LAUREL'S STORY: AVERY ON RISING STARS: UNTOUCHABLE

[MattBrady]

While her appearances to this point were brief, the Rising Stars “special” Laurel Darkhaven is revisited beginning in August in Rising Stars: Untouchable, a five issue mini series written by Fiona Avery, with art by Rick Mays. Newsarama spoke with Avery to learn more about the project and Darkhaven’s special skills.

Darkhaven was one of the more shadowy specials, revealed to have disappeared “a few years ago” in issue #5 of the main Rising Stars series, reappearing in issue #16 for the story entitled “Selah.” In that story, Darkhaven told Poet that her telekinesis had attracted the attention of the special operations community, who brought her in as an assassin. While Laurel’s arc ends in “Selah,” Untouchable explores what Laurel only touched briefly upon – her days as a government sanctioned killer.

As readers who checked out issue #16 will remember, Laurel wasn’t a powerful telekinetic – her ability was quite limited. She’d maybe be able to roll a pencil across a desk if she was sitting there, but as for moving large objects from a distance, she was useless.

Her limitations, according to Avery, are what made her so deadly. “The smaller the items you can telepathically manipulate, the more dangerous you are. Think about it - if you can manipulate things on a cellular level or even at a biological level, you can cause heart failure, pinch shut the carotid artery, or get into the electronics or small switches of a place to infiltrate for theft or attack. Therefore, she's very deadly – and very valuable to the intelligence community, because she leaves no trace of her actions.”

The storyline in Untouchable begins twice in a sense – it starts with Laurel in Poet’s arms at the end of issue #16, allowing her to recount her own story, beginning with her recruitment by the CIA on her 18th birthday.

From there, the miniseries spools out to show Laurel’s past as a killer – both the milestones of her career, as well as an underlying case she can’t let go - finding out who is in charge of her missions. “As her missions get more questionable, more dangerous and more unethical, she feels like joining the CIA and hence the black ops team was a mistake,” Avery said. “But the man in charge, the one calling the shots through countless other managers, keeps his identity a secret precisely because of her power. It's a chess-game where she has to find out who he is and where he's at before she can settle the score.

”I'll be looking at Laurel's enlistment as a young, naive recruit and her transformation to a wet-works operative, basically an assassin. Things like when she first lost her killing virginity, her critical assignments, the men in her life, some secrets she uncovers about history and governmental corruption, double agents, she's also framed and blackmailed at one point, keeping her back against the wall at all times due to her inability to trust anyone after some key players misuse her trust - all that stuff, in five issues.

”Also, she encounters a mysterious older gentleman supposedly working for the ‘other side’ who calls himself and who is called by his followers ‘The Old Man of the Mountains.’ Students of the Crusades and medieval literature or middle-eastern legends and history will know this name. It's the Arabic equivalent of the Knights Templar organization and the group of men sent to kill the Crusaders and their leaders were where the word ‘assassin’ first originated.”

Avery’s references to the Crusades and Middle East fit both with her own interests, as well as Laurel’s ultimate fate – but aren’t an attempt to put a socially relevant spin on the comic . “I've been fascinated with the Middle East since before 9/11,” Avery said. “This certainly isn't the first time East and West have clashed. I used to study the Crusades in college and I learned a great deal of respect for the people of the area through just that initial learning. Since 9/11, I have come back to the modern-day politics in an effort to more thoroughly understand what's going on there, although I think it's so far beyond understanding in some places, as to prove futile. I'm sure that some of this hopelessness and confusion will surface in the mini.”

Given her fate in issue #16 of Rising Stars, Avery’s exploration of Laurel’s character has a definitive endpoint – her death after being talked out of destroying the holy sites of the region by Poet and instead, making the lands of the Middle East fertile once again.

Speaking of Poet and Rising Stars proper, Avery explained a little in regards to how she and J. Michael Straczynski work on the offshoot miniseries. “I usually plot out the work and he truly helps with details only the creator would know about a series and its characters,” Avery said. “I’ll often get to a point where Laurel or another character must make a decision and call or meet with him to explain my list of options, and he will often come up with a few more I hadn't thought of before and that makes it all the more interesting. Sometimes we synthesize options and put them together. For the most part, he lets me do my own thing. But that's because as a first-time writer, he trained me to be among other things, a ‘mimic screenwriter.’ This is a useful skill for working in television on other people's shows. Since we've worked together before such as on Crusade and Babylon 5, it was a good experience to work together again on the Rising Stars universe.”

With Untouchable being her second Rising Stars offshoot project (the currently-running Rising Stars: Bright was her first), Avery said she’s already considering options for further explorations of the characters created by JMS. “I love this universe and its characters. This is a rich and diverse world that has lots of story potential,” Avery said. “We haven't even gotten around to finding the other specials that were never named for instance. That said, I honestly don't know who I'd work with next. Laurel came to mind when I was writing Bright's story. I'm sure the next one will come to mind when I'm working on Laurel's story.”

