CATCHING UP ON HIGHLANDER WITH BRANDON JERWA

[MattBrady]

And the expansion of the Highlander franchise continues.

Issue #4 of Dynamite’s Highlander series is set to hit next month, which wrap up the first story arc – a story that set both the tone for series and followed 1986’s original Highlander movie. Co-written by Brandon Jerwa and Mike Oeming, the arc was steeped in the Cold War – both its height (revealing Kurgan’s involvement in a Russian Super-Soldier program in the ‘50s), and its closing days (Connor MacLeod meeting new Immortals and shutting the program, filled with Kurgan loyalists and fanatics, down).

With the first arc down, Highlander #5 will continue to broaden the comics’ scope, and will feature a single-issue story showcasing the series’ introduction of Duncan MacLeod – the cousin of Connor, and best known as the Immortal from the long-running Highlander television series. And after that?

“The Dark Quickening”

We caught up with Jerwa (who will be joined by artist Fabio Laguna beginning with issue #6) to talk about the series to date, and what readers can expect moving forward.

Newsarama note: as an added bonus, Dynamite has provided us with the full 12 page story from Highlander #0

Newsarama: Let’s start with the first Highlander storyline (issues #0 through #4) which picks up shortly after the first movie and features Connor MacLeod and other Immortals swinging swords against Russian Super Soldiers loyal to the legacy of the Kurgan. You co-plotted this first storyline with Michael Avon Oeming; how did this collaboration come about? Did you work the concepts together or did each of you specialize in different aspects of the story?

Brandon Jerwa: I came into it with a pretty clear plot in mind. Once Mike and I started talking, we just sort of went through it and started brainstorming certain parts – pumping them up, adding in some cool bits, etc. From there, I did the scripting and then Mike would come in and add his two cents. I think the whole arc has a really nice flow to it – you can’t really see the strings, so to speak.

NRAMA: Fans are familiar with Connor and the Kurgan, but what can you tell us about the other Immortal players in the series, Paul Furio and KGB Agent Tasya Desny, before their fates are revealed?

BJ: Paul and Tasya are original characters, and they come with a built-in mutual history, having been lovers at one point before the 1960’s section of our little adventure. Is it a failed love affair behind their mutual animosity, or is it something more? They both have a destiny to face, that’s for sure…

NRAMA: The penultimate chapter of the first Highlander story arc is in the hands of readers now, and so far all the Immortals have kept their heads. Will fans get to see a Quickening soon?

BJ: I thought – and Mike agreed – that there’s nothing wrong with having to wait a little bit for one of your payoffs. When we see a Quickening in this story arc, it’s going to mean something.

NRAMA: Highlander #5 features the much anticipated return of Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander from the television series, to the Dynamite series. What do you feel Duncan will bring to the book that Connor hasn’t already? And was it difficult writing both Highlanders in one book?

BJ: I’ve been completely honest since the get-go – I had never seen the TV series when I took this job. That’s been remedied, of course, and I have to say that I really, really like Duncan. Not enough to replace Connor with his own cousin, mind you, but I’m really looking forward to issues #5 – #9.

I received very few notes on my Duncan scripts, which was a pleasant surprise. I felt like I was handling him well, but I wasn’t sure if everyone else would agree! His presence really allows some perspective for Connor - and for the reader, as well - during a pretty dark time in the story. I didn’t find it that difficult at all, to be honest. His tone is fairly different from Connor’s and that was a nice change of pace.

NRAMA: The television series introduced some new aspects to the Game of the Immortals, such as the Watchers and the Hunters; how many of these new aspects will be featured in the comic series now that Duncan is involved?

BJ: The Watchers are waiting in the wings, and the Hunters probably aren’t too far behind. A certain Immortal ladies man - played by a famous rock star on the TV series…is also going to be showing up…

NRAMA: Issue # 6 starts the next Highlander storyline, “The Dark Quickening.” The current storyline utilized real world events such as the Cold War and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to demonstrate the political and historical influence of the Immortals. Will the upcoming storyline “The Dark Quickening” also use such events, or will it be a more “private” story of the Immortals, reminiscent of the movie?

BJ: The next arc will definitely be a little more insular in terms of its effects.

NRAMA: From what has been revealed about “The Dark Quickening,” Connor MacLeod will be dealing with the effects of the Quickening he received by defeating the Kurgan. How much will “The Dark Quickening” delve into the rules and mythos of the Game?

