Interview conducted: August 10, 2000
Ed Brubaker, the newest member of the Bat team, recently took some time to answer some questions about his work and plans for the future.
AJ: First off, can you give us a brief description about yourself. Also what other work have you done
prior to BATMAN?
EB: Description? I’m not short, and I wear glasses, and I have hair. How’s
that? And I’ve been working in comics for over ten years. I started out
writing and drawing alternative comics, mainly a series called Lowlife. I began
writing stories for other people to draw in the early 90s, and just sort of kept going. I did a story with Eric Shanower (Age of Bronze) called An
Accidental Death, and that led to working for DC/Vertigo, doing a one-shot called Prez: Smells like Teen President. About three years later I did
a mystery comic for Vertigo called Scene of the Crime, which is currently out in trade paperback, and was nominated for two Eisner Awards, including
Best Writer. I currently do a monthly for Vertigo called Deadenders.
AJ: What is your take on Batman.?
EB: Not a very surprising one, probably. I enjoy a tortured character, so Batman is a real treat to write. I’ve really been exploring different aspects
of his legend, and trying to bring in some themes that resonate back to who he is and why. If that makes sense.
AJ: In addition to Batman, you will also be writing for CATWOMAN. Since the title's creation, there have been
at least half a dozen writers who have each brought something new to the character. What can CATWOMAN fans
expect to see in your run on the title.?
EB: More mystery and crime. I plan to make Catwoman the best crime comic on the market. I’m going to draw her back to her beginnings, and have her
inhabit that gray area between right and wrong. She’ll also be smart and capable, and not a stupid clepto with a tail who always has to kiss everyone. I
plan to make it an intelligent comic.
AJ: Can you tell us how you got the writing job for BATMAN and CATWOMAN. Were you picked or did someone
recommend you?
EB: I’d worked with Bob Schreck at Dark Horse, and I’d written a Gotham Elseworlds for Mike Carlin. So it was not too surprising to me to get the job. They both like the work I’ve done for them. The Catwoman thing
came about because of working on Batman and doing things that editor Matt Idelson must have liked, because he offered me the job.
AJ: You spoke highly of Scott McDaniel on the DC
message boards. Have you met any of the other Bat-writers and artists? If so what are your thoughts
on them?
EB: I’ve met Greg Rucka, who is becoming a good friend of mine. And Rick
Burchett, who is a very nice guy and a hell of a cartoonist. I like what Greg is doing on Detective, probably the most of all the Batbooks right
now, mainly because I’m new to the monthly continuity, and Greg and I both
come
from a mystery background.
AJ: If Scott McDaniel wasn't available, which artist
would you like to work with ?
EB: Too many to name. I’ve been blessed with good collaborators – Michael
Lark and Sean Phillips, Warren Pleece, Eric Shanower, Jason Lutes. My first pick
to draw the Batman would probably be Michael Lark, if Scott were to leave.
But I love working with Scott.
AJ: You've stated that the Penguin will appear in your
stories. Can we expect to see some of the other well
known villains in your stories ?
EB: Not too much. In my third issue I have a brief Two-Face appearance, along
with many others. I also created a new villain in my first two issues, who will hopefully come back, possibly in Catwoman, who knows?
AJ: Can you give us a preview of the Batman/Gordon
special stories that you will be writing.
EB: No. The first one concerns Batman and Gordon’s relationship during the
first few months of the original Robin’s tenure, and it also features Mister
Freeze. The next is a study of their relationship after the Killing Joke and Death in the Family. They are both somewhat character studies.
AJ: Besides Batman what other comic characters would
you like to try writing?
EB: I don’t really think that way, honestly? I didn’t grow up wanting to
write other people’s characters. I just do the job I’m given, try to do my
best, and enjoy it. I like the Phantom Stranger, and a few other DC characters,
such as the silver age Rip Hunter, Time Master. Those are two I could think of stories for easily.
AJ: Lately there seems to be a lot of talk that the
comic industry is slowly dying. Do you agree with
this? also what do you think is the key to keeping the
industry alive.
EB: I don’t know if it’s dying. It does seem to be in a hard time, but I
think it’s turning around. It’s sort of a time of attrition, for both stores
and comics. We may lose some good ones of each, but I think in the end we’ll
adapt and survive. I think the shift towards trade paperbacks is a good trend that’ll help the industry grow.
AJ: What are your thoughts about the Batman movies?
also what are your thoughts on the next movie which
will be based on BATMAN: YEAR ONE.
EB: Is that true? I don’t know. The first Batman was pretty good at the time,
but I wouldn’t want to watch it again, really. I suppose a movie of Year One
could be good, depending on who directs and writes it.
AJ: I'd like to end this interview by giving a few
names and you respond by giving a word or sentence
that comes to mind when you hear these names.
AJ: -Greg Rucka
EB: Meticulous research and real characters. The only writer I enjoy collaborating with.
AJ: -Bob Schreck
EB: A great editor and friend.
AJ: -Dennis O'Neil
EB: Never met the man. I guess his name makes me think of Brave and Bold.
AJ: -Frank Miller
EB: Batman Year One. Daredevil. A very important person in the development of
modern comics.
AJ: -Jeph Loeb.
EB: The reason I’ll never get to work with Tim Sale.