[Jackie Chan's Pants]

The sad part about the whole thing, is that I might have picked up 'Rising Stars: Bright', and I might even have picked up this upcoming one, too, but the constant delays on the original 'Rising Stars' series has turned me off to these/this projects completely.

What started out as a good story has been bogged down with consistantly late issues, with somthing like a two-four month gap between issues.

I refuse to read any spin offs of a story that is not yet completed.

[DarthRandall]

Rising Stars: Bright? Like my momma said, if you can't say anything nice......

Hopefully, Untouchable will be better. I like these characters JMS has created enough to read takes on them by other writers, but I'd rather he do the stories himself. And finish the Gosh Darn series already.

And Avery was JMS' protegee? Oy vey... does not speak well for what can be learned from the mentor/mentee relationship.

[Tom Daylight]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jackie Chan's Pants:
The sad part about the whole thing, is that I might have picked up 'Rising Stars: Bright', and I might even have picked up this upcoming one, too, but the constant delays on the original 'Rising Stars' series has turned me off to these/this projects completely.

I refuse to read any spin offs of a story that is not yet completed.

---

I think these spin-off things are actually meant to help fill that gap while the creative team is busy doing other things, without interrupting the series itself.

[xerossilence]

has anyone read the bright story yet? i wont read it until someone else tells me its worth the three bucksm a copy.

Xero

[TemporalFlux]

Bright has been bland to me. This one looks more interesting at least...but what exactly is causing this serious delay on the finish of Rising Stars? I assume it's JMS overtaxing himself as the cause. JMS only has a few issues to go...he should bite the damn bullet already and get it done.

[SamusekTDS]

I thought he finished it, didn't he?? I'm buying it in TPBs and I've been waiting for the third and final act to come out collected...

Because if he hasn't finished it by now, I think he's now locked into an exclusive multi-year contract with Marvel that was reported a few months ago and might never get around to it, what with Jeremiah and all.

Damn! When the Midnight Nation TPB came out I assumed it was only a matter of time.
---
Sam.

[Captain Temerity]

quote:

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Originally posted by SamusekTDS:
Because if he hasn't finished it by now, I think he's now locked into an exclusive multi-year contract with Marvel that was reported a few months ago and might never get around to it, what with Jeremiah and all.

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Sam.

---

Actually, and I'm not 100% on this, I think his exclusive contract with Marvel said that he could finish all current projects with Top Cow (which were already contracted, as it were), but option no new works outside of Marvel until this contract's time is up.

I think that's a pretty standard clause, anyways.

As for the off-shoots, I really want to like Fiona's stuff, but it hasn't really lit up the pages I've read so far. And, honestly, coming in as a protege to JMS in the beginning is one thing, but if all she's going to do is work on his characters or ghost write his work (not saying she has, but it wouldn't surprise me), she's selling herself short. I'd like to see some more of her own ideas at play. I know she did No Honor, but if I suddenly found myself in comics, and working for a company like Top Cow, I'd be trying to come up with something new and exciting for my own personal satisfaction.

But maybe this is all they're willing to give her right now. A training spot working on a proven commodity. Maybe I've answered my own question.

Meanwhile, I'll wait for the trades.

[Tom Daylight]

Yeah, JMS can finish Midnight Nation (which he has done) and Rising Stars, but that's it. And he's done so little at Marvel (apart from Amazing Spider-Man) that I'm not sure I see the point. I can't even see him finishing Rising Stars before the two-year contract is over.

Still, at least he's doing more for his contract than Kevin Smith...

[Fazhoul]

Well, the fact that Rick Mays is drawing the book is enough to turn me away. I was never a fan of his style and after the Zatanna special I've sworn off anything he does.

[rockieman]

I'm just glad JMS has time to work on the offshoot series, but not the actual series the characters are based on. Just another case of unprofessionalism. I don't give a shit how many other things he's working on, just finish what you start...no excuses (of course he hasn't given any, since he's never said why the series hasn't been finished.)

[Elayne Riggs]

quote:

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Originally posted by rockieman:
I'm just glad JMS has time to work on the offshoot series, but not the actual series the characters are based on.

---

I missed where it said that JMS is working on these offshoot series. I mean, maybe he and Avery have had phone conversations about it, I assume they speak to each other fairly often, but could you point out where in the interview his name is mentioned as having anything to do creatively with the offshoots?

- Elayne

[krisstacks]

Thanks for pointing that out Elayne....

I wonder how long until this somehow get's turned into a discussion about Ministry of Space #3?

[rockieman]

quote:

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Originally posted by Elayne Riggs:

quote:

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Originally posted by rockieman:
I'm just glad JMS has time to work on the offshoot series, but not the actual series the characters are based on.

---

I missed where it said that JMS is working on these offshoot series. I mean, maybe he and Avery have had phone conversations about it, I assume they speak to each other fairly often, but could you point out where in the interview his name is mentioned as having anything to do creatively with the offshoots?

