Interviews
Exclusive J. Torres Interview
"Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #11"[Date: February 2008]
J. Torres is a writer currently writing issues of "Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century" for DC Comics.
Superman Homepage writer Adam Dechanel interviewed J. Torres about issue #11 of the comic book.
The Superman Homepage would like to thank J. Torres for agreeing to do this interview, and for fitting it into his busy schedule.
Q: How do you deal with criticism when you place your work in the public eye?A: Well, you have to take the good with the bad. Either way, it's also important to consider the source and how the criticism is framed. If it's constructive and well articulated, learn from it. If someone simply posts, "this issue sucked!" you give it about as much time it took to type that out.
Q: This issue was clearly adult themed. Racist views, bigotry, hatred, terrorism... is this a dawn of a new era for the DCUA books akin to when they first began? (btw that's a good thing!)
A: I just try and take my cues from the animated series, the source material. For example, with Teen Titans, the show started out mostly fun and action-oriented, slightly goofy and over-the-top at times, but as the seasons progressed, the series evolved and they ventured into some darker territory, told some more serious stories, and even broke their own rules regarding things like not having alter egos and not telling origins. The stories we told in Teen Titans Go pretty much followed suit. The same goes for the Legion cartoon and what I try to do in the comics.
Q: Clear something up for the readers, the book had hinted at links to Justice League, Justice League Unlimited and Superman: The Animated Series... is this something you'll be addressing?
A: Peripherally, perhaps, like the way I did in #11 with references to J'onn J'onzz past. That's part of the fun working on these books, you get to play in such a big sandbox and not worry about continuity as much as you have to writing for the DCU, or even need to get the okay from editors of other books and other "red tape" like that just to mention a character. It's fun!
Q: How closely do you work with the show's creative team? How interesting/enjoyable/difficult a process is it?
A: Unlike with Teen Titans Go, I haven't really had the chance to confer with anyone working on the Legion cartoon.
Q: One thing which was obvious over in JLU was closure was never allowed with things like the John Stewart/Vixen/Shayera love story or ending the series climax with Lex/Darkseid. Can you reveal any 'no-go' areas?
A: So far, no. But I'm not sure if things were "not allowed" on JLU as much as it was the writers and/or editors choosing not to go down certain paths for creative reasons. I know that's the way it is on TTG and to an extent the Legion book as well. Maybe it was different on the JLU book...
Q: Is it easier to write for the regular DCU or for a specialist book such as this?
A: For me, I find it easier to work on a book with less baggage, if you will. While the DC cartoons have tons of history and continuity to mine, you get to kind of pick and choose and not have to worry about characters being used in other books or how your story might affect the work of someone else on another title. You have this pocket universe to play in and it's quite liberating. You get away with more, although you'd think it should be the opposite because you're working on "kids books." Or maybe it's just me.
Q: Any sneaky hints for the readers of future plans?
A: Issue #13 takes place mostly in modern day Metropolis and we get to see Lois, Perry, and Lex in the story. Make sure to check it out! I then take a kind of break from the Legion and return with #17 for what should be a four-issue run if all goes according to plan. More on that later...
We appreciate you taking the time to give us a glimpse behind the scenes, thanks for giving the fans a chance to interact with you, you're welcome back anytime!
This interview is Copyright © 2008 by Steven Younis. It is not to be reproduced in part or as a whole without the express permission of the author.
Interviews
Introduction
The Superman Homepage has had the pleasure of interviewing various Superman Comic Book creative people about their work.
