COMICS: Jonathan Ross And Bryan Hitch Talk AMERICA'S GOT POWERS; First Art Unveiled

Writer Jonathan Ross and artist Bryan Hitch have revealed their project together at Image Comics, unveiling the first story details and cover art for America's Got Powers.

By JoshWilding - Jan 03, 2012 04:01 PM EST

Filed Under: Comics

"What interested me here is the exploitation of those who are encouraged to take part," writer Jonathan Ross told Comic Book Resources. "In 'AGP' there's more than just a little pressure on them – these kids with powers don't have that many other options in a society that finds them fascinating and irresistible but ultimately scary. So it deals a little I hope with the dark side of these shows – the way talent is used up and, when it no longer feels novel or fresh, thrown away. As for superheroes, well, as readers we love to see them in action, fighting, protecting the weak and smiting the strong. In this scenario, thats a given. Like 'Rollerball' or 'The Running Man,' it's built into the format – a certain amount of danger, of blood and guts. But it's when it escalates and people get to see the REAL purpose of the show that things will get interesting.

"There are three men at the centre of the story, then three women who kind of mirror and complement their storylines. But outside of the core arc, there's room for any number of weird and wonderful guest stars – so i'm hoping they'll be lots of surprises!"

Meanwhile, artist Bryan Hitch added: "All he said was 'AMERICA'S GOT POWERS, X-factor for super heroes!' That was all it took. I got the hook immediately and saw the full potential. I have to say that Jonathan's a very good writer and working to improve all the time. He knows story. He knows movies, pacing, drama. He knows TV and he knows comics. You can see a tremendous learning curve in 'Turf' as he worked out how to handle the medium. I certainly wouldn't be involved in this without an absolute certainty he could write and write well. He's not precious, neither of us are. We've spent months working this story out together and he's written the script for issue one fully twice at least. I have enough pages of art I've discarded to make a whole different first issue. This book is from two creators completely devoted to delivering the best work they can manage. Personally, I've only felt this twice before, on 'Authority' and 'Ultimates' so that gives you a little clue about the level we're playing at."

"We work together very differently," said Ross when asked to compare this experience to that of working with Tommy Lee Edwards on the critically acclaimed limited series, Turf. "Tommy takes the script and then does what he wants with it! But the script remains pretty locked. Bryan and I have backed and forth a lot more over the story. In fact there are at least two entire finished scripts to book one that we have now abandoned. We are working more in the old Marvel style now – I sketch out plot points and beats, he then works them up into layouts and we proceed from there. But I have tried writing specifically for him, giving him more space for those incredible detailed action splashes! For example there is going to be a huge kick ass fight scene near the end that contains several ideas I conceived just because I wanted to see Bryan bring them to life!"

For further details on the story, how the two came to collaborate, the tone of the book and much more, be sure to click on the link below to read the interview in its entirety.

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11 Comments

astromerc - 1/3/2012, 5:01 PM

Once again sounds like my up coming 24 hour heroes. I still feel my story is better. :P

Howlett - 1/3/2012, 5:02 PM

I think I'll have to pass.

Jordanstine - 1/3/2012, 5:05 PM

Sounds like that one other Superhero show Image comic book a few years ago...

Jordanstine - 1/3/2012, 5:05 PM

^ P.S. it was called "WildGuard".

CraptainAmerica - 1/3/2012, 5:08 PM

Hitch...I'm there! Will be interesting to see what else Ross can bring to the table after Turf and the awesome writing his Mrs is doing in the CBM writing...

Sounds like a superhero version of an episode of 'Black Mirror' called '15 Million Merits' shown just before Christmas here in England. The "exploitation" of people by reality shows at least.

I'll give this a look

Bandrews1 - 1/3/2012, 5:13 PM

Cool, I can't wait to check this out.

FriendlyNeighborhoodSpidey - 1/3/2012, 7:08 PM

I like Bryan Hitch, but I don't know if I will get this. Fantastic artist and storyteller though.

glenngwoz - 1/3/2012, 10:27 PM

umm, Stan Lee technically did this on tv a few years ago with that crappy reality show.

UncleTee - 1/4/2012, 12:30 PM

This might get me to buy single issue comics again!

COMICS: Jonathan Ross And Bryan Hitch Talk AMERICA'S GOT POWERS; First Art Unveiled

Writer Jonathan Ross and artist Bryan Hitch have revealed their project together at Image Comics, unveiling the first story details and cover art for America's Got Powers.

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