ADAM HUGHES ON HIS NEW EXCLUSIVE & ALL STAR WONDER WOMAN

[MattBrady]

While the news that Adam Hughes was going to be writing, illustrating, and coloring All Star Wonder Woman for DC Comics kind of snuck out of San Diego, the other piece of Hughes-related news just hit, with the artist and publisher confirming that Hughes has signed an exclusive contract with DC that will see him through his run on the book.

And no, wiseguy, it’s not a 100 year exclusive. Keep reading.

“You’d have thought,” Hughes joked when asked if he hadn’t received offers for exclusive contracts before this, “But that wasn’t the case.

“DC asked me a while ago to do All-Star Wonder Woman, and I said sure, and it came with an exclusive contract. Ideally, if I’m working on interiors, I really shouldn’t be distracting myself with covers and other extracurricular activities, so I might as well be exclusive, and gosh darn it, if I can get my teeth fixed at the same time, I’m going to go for it.”

The deal doesn’t have too many “carve outs,” that is, special exclusions to the agreement which would allow Hughes to continue working with other publishers in albeit a limited capacity. For the duration then, no new Star Wars covers or prints for Dark Horse.

“I can’t say Dark Horse was thrilled with me signing the deal, but it’s not like I’m disappearing from the face of the earth – I’m going steady with DC for a couple of years while I work on a book.”

Although, that’s not to say there can’t be certain exceptions. “If I get a call from the Pope to add a couple of figures to the Sistine Ceiling, I may be able to convince DC to allow me to do it. As long as I’m not adding Marvel characters, I think it will be fine.”

As for what will be keeping Hughes busy? Well, you’ll see a few more covers and origins spreads in 52, but the big thing on his radar? That project called All Star Wonder Woman, due to launch, according to DC, in the summer of 2007. Now that the ts are crossed and the is are dotted, Hughes said, he’s ready to roll.

“I’ve been thinking about it for the past two years, but my phenomenal bad luck with interior projects has taught me not to do a single line of actual work until I have a contract,” Hughes said about his schedule. “My last several attempts at major books with doing interiors have all ended up with me writing half an issue or a whole issue, and then having to quit. It wasn’t anything I wanted to repeat. So I have been doing ‘work’ on All-Star Wonder Woman, but not anything that can be construed as something I can put on someone’s desk and show them. Basically, I’ve sat on my porch and thought a lot about Wonder Woman.”

As for which current All Star book (Superman or Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder) All Star Wonder Woman will most resemble in it’s approach to the character, Hughes just shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know what’s been going on in All Star Batman and Robin or in All Star Superman – I’ve actually made a point not to read them. I’ve got my fingers in my ears and am singing ‘la-la-la’ when it comes to them, because I didn’t want to be colored by anybody else’s take on what’s going on. I didn’t want All Star Wonder Woman to come across in the same ‘flavor’ as the others.”

Okay – so what will his approach be, then?

“My plan is to start with Steve Trevor crashing on Paradise Island, and hilarity ensues,” Hughes said. “The way the All Star line was pitched to me, and this was several years ago, was that this was gong to be the iconic interpretation.

“So what I’ve been doing is re-reading a lot of old Wonder Woman comics. As I see it, I’m getting to do this iconic approach to the character, and I’m looking at it the same way as the people who did…say, Batman: The Animated Series. You look over the sixty year history of the character, and treat it like a salad bar. You take the good bits, and leave the rest. You get the best of all possible worlds. I’m taking all the thinking I did about the character that I did when I was working on the covers…which is a lot of time to sit and think, people will probably say, because I’m so slow [laughs], and I’m taking the best bits from the Golden Age, the best bits from the George Perez run, and hopefully will come up with something where I can say, ‘Aha! A happy, healthy balance.’”

Hughes also said that he’s not looking to play up the “superhero” side of Wonder Woman as much as has been done in the past. Not that she won’t do superheroic things, in Hughes’ eyes, Diana did not come to man’s world to be a superhero.

“I happen to love the heavy mythological feel of the Perez issues,” the creator explained. “To me, that presence was in the Golden Age version, but Perez just turned it up to 11. I’d like to keep that feel, because I like the tone of Wonder Woman as a mythological character, as opposed to just a straight superhero. I’m not as enamored with the concept of the superhero as I was when I was younger, so I don’t look at her as a superhero, and casting her as someone who stops bank robberies doesn’t interest me as much as seeing her as the daughter of a queen, someone who comes from a perfect place, but for some reason, wants to leave. She wants to go to a place that everyone in her hometown is telling her she doesn’t want to go. I find that kind of stuff a little more interesting.”

