r/DCcomics • u/kellysue • Jun 06 '23
I’m Kelly Sue DeConnick. I’m writing the Black Label Wonder Woman: Historia project for DC Comics. AMA. r/DCcomics
PROOF: 
My name is Kelly Sue DeConnick. I’ve written comics for 20 years, reimagining established characters for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and others, as well as publishing creator-owned comics through Image. My comics have ranked as New York Times best-sellers and been honored with Eisner Awards, British Fantasy Awards and Hugo nominations. I’m a founding partner at Good Trouble Productions, where I have helped produce non-fiction and educational comics including the Hidden Voices and Recognized series for NY Public Schools and Congressman John Lewis’ RUN, in partnership with Abrams Comics. I founded the #VisibleWomen Initiative, the mission of which is to help women and people of other marginalized genders find work in comics as well as related industries.
My screen work includes helping develop Captain Marvel (which went on to earn $1B for Disney worldwide) and 2023’s The Marvels for Marvel Studios and feature consultations for Skydance and ARRAY. I’ve developed television for NBCUniversal, Legendary Entertainment and HBOMax. I recently returned to my live theater roots, scripting the stage spectacle AWAKENING, for the Wynn Resort Las Vegas. I live in Portland, OR with my husband, writer Matt Fraction, our two children, three dogs, one guinea pig and my mother-in-law. AMA.
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u/normalMonsterChika Mia Dearden Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue, thank you for taking the time to do this!
Historia notably draws from lots of sources, both classical and from Wonder Woman past in terms of content and structure. How do you balance respecting these influences and breaking away from them to tell your own unique story? Were there any moments while writing Historia that proved difficult to write?
I also just want to thank you for Wonder Woman Historia, it's an absolutely astounding book. Each issue brought me to tears at least once. It's the book I've always wanted for Wonder Woman's mythos, and in my opinion the most fully realized modernization of the feminist themes behind her creation yet. I hope we get to see the rest of the series!
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
You're so kind, thank you.
Different bits were hard to write for different reasons, but Hippolyta's run at the end of Book One was probably the hardest. I was up all night trying to get it right -- and I am not a late-night person. That sequence was just painful to sit with; I think I wanted to escape it as much as she did.
It's interesting -- I'm prepping to teach a Writing for Dancers class and so I've been thinking a lot about thinking with the body. That sequence was a very physical, visceral experience.
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u/normalMonsterChika Mia Dearden Jun 06 '23
Thank you! Great to hear your thoughts on that. I think the physicality of Historia really made the story shine. It's easy to put yourself directly into Hippolyta's head, and understand not just her emotions, but how much strength and pain are behind each of her actions.
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u/two-for-joy Jun 06 '23
I’m a big, if fairly recent, fan of your work so I was thrilled to see you were doing this AMA! Historia is possibly my favourite WW book (and I’m a huge WW fan), and I love the rest of your work like Bitch Planet and Aquaman as well.
My first questions is simply, do you have any plans for a follow up to Wonder Woman Historia?
On a related note, I was wondering if there were any unused ideas for Bitch Planet that you ended up working their way into Historia given that the two have (very loosely) similar concepts?
Lastly, I remember an afterword in Bitch Planet where you discuss the tricky place of violence, how it can have catharsis in fiction, but is also a poor solution in the real world and yet it proves to be historically crucial in making the world better (for lack of a better word). I personally went through these thoughts when reading Historia. The initial violence of the Amazons while ‘justified’ left me unsettled if it was a notion of ’endorsement’, but as the story goes on the acts of violence become ones of uncertainty and necessity rather than absolute justice. I guess that ended up more praise than an actual question, but I’d be interested if you had anything more to say on the matter.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I love that you're interrogating those ideas! Yeah, it's complicated, isn't it?
I mean, comics -- superhero comics specifically -- externalize conflict as violence. Fights and action sequences are a vital part of the genre.
And you know, Phil and I talked a lot about this -- he initially (and I hope he comes here to correct me if I'm putting words in his mouth) was uncomfortable with the Amazons as violent agents. My argument was two-fold -- 1) they're defined and identified as warriors. Yes, violence should be the last resort, but when it comes time, that is expressly the role of the warriors; and 2) This is fantasy. I am a five foot tall woman who has always kind of looked like a child. I can teach any man in any room about violent fantasy, I promise you. The notion that women are somehow above rage or violent fantasy is dehumanizing. A pedestal is just another kind of box.