BJ: I don’t know that the Rules are going to be a hard-core element of the story, but I will say that we have an interesting twist on a major rule!

NRAMA: Geography and history are two big aspects of Highlander; how much globe trotting and time jumping will be done in “The Dark Quickening?”

BJ: This one’s a pretty widespread adventure! We’ve got California in the Old West, 16th century Japan and 1980’s England, for starters…

This arc is an open-and-shut story on its own, but it also ties into the bigger story we've been telling since issue # 0. The first story arc was a slow burn, but the gloves are off and I'm chopping heads! Connor and Duncan, the Old West, some familiar faces, ninja assassins, evil influences and a Dark Quickening - what else do you need?



NRAMA: Considering all the movies, shows, novels, games and other sources, Highlander has developed quite an ensemble cast. Are there going to be any appearances from the supporting Highlander characters?

BJ: See my earlier comment about the Immortal lady-killer and add in a familiar face from the first movie, as well! If all goes ahead as planned for the arc after “Dark Quickening”, there will be plenty of beloved characters around…

NRAMA: And finally, Connor verses Duncan! Where’s your money?

BJ: My money’s in the bank, because I’ll have written that story! Seriously, though – Endgame notwithstanding, I still think Duncan walks away the victor, because I think Connor is ultimately willing to die.

The following is the 12 page story that originally appeared in Highlander #0

[Scarlet Mage]

All well and good but I've always felt cheated that Highlander: The Raven was canceled when it was. I've been on the lookout for years for what happens next after that great last scene of the show.

[AaronStC]

I'm still trying to get #2 and #3 but enjoyed #0 and #1. This series looks to be just what I'm looking for in Highlander.

[AbacusComics]

Fun stuff. Though to me the only Highlander that exists is the first movie.

[smitch]

To each his own! The only Highlander that exists for me is the tv series. Adrian Paul was awesome. Christopher Lambert couldn't act his way out of a paper bag!

While the art on these is good unto itself, for me the styles just don't work with this concept. I want to say Cary Nord would be perfect, but that could be type-casting him since I'm used to his long hair and swords in Conan.

[Crusader K]

I've been buying this out of loyalty to the Highlander story, but I gotta say, I've not been impressed with both story nor art.

From issue one, we're introduced to more immortals who I feel like I should know but don't and a secret terrorist group that takes it's lead from the Kurgan, which seems to want to use the story and history of the first movie. And, a super soldier program? I wanted Highlander to move on to different villains than Kurgan retreads or leftovers.

And the art . . sorry, don't care for it. Moder seems to be trying to capture Conner's likeness, but it seems...I don't know ...too angular. I don't know.

Somebody let me know if I'm crazy or what.

[DaVeO]

Too little Duncan too late. Plus the art isn't grabbing me. I really wanted to like this too.

[Doctor_Chronos]

Huge Highlander fan and I too bought the first couple of issues out of loyalty, but it's just not clicking for me both from a story and art perspective. I think I would have enjoyed it better if they took up the story of another immortal instead of an already established one and just kept expanding on the mythos of the immortals as opposed to more Conner or Duncan stuff.

[Jed Saxon]

I'm looking forward to Duncan (and a change of artist).

[johnchrist]

Man, I used to just LOVE the original movie and television show. Favorite aspect of the show was the Four Horsemen.

[Crusader K]

Originally Posted by Doctor_Chronos

I think I would have enjoyed it better if they took up the story of another immortal instead of an already established one and just kept expanding on the mythos of the immortals as opposed to more Conner or Duncan stuff.

Oh man, that would have been a great idea! I suppose that means it couldn't be "Highlander", but maybe just . . I dunno, "Immortal" or something like that. You have a wealth of immortal backgrounds to explore.

I mean, just Fitz alone . . .

[NeoSamurai]

An immortal played by a rocker?

Fitzcairn? St. Cloud? There were quite a few rockers who played immortals iirc.

[gokujam]

Originally Posted by AbacusComics

Fun stuff. Though to me the only Highlander that exists is the first movie.

Oh piss off

[Jerry Smith]

As a huge HIGHLANDER fan--mostly the TV show--this book has been a disappointment. Slow pacing, almost no action, listless dialog and bad art. Good adaptations capture the spirit of the story they are adapting. Not this. It was revealing when the author said he never watched the TV show. I dread the appearance of Duncan. I'm sticking around to see it, but I'm not sure he'll be handled correctly.

