DYNAMIC FORCES:
What is Venture?
JAMAL IGLE:
Venture is a buddy action-comedy about Reggie Baxter -- a
hungry, young newspaper reporter with a knack for being at
the wrong place at the right time. Reggie stumbles on the
story of the century when he meets Joe Campbell, an immortal
superhuman with an altruistic streak. Reggie wants to expose
Joe and Joe wants to keep his identity secret, so they strike
a bargain. Reggie creates a costumed identity for Joe and
he gets all the exclusives and Joe gets to operate in public.
At least that's the original plan but you know what they say
about the best laid plans of mice and men.
DF:
What inspired the creation of this series?
JI: Venture
was actually one of several pitches we sent to Image after
Jim (Valentino) approached Jay and I about doing something
for them. I started just combining a lot of the things that
have influenced me over the years, the writings of Joseph
Campbell, Superman, Highlander, 40's serials.
DF:
How is it different from the typical superhero comic?
JI: I think
that as the series bears out it will become apparent. I think
story-wise we're taking a different route. While there is
a lot of action we're really going to make this more of a
character study of Joe and Reggie and what makes them tick
and how they deal with the sudden and varied reactions to
Venture presence.
DF:
What do you like best about working with Jay Faerber again?
JI: Jay and
I have always worked well together. We have a lot of the same
sensibilities creatively; it works on a lot of different levels.
Jay is one of the best writers I've had the pleasure of working
with so it's not difficult to lay out one of his stories.
DF:
Which member of the cast is the most like you? Which one couldn't
be further from your?
JI: I think
there's a little bit of me in both Joe and Reggie. Although
I think personality wise I'm more Joe than Reggie but I have
more of Reggie's drive for recognition. Reggie is a bit more
of a mercenary than I am, however.
DF:
What's coming up in the first few issues?
JI: Issue one
and two establish our story so I don't want to give it away,
but we'll have a few guest-stars and I hope a few surprises.
Giant monsters, supervillian slugfests and citywide destruction
are the order of business of Venture.
DF:
Why should people check this out?
JI: Great story,
cool artwork and I hope something a little different than
people are used to in superhero comics.
DF:
If you could have anything from the Dynamic Forces catalogue
for Christmas, what would you hope Santa had in his sack for
you?
JI: The
Captain America Bust, the one Alex [Ross] designed.
I've had my eye on it.