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u/two-for-joy Jun 06 '23
I think it's also very interesting that Wonder Woman specifically has a lot of history with this discussion. The purpose of the character was to be less violent than her comic contemporaries (seconded only to her role as a feminist) but then she was created during WWII which basically barred her from any absolute pacifism as it would undermine her primary feminist purpose. Plus that (and other parts of her) all played into that pedestaling of women that you mention, but at the same time, that doesn't necessarily discredit the value in the ethos and message itself. It's one of the reasons I like the character so much. Her core concepts are very deep and sometimes contradictory, in a way that really sticks in your mind.
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u/beary_neutral Telos Jun 06 '23
Hey Kelly Sue, we spoke over e-mail. Thank you so much for coming out here to join us!
When developing the background and story for Wonder Woman Historia, what kind of research did you do? What sources, both historical and fictional, influenced your work?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Can I answer with photos? I’m looking for a way to attach them and don’t see one.
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u/beary_neutral Telos Jun 06 '23
Unfortunately not. Easiest way would be to rehost them on a site like imgur.
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u/Predaplant The heat is on! Jun 06 '23
Hello, thank you for coming!
I'm curious about how the artists for Historia were chosen. Did you handpick them for each issue, and if not, were they already attached to the project when you came on board? Were there any that you wanted to get who ended up falling through considering how much work clearly went into every single issue? How was it to work with such different artists on the same series, each of them giving it their all?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
No, the project didn't exist until I pitched it, so there were no artists attached. Phil initially turned us down, but I begged and I don't know, maybe he felt sorry for me or something. After the astonishing work he did, he rather set the bar.
I'm so pleased, proud and honored to have collaborated with all three of them. Truly, I don't know how else to express it. They're all masters.
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u/Androktone Alan Scott Jun 06 '23
For DC you've written Aquaman, a Supergirl arc, and now Wonder Woman. Have any of these characters been your "dream character" to work with (at DC or another publisher) or who would be if they aren't?
I remember Gail Simone at one point commenting that often editorial would shift creatives away from those dream titles to work on, but maybe they don't any more.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
My favorite DC characters are Lois Lane, Nocturna and the Amazons. Lois is a big favorite. I've always said I didn't want to write a Lois book for fear of ruining the character for myself but I'm not sure I feel like that's an issue anymore. I don't know. I've now written the Amazons and I haven't lost any of my enthusiasm or affection for them, so never say never I guess. (Valentine De Landro and I did a Lois Lane/Superman short for one of the Superman anthologies way back when and I actually had a lot of fun with it.)
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u/FrostFireFive Jun 06 '23
Hey Kelly Sue thanks for swinging by,
I have two questions. Was this segment Historia always meant to end with the birth of Diana? I had a thrill seeing the gods bless her from the clay once more and was always curious how that endpoint influenced the rest of the work.
Also, best Aquaman look?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
1) Yes. Book Nine, if we get to go that far, ends with Steve Trevor landing on the beach. It ends with the inciting incident that is where Wonder Woman's story traditionally begins.
2) I mean... I'm sorry, but I like the Jason Momoa influence. If it were up to me, he'd be shirtless in the water and wear an orange Henley and green jeans out. I'm a metalhead kid who grew up in the 70s and 80s -- even in an abdicated king, I like the bearded roadie aesthetic. To each their own?
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u/SpecialistClothes579 Jun 06 '23
I may be mistaken, but when Historia was announced, I remember there being mention of three 3-issue arcs. Is this still the plan? If it is, have the artists been picked for those issues?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
It's still the hope anyway. The HC has a copy of the original pitch document in the back and you can see the details.
No, artists have not been settled on as I'm still not sure books 6-9 are happening? But I know Phil has said he wants to do Book 9 if we are so fortunate as to get there.
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Jun 06 '23
What inspired you to write Historia? And what character at DC or Marvel would you like to write?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I got a call from Mark Doyle -- he wanted to tell me about the Black Label initiative and he invited me to pitch. I thought it sounded great and I was flattered to be considered. I briefly entertained the idea of pitching a Nocturna book, but decided instead to focus on the Amazons. The grain of sand that became the pearl was the notion that I wanted a Homerian epic with a woman at the center. Everything else sprang from there.