If Hughes’ take on Wonder Woman does have a unique ring to it, it’s something that he attributes to drawing the Amazon over, and over, and over, and over.

“I’ve been a cover artist for a lot of years, and I’ve found that the way to do the covers is to understand the characters you’re drawing. It’s one of the reasons that I prefer to be on a regular title, like Wonder Woman or Catwoman – after a while, you start to get a feel for the character, know who they are, and start drawing them from the inside out, as they say. I did that with Wonder Woman. I came up with my personal vision of the character.

“My take on Wonder Woman is that she’s the perfect woman, but perfect characters are boring. It’s the weaknesses that make people interesting. Superman running through the criminal world, with bullets bouncing off of him saying, ‘It tickles!’ - that’s not as interesting as it is when Superman gets to the villains’ lair, and the bad guy whips out a piece of Kryptonite, and Superman’s weakness now must come into play.

“Wonder Woman’s this perfect character, so her weakness can’t make her look like a bad person, or even a weak character, really, and I came up with insatiable curiosity. All of my favorite, larger than life, fictitious characters seem to come from farms, and they all seem to have what I think is called a Dorothy complex – they have everything they need at home, but they want to see over the rainbow. That’s it with Wonder Woman – she lives in the perfect place – and she wants to go to man’s world, and meet people, and talk to strangers, and learn their ways. I thought, in the hands of a writer who’s halfway decent, that insatiable curiosity, that Marco Polo, ‘I have to see the world’ kind of thing, could get any character into a world of trouble. She has this insatiable need to know and see the world. She’s Dorothy Gale, She’s Luke Skywalker, she’s James Kirk – she wants to get off the farm.”

But – Hughes stresses - that doesn’t mean she’s going to say, go to New York City, and get hit by a car as she marvels as these speeding hunks of metal all around her.

“There’s a difference between curiosity and naiveté. Wonder Woman standing in the middle of traffic asking, ‘What’s a car?’ is not what I’m talking about. She’s out somewhere, in strange new lands, meeting new people, and while she’s there, she needs to slay a dragon…or something. She’s almost addicted to learning new things. Anybody else would look at her and think she was perfect – wise, strong, beautiful, but she’s like a mental anorexic, and would be thinking, ‘I haven’t learned Japanese yet.’ But there’s no pessimism – there just aren’t enough hours in the day to learn all the new things in the world. That’s where her fascination of man’s world comes from – it’s so big and wide open – there’s just so much. Where she’s going to get into trouble is that…there are certain things we do in man’s world that they don’t do on Paradise Island. Likewise, she’s never seen a baby…or an old woman. Somewhere in amongst all of that, the stories start to write themselves.”

And as for that aforementioned Steve Trevor? After 25 odd years as not being even perhaps a love interest, he’s back to his more traditional role, that of a contemporary to Diana in age.

“To make this all an interesting journey, I’m trying to turn up the interest level in Steve Trevor. He’s going to be her guide through man’s world, and if romance blossoms between them, well…we’ll have to see…”

Make no mistake though, Trevor won’t be a boytoy, eyecandy that’s been pushed to the background in most scenes. “I’m treating all the supporting characters the same – Steve Trevor, Etta Candy, Diana’s mother – they all should be interesting enough that they could carry their own titles,” Hughes said. “They shouldn’t just be throwaway characters who are only there for contractual reasons. They should be there because they themselves are important parts of Wonder Woman’s story.”

Back to this Trevor guy? Want a mental image?

“If I can pull him off the way I want, picture Steve Trevor as Steve McQueen who’s been hanging out with Race Bannon from Jonny Quest, and they go over to Chuck Yeager’s house for drinks, but it’s the Chuck Yeager played by Sam Shepherd from The Right Stuff. Steve Trevor is the prototypical laconic, cowboy pilot, because that would make an interesting balance with Wonder Woman.”

Or, to go totally geekspeak, Hal Jordan wishes he could be Steve Trevor one day – and not just for the possible shot at Wonder Woman.

