The Convention Collective was grateful to have been granted press access to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, with Senior Editor Dan Berry and contributor/reviewer Mike McLarty wandering every corner of the show to take in as much as they could, including many of the panels presented by Comic-Con International.
One of CCI’s Special Guests this year was superstar writer / co-creator of comics masterworks SAGA and PAPER GIRLS, Brian K. Vaughan – in his Spotlight Panel, Vaughan talked passionately about the impact of his writing and the response that they generate in their fans. Mike was in the audience to listen to the session…
Distinguished creator Brian K. Vaughan discussed his projects, both past and present during his panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International. He began by updating the audience by recognizing the 10th anniversary of PAPER GIRLS. When discussing that anniversary, he said that they “…wanted to do something special so we have a 6×9 ‘Backpack Edition’ coming out”, adding that he was very proud of it, with its release date being this October. When it comes the book’s artist and co-creator Cliff Chiang’s output, Vaughan tells him “…to go crazy!”
Vaughan then transitioned his focus to THE PRIVATE EYE, distributed by Panel Syndicate, another seminal book in Vaughan’s catalogue, celebrating 12 years of publication this year. Co-creator and artist Marcos Martin came up with their unorthodox pricing model: “We set up a book priced at consumer’s choice,” Vaughan explained. A hardcover edition is available from Image Comics and the creator revealed that the property has been optioned for television.
BARRIER, another title available through Panel Syndicate, and published in 2019, has become a timely work, focusing on illegal immigration: a duo is abducted by aliens who don’t speak English and aren’t capable of translation. Vaughan shared that, for a lot of people in today’s charged political climate, it will “…drive a lot of people crazy [if reading it today]. If you can get past your initial anger, something extraordinary happens.” Original issues were published online and have recently been released as a monthly with a collected edition set for some time next year.
Vaughan is currently working on a title called SPECTATORS, which has been a three-year effort to bring to fruition. “This is a spicy one,” he said, “A true graphic novel – 350 pages long.” He describes it as a story about sex and violence that takes place in New York City in the distant future and released in September. He said that, “…it may be my favorite thing I’ve ever done.”
Vaughan went on to discuss the popular SAGA, the ground-breaking and multiple award-winning comic he co-created with artist Fiona Staples. He recalled the initial issue push back they received because the cover had a depiction of breastfeeding: “With the hardcover, we really double-downed.” The fourth hardcover collection will be released next year with versions of characters from some of our favorite artists.”
In his youth, Vaughan describes himself as “…a gigantic nerd. I grew up on Marvel and DC. I read WATCHMAN from cover to cover and I was forever changed. I was also a novel nerd. When I’m writing, however, friends and family are my main inspiration.” He then when to talk to the relationship he has with his collaborators: “The artist is the star and the writer works in service, I feel. The artist is in the driver’s seat.”
Adapting his work, Vaughan has found both rewarding and frustrating: “Working in film and television, your work goes through hundreds of people – comics are basically one person.” Regarding plans for the future of Y: THE LAST MAN (arguably, the first book to make BKV a household name in comics, published by Vertigo from 2002 through 2008), he said there were none to return to the property. “I speak with Pia Guerara [series artist and co-creator] about working together again all the time – but not on this property. I miss those characters a lot.”
However, Vaughan closed out his panel with his drive in creativity, saying he prefers looking forward and making new things. In particular, “I love to make you weep!”