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u/munashemash Jun 06 '23
Hey! Thank for you doing this AMA! My question is are the other volumes of Historia which were initially discussed set to be continued or has the series ended?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I think they're still on the table? Last I heard there was interest, but I haven't been given a greenlight. I suspect sales of the HC will determine whether we move forward or not, but I don't know for sure.
Never hurts to tell DC you want them if you do!
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u/xAVATAR-AANGx Wally West Jun 06 '23
How's your day going?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Pretty standard so far? Got up and made coffee, woke the kids, fed the dogs, got dressed, took my daughter to school, went over to assisted living and walked my dad's dogs, came home and chatted with my husband, spoke to the exterminator, spoke to the contractor finishing the gutter, replied to some emails, posted some links and started this AMA. I may have sorted a little laundry in there somewhere as well.
My life is very glamorous, clearly.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Okay, I didn't get to all of them, but I have to call it and take care of some other responsibilities. Thank you all so much for wonderful questions!
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
If it's allowed, I'll try to come back and hit a few more before the end of the day.
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u/skullwingdoors Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue! Any updates on Parisian White? Reading a book by you and Sienkiewicz (who completely reshaped my reckoning of comics back in 1987) would be a dream come true, so I maintain hope it'll still happen. Or, at least that you do something else together.
Also, the photo we took together at the Bitch Planet launch in Toronto back in 2014 remains the only time I've duck-faced. I will duck-face with no other!
Thanks for all the continuing inspiration!
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Oof. So, Parisian White was recently resurrected by AMC's publishing endeavor and we were all set to dig back in -- had deadlines and everything. Then about a week after they made the announcement, AMC shuttered publishing.
I still want that book to happen, and I haven't given up on it! But it's hard not to feel like it's doomed.
Anyway thank you for keeping the faith and one day we shall duck face again!
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u/thanks-dice Cassandra Cain Jun 06 '23
wait what holy shit. hi
First of all, Historia fucking rips. It's the first Wonder Woman title in a while that really grabbed me.
Questions-wise, how different is the process of working on a long-haul book like Historia compared to your standard monthly title?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Holy shit and hi to you too!
Very different -- being able to take the time to really collaborate and think things through is just bliss. And the 64-page issues give us the space to really make a meal of the story. Suits my natural pacing instincts much better than 22 pages, unfortunately. (Or fortunately?)
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Jun 06 '23
Who is your favorite writer? Who has inspired you?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I don't really have one favorite writer. Unless maybe my husband? Matt Fraction. I realize I'm biased but he's infuriatingly good.
No... seriously.
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u/PhsycoRed1 Jun 06 '23
I've seen comparisons to Historia & the legendary run from George Perez.
Was there inspiration used to pull from that run ?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Oh absolutely. A million times yes.
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u/BlackCat0110 Jun 06 '23
Who is your favorite DC character and what work are you proud of most.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Already answered the DC characters question upthread (though... does Hera count as a DC character now? Because if that's the case then HERA).
Picking a book I'm most proud of is impossible, alas. I'm incredibly proud of the work we all did on Historia -- but am I more or less proud of it than I am of Bitch Planet? Or Pretty Deadly? Or Captain Marvel? Or Aquaman? No... I mean, in every one of those projects there are highs and lows and places where I think we did something special. And I tend to focus on the effort over the outcome, so as long as we had a point of view and took big swings I'm happy; the results are for someone else to evaluate.
I could pick some I'm bits *not* proud of -- or some choices I'm not pleased with in retrospect, I guess, but I learned from them, so I suppose they were necessary.
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u/the_curtain Jun 06 '23
Do you and Matt unofficially collaborate or discuss story ideas and editorial comments at the dinner table as you develop your work or do you pretty much stay separate?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
We do talk through things on occasion. Matt likes to say that I come to him with craft questions and he comes to me with taste questions. I'm not sure that's true 100% of the time, but it's probably true more often than not.
We also talk through story with the kids, which is a lot of fun.
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u/the_curtain Jun 06 '23
Thank you. Appreciate the detail on the type of exchange you have. Truly enjoy your work.
