TALKING WONDER WOMAN WITH DREW JOHNSON

[MattBrady]

by Zack Smith

We’ve spoken with upcoming Wonder Woman writer Jodi Picoult over the course of the past two days, and now, it’s time for a word with the artist. As the solicitations for March’s Wonder Woman #6 revealed, current WW Artists Terry and Rachel Dodson will be getting some fill-in help on Picoult’s arc by the former Wonder Woman penciler and inker art team of Drew Johnson and Ray Snyder.

We spoke with Johnson about his return to DC’s Amazon.

Newsarama: How did you come to be involved with Wonder Woman again?

Drew Johnson: It was pretty simple – [Wonder Woman editor] Matt Idelson called and asked me if I might like to come back and draw some Wonder Woman for a bit, and that was that.

NRAMA: Why did working on Jodi’s run appeal to you?

DJ: I thought it'd be fun. I've wanted to get to work with Matt for a while, since Ray and I met him at Mega-Con a few years ago, plus I feel as though I've learned a few things artistically since Diana and I last crossed paths.

NRAMA: Were you familiar with Jodi Picoult's novels before this assignment?

DJ: I hadn't discovered Jodi's work until recently, so no. But I can say that I've enjoyed the scripts that I'm working with
quite a bit.

Jodi's given me some great scenes to draw, and I'm intrigued as a fan of the book with the moral (And physical) traps she's setting for Diana. I'm also
getting a kick out of seeing how Jodi has set Diana, the former goddess/warrior princess into the real world tribulations any normal person might go though
day to day.

She's been really nice to work with, too.

NRAMA: That said, how is this run different from your previous run with Greg Rucka? Are you using the same art style, or are you going in a different direction?

DJ: I'm in a different place artistically than I was on my previous run with Greg. I feel like I have a better understanding of how to tell a story visually than I did back then---I learned a lot about that working from Keith Giffen's layouts on 52 recently.

In terms of drawing, I relied heavily on photo reference for just about every figure I drew during my last work on Wonder Woman - in fact Greg choreographed and posed for all of our fight scenes during our run. Since then, I've gotten away from photo reffing figures.

My wife Karen is an animator, and when we were first going out, she introduced me to a whole new set of artistic influences and more fluid, gestural ways of drawing the figure. I've been lucky enough to get to work on my pages at a desk in her studio sometimes over the last year and a half, and getting to watch her and other animators draw really inspired me to loosen up my figures--to make 'em look less posed. My art style, I hope, looks a bit more evolved since I last worked on Wonder Woman.

NRAMA: Speaking of your style, what are the difficulties and challenges of stepping in for the Dodsons?

DJ: It's tough subbing for Terry. I'm a big fan of his and Rachel's work---I feel like Ray [Snyder] and I are really kinda just housesitting and we're trying to make sure the place looks nice for 'em when they get back.

NRAMA: Like Greg, Jodi's a novelist. What are the similarities and differences in their respective styles of scripting?

DJ: Jodi and Greg both seem to have a pretty firm idea of the scene they're setting---They envision what they want to see on the page with a good bit of detail--but Greg was more specific in his descriptions--Especially of props--He would sometimes tell me car types, brand names or weapon types and brands.

Jodi leaves more of the individual details to me, but she does do more description of things going on in the background--like sight or sign gags.

NRAMA: How far along are you with the book at this point?

DJ: Halfway finished with issue six.

NRAMA: Do you have anything planned after this run is complete?

DJ: Yep - cool stuff I'm not allowed to speak of yet...

NRAMA: Finally – of all the characters and all the assignments, what's the appeal of working on a character like Wonder Woman?

DJ: Wonder Woman's in an interesting place right now - after the Max Lord incident and post-Infinite Crisis. I think the character is going through a morally complex arc, and I'm interested to see where she'll end up.

Also, I like the Diana Prince identity and the Department of Meta-Human affairs story. Returning Diana to a more grounded place, a more human place in her world will lead to some compelling and emotional acting for me to draw---and that's always a fun challenge.

Jodi's bringing a level of introspection to Diana that's making the character feel different to me than the last I drew her. It's been intriguing to return to a character that I worked with for a good bit of time to find that she's in a completely different place on so many levels.

[SpaceButler]

I really liked Johnson's work on Rucka's run on Wonder Woman. I am still on the fence about keeping the book or dropping it. I am not feeling the current storyline and a few things Picoult has said don't sit well with me. Still, I supposed I ought give it a shot.

[michaelman9]

I honestly don't remeber Drew from Wonder Woman (but I was late into reading it), but I like the preview art, and I think it will a great take on the character.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

In terms of drawing, I relied heavily on photo reference for just about every figure I drew during my last work on Wonder Woman - in fact Greg choreographed and posed for all of our fight scenes during our run. Since then, I've gotten away from photo reffing figures.

Having listened to Rucka talk about WW more than one in interviews and panels, I can absolutely see him dressed up in the costume and posing in fights.

It's a very disturbing image.

[PrimalSlayer]

Hopefully WW will get back on a monthly run in March since it looks like they are really ahead of things. Jodi said that she has most of her run done so she can go on her tour and he is already halfway through issue 6 so by the time March comes, issues 9/10 should almost be done.

