December
29 Ellis Speaks

Warren Ellis is one of comics' most popular and outspoken creators. The English writer's early accomplishments in comics include stints on Marvel's X-Men line of comics, and the revamping of Wildstorm's StormWatch series into a political espionage superhero title.

His real breakout comic was Transmetropolitan, a 60 issue sci-fi series done with artist Darick Robertson about a gonzo journalist trying to expose a little bit of the truth in a future where nobody really cares. He shook up the superhero world with his "widescreen" action approach to "The Authority," with artist Bryan Hitch, and a thoughtful and startling look at the secret history of superheroes in "Planetary," with artist John Cassaday.

His comics discussion forum was renowned as one of the best places to go for serious discussions of comics and the industry. He still comments on comics and pop culture through his column at Artbomb.net, his Bad Signal mailing list, and his idea blog at www.diepunyhumans.com.

He recently dove into a number of three-issue miniseries he called "pop comics," such as Red, Reload, Mek, Tokyo Storm Warning and Two-Step. His original sci-fi graphic novel "Orbiter," drawn by Colleen Doran, was released this spring, and he continues to be a creator whose work demands to be noticed. His 12-issue "Global Frequency" series is nearing the end of its run and has been optioned for television.

Warren offered to do quick email interviews for the year's end, and we took him up on it.

Variety: Looking at your line of "pop comics" miniseries that came out this year, how do you think it turned out? Did these books do what you wanted them to do and are you happy with the results?

Warren Ellis: Some worked better than others, I think, but I'm glad I did them all. I wanted a period where I was releasing a lot of new stories, new ideas, into the market, very quickly. It just seemed to me that no one did that any more. I enjoyed tossing out a bunch of little hand grenades, and it didn't matter so much to me if some exploded louder than others, because they all found an audience.

What are your plans for 2004 as far as hints you've been dropping about new, ongoing series at DC/Wildstorm and the rumor that you will be doing original manga-style series for our neighbors at Tokyopop?

That's just a rumor, apparently based on someone knowing I'd had a conversation with an editor at Tokyopop. Very much jumping the gun, there.

I've got two new longform monthly serials at DC, Desolation Jones and Jack Cross. My Vertigo graphic novel, "Stealth Tribes," should finally see print in the second half of 2004, after eight months of trying to get an artist on it. "Ocean," a six-issue series with Chris Sprouse, will probably appear from Wildstorm at about the same time.

In Bad Signal, you've written a number of times that you're bored by Western comics. What inspires you to continue to work in the field?

I love comics. I want to keep on writing comics that I'd want to read. It's all you can do, really...

The standard Hollywood question: What projects do you have in the works in the film or TV biz that you can talk about? Is there any news on the "Global Frequency" TV series?

I believe John Rogers ("The Core") is turning in the pilot script for Global Frequency any day now. We've been in fairly close contact during his writing process, and he's absolutely nailing the tone. I'm very happy. Other than that, no, I have nothing in the works right now.