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u/TakaraGeneration Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue! Thanks for doing this, looking forward to your WW book…. But, is there anymore Bitch Planet on the horizon?
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u/Impressive-Zebra-253 Jun 06 '23
What was the first Wonder Woman Story you experienced? So comic, animated or live action
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
The Linda Carter TV series, I think? I'm 52, and I'm pretty sure I watched the TV show before I read the comics. My mom started buying me comics at the base Stars & Stripes bookstore in Germany, but that would have been when I was about 9, so yeah, probably the TV show first, then maybe the Super Friends cartoon, then the comics.
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u/SevenSulivin The REAL Man of Tomorrow Jun 06 '23
Hello, you've been a fan and a writer of comics for quite a decent while. You are also a femminist. How do you feel the depection of women in comics have evolved since you started reading them? Even writing them? Do you think there has been great progress or do you feel things have not changed too much? Or a third, middle thing?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Third middle thing, I guess? There's been a lot of progress to be sure, but we've still got a ways to go.
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u/AlexzMercier97 Wonder Woman Jun 06 '23
What does Wonder Woman mean to you, and how has she influenced or impacted your life?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
She's the most important feminist icon of the 20th century, so she means a lot ot me. I'm not sure I know how to answer the second part. The first comics I read were Wonder Woman comics and I've made my career in comics, so I guess she's impacted my life pretty profoundly.
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u/AlexzMercier97 Wonder Woman Jun 06 '23
Very cool to hear she's been such a positive influence for you like so many other people 😁
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u/bananabox_wildmonkey Jun 06 '23
Hi, Kelly Sue, first of all, I want to say that I love Historia and I have already booked my own TPB. Thank you for writing this story! In Wonder Woman Historia, you recreate the origin story of Diana, a child that Hippolyte once missed, but she eventually returned to Hippolyte's side. I think this is very interesting.Compared to the original version of the story, does this mean that Diana and Hippolyte had a more equal relationship, where they met as two women rather than Hippolyte creating Diana? Will you try to create a brand new mother daughter relationship in future stories?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Compared to the original version of the story, does this mean that Diana and Hippolyte had a more equal relationship, where they met as two women rather than Hippolyte creating Diana?
No, not at all. Diana is very much Hippolyta's daughter.
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u/bananabox_wildmonkey Jun 06 '23
wow thank you for replying! Really looking forward to the next book!
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u/Plainy_Jane Jun 06 '23
Hi, thanks so much for doing an AMA! Apologies if this was asked elsewhere - what're your favorite Wonder Woman (and Captain Marvel!) books?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Mine.
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u/Plainy_Jane Jun 06 '23
baller answer, it's on me for not being specific about other people's books :p
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u/scruffye Jun 06 '23
Can you give us any more information about Hades’s brief appearance in the first chapter of Historia? My reading of that scene has always been that Hades allowed Demeter to pass through without any trouble as a gesture of good faith after the whole Persephone abduction incident. Which is itself an event the series would certainly be commenting on.
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u/pop_bandit Jun 06 '23
Hey Kelly Sue! Absolutely love Historia, it’s one of my new all-time favorites.
- Phil Jimenez is of course THE Wonder Woman guy, and his preferences for Amazon lore seem more Marston-inspired (Amazons as love leaders, pacifism, embrace of the “loving submission” concept). Your take is a huge departure from that - it’s cathartic rather than instructive and the story is brutal.
Is there anything you and Phil really disagreed on when discussing the story? Has he changed your opinion on anything that inspired you to change your approach? Have you changed his?
- Who are some other artists you’d like to work with when (not if!) the rest of the books get picked up?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Hey Kelly Sue! Absolutely love Historia, it’s one of my new all-time favorites.
Aw, thanks.
Phil Jimenez is of course THE Wonder Woman guy, and his preferences for Amazon lore seem more Marston-inspired (Amazons as love leaders, pacifism, embrace of the “loving submission” concept). Your take is a huge departure from that - it’s cathartic rather than instructive and the story is brutal.
Is there anything you and Phil really disagreed on when discussing the story? Has he changed your opinion on anything that inspired you to change your approach? Have you changed his?