[whitemarkd]

Some interesting insight into a penciller's creative process - I'd like to see more interviews like this...

Ohmigosh.. I... I'm... I'm starting to getting excited about Wonder Woman again... Thanks Jodi and Drew!

[Superfrick]

Originally Posted by SpaceButler

I really liked Johnson's work on Rucka's run on Wonder Woman. I am still on the fence about keeping the book or dropping it. I am not feeling the current storyline and a few things Picoult has said don't sit well with me. Still, I supposed I ought give it a shot.

I'm the opposite. I'm enjoying where Wonder Woman is right now, but I'm also looking foward to the new arc, as well as Johnson's newer style

[SHIM'TAR]

I'm glad they brought the Diana Prince persona back too. Diana needs to be able to immerse herself into human culture or risk losing her humanity. I just which they would put Steve Trevor, Etta Candy & Julia Kapatelis back into Wonder Woman's supporting cast. Steve was a good "big brother" to her and Etta a good friend, & Julia a mother figure. More recent writers have stripped her of this support system and look what's happened to Diana because of it. Even the mighty Diana needs interaction with her counterparts from Patriarch's World to keep her grounded. Hopefully the new writer will fix this problem.

[Mike Hayden]

Hmmmm Wonder Woman.

[JT Skywalker]

Originally Posted by SHIM'TAR

I'm glad they brought the Diana Prince persona back too. Diana needs to be able to immerse herself into human culture or risk losing her humanity. I just which they would put Steve Trevor, Etta Candy & Julia Kapatelis back into Wonder Woman's supporting cast. Steve was a good "big brother" to her and Etta a good friend, & Julia a mother figure. More recent writers have stripped her of this support system and look what's happened to Diana because of it. Even the mighty Diana needs interaction with her counterparts from Patriarch's World to keep her grounded. Hopefully the new writer will fix this problem.

I liked that they were removed from her life, especially with the introduction of Rucka's supporting cast (the Embassy staff, Cassie featured more often, Jonah McCarthy [the Checkmate plant] and Ferdinand). And I like the inclusion of Nemesis and Sarge Steel into supporting roles with Heinberg's run. I just think that Steve Trevor, Etta Candy and Julia Kapatelis harken back to the beginning of Diana's time in the Patriarch world, and she's since grown past the need for those roles to be filled.

~JTS

[Kolimar]

Nice interview with an excellent artist.

[holtom2000]

dc's making it very easy to drop titles. maybe I'll start picking up some star wars titles instead

[vfxdammerung]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

NRAMA: Speaking of your style, what are the difficulties and challenges of stepping in for the Dodsons?
DJ: It's tough subbing for Terry. I'm a big fan of his and Rachel's work---I feel like Ray [Snyder] and I are really kinda just housesitting and we're trying to make sure the place looks nice for 'em when they get back.

Does this mean the Dodsons are coming back after Johnson's run?

[Kevenn]

Originally Posted by vfxdammerung

Does this mean the Dodsons are coming back after Johnson's run?

Yeah, it sounds like the Dodsons are coming back around issue #3 of her arc.

[pete_woods]

It's great to have Drew back doing he does best- he's one of the hard-workingest guys in the biz. Those prelim pieces look fantastic! Congrats Drew!

[RedRonin]

in fact Greg choreographed and posed for all of our fight scenes during our run.

Heh. I want to see some of those pics.

[Deathangel]

The one big mistake with OYL Wonder Woman that I can see, is that she isn't Donna Troy anymore.
:/

[BATFAN]

This looks nothing like Drew's art from the one i remember, and it looks great! I wish we couldve seen some interior art but still the covers look nice.

[ZAXILLA2]

Let's get this book back on track!

[I-Ching]

Three Wonder Woman topics, articles and interviews this week!!! Thank you Newsarama (matt)!!!

I"m very very excited for this run. I had expected Diana Prince to disappear after Heinberg's run and that they were throwing fanboys a bone.

This Di Prince stuff should've been explored post-Perez...better late than never and that Dodson cover...WOW!!!

[ALIEN_freak_jimbo]

Looking forward to this! Drew is one of my all-time favorite (if not THE fav) Wonder Woman artist! Drew, if you keep drawing WW, I'll keep buying her book(s)!!!

[Kid Xanadu]

I think I'm one of those few people who really isn't that enthused over the return of the Diana Prince identity.

I'll give Picoult's run a shot, but all in all...I think I actually might be dropping Wonder Woman.

[SyVyN11]

Originally Posted by Ace

Having listened to Rucka talk about WW more than one in interviews and panels, I can absolutely see him dressed up in the costume and posing in fights.

It's a very disturbing image.

ditto.

there isn't enough pot, coke or booze on this planet to successfully destroy the brain cells to rid me of that mental picture.

[leonardo1452]

Really looking forward to seeing Drew back on Wonder Woman again.

I loved his art last time round but even from this preview piece I can see he's moved on to another level.

Can't wait for #6.

[Stanlos]

Originally Posted by pete_woods

It's great to have Drew back doing he does best- he's one of the hard-workingest guys in the biz. Those prelim pieces look fantastic! Congrats Drew!

OMG! LOVED LOVED LOVED your work on CATWOMAN!! Sexy and tasteful and real!

[/geek out mode]