Interview: Vincent Zurzolo and David Quinn Talk Their Grounded Superhero Epic 'The Addiction'
May 21, 2024
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
An end to addiction? Vincent Zurzolo and David Quinn explore what happens when a superhero is given the power to make a difference.
In the following interview, the creators of this upcoming miniseries introduce you to the characters, story, and inspiration behind their new grounded superhero epic.
For those unfamiliar, what is the concept behind THE ADDICTION?
SHE CAN DRUG YOU WITH HER TOUCH… For daring to help recovering addicts – with radical success – Dr. Niki Tino was shot up with a cocktail of drugs by a NYC drug cartel capo determined “to put her out of business.”
The withdrawals, the highs and lows a lifelong addict endures, Niki experienced it all in one night. Niki died… and was reborn, with stunning new chemical powers.
Now, haunted by the trauma of her rebirth, Dr. Niki Tino struggles to master “The Touch,” battling cartel soldiers desperate to steal her blood, the secret of her power!
Tell us a bit about Dr. Niki Tino. Why do we follow her through this particular story?
We’re telling a crime / superhero story, but under that slick surface, threatening to explode without warning, we bump into comedy, romance – and a dose of personality crisis. You won’t always know what’s real, what is hallucination, but we hope you enjoy the trip.
Allied with her lover, Niki Tino’s seizing a strange, miraculous second chance to make a real difference in our insane world.
What made you want to do a story that crosses the subject of addiction with super powered fantasy?
Comic book genre characters usually tackle chaos most cosmic. We find it refreshing, interesting, gritty, even inspirational to dramatize a down to earth hero taking on a down to earth problem — perhaps the biggest public health problem we live with – the slavery of addiction.
What can readers expect from THE ADDICTION?
Action, comedy and a little madness. A drama that celebrates sensuality and mystery. A superhero / crime hybrid that brings the danger, with a human journey at its core.
Niki Tino demonstrates the only true heroism there is: a willingness to journey into the darkness, physically and emotionally, to be the light. Come with us -- she’s up for the fight.
In terms of audience, who is THE ADDICTION for?
We think teen and adult readers who thrill where darkness collides with heroism – think Invincible, Black Widow, Radiant Black or The Question – will crave The Addiction.
The Doctor’s strange powers are unique... and her personal story, growing up an adopted Chinese/Italian woman in today’s America, has left her in a complex algebra of identity – a struggle that both helps and hurts Niki as she uses drugs to fight her war on drug addiction.
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Now, haunted by the trauma of her rebirth, Dr. Niki Tino struggles to master "The Touch," undercover in Mexico battling cartel soldiers desperate to steal her blood, the secret of her power!
Now, haunted by the trauma of her rebirth, Dr. Niki Tino struggles to master "The Touch," undercover in Mexico battling cartel soldiers desperate to steal her blood, the secret of her power!
Now, haunted by the trauma of her rebirth, Dr. Niki Tino struggles to master "The Touch," undercover in Mexico battling cartel soldiers desperate to steal her blood, the secret of her power!
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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalypse '91, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Awards-nominated Magic Bullet.
