In June we’ll see the debut of the new new Red Lanterns writer Charles Soule with issue #21. To continue the many many interviews the new era lantern writers have done, Charles has decided to do an AMA on Reddit. For those that don’t know, its just a fan Q&A. Mr. Soule has a bunch of different projects, but below you’ll find the bits on angry lanterns.
Soule on how detailed his scripts are:
They’re pretty detailed when they need to be, but that changes over time. Once I know an artist’s style and abilities, I adjust my scripting style to them. Still, if there’s a particular beat I want to sell or something like that, I might lay it out in a detailed way. I have a joke in my first Red Lanterns script that I wanted to read in just the right way, so I spent a good half-page on the description for that one panel. Generally, though, I try to make scripts entertaining to read in and of themselves. It’s good practice, and helps editors and artists to get behind your vision. Walls of text don’t always help with that.
Soule compares Red Lanterns to tv shows The Shield and Sons of Anarchy
I have a clear vision for my Red Lanterns run. Mostly, I think it doesn’t have to be dour just because it’s a book about rage monsters. I think TV shows like Sons of Anarchy and The Shield have done a great job taking rage-y antihero characters and telling compelling stories. There’s room for humor, character growth, all of that good stuff.
Soule on collaborating with other lantern writers:
So far it’s been incredibly collaborative. It helps that we all knew each other and each others’ work previously, and we’re fans as well as colleagues. My ideas get heard, and so do theirs, and the stories get better.
Charles talks about the necessity of reading all the lantern titles:
Red Lanterns is part of a shared “Lantern” continuity. So, yeah, I’ll definitely be playing with some of the events happening in the main GL title as well as the others (New Guardians, Green Lantern Corps). However, I think it’s the writer’s job to make sure that you don’t HAVE to read those titles to get the idea. I want someone who picks up any of my books, whether Swamp Thing, Red Lanterns or Tbolts, to get a full experience not just in that title, but IN THAT ISSUE. It can be a tough balance, but that’s the way to make it satisfying. As I said in my first answer, comics be pricey these days, and if you aren’t getting your money’s worth then I’m screwing it up.
On giving the Red Lanterns a defined narrative:
The Reds need, and will be given, more of a defined narrative. They’re incredibly powerful, but they just seem to react to things, or get used as a last-ditch weapons to get Greens out of a crisis. I want to give them their own clear goals.
As far as what happens, I don’t want to spoil too much, but my first issue is 21. In that issue, we see significant forward development and plot movement for both Atrocitus and Guy Gardner (he’s on the cover, so I don’t think that’s spoiling too much.) I think Zilious Zax is hysterical, so he’ll have stuff to do, and Dex-Starr has a big role to play as well.
I said this in an earlier answer, but think Sons of Anarchy. Those are BAD GUYS, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do cool stuff.
What does Charles plan on doing with Guy Gardner:
TONS. He’s the center of my run, at least the beginning. I’m sick of Guy Gardner being second-best, and I want to put him in a position where he’s the top dog. I want to let him loose, basically. Should be a blast.
How his story differs from the early-exiting Joshua Fialkov:
RLs will pretty much be my version of the story, although the idea of integrating Guy more thoroughly was already on the table. Guy was what got me interested in the first place, though, so I was on board with that in a big way.