On the heals of the release of the latest issue of Warlock, Ray Tate got the chance to pick the brain of the writer behind the series, Nick Lyons.
Ray Tate: You’re working on a book based on Warlock a cult horror film. However, two other so-called sequels have been made, and neither have been embraced by fans of the original. How will your sequel appeal to the fans?
Nick Lyons: Fans of the first Warlock film will be happy to know that my 4 issue mini-series is very much in tone with the first film. The first film is unquestionably the best of the trilogy and I wanted to create a story that feels like a worthwhile sequel/reboot/companion piece.
More importantly, however, I wanted to make a story that would appeal to someone who has never seen the films and I think I have accomplished that. This is very much a stand-alone story but it also contains references to the Warlock trilogy. It’s a win-win situation.
RT: Will you be using any other characters besides Juilan Sands’ Warlock? Will Redfern and Cassandra show up, if not in this series perhaps another?
NL: The Warlock in the comic series is not the Julian Sands Warlock because we couldn’t use his likeness. He’s a new Warlock but he’s very much like Julian’s portrayal as the Warlock. None of the characters from the films appear in the comic series. I love Redfern. I have a character similar to him as well in Warlock vs. Leprechaun. I wanted to have a Warlock hunter.
RT: Warlock had its share of gore, and some controversy over the offscreen death of the unbaptized child. Does your new book walk the line of PG-13 to R? Or would you consider the sequel falling in either rating category?
NL: I would say my comic series does walk the line between PG-13 and R. The comic series can certainly be violent in parts, but I wouldn’t say it as violent as Warlock II was.
RT: What about nudity? The original Warlock didn’t even consider entering that area. Of course it didn’t have to, and I confess that Warlock II is just a bad memory. Is the question of nudity in comics more troubling than the question of violence?
NL: There is no nudity in Warlock. I’m not sure what Bluewater’s policy on nudity is, but I have no real desire to put nudity in the comics I write unless it is somehow important to the characters or story. I don’t find nudity in comics troubling myself, but I don’t like when it is used without purpose.
RT: Warlock was considered to be horror rather than dark fantasy. Do you believe comic books present a ready market for horror, or is it a tough sell if a zombie is not in the book?
NL: I do believe there is a market for original horror comics as well as licensed horror material such as Warlock, Halloween, Chucky, etc. It’s true that superhero and Sci-Fi comics dominate the comic market, but the horror genre has a devoted built in fan-base who will always support any horror comics that are released.
RT: Except perhaps Twilight and their oh-so painfully pretty emo vampires. Would you like to write in other genres, or are you primarily concerned with horror?
NL: I have written works in other genres, but I do prefer to write in the Sci-Fi and horror genres. Those are the two genres I am passionate about and those are the genres I read (and watch) the most.
RT: I think some of the reasons for working in sci-fi are a little more obvious than horror. What is it about horror that attracts you the most?
NL: I grew up on horror and have always been fascinated by the genre. I love getting caught up in a horror movie, comic, book and what not and experiencing a variety of intense emotions. To me, GOOD horror is more thrilling and entertaining than any roller coaster ride.
RT: What’s it like working for Bluewater?
NL: Bluewater Comics has been a pleasure to work with. The President of the company (Darren) is very enthusiastic about comics and he allows the writers and artists the freedom to tell a story in any way they want.
RT: What experience do you have in writing? Education? Past work?
NL: I studied script writing in college, I’ve written film/DVD reviews off and on for the past ten years and I have written two trivia books.
RT: Describe your average work day. When do you write, and how many pages per day do you write?
NL: After I plan everything out, I usually write a single 22 page issue in a matter of a couple days. The amount of time spent on an issue really depends on how complex the story is or if the particular issue is dialogue heavy. Sometimes, I do run into a few continuity problems and will have to think of way around them. That can potentially take some time to work out.
Normally, I tend to write in the afternoon or at night as that is when my creative juices are flowing.
RT: What’s it like working with an artist? Do you find that you must adapt your own writing style to fit the needs of comic book writing? Is it an easy adaptation or difficult. Are their pluses and minuses?
NL: I have had nothing but good experiences in working with artists. I do find that I sometimes need to be more specific in my scene/character descriptions, but overall, the artists perfectly adapt my work.
RT: Do you have any desires to write a novel or prose short stories? Non-fiction?
NL: I have no interest in writing a novel as I don’t care for that style of writing. Script writing is what I know and love the most.
I have actually dabbled in non-fiction comics. I co-wrote the upcoming Female Force: Condoleezza Rice bio comic which is due out in August. It is available on Amazon.com to pre-order.
RT: What’s next for Nick Lyons once Warlock finishes?
NL: I am not currently working on any new projects. However, I have several comics that will be coming out later this year and next year such as the Rain, Save Dorothy and Warlock vs. Leprechaun 4 issue mini-series as well as three Vincent Price Presents issues, and a Medusa one-shot.
RT: I think we can guess what Warlock vs. Leprechaun is about, as well as the Vincent Price series, but what can you tell ComicsBulletin readers about Rain, Save Dorothy and Medusa? Is the last a Harryhausen project?
NL: Medusa is actually a one-shot based off of the 10th Muse character. Save Dorothy is a new Wizard Of Oz sequel that I came up with and Rain is a spin-off of Victoria’s Secret Service that revolves around a sexy cat burglar. Victoria’s Secret Service is a Bluewater book from years ago co-created by Darren Davis.
RT: Thank you, Nick Lyons.