DF Interview: Writer Victor Gischler returns readers to alien-invaded Earth of Independence Day

By Byron Brewer

This summer, familiar extraterrestrials will return to try and finish what they started when 20th Century Fox releases Independence Day: Resurgence. Ahead of the sequel's debut, however, Titan Comics will offer fans new adventures set in that world with its Independence Day comic books.

Penned by Victor Gischler (Sally of the Wasteland, Deadpool) and brought to life by artist Steve Scott (Batman, X-Men Forever), the first installment of the Independence Day series hits shelves March 2nd. 

To get the 411, Dynamic Forces sat down with the comic’s scribe for a chat.

Dynamic Forces: How exciting! A new comics series that will come before the launch by 20th Century Fox of Independence Day: Resurgence. Victor, can you tell us how this new series came about?

Victor Gischler: Not really, but I can guess.  I know Titan Books and Titan Comics are putting out material covering the adventures of various characters that happen between the two films. I mean, why not? It’s a rich world full of potential. I’m fortunate to be involved with the comic book end of things. I think it only natural there be books and comics to help fill in the gaps.

DF: How did you happen to become attached to this book?

Victor Gischler: I’d established a good relationship with Titan while working on creator-owned books like Sally of the Wasteland and the forthcoming Terminal Town. I enjoyed working with Titan so much that I dropped a hint to editor Steve White that if they had any work for me in the future I’d be very open to it. Maybe my timing was good because it seemed soon after that he contacted me about Independence Day.

DF: Will we see any characters from the 1996 original film? How much time has passed in this “world”?

Victor Gischler: No characters from the last film, but we do get to see a younger version of a character that’s in the sequel. Artist Stephen Scott has done a fantastic job capturing his likeness. In this particular comic, events unfold immediately after the first film. Hardly any time has passed at all.

DF: What can you tell us about the storyline for this new series?

Victor Gischler: Not much. NO SPOILERS! I’ll let the editors handle that in “official press releases.”

DF: Well, boo. (smiles) OK ... Who are the protagonists?

Victor Gischler: An Army officer, a science type and a submarine captain.  Also Green Arrow. Wait … not Green Arrow.

DF: I know we are avoiding spoilers, but can you give us any hints at all about any extraterrestrials?

Victor Gischler: It’s safe to say there will be some. I can say also that we’ve glimpsed what they can do in the first movie and we’ll be expanding on that. There was a lot of back and forth with the editors and the artist and the folks at Fox about alien hardware and so much cool stuff. Between this comic and the sequel itself, we’re going to learn a lot more about these aliens.

DF: How has it been working with artist Steve Scott?

Victor Gischler: The best. Steve is a guy I’ve actually hung out with at cons and comic store events, so I feel really good about him and am confident in his abilities. We worked together before on a Shadow short story. I actually suggested him for this gig, and editor Tom Williams told me Steve was already a guy they were hoping to work, so it all came together just right.

DF: Finally, Victor, will we see any events from the comics themselves addressed in Independence Day: Resurgence?

Victor Gischler: Depending on how much you’re willing to extrapolate … yes? But certainly not in a way that will spoil your film viewing experience.  It’s gonna be sweeeeeeeeet!

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Victor Gischler for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Independence Day #1 hits stores in March 2^nd!

For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces

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