DF: How has the series grown and changed since the first year?
RM: I hope it's gotten more depth to it, in every sense -- the characters, the story, the settings. The first 25 issues are really one large story. Obviously there are smaller arcs within that story, but those first 25 issues are the story of how a war begins and how it ends, with our lead character, Ethan, caught in the middle of it. And now we're exploring a different status quo as Ethan tries to establish his own kingdom.

DF: How have certain characters taken on roles you weren't initially thinking about, but that suit him/her just fine now?
RM: I'm never fond of characters that are just black and white – villains that are all bad, heroes that are all good. I try to get some sense of dimension to everybody in the book. The character of Exeter, was supposed to be a throwaway bounty hunter, just a one-issue enemy. But his design turned out so cool that we had to bring him back. Now he's become an integral member of the cast and Ethan's ally, with what I hope is a believable character turn along the way.

DF: Which second tier characters are favorites?
RM: Well, I guess Exeter would be one. But I've really come to enjoy the royal siblings: Bron's brother Kort, and Ethan's sister Ylena and brother Kai. We've got plans for all three of them in the next year.

DF: What are some of the toughest struggles Ethan's faced so far? How have these helped shape his character and ideals?
RM: Obviously what we're doing with Ethan is the classic hero's journey, the passage from immaturity and irresponsibility to maturity and responsibility. He's certainly not there yet, but he's well on his way. As with any drama, his character has been shaped by the choices he's made even more than the deeds he's accomplished. His brother's death in battle was an important moment, as was falling in love with Ashleigh and seeing firsthand the depredations heaped upon the Lesser Races. Those moments have led Ethan to some life-altering decisions, and pushed him toward becoming the hero he's meant to be.

DF: What's the biggest challenge to working on Scion?
RM: Staying fresh. Since I'm writing two other monthly books, I don't have as much time for research or just plain pondering as I'd like. Other than that, it's not that tough. After three years a lot of the characters write themselves.

DF: What's coming up for Ethan and the cast of Scion in 2003?
RM: Ethan and Ashleigh undertake a journey to the faraway kingdom of Tigris, but it doesn't go as planned. Actually, it goes much, much worse than planned. Meanwhile, back in the Raven and Heron kingdoms, Bron returns from... well, where he's been... and Ethan's father continues to act a bit strangely. All these machinations and strange bedfellows end up dovetailing to pave the way for the next major storyline, which involves a major invasion.