- Elayne

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Is this good enough Elayne? I never said he spent every waking minute on it or came up with every concept, just that he obviously has time to work on the offshoots, not the original.

quote:

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Avery explained a little in regards to how she and J. Michael Straczynski work on the offshoot miniseries. “I usually plot out the work and he truly helps with details only the creator would know about a series and its characters,” Avery said. “I’ll often get to a point where Laurel or another character must make a decision and call or meet with him to explain my list of options, and he will often come up with a few more I hadn't thought of before and that makes it all the more interesting. Sometimes we synthesize options and put them together.

---

[SamusekTDS]

From a recent JMS usenet post (March 31st, 2003):

"Now that Jeremiah [Season 2] is done, I'll be turning my attention to finishing off Rising Stars."

That should settle this...

For the record JMS is the most professional writing workaholic I've ever seen. He's no Kevin Smith - he finishes his series promptly, and never is late once something is promised. (evidence - except for one exception a couple years ago - for which he apologized profusely, he has never had anything solicited that didn't show up on ship date, unlike K.S.)

JMS had to take on an increased role in the writing of Jeremiah's second season, and therefore put Top Cow slightly on the backburner, allowing Ms. Avery to pick up the slack in the meantime, it seems.
---
Sam.

[Hunter Zero]

Since Rissing Stars only has about 3 issues left I wish they would just get the damn thing done already. When did the first issues of Rissing Stars come out? How long has it actully taken for 2 years worth of issues to come out? He may never promise to get something out before its ready, but he has ADD when it comes to keeping his mind on one thing. I agree with other here in saying that the constant delays of this series have seriously hurt my enjoyment of it.

[ctsmith83]

quote:

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Originally posted by krisstacks:
Thanks for pointing that out Elayne....

I wonder how long until this somehow get's turned into a discussion about Ministry of Space #3?

---

Is that like the Hitler point in an argument about late comic books?

By the way, where is MoS #3?

ctsmith

[TemporalFlux]

quote:

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Originally posted by SamusekTDS:
For the record JMS is the most professional writing workaholic I've ever seen. He's no Kevin Smith - he finishes his series promptly, and never is late once something is promised. (evidence - except for one exception a couple years ago - for which he apologized profusely, he has never had anything solicited that didn't show up on ship date, unlike K.S.)

---

That's a dubious distinction at best because you are playing on a technicality (solicitation). Honestly...when you start a 24 issue limited series, are you not promising to have that out at a certain pace? He set the pace at monthly out of the box...then pushed it to the side because his eyes were too big for his stomach. He overtaxed himself...and part of being professional is to have enough experience and sense not to do that.

Rising Stars - a 24 issue maxi series. Begins mid 1999 - Ends ???? At this rate, Kevin Smith still has at least a year to play with before he even catches up to JMS' record on a single project completion. Rising Stars has taken 2 years longer than it should if the remaining issues started coming out right now (which they are not).

[stlfan79]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fetsur:
Yeah, JMS can finish Midnight Nation (which he has done) and Rising Stars, but that's it. And he's done so little at Marvel (apart from Amazing Spider-Man) that I'm not sure I see the point. I can't even see him finishing Rising Stars before the two-year contract is over.

Still, at least he's doing more for his contract than Kevin Smith...

---

He can also put out the Dream Police one-shot with GAry Frank.

[Perfect Strangler]

quote:

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Originally posted by TemporalFlux:
He set the pace at monthly out of the box...

---

From Rising Stars #6 letters page:
"- Is RS a monthly comic or a bimonthly comic? Or both?
[...]
- It's on a six-week schedule."

Just for clarification's sake.

[TemporalFlux]

quote:

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Originally posted by Perfect Strangler:

quote:

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Originally posted by TemporalFlux:
He set the pace at monthly out of the box...

---

From Rising Stars #6 letters page:
"- Is RS a monthly comic or a bimonthly comic? Or both?
[...]
- It's on a six-week schedule."

Just for clarification's sake.

---

So he's running approximately a year behind so far. My mistake...but it doesn't change too much in my eyes.

[Elayne Riggs]

quote:

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Originally posted by rockieman:
Is this good enough Elayne? I never said he spent every waking minute on it or came up with every concept, just that he obviously has time to work on the offshoots, not the original.

quote:

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Avery explained a little in regards to how she and J. Michael Straczynski work on the offshoot miniseries. “I usually plot out the work and he truly helps with details only the creator would know about a series and its characters,” Avery said. “I’ll often get to a point where Laurel or another character must make a decision and call or meet with him to explain my list of options, and he will often come up with a few more I hadn't thought of before and that makes it all the more interesting. Sometimes we synthesize options and put them together.

---

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Oh, okay, thanks. Still, to me that really doesn't constitute "working on," just helping out via, like I said before, phone calls and such.

- Elayne

[Tom Daylight]

quote:

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Originally posted by stlfan79:
He can also put out the Dream Police one-shot with GAry Frank.

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But I don't think Gray Frank can...