This book is on a very thin string.

[EMeadow]

Originally Posted by NeoSamurai

An immortal played by a rocker?

Fitzcairn? St. Cloud? There were quite a few rockers who played immortals iirc.

He can only be talking bout Roger Daltrey

LOL because if its that idiot from Fine Young Cannibals...........(I always hated him!).

[dougspidey]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

And the expansion of the Highlander franchise continues.

Issue #4 of Dynamite’s Highlander series is set to hit next month, which wrap up the first story arc – a story that set both the tone for series and followed 1986’s original Highlander movie. Co-written by Brandon Jerwa and Mike Oeming, the arc was steeped in the Cold War – both its height (revealing Kurgan’s involvement in a Russian Super-Soldier program in the ‘50s), and its closing days (Connor MacLeod meeting new Immortals and shutting the program, filled with Kurgan loyalists and fanatics, down).

With the first arc down, Highlander #5 will continue to broaden the comics’ scope, and will feature a single-issue story showcasing the series’ introduction of Duncan MacLeod – the cousin of Connor, and best known as the Immortal from the long-running Highlander television series. And after that?

“The Dark Quickening”

We caught up with Jerwa (who will be joined by artist Fabio Laguna beginning with issue #6) to talk about the series to date, and what readers can expect moving forward.

Newsarama note: as an added bonus, Dynamite has provided us with the full 12 page story from Highlander #0

Newsarama: Let’s start with the first Highlander storyline (issues #0 through #4) which picks up shortly after the first movie and features Connor MacLeod and other Immortals swinging swords against Russian Super Soldiers loyal to the legacy of the Kurgan. You co-plotted this first storyline with Michael Avon Oeming; how did this collaboration come about? Did you work the concepts together or did each of you specialize in different aspects of the story?

Brandon Jerwa: I came into it with a pretty clear plot in mind. Once Mike and I started talking, we just sort of went through it and started brainstorming certain parts – pumping them up, adding in some cool bits, etc. From there, I did the scripting and then Mike would come in and add his two cents. I think the whole arc has a really nice flow to it – you can’t really see the strings, so to speak.

NRAMA: Fans are familiar with Connor and the Kurgan, but what can you tell us about the other Immortal players in the series, Paul Furio and KGB Agent Tasya Desny, before their fates are revealed?

BJ: Paul and Tasya are original characters, and they come with a built-in mutual history, having been lovers at one point before the 1960’s section of our little adventure. Is it a failed love affair behind their mutual animosity, or is it something more? They both have a destiny to face, that’s for sure…

NRAMA: The penultimate chapter of the first Highlander story arc is in the hands of readers now, and so far all the Immortals have kept their heads. Will fans get to see a Quickening soon?

BJ: I thought – and Mike agreed – that there’s nothing wrong with having to wait a little bit for one of your payoffs. When we see a Quickening in this story arc, it’s going to mean something.

NRAMA: Highlander #5 features the much anticipated return of Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander from the television series, to the Dynamite series. What do you feel Duncan will bring to the book that Connor hasn’t already? And was it difficult writing both Highlanders in one book?

BJ: I’ve been completely honest since the get-go – I had never seen the TV series when I took this job. That’s been remedied, of course, and I have to say that I really, really like Duncan. Not enough to replace Connor with his own cousin, mind you, but I’m really looking forward to issues #5 – #9.

I received very few notes on my Duncan scripts, which was a pleasant surprise. I felt like I was handling him well, but I wasn’t sure if everyone else would agree! His presence really allows some perspective for Connor - and for the reader, as well - during a pretty dark time in the story. I didn’t find it that difficult at all, to be honest. His tone is fairly different from Connor’s and that was a nice change of pace.

NRAMA: The television series introduced some new aspects to the Game of the Immortals, such as the Watchers and the Hunters; how many of these new aspects will be featured in the comic series now that Duncan is involved?

BJ: The Watchers are waiting in the wings, and the Hunters probably aren’t too far behind. A certain Immortal ladies man - played by a famous rock star on the TV series…is also going to be showing up…

NRAMA: Issue # 6 starts the next Highlander storyline, “The Dark Quickening.” The current storyline utilized real world events such as the Cold War and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to demonstrate the political and historical influence of the Immortals. Will the upcoming storyline “The Dark Quickening” also use such events, or will it be a more “private” story of the Immortals, reminiscent of the movie?