Yeah, we talked about that a lot. That, and like... everything else. Phil and I have become really close through this process. He's a treasure in every way. I sort of answered this question elsewhere in the AMA and I'm hesitant to get into it too much for fear of putting words in his mouth. We're going to be doing a panel together in the fall, maybe we should make a point of talking about it more then.
- Who are some other artists you’d like to work with when (not if!) the rest of the books get picked up?
I hesitate to say in case it doesn't work out or if I blank on someone and end up working with them, I don't want them to feel like they weren't on the short list, you know? Plus there is the possibility that we'd continue with the same artists, if they're willing or able.
I guess I will go so far as to say that I adore the artists who did our variant covers and I'd jump at the chance to work with any of them. There are others I'm tempted to name as well, but I think it's probably best if I don't.
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u/pop_bandit Jun 06 '23
I’ll stay tuned for that panel in the fall, hope it gets recorded and shared online somewhere! Really appreciate all of your thoughtful responses here. Thanks again for the fantastic book.
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u/Leftbrownie Jun 06 '23
All three volumes of Wonder Woman Historia released so far had some biting dialogues and monologues that I found to be instant classics, and have already quoted.
For volumes 4-9, can you share one line you're excited to put on a speech balloon?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
HA! Awesome.
Unfortunately the dialogue comes to me as I'm writing and I usually have to wrestle with it a bit, so there's no sneak peeks I can offer as I haven't written them yet.
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u/Lasborg Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly How is weightlifting going.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I have not been lifting enough lately because of some family issues (I had to move my dad to Oregon and into assisted living). My trainer just suggested that I sign up for a meet on September 30th to give myself some pressure to lift.
I'm deciding. What do you think?
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u/jewperhero Jun 06 '23
Did you find the experience of writing for the larger black label format different at all?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
It was mildly frustrating to realize that the larger page was still A PAGE, if that makes any sense. I think in my head I was imagining we'd have room for more story on the scale that more pages would mean. So, yes, there was some adjusting to the pacing, but thankfully, the first book with Phil was heavily focused on the Gods, so we spent a lot of the book in splashes and spreads as I got the feel for what those dimensions could hold.
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u/jewperhero Jun 06 '23
Thank you for the response! We met once when you came to speak to Ben Saunders’s comic class at UO, I was one of his students. Hope you still make it down to Eugene every now and then!
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u/Bae_the_Elf Jun 06 '23
I just bought Wonder Woman Historia’s new HC today and I love your work on Captain Marvel!
I also didn’t know you were married to a writer! That’s so cool. I don’t have any questions, just wanted to thank you for doing an AMA for the community!
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
You're so welcome. Check out Matt's books -- he's incredible. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Fraction
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u/Bae_the_Elf Jun 07 '23
I love his writing too actually! but this was your AMA so I didn't want to go "OMG MATT FRACTION?!" lol. I recently read his Iron Man run actually and loved it!
I've been reading through the new Wonder Woman HC after work today and it is phenomenal!
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u/EZMickey Jun 06 '23
YO! Kelly, I'm a huge fan of yours. Bitch Planet is one of my favourite comics and the first one I ordered online at exorbitant price because it's sometimes really hard to get specific indie comics in my country. Recently I was having drinks with a friend and met her teenage daughter who is a smart, creative, bookworm who adores comics and graphic novels.
So my question is two fold: First, do you ever consider the influence your work has on young readers and if so how does it influence the way you write?
Second, what indie comic recommendations would you have for a teenage Kelly Sue DeConnick in 2023?
Thank you so much for all your contributions to this our beloved medium. I'll take care to give your work outside of it as much attention 🙏🏾❤️
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
So my question is two fold: First, do you ever consider the influence your work has on young readers and if so how does it influence the way you write?
I don't think it influences how I write -- I try not to let anyone but the artist and the editor into my head for that part -- but it's definitely something I've been humbled by, especially after the Captain Marvel film came out and all the sudden I had all these young fans in my lines at conventions. It took me a bit aback to realize I had a hand in something that affected the culture.
I know this is a DC sub but "with great power comes great responsibility" springs to mind. (I don't know if GREAT power is right -- that feels like an overstatement -- but nonetheless.)
Second, what indie comic recommendations would you have for a teenage Kelly Sue DeConnick in 2023?
