Interview: 'The Joneses' Bring Family to The Forefront
Dec 27, 2022
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
Throughout the month of December, PREVIEWSworld has been highlighting AWA's Upshot universe! A collection of mini-series that ranges from crime-drama to high-flying superheroics! All within an expanded universe solely connected by themes and masterful storytelling.
With The Joneses, writer Michael Moreci (Star Wars Clone Wars, Barbaric) uses the connected world of Upshot AWA as an opportunity to reexamine the concepts of family and obligation.
PREVIEWSworld: So…firstly, what is The Jonses about?
Michael Moreci: It’s about a super-powered family living in the Midwest and dealing with both their newfound abilities, their family dynamics, and the pressures of their hypocritical community and how they define ‘acceptance.’
PREVIEWSworld: How does it fit into the larger AWA shared universe?
MM: Like every story like this, it spins off from the events that began in The Resistance from JMS and Mike Deodato. That series chronicles a world in which people obtain superpowers, and the sociopolitical fallout that follows.
PREVIEWSworld: What are the family dynamics of The Jonses? Beyond the larger turmoil, what is going on within the house?
MM: Some family members love their new abilities and want to use them for good; some want to stay hidden and, therefore, stay safe. The series asks a different question than your usual superhero fare—this isn’t the same ‘great powers, great responsibility’ argument that’s been done a billion times. This is more about the bonds between a family and the promises we make one another. When someone goes off into a new path, are we obligated to follow them because we’re family? Are they obligated to stay behind?
PREVIEWSworld: You’re working with Alessandro Vitti on the book. What made Alessandro the right artist for the job?
MM: Alessandro’s a wonderfully dynamic artist who can do tremendous action as well as real, genuine human emotion—you don’t get that often, but Alessandro makes it seem effortless. He’s a joy, and a privilege, to collaborate with.
PREVIEWSworld: Would you say this an action-adventure tale or more of a family drama?
MM: Probably more of a family drama. I’m more interested in what these powers, and the changes they bring, means to this family than seeing them get into brawls.
PREVIEWSworld: Looking forward, what can readers expect from The Jonses?
MM: Hopefully we continue with the series; I have more stories I’d love to tell. A lot more.
PREVIEWSworld: In terms of audience, who is this book for?
MM: I think traditional superhero fans will find a lot to love, but so will readers looking for a new shine on a classic story. The Joneses does carry the superhero tradition in it, and it carries it proudly, but I wasn’t content with doing the same thing—I wanted to break new ground, and I’m confident readers will find a lot to love in how this story merges the old with the new.
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