BJ: The next arc will definitely be a little more insular in terms of its effects.

NRAMA: From what has been revealed about “The Dark Quickening,” Connor MacLeod will be dealing with the effects of the Quickening he received by defeating the Kurgan. How much will “The Dark Quickening” delve into the rules and mythos of the Game?

BJ: I don’t know that the Rules are going to be a hard-core element of the story, but I will say that we have an interesting twist on a major rule!

NRAMA: Geography and history are two big aspects of Highlander; how much globe trotting and time jumping will be done in “The Dark Quickening?”

BJ: This one’s a pretty widespread adventure! We’ve got California in the Old West, 16th century Japan and 1980’s England, for starters…

This arc is an open-and-shut story on its own, but it also ties into the bigger story we've been telling since issue # 0. The first story arc was a slow burn, but the gloves are off and I'm chopping heads! Connor and Duncan, the Old West, some familiar faces, ninja assassins, evil influences and a Dark Quickening - what else do you need?



NRAMA: Considering all the movies, shows, novels, games and other sources, Highlander has developed quite an ensemble cast. Are there going to be any appearances from the supporting Highlander characters?

BJ: See my earlier comment about the Immortal lady-killer and add in a familiar face from the first movie, as well! If all goes ahead as planned for the arc after “Dark Quickening”, there will be plenty of beloved characters around…

NRAMA: And finally, Connor verses Duncan! Where’s your money?

BJ: My money’s in the bank, because I’ll have written that story! Seriously, though – Endgame notwithstanding, I still think Duncan walks away the victor, because I think Connor is ultimately willing to die.

The following is the 12 page story that originally appeared in Highlander #0

I like the movie and TV series last couple of years ago between 1980"s movie and 1990's TV series so finally the new comic series of HIGHLANDER !

[Nychavok]

the fact that they got someone to write about Highlander before he ever even saw the TV series is a bit disturbing, especially since all of the Highlander Movies made very little sense and none of them were connected...

A Highlander comic about Connor wouldve made sense in the early 90's before the tv show ever came out, but now? I dunno...

[Brainlock]

Put me down for worried now that the guy has said he NEVER watched the TV show. I mean SERIOUSLY, wtF? That's like DC hiring a writer on Batman whose only exposure is Adam West series and an episode or two of SuperFriends!

The first three issue shave been a little slow, which I half expected (anyone reading Meltzer's JLofA??). I'll pick up the Duncan issue, and I'll decide if I want to keep picking this up after that. Fitz and Ramirez will definitely get me to check out those issues, but after that...?

I had hopes for this series, and they are slowly fading.
I wrote a mini-review in the Best Shots feedback a few weeks back, and my main complaint was the "fades" need work and the characters were wearing basically the same thing in both eras, only different colors, which would be a BIG mistake if this was b/w and not in color.


as far as the movies go, HL1 is canon, ML3 can still take place following HL1 (Kane and minions trapped in perpetual death, leaving Connor only Immortal alive), and HL4 takes place in a parallel universe from movie and TV series, where the only difference(s) from the HL:Series are Duncan married Kate and apparantly never met Tessa (or Traci Lords' character in "Darkness").

The Series only deviates from HL1 in that Kurgan was a Big Baddie and not THE Final Battle, which is what was explained early on in the series (and again in EndGame, for those not intimately familiar with Duncan or HL:series).

After Fitz and Ramirez, I just want to see three things: updates on Amada and Joe, and who Connor's Watcher(s) were.

[Jerry Smith]

Originally Posted by Brainlock

Put me down for worried now that the guy has said he NEVER watched the TV show.

Actually, he said he never watched the TV show while it was on, but has watched it since. My worry was that IMO he still gave the TV show the short shift, and thought of Duncan as a minor, secondary character. Actually, we've seen a few hours of Connor's exploits and over a hundred hours of Duncan's. This makes Duncan by far the more important and complex character in my eyes. And his personality was so real and well defined by the writers that I really miss the character. Connor, not so much. I want a writer who enjoys both characters, not loves Connor and thinks of Duncan as a distasteful afterthought.

This series is really going to have to change and improve for me to keep buying.

[remyle]

Give this guy a chance I was a big fan when he was writting G.I.JOE at Devils Due. I think he can write just about any character and will one day be a big star. "Of course thats just my opion I could be wrong"