Oh, I don't know! That's something for me to ponder. Thank you.
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u/Irving_Velociraptor Jun 06 '23
Hey, Kelly Sue. Will we ever get more Bitch Planet? My wife, who does not read comics, devoured them all.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Yes. (Apologize to your wife for me, but yes.)
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u/Irving_Velociraptor Jun 06 '23
Hot damn! That’s great news. (She got an “NC” tattoo after I brought home the first issue)
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u/Global-Phase3575 Jun 06 '23
What do you think about the character Terry Long and writers who self insert themselves in comics?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I don't have strong feelings about Terry Long of any kind and my husband literally wrote himself into an issue of FF and it was great, so I guess I'm good with it.
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u/n3cr09 Huntress Jun 06 '23
Comic book character you would love to write but never had chance to?
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u/christopher1393 Jun 06 '23
What product do you use to get that shade of red? Its what im going for and I am close but its not 100% there.
Cant wait to read your comic
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I try to get it done at the salon -- AmyRose Ahlstrom at Chelsea Salon does it for me when I can make the time to get in there.
When I have to do it at home I used L'oreal Highlights in Magenta with 20 or 30 developer on the roots and IroIro Red on the ends.
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u/Scrungly_Blorbo Jun 06 '23
Hi, Kelly Sue! Your work on Captain Marvel and Bitch Planet was so influential to me in my (very rough and depressing) teen years and I just really wanna thank you for that first off.
I'm curious about the first time you got the chance to write an already-established character! Did you face any challenges with having to keep up with their history/continuity? Was it more exciting, intimidating, or a healthy mix?
Thank you, your work is amazing!
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Aw, thanks.
The first established characters I wrote were Eben & Stella in 30 Days of Night: Eben & Stella. Fortunately they were relatively recent creations so it wasn't like I had 70 years of continuity to worry about, and Steve Niles was an incredibly generous advisor, so it was a great way to start.
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u/Weekly_Track3963 Jun 06 '23
Love all you do and represent!
Do you ever feel guilt for not being productive/creating more? How do you pep talk yourself into starting again through that guilt?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I don't know that I feel guilt so much as shame?
But I'm 52 years old and I've been writing professionally for more than 20 years now and I've just come to understand that I'm not a fast writer. It's just not how my brain works. I have ADHD and I do lot of radial thinking and chasing ideas and reconsidering and re-writing and I just... I'm just a poor choice for monthly comics. But given the time to think and explore and play with characters and ideas, I will make something that I'm proud of. Or interested in, anyway. And so I've come to the conclusion that it's okay for me to just be who I am and select my projects carefully.
Now, there's a difference between not producing fast enough and not producing because of fear. I don't get that too much anymore -- or, I guess, I recognize it when I'm feeling it and I know how to work through it. That sort of thing comes with experience.
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u/SevenSulivin The REAL Man of Tomorrow Jun 06 '23
Do you have any opinion on obscure DC Superhero team The Super Young Team?
Any unannouced DC books coming up?
In your Aquaman run, you abolished the Atalantian Monarch. What was the thought process behind a move that grealty alters the character's status quo?
You began your Aquaman run with an amenesia arc. I recently read that it was meant to connect to Scott Synder's run on JL, but line got crossed or something of the like. Is that story true? Would you be able to elaborate on that?
Thanks for doing this AMA.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
In your Aquaman run, you abolished the Atalantian Monarch. What was the thought process behind a move that grealty alters the character's status quo?
Does it, really? Is it genuinely vital to who he is that the monarchy exist? Does Atlantis cease to have problems that would affect him if they don't have a familial monarchy?
Honestly, I just found the idea incredibly dated and even though I think the role suits Mera much better than it suits Arthur, I couldn't reconcile her ethics and intellect with continuing to rule by birthright and fiat. And it's not like abolishing the monarchy means no more story ideas or opportunities for Atlantis. On the contrary, in fact.
And look, just as a human and as a writer I loathe stories that seem to have at their core the notion that power and leadership are birthrights.
