Interview: Heavy Metal's Flagship Character Takes The Helm in 'Taarna'
Dec 17, 2020
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
On the heels of their big 300th issue, Heavy Metal Magazine is expanding its universe this week! Rightfully at the forefront of this line-wide initiative is none other than TAARNA! Easily, Heavy Metal's most identifiable mascot. In the following interview, Taarna writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Patrick Zircher provide a hitchhiker's guide to the opening salvo in their "Metal-verse!"
PREVIEWSworld: So, how did you both get involved in this project?
Stephanie Phillips: I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Joe Illidge on other projects and he really brought me on board to work on the character.
Patrick Zircher: Steph and I were introduced to each other through editor Joseph Illidge. Happily, Joe reached out to me about drawing for Heavy Metal.
PW: Is this more sci-fi, more action or more fantasy?
SP: I would agree with Patrick here – this is very fantasy-driven and the world we are creating really tries to cater to the original tone set by the film and the content that inspired it, like Moebius.
PZ: The source material has always been very fantasy-oriented, with plenty of action. I feel we're being true to that.
PW: Were you both fans of the movie?
SP: I was introduced to the movie later in life and I think that colors the impact it had on me since I was really watching it with knowledge of the Heavy Metal universe and the artists that participated in these stories and inspired its creation, which I am absolutely a fan of. I am also a big fan of the soundtrack!
PZ: I was a Heavy Metal reader before the movie came out and saw the movie in its first run at the theatre. I feel like I just said, "I was into that band before you were".
PW: Tell us about Kako. Why is Taarna hot on Kako’s heels?
SP: Kako is a little like an opposing force of chaos to Taarna’s quest for order. While Taarna is tending to the universe, Kako is trying to unravel it. It’s a little like a cosmic dance between these two forces that are constantly pushing and pulling against the other. Of course, Kako’s ultimate goal would be to get rid of Taarna completely so that chaos can reign supreme.
PZ: This book promises battles throughout the universe.
PW: How do you go about visualizing bold new worlds? Do you look back at the Heavy Metal catalog or start from scratch?
PZ: Moebius (Jean Giraud) inspired the creation of Taarna, so his work is always in mind but so is the sequence from the Heavy Metal movie. The rest comes from years of enjoying science fiction, fantasy, and comics.
PW: What is the creative process like between you two?
SP: I’m a huge fan of Patrick’s work and my goal was to create a kind of blueprint for the story that we could riff off of together. I really wanted to make sure that we were both seeing the world as we were writing and drawing it, so I would ask a lot of questions and get Patrick’s input on design elements that would help us to both really shape the universe as a team. It’s truly a pleasure getting to work with someone as talented as Patrick and I just hope I gave him some fun scenes to draw!
PZ: I'm faithful to Steph's script. At the same time, she gives me freedom to visualize the content. I think it's based on mutual respect.
PW: Looking forward, what can readers expect from Taarna?
SP: Some new characters for sure and a really expanded tour of the universe. Plus, lots of battles!
PW: In terms of audience, who is Taarna for?
SP: I think there is something in this story for Taarna fans old and new. We really wanted to bring some new elements to the Taarna universe that could make this character accessible to a brand-new audience. In part, I think this comes from adding new characters and elements to the universe that will push and test Taarna in ways I don’t think we’ve seen from this character before.
PZ: I feel Taarna is for the same people who love fantasy, now, who have always loved it. It's freedom and escape. Beautiful, fierce Taarna riding winged Avis across an alien sky embodies that.
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