As Hughes sees it, he’s the perfect match for Wonder Woman.

“Everything Wonder Woman says and does makes the world a better place. If you aske her to pass the salt at the dinner table, she’d do it in a way that would make you think, ‘Gosh darn it, I am going to go back and finish college! She could cure cancer with a smile. She’s this positive, outspoken person, so her companion for the story will be this laid-back, laconic, cowboy poet of a pilot who balances her completely. Again - it’s not a story about a superhero, it’s about a princess from a foreign country coming to America, and her handler/tour guide is the Marlboro Man.”

Princess from a foreign land, Marlboro Man, and someone actually going by the name “Etta Candy” aside…admittedly there’re more than a few fans out there looking askance at the entire idea of a run on a regular series by Adam Hughes. In fact, Hughes himself is one of them.

“I told DC that most people were going to laugh when they heard I was going to be doing a monthly series, but just because the books is going to come out monthly, doesn’t mean I’m going to do it monthly. I think we’re talking about me handing in 10 or 11 pages of penciled, inked, and colored work each month, plus the covers. Hopefully, every two months to nine weeks, I’ll have an issue done. I told them also that if they solicit before I’m finished with my issues, I’m going to run screaming and quit [laughs]. Everybody wants this to come out every thirty days, so I think we’re going to stockpile it, so that as we’re nearing the end of me working on the book, we’ll solicit the first issue. That’s my goal.

“I get frustrated too when a book that I wants doesn’t come out as regularly as it’s supposed to, so I think everybody deserves to have their All Star Wonder Woman every thirty days.”

[Cully Hamner]

Finally! Congrats, buddy...

[flamebird867]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

“I get frustrated too when a book that I wants doesn’t come out as regularly as it’s supposed to, so I think everybody deserves to have their All Star Wonder Woman every thirty days.”

i don't know if i'm gonna get this...but an on time book!!

[Aaron]

Well, color me surprised. Adam seems to nail the character, at least in terms of the writing. The art, on the other hand, that concerns me. He's not my favorite WW artist for many reasons.

[Delta Ass]

Hmmm, a monthly is nice. Though I think a lot of people would have also accepted a bi monthly schedule, like Justice.

[Ace]

For someone who reads as many comics as I do, I'm really not too familiar with Hughes' work, especially his writing. That said, this sounds like a lot of fun.

I think that Rucka's Wonder Woman is the best possible take on the character, maybe more in the earlier part of his run than the latter, but still, you can't really improve on that much. But it was Diana in a different place in her life.

For early Diana, this sounds really fun and exciting. I got a little worried when he mentioned Kryptonite as Clark's weakness, since that's not interesting. It's his human weaknesses in his personality that make him interesting. But he followed it right up by suggesting a human flaw that would be Diana's weakness, so hey, I'm cautiously excited for this.

It should be fun.

[The 'Nam]

Sweet!

Sounds like it won't be late...it just won't be solicited regularly, and then resolicited...which is more logical than soliciting, say, ASBMR or Ultimates, and then not delivering it on time.

Take your time, man.

[Utizzle]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Everybody wants this to come out every thirty days, so I think we’re going to stockpile it, so that as we’re nearing the end of me working on the book, we’ll solicit the first issue. That’s my goal.

Hey now! Comics on a...monthly basis? That's such a crazy idea it may just work!

[Kevenn]

Hughes sounds like he has a really fascinating take on Wonder Woman. I just hope it's not completely devoid of villains. I wanna see Cheetah and Giganta and Circe!

[Mr Prince]

Sounds interesting to me. I like his take on Diana and being insanely curious--it's a solid/fresh interpretation of her character.

I like the aspects of Steve Trevor he proposes as well. Seems to me this version would have a lot in common with Hal Jordan.

All the best...

Scott

[DeadpoolFX]

no more Hughes Star Wars covers?

I don't buy All-Star titles so I guess I won't be seeing any Adam Hughes artwork for a while

[tralfaz]

the other wonder woman at the con was hotter

[astronato]

well I love this guys approach so far.

Diana the seeker of knowledge. Wonder Woman the scholar. I like that.