Question and Answer Interviews:
- Interview with writer Marv Wolfman about Man and Superman: The Deluxe Edition (November 2019)
- Interview with artist Claudio Castellini about Man and Superman: The Deluxe Edition (November 2019)
- Interview with artist Joe Staton about working on Superman properties over the years (November 2019)
- Interview with Christopher Priest about the Superman vs. Deathstroke story in Deathstroke #8 (November 2016)
- Interview with Sterling Gates about the 'Adventures of Supergirl' digital-first comic book series (January 2016)
- Interview with J. Michael Straczynski about “Superman: Earth One - Vol. 3” - Writer J. Michael Straczynski talks to us about the third volume in the “Superman: Earth One” graphic novel series (February 2015)
- Interview with Jim Krueger - Writer Jim Krueger talks to us about his “The Dark Lantern” story in the “Adventures of Superman” comic book title (November 2013)
- “Smallville: Season 11” Interview with Bryan Q. Miller - Writer Bryan Q. Miller talks to us about his work on the “Smallville: Season 11” comic book title (October 2012)
- “Supergirl” Interview with Mahmud Asrar - Artist Mahmud Asrar talks to us about his work on the monthly “Supergirl” comic book title (July 2012)
- “Superman/Batman” Interview with Joshua Hale Fialkov - Joshua Hale Fialkov answers our questions about “The Secret” 3-part story in “Superman/Batman” #85-87 (July 2011)
- “Supergirl” Interview with Sterling Gates - Sterling Gates answers our questions about where Supergirl is headed post “War of the Supermen” (June 2010)
- “Supergirl” Interview with Sterling Gates & Jamal Igle - Adam Dechanel chats with the “Supergirl” comic book team about the Maid of Might (March 2010)
- Behind the Scenes of the Super Friends - Four part indepth look at the “Super Friends” comic book title with artists J. Bone and Stewart McKenny (February 2010)
- Interview with Landry Q Walker and Eric Jones - The writer and artist discuss Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade (May 2009)
- Interview with Elliot S! Maggin - Legendary Superman writer and novelist discusses his career (January 2009)
- Interview with J. Bone - Artist discusses Super Friends comic book (November 2008)
- Interview with Mark Bagley (September 2008)
- Interview with J. Torres - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #18 (September 2008)
- Interview with Jake Black (May 2008)
- Interview with Cary Bates (June 2008)
- Interview with Jack Briglio - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #14 (May 2008)
- Interview with Ken Pontac - Writer discusses Justice League Unlimited #44 (May 2008)
- Interview with Karl Kerschl (April 2008)
- Interview with J. Torres - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #13 (April 2008)
- Interview with J. Torres - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #11 (February 2008)
- Interview with Fabian Nicieza - Writer on Superman comic books (June 2007)
- Interview with Danny Fingeroth - Writer of the book Superman on the Couch (May 2007)
- Interview with Jesse McCann - Writer on the Krypto The Superdog comic books (December 2006)
- Interview with Matt Haley - Artist on the Superman Returns comic book movie adaptation (November 2006)
- Interview with Ethan Van Sciver - Artist on Superman/Batman (September 2006)
- Interview with Mark Verheiden on taking over the writing duties on Superman/Batman (April 2006)
- Interview with Matt Idelson on taking over as Superman group editor (March 2006)
- Interview with Jeph Loeb on Sam and “Superman/Batman #26” (February 2006)
- Interview with Roger Stern (December 2005)
- Interview with Marv Wolfman (November 2005)
- Interview with Gail Simone (May 2005)
- Interview with Greg Rucka (April 2005)
- Interview with Brad Meltzer [Identity Crisis] (January 2005)
- Interview with Glenn Whitmore (November 2004)
- Interview with Jeph Loeb (September 2004)
- Interview with Karl Kerschl (September 2004)
- Interview with Ron Garney (September 2004)
- Interview with Greg Rucka and Matthew Clark (May 2004)
- Interview with Ed McGuinness (March 2004)
- Interview with Brad Meltzer [Identity Crisis] (March 2004)
- Interview with Mark Millar [Superman: Red Son] (March 2003)
- Interview with Min S. Ku (September 2001)
- Interview with Jeph Loeb (May 2001)
- Interview with Joe Casey (April 2001)
- Interview with Mike S. Miller (September 2000)
- Interview with Denis Rodier (August 2000)
- Interview with Grant Morrison (December 1999)
- Interview with Mark Millar [Part 2] (November 1999)
- Interview with Mark Millar [Part 1] (April 1999)
Interviews/Articles:
- “Superman vs. Terminator” - A Chat with Fight Promoter Alan Grant. (January 2000)
- Superman: The Dailies (1939-1940) Graphic Novel Review.
- The Rebirth of Superman (Part 1) - Superman is reborn... again.
- The Rebirth of Superman (Part 2) - Eddie Barganza on taking the character in a new direction.
- The Rebirth of Superman (Part 3) - Jeph Loeb discusses writing the Man of Steel.
- Lex Luthor For President - Forget Superman. An updated Luthor's new enemies are Gore and Bush.
- Superman: Last Son of Earth - Steve Gerbern Interview - The writer discusses flip-flopping the Man of Steel's origin. (August 2000)
Krypton Club Interviews:
When “Lois & Clark” started production in 1993, there was an obvious relationship between the comic book people and the Hollywood people.
A trade paperback “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”, was published, with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher on the cover. It included reprints of comic book stories that were the inspiration for “Lois & Clark”, helping to define the characters. Comic's included are: The Story of the Century (Man of Steel miniseries #2), Tears for Titano (Superman Annual #1), Metropolis - 900 mi (in SUP #9), The Name Game (SUP #11), Lois Lane (in ACT #600), Headhunter (AOS #445), Homeless for the Holidays (AOS #462), The Limits of Power (AOS #466), and Survival (ACT #665).
A number of comic book writers and artists had roles as extras in the episode “I'm Looking Through You” (Season one, episode 4). Their presence was immortilized in the Sky Trading Card #34.
Craig Byrne, president of the online “Lois & Clark” fanclub The Krypton Club, carried out a series of interviews with comic book writers. The interviews are reprinted with permission of the Krypton Club.
- Interview with Roger Stern (June 1995)
- Interview with John Byrne (June 1995)
- Interview with Mike Carlin (July 1995)