COLISEUM OF COMICS: What was the inspiration for Black Monday Murders? Was it anything in the media in particular or just a general feeling toward one-percenters and the ever-decreasing middle class?
JONATHAN HICKMAN: It feels timely, sure. But really it’s the perfect container for the kind of story I want to tell. I’m not really interested in doing just a story about class, I don’t think I have much more to offer regarding that than what’s currently out there in the ether. I wanted to do a story about the secret reason why there are classes, and why there always will be.
COLISEUM: You’ve described The Black Monday Murders as being about “money and magic”. Can you elaborate on that a little? How are those things connected in this story?
HICKMAN: The basic conceit is that ‘money’ is the physical manifestation of ‘magic,’ but I don’t want to give away more than that as the explanation for how it works is kind of the most fun part of the book.
COLISEUM: For any of your stories that delve into the real world (even superficially), how much research do you end up doing? Do you make up most of the science and just figure “that sounds good”, or do you try to base it somewhat in reality?
HICKMAN: I do the research, but I’m always willing to totally abandon fact in service to telling people a good story. I guess the Scarface way of putting it is, as long as my lies are indistinguishable from my truths, I’m not sure it matters.
COLISEUM: You’re sort of known for your intricate and detailed plotting. How much of that is playing into this new series?
HICKMAN: Well, my head works how my head works. There’s not much I can do about that. Sometimes I do try and simplify things or make them more linear, but I don’t really worry about it. I absolutely have faith in the reader being able to keep up.
COLISEUM: You’re known for being a fairly meticulous planner when it comes to your longer stories. How often, if ever, do you veer off the path? I imagine your Marvel work would be more likely to do this, but does it ever happen with your creator-owned work?
HICKMAN: I usually get the end of my stories first. Like, I see the close of the idea. And because of that, I absolutely veer off path and try different things as I’m going month-to-month. It’s not really a big deal because I always know how to get back on the road.
I guess the better way to say it is, I know where I’m going so I’m never really lost.
COLISEUM: For someone who’s never read your work before, how would you convince them to give Black Monday Murders a read?
HICKMAN: Oh, I dunno. Pick it up. Flip through it. Look at how much love went into making it. Just see if it’s your kind of thing.
COLISEUM: Finally, what’s your favorite title you’re reading right now?
HICKMAN: Tough call. So much good stuff right now. First couple issues of THE FIX were about as strong of a debut as you can have. I really like SHERIFF OF BABYLON. Oh, and INJECTION and TREES are fun. I like it when Warren is obviously just trying things out. Like, hey, I’ll walk over there today and see what’s happening.
Anyway, that’s four. I could name twenty. Good time for good comics.
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