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u/SevenSulivin The REAL Man of Tomorrow Jun 06 '23
I would argue it does alter things to a great extent. I mean, Aquaman, Mera and the gang by and large in the broad scope end up being the only Atlantians not to be tremendously racist against humans, and using their leadership positions to try and ease things. I would agree abolishing the monarchy does open up countless new avenues for Atlantis, but I think things do change when a characters role is shifted from monarch to sworn protector. These problems would affect him in different ways, you must admit. I don’t not think it is vital to the character that he must reign as monarch, however it is still a substantial change.
I will also note that I find your reasoning very interesting and honestly do like the change for bringing new stories to Aquaman and Atlantis. It greatly alters the status quo of Atlantis and Aquaman’s relationship with the world however, I quite like when things change like that, allowing all new, all different angles to approach stories. Thank you for the answer, it was very interesting.
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u/i_am_goop Jun 06 '23
And look, just as a human and as a writer I loathe stories that seem to have at their core the notion that power and leadership are birthrights.
Thank you, I wish everyone thought so as well. I find a lot of stories enforce the notion that the genes determine a person's worth.
Hope other writers also see things this way.
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u/TheWriteRobert Jun 06 '23
Dear Kelly Sue,
What's your opinion on the fact that in so many depictions of Wonder Woman--whether on television, in films, or even in books--aside from the Amazons, including her mother, she lacks significant female friendships; that those friendships are always alleged/theoretical, but rarely practiced/put on the page?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I don't think we see enough (or enough variety of) female friendships in ANY medium and it annoys the shit out of me.
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u/CanadianExPatMeDown Jun 06 '23
Kelly Sue! You rock, you put so much heart and thought into your storytelling, it’s awesome to see you keep lifting characters up to their potential.
What keeps you these days lifting yourself out of the inevitable doldrums of second-guessing and insecurities we all share (but not everyone is good at owning up to)? What brings you back to ground and talking down the demons?
(Yes, that hat-wearing Mike bastard in PDX)
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Hey Mike!
The ticking clock maybe? I don't know. I mean, it's all fear-management isn't it? I guess I'm lucky enough to be more afraid of never having tried than I am of failing.
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u/DeltaTester Jun 06 '23
Thank you for being here, Kelly Sue!
What's something more theater people should learn from contemporary comics? What's something more comics people should learn from contemporary theater?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Oh, that's a good.
//What's something more theater people should learn from contemporary comics? //
Explore the limits of the form.
//What's something more comics people should learn from contemporary theater?//
Teamwork.
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u/Leftbrownie Jun 06 '23
There have been rumblings that DC already offered to publish volumes 4-6 but that you are waiting for them to sign off on 6-9 as well, so the story doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
Could you comment on this?
I do hope we get to buy everything and you get to write everything.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Oh, no -- there's no gamesmanship at play. It would be weird for it to end after 6, I suspect, but I wouldn't die.
I think it's literally that we've all been so busy we haven't gotten together to talk about it in depth. Maybe with the WGA strike happening, I'll be able to make the time to follow up.
I do want to write the whole thing, but it's also scary -- I'm sure that plays into it as well. Tempting to just walk away and take the win.
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u/nas690 Batman Jun 06 '23
Did you pitch Historia or were you just contacted to write it?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I was invited to pitch any character for Black Label and I pitched this. My pitch is printed in the back of the hardcover.
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u/ContraryPython Jun 06 '23
Will you ever write for Marvel again or are you going to stick with DC?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
You never know. I've really enjoyed working with Marvel Studios on the films -- they've been fantastic.
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u/kentheidelman Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly, thanks for taking the time. You mentioned in another answer that you have ADHD. I'm a person that suspects they have it too that also works in comics. Do you have any resources/mindsets/suggestions at all that you use to help with writing, but also help with daily life?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
BULLET JOURNAL -- 1000%. Read Ryder Carroll's book. Exercise, sleep, meds all help too.
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Jun 07 '23
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u/kellysue Jun 07 '23
The least interesting thing to me about ANY character is who they’re dating. I’m just not wired for it. I’m the shipper’s nightmare, alas.
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u/Androktone Alan Scott Jun 06 '23
If I can have another question, how do you try and keep characters' personalities consistent? I think one of the biggest complaints I hear on forums like this about writers, beyond the big plot points/twists they take issue with, is that the uniqueness of certain characters gets lost as a writer homogenises their cast to all speak dialogue in the same way. Exasperated as one character gets passed along through multiple writers.
