Doing Right Can Be Wrong In Mike Richardson’s Echoes

by Vince Brusio

Ever hear of Timecop? It’s one of many stories written by Dark Horse’s Publisher Mike Richardson. And like riding a bike, Mike found that once you’ve mastered the art of doing something fun, it’s hard to limit yourself to just one joyride. So time travel is a concept that he examines once again, this time in the original graphic novel Echoes (JUL160189), which features compelling artwork by fan-favorite artist Gabriel Guzmán. In this PREVIEWSworld Exclusive interview, Mike explains the genesis for his latest project, and ponders the dilemma of how the need to change things may not be such a good idea when you learn that life is a two-way street that can dead-end in a cross circle.

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PREVIEWSworld: For those of us who have seen the movie Pleasantville, or the recently released 11-22-63 on Hulu, or Legends of Tomorrow on The CW, we’re familiar with the idea of changing the past to make a better future as a driving plot for a writer’s story. But what’s your story? What’s the backstory? What luggage is in your closet that made you want to explore this theme, and use it for your latest graphic novel, Echoes?

Mike Richardson: I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of traveling back into the past to change the future, as witnessed by Timecop, my project from twenty-two years ago. There’s something powerful about the idea of having a second chance, of changing random events that turned a life in the wrong direction. Time travel stories offer the opportunity to play with the idea. I’ve thought about these ideas since I was a kid, probably influenced by films and books such as The Time Machine, or television shows including The Twilight Zone. As a kid, I ate it all up.

PREVIEWSworld: What can you tell us about the characters in this story? We know that Fred Martin is a troubled pilot who is front and center once again to the domestic horror that changed his life. But who are the other players in this cabaret of lost souls?

Mike Richardson: Of course, his mother is at the heart of it all. Though not the lead character, her decisions are the basis for where Fred finds himself. I think her situation is not far from reality. She finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship and for a number of reasons can’t find a way out. Fred sees murder as the solution, but the sight of his younger self changes his approach. Fred knows his life has been a mess, and he sees the chance to fix some of the things that created that mess, giving himself a better chance at life. The fact that the version of him that set out to change things no longer exists at the end of the story means that young Freddy may have gotten the help he needed.

PREVIEWSworld: Gabriel Guzmán is the artist for this book. What made him the right fit for this project? Why are his chops best suited to tell this story?

Mike Richardson: Gabriel is a terrific artist. He creates individual characters, is great at expressing emotion, and creates a believable world through his backgrounds. In this story, he nailed the small-town setting so crucial to Fred’s return home.

PREVIEWSworld: Without spoiling the story for anyone, what scene/scenes would you call out that would act as a great backdrop for a movie trailer if this story were being made into a feature film?

Mike Richardson: Well, assuming I haven’t already spoiled the story, the scene I like best is in the diner. He is approaching the man he came to kill, his mother’s murderer, and sees something that causes him to freeze in his tracks. How’s that?

PREVIEWSworld: Looking back over this project, did it play out as you originally envisioned it, or did you make changes later on in production? How did you tinker with Echoes to get it right, and make it something that you would want to talk about for years to come?

Mike Richardson: I’ve tinkered with this story for years. I actually pitched it maybe fifteen years ago as a film. The producer I was casually telling it to wanted to buy it on the spot, but I hadn’t written any of it down yet. It’s a story I’ve wanted to tell, and I’ve been working it out in my head for years. The idea of someone going back and, knowing what they know, having the chance to mentor him or herself. The graphic novel is a great way to finally get it out of my head. As far as talking about it for years to come, well, we’ll see.