“If I can pull him off the way I want, picture Steve Trevor as Steve McQueen who’s been hanging out with Race Bannon from Jonny Quest, and they go over to Chuck Yeager’s house for drinks, but it’s the Chuck Yeager played by Sam Shepherd from The Right Stuff. Steve Trevor is the prototypical laconic, cowboy pilot, because that would make an interesting balance with Wonder Woman.”

hell yes. That works for me. I liked the first issue of the new WW series but Steve Trevor seemed like such a weakling.

Everybody wants this to come out every thirty days, so I think we’re going to stockpile it, so that as we’re nearing the end of me working on the book, we’ll solicit the first issue. That’s my goal.

And what a terrific goal to have.

OK, I'm psyched. Maybe I missed it in the article. When does this start?

Let's see Diana in the skirt some, please.

and who is the cutie in the WW outfit? lovely.

[Spaz_Monkey]

double post. oops.

[Johnny Smith]

w00t!

Looking forward to this!

[Spaz_Monkey]

I am thrilled by the idea of Adam Hughes doing Wonder Woman. He's been one of my favorite artists for many years, and I have faith that if DC gave him the exclusive contract, then they must know that he's the man for the book.

That said, damn I love the women he draws....!

[samfish]

Summer 2007?
Why, that's when Allstar Batman & Robin #5 comes out!
w00t.

I wonder, though, if they'll keep the whole bit about losing her powers when tied up by male villains...gotta love those bondage fetishes!

[Book of GOB]

So this will start coming out when the movie does in 2008?

That's all right with me... Hughes doing a Wonder Woman book is a dream come true.

BTW... who's the model in these pictures? Definitely one of the better ones I have ever seen.

[s*p rules]

"Basically, I’ve sat on my porch and thought a lot about Wonder Woman.”

You too???

[whitemarkd]

Although, that’s not to say there can’t be certain exceptions. “If I get a call from the Pope to add a couple of figures to the Sistine Ceiling, I may be able to convince DC to allow me to do it. As long as I’m not adding Marvel characters, I think it will be fine.

Good one!

And who's the woman in the WW outfit? I didn't see that mentioned...

[tralfaz]

Originally Posted by whitemarkd

Good one!

And who's the woman in the WW outfit? I didn't see that mentioned...

it was at the SDCC. she wasnt as pretty as you think. the one that was standing at the mattel booth was way prettier and actually looked like WW. She even spoke in character

[aceatkins]

What a brilliant take on the character. Although a favorite character, I've always found Diana to be a little hard to grasp--she's supposed to be promoting peace, but all she does is punch things. Greg Rucka did the best job reconciling this in the early part of his run. But I think Adam's take, especially for a young Diana, is simply marvelous. Very exciting! And I can't think of a better artist for the series. He has such a lush, almost classical Bodecelli take on Di. She's muscular yet still feminine. I simply cannot wait for this project. Thanks for the interview, and thanks to Adam for really thinking this through. Bravo!

[SaturnKnight]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

“I happen to love the heavy mythological feel of the Perez issues,” the creator explained. “To me, that presence was in the Golden Age version, but Perez just turned it up to 11. I’d like to keep that feel, because I like the tone of Wonder Woman as a mythological character, as opposed to just a straight superhero."

Okay, Adam. You had me at "Perez."

Seriously, I'm skeptical of him as an All-Star writer. I really think he doesn't meet the same standards on that as say Grant Morrison or Geoff Johns. But for him to confess his love for the Perez Wonder Woman impresses the absolute hell outta me. Kudos, Adam. If we get a book that is at the same level as George Perez's classic WW run, I'll gladly and happily eat my crow.

Now... don't let us down, dude. And make that 30 day deadline, please. Thanks!

[diana_fan]

I was pretty excited when I first realized that AH! would be doing ASWW. Then, I read some things, and they interested me even more.

This interview has me so damned excited, I want to go into hibernation until Summer 2007. The way he sees the character is just absolutely fantastic.

Everything Wonder Woman says and does makes the world a better place. If you aske her to pass the salt at the dinner table, she’d do it in a way that would make you think, ‘Gosh darn it, I am going to go back and finish college! She could cure cancer with a smile.

If this sort of idea is presented in the book, it will be great. The idea that her curiosity, her passion for learning things which are foreign to her, could be a weakness, could sometimes be her undoing is an excellent approach.

And, well, the art ... yikes. This will be the best WW has looked in a long time.

Bring it on, and good luck Adam Hughes.

[tof]

I like the way he describes Wonder Woman. Count me as a future reader.