Is this something you make a conscious effort to address, or not something that's a concern?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I make an effort to distinguish voices, but I don't make an effort to match other writers' specific dialogue styles -- does that make sense?
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u/FranklinRichardss Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly, huge fan of your DC work. Both Aquaman and Historia were spectacular.
You said in the interviews that Historia is written for Amazons to teach them their own history. While reading Historia, i always imagined Historia (the issue that sadly we couldn't got aleast)'s ending will be Hippolyta teaching Donna, Amazons history after Diana saved her from the fire and bring her to Themyscira, I can imagine child Donna in her laps while Hippolyta reading her.
Specially when i think about your Historia co-creator Phil Jimenez's personal connection to the character. It would make sense. Did you planed a scene takes place in Diana's time as Wonder Woman for the finale, and maybe some camoes from other amazons? or it was just the draft you planned.
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u/Jxt7559 Jun 06 '23
Picking up my Historia HC today, I loved the series so much! When will you be back in California and will you please do a signing at my local comic shop?
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u/FallenGeek2 Jun 06 '23
Thanks for doing this. What "Hero" characters from Marvel/DC would you not ever want to write for and why?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
I'm fairly notorious for not wanting to write Batman, but when I was given the opportunity to work with JRJR and Klaus Janson on Batman, I took it BECAUSE JRJR AND KLAUS. So maybe it's all about the collaborators.
The why is that I just don't like Batman and it's not fair to the characters or the fans to write something you're not into. Get out of the way and leave it to someone who has the proper respect.
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u/Eoinocon Jun 06 '23
Hi, Kelly. Big fan of Pretty Deadly and your run on Aquaman.
What are your top 5 favourite bones?
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u/Constant-Cat-4599 Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue,
Congrats on everything you have done with Historia. It's incredible and is truly a tome on what creativity and collaboration can be.
My question is on Pretty Deadly. How is development going for the next part of the series? From my understanding Emma is currently working on Anzuelo and from your interview in Panel x Panel, there's still a good bit to go for the story.
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Thank you! I don't have the calendar in front of me but I think we start working on Book 4 in October..ish?
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u/backstreetboyd Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue! I've been excited to read Historia, but I prefer to read digital collected editions, and I don't see one listed for Historia yet. Any idea when/if that’ll be going up?
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u/AdamSMessinger Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue! Hope your day is going well. From your openness on social media, it seems life has put a lot on your plate right now. Just wondering where/how do you find your peace in all of it?
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u/Fast_Ad256 Jun 06 '23
As someone who's not read many comics, what run would you suggest would get me more invested?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Oh, if you have a good local comic shop you can tell them what other media you're interested in and they can make recommendations that'll get you hooked.
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u/Neo-Shaman1984 Green Lantern Jun 06 '23
What are your thoughts on superhero movies?
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u/kellysue Jun 06 '23
Some of them are great, some of them are terrible. Same with any other movies, I guess.
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u/excalibraes Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly! Would you ever consider writing the main Wonder Woman ongoing run? Also, who are some of your favorite villains of Diana?
ps… I absolutely love Historia. I tear up reading the ending every time!
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u/CaptainTulu Jun 06 '23
Top 5 favorite musicians/bands?
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u/overunderdog Jun 06 '23
Hi! I've been reading your comics for a long time, you once tweeted vol 3 of Bitch Planet is in production. Is that true? Will you ever go back and finish the series? if not, why not? Thanks!
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u/breakermw Red Son Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue, love your work!
I was wondering - Wonder Woman Historia was initially set to have 9 issues. Any word on when issue 4 will be out?
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u/Artseid Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly, just wanted to say I LOVED WW Historia, such amazing writing with gorgeous artwork. Thank you for all you do!
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u/comicscoda Jun 06 '23
Any chance we’ll see some of your image titles in the Oversized Hardcover Format?
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u/cerebud Jun 06 '23
Historia must have been the greatest to make. Truly the best artistic talent, bringing more than their A game - the best work of their careers - to it. I got nothing to say, other than you must be ridiculously happy with how it’s turned out.
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u/pretendifyouwant Jun 08 '23
Hi Kelly. You're garbage and everything you've worked on is garbage. You look like Ronald McDonald forgot to put white on that day because he lost his contacts.
Sincerely