.

And chances are, being a rock star isn't pushing the title, but it's helping it. Having an outside source for a comic book draws in more people, and that's a good thing.

So all the power to them.

[Garden Gnome]

I'm sure the guy's rock star background helped him land the title, but we are talking Dark Horse here, who don't seem the type to throw money at something just 'cuz he's a star, they seem pretty demanding in terms of the comics actually having a good story and little stuff like that.

I don't know MCR very much, but after reading the article, the dude's honest passion towards comics is apparent, I'll give it an issue or two to grab me.

[WebHobbit]

I like MCR. We seen them open for Green Day once. My daughter is a pretty big fan. We actually seen Gerard and a couple of the band members walking around on the street (they were not half as BIG then so there was no mob about) in St. Louis before the concert and my daughter and her friend walked up to them and started talking and got pictures with them and all. Seemed like a nice guy...although I wasn't there for the actual picture taking as me and my wife were dutifully holding their spot in line!

I'll try to dig up that picture.

Here it is (I know she'll wanna kill me for posting this but...)

[DAV!S]

That was a pretty nice interview. Don't know if I'll pick up the book itself, but I'm sure if the news gets spread round one of those message boards obcessed with My Chem it could move a bucket load. They've actually got a writer here who appeals to a large young fanbase, let's hope Dark Horse can make some bucks off it.

[dave roman]

Gerard has always been someone with interesting stories to tell. I think that comes across whether it's in music or comics. I'm really excited that he's finally getting to do this project. The art looks great. Especially that James Jean cover. Holy crap! I hope the book included his designs and sketches too.

[heelmark]

Talented writer + great art = one kick- comic.
I've actually been expecting Gerard to get into the biz for a while now. If you've ever heard him talk about comics in an interview you can tell how much he loves the stories. Good to hear it's finally on the way. I'll be looking forward to The Umbrella Academy. Definitely going on the pull list.

[Michael D.]

Terrible band - then again, I'm hardly their target audience since I'm not a fat kid angry at his parents nor am I a lonely girl fantasizing about N'Sync in Goth clothing...

But I'll be damned - I'm actually gonna buy the book.

[chris chUa]

SWEET! I'm a fan of both My Chem and Ba. Ba's Casanova artwork rocks! I'll be picking this up. and james jean on covers? awesome.

really looking forward to the new my chem album too.

[Swift]

The guy looks like Billy Corgan and Kurt Cobain had a baby.

I'm a progressive rock fan, but I really like the videos for The Ghost of You and Helena. Excellent work.



Which issue is this art from? I like it a lot.

[heelmark]

Best I can tell, it's the cover to issue 1.

[Nas-Vell]

I've always wanted to branch out of mainstream comics and stuff. Always wanted to, never have. What can I say? The damn superheroes have me by the balls (let go already, Northstar!)!

Being a BIG fan of the band - the lyrics, man, it's all in the lyrics - I will be using Mr. Way's (gah! horrible flashes of "Venom" and "Wolverine: Origins") involvement as an excuse to break out of superhero comics and into...superhero comics with a twist?

Hey, it's a start.
Not that I need an excuse or anything. :-p

"The Umbrella Academy". Must remember that name next time I go to the comic shop. I'm starting the damn Pull-List page for that one, and I'm also going to tell everyone to buy it (to ensure that they order it for me )

[EDIT:] And just to add something logical here; I totally agree with this big famous rockstar guy that they (the comic companies) should be bringing in more talent "off the street". How am I ever gonna write comics when no one will hire me because they don't know who I am, dammit?!

[BillReed]

I ignored this story at first, but... God help me, it sounds like it could be good.

[hirotenchi]

I am really looking forword to the comic books release, I collect alot of comics and this one has a very good look to it and the description is great! My Chemical Romance has inspired me in more ways than one, they have opened my eyes to see the world differently and to try things i never would have thought to do. Knowing that someone can have more then one passion and complete both makes me beileve that one day I too will be able to do the same.

[this is k]

Originally Posted by WebHobbit

I like MCR. We seen them open for Green Day once. My daughter is a pretty big fan. We actually seen Gerard and a couple of the band members walking around on the street (they were not half as BIG then so there was no mob about) in St. Louis before the concert and my daughter and her friend walked up to them and started talking and got pictures with them and all. Seemed like a nice guy...although I wasn't there for the actual picture taking as me and my wife were dutifully holding their spot in line!

I'll try to dig up that picture.

Here it is (I know she'll wanna kill me for posting this but...)

I am so jealous of your daughter. On Halloween, I went to my very first MCR show and unfortunately was not able to meet Gerard.

Personally, I was part of the legion that would make fun of My Chemical Romance for being "emo" but after finding out that Gerard Way loves the Preacher and Iron Maiden almost as much as I do, I had to give his band a chance. I did and I've never looked back since. I think it is so awesome how he (and the rest of his band mates) are so open about reading comics and liking Iron Maiden.

I am eagerly anticipating this book. I am just sad that the March solicits have been released and there has been no hard release date mentioned.