DF Interview: Series editor Tom Brennan tells us how Savage makes his brutal entrance into the Valiant Universe

By Byron Brewer

Fifteen years ago, the world's most famous soccer star and his former supermodel wife, pregnant with their unborn child, disappeared without a trace. The world believes they are dead ... but, in reality, their private jet crash-landed on a mysterious, unknown island ruled by prehistoric creatures from another time.

Savage is a very different series for Valiant Entertainment, and thus DF went to the top and quizzed series editor Tom Brennan on this unique adventure coming to readers in November.

Dynamic Forces: Tom, as editor of Savage, what made B. Clay Moore the right writer for this series?

Tom Brennan: This was actually B. Clay Moore's idea -- or at least the basic idea behind it was his.  It was born out of a similar pitch he had, so he started it!

DF: What is it like to be able to introduce a brand new character into an established and growing comic book universe?

Tom Brennan: What's most exciting about it is that we've still managed to keep this evergreen. You'll discover as the story unfolds how this truly fits into the Valiant Universe. But if you've never read a single Valiant comic, you can still enjoy this book. It's a jumping-on point for the entire universe while also being its own separate story. Similar to what we did with Divinity, this is an entry point to a whole new side of the universe.

DF: Who is Savage? Tell us what you can about his background and what challenges he may be facing.

Tom Brennan: He's the answer to a very classic, storytelling question: What happens if you lose the practical aspects of humanity? What if all you have left is a memory of family and the legend of a home? Who would you become?

DF: With movies and comics in recent days focusing on the Ape Man, we have seen a lot of Tarzan and his world. How do you set Savage apart from that?

Tom Brennan: There are two simple differences between Savage and the other ape-men of the world: Number One, he does not know the world of man. But he knows that he is one. Number Two: His upbringing plays a great role in texturing who he is -- he's as unique a character as I've ever worked on.

DF: Following up, were you a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ writings? Are there any novels, movies, etc. that are acting as inspiration for this miniseries?

Tom Brennan: Honestly, I don't wanna spoil too much. I'd say this is as much routed in those very human dramas like Breaking Bad or Mad Men. We're entering a human take on a familiar world. We're confronting the reality of that drama and just how dangerous it can be simply to live in a violent world.

DF: Tell us about the island. It must be great to have a place for  imagination to go wild. And dinosaurs!

Tom Brennan: It's like nothing you've ever seen in the Valiant Universe.  And yet you may have seen it before. That’s all I'll say without spoiling.

DF: What is it like working with artists Clayton Henry and LaRosa? What are the strengths they bring to this table?

Tom Brennan: Both balance the same gravitas and epic scope of storytelling while having distinctly different artistic voices. You'll see why both are the right fit for their respective sequences.

Dynamic Forces would like to thank editor Tom Brennan for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Savage #1 from Valiant Entertainment hits stores Nov. 30^th!

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

2. 04/18/2024 - RICH DOUEK

3. 04/15/2024 - TONY FLEECS

4. 04/11/2024 - JOE CASEY

5. 04/09/2024 - RICH DOUEK

Show All