I’ve been pleased to share my interviews with Scott Kolins with you over the last few days. Part One focused on the Justice Society of America (JSA), and Part Two saw a lot discussed on Solomon Grundy, Superman/Batman and Green Lantern.
Today, Scott Kolins discusses Flash, DC Legacies, Flash and more!
Enjoy!
Nexus: You had also been announced as the artist on a now postponed or cancelled Flash co-feature starring Wally West for the new Flash book featuring Barry Allen. What happened to the co-feature? How many pages had you already worked on before the plans changed?
Kolins: The co-feature idea got shelved – at least for now. That’s been restructured – and at this point I’m not involved. But that could change tomorrow – you never know. I hadn’t drawn anything yet. It was just in the talking stage. I’m sure I’ll be doing more with Wally and Barry in the future sometime – which is always great. And I am going to be drawing Flash #7 & 8 – that are Rogue-centric with (Captain) Boomerang and Reverse Flash – so I’m still in the family!
Nexus: Since you are equally associated with the Wally West Flash as Geoff Johns is, and with news that a Flash: Speed Force title featuring Wally, Bart Allen and a few others was recently announced, can you reveal if you will you have any involvement creatively with this title?
Kolins: No involvement yet on that – as far as I know now. Could change tomorrow – have to wait and see. Geoff and I are talking about our plans for next year. I’m really hoping there’s a certain nasty gorilla I my future! :)
Nexus: Although the Flash co-feature may have been shelved, you were able to work Wally West into Magog #11. This appears to be another odd pairing that seems to work with you at the helm. Why Flash? Were there any lessons you learned from your previous Solomon Grundy work that you applied in your Magog 2-parter?
Kolins: Honestly, I wanted to draw Wally and I knew I had to figure out some way to attract attention to Magog any way I could. Maybe something crept in my head after knowing I wasn’t drawing the co-feature, but I do think Wally versus Magog made a good new face-off that reinforced what Magog’s all about. He’s not like the other DC heroes. He’s willing to break the rules to save lives.
I learned a lot on Grundy – mostly to not be afraid to try something unexpected. Keep your options open. You’ve got to be flexible working in this business and ready for changes to come. Thankfully I wasn’t that surprised when Magog was cancelled – in the middle of my story!
Nexus: How did DC let you know that they were cutting your Magog run short and cancelling the title? How did that impact your storytelling when your arc was now reduced by 3 issues?
Kolins: My editor called with the news, but he also had the offer to finish the story – we just weren’t sure exactly where at first. Thankfully the JSA Special is double sized, so I really didn’t lose much. A five part story came down to roughly four parts. Not bad really. I kept my eye on the important stuff to the story and moved some stuff around to come from another angle, but it all worked really well. I knew when I signed on to Magog that the book wasn’t selling well and plans could change anytime. I was ok with that.
Nexus: How do you prepare for doing smaller projects like the framing sequences in DC Legacies? Since the framing sequences appear to be in modern times, does that mean that you will be the artist on the last 2 full books of DC Legacies?
Kolins: No, no. Mike Carlin asked me only to draw the opening 2 pages of each issue. Legacies is a fun surprise for me every month or so. Len Wein (a big hero of mine!) is writing some fun stuff and it’s a breeze to play for just those pages. No big action sequences or other headaches, just a couple fun pages to intro a story.
Nexus: Beyond your Justice Society of America and Legacies work plus your short visit on Flash, are there other projects ahead for you in 2010 or 2011 that you can chat about? With your art chores on Justice Society America, might we see Scott Kolins on a writing-only assignment on another book soon?
Kolins: Nope, JSA and Flash have me completely booked. I am putting some ideas together for some new proposals, but even that’s sketchy at this point. I have some serious deadlines in front of me right now. And as far as writing a story for someone else to draw, I guess it could happen, but I don’t see it – as yet. I barely have enough time to draw my books or write and draw my one book. Sometimes I do like to go outside and breathe some fresh air.
I would like to thank Scott Kolins for agreeing to be interviewed and for his candor and good humour throughout this experience. Like many fans, I’m looking forward to more of his work both as an artist and as artist-writer. His unique style and dynamic pacing make for breathtaking art and his knack for research and love of oddballs makes for well-written compelling stories.
Don’t forget to pick up his JSA Special shipping on September 15, 2010 for the conclusion to his Magog arc.
The Solicitation:
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA SPECIAL
Written by SCOTT KOLINS • Art and Cover by SCOTT KOLINS
“Kingdom Coming” concludes as Magog, the Justice Society of America and the JSA All-Stars are forced back together when all signs point to the events of KINGDOM COME coming to pass! But Magog refuses to rejoin either team and finds himself fighting for his life AGAINST the JSA!
DC Comics 56pg. Color $4.99 US
On Sale September 15, 2010
As I noted at the end of my 3-part Dan Jurgens interview a while ago, one of the things I look for in interviews, when I’m the reader, are nuggets of infomation I didn’t have beforehand. There were many bits in these 3 interviews with Scott Kolins, and I’m still holding out hope for more artist-writer solo projects from Scott Kolins. He has a real strong voice that’s unique and engaging. We need more output from this professional.
Thanks for being interviewed Scott!
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As always, thank you for reading. Any and all feedback welcome. Cheers! :)
(Scott Kolins variant cover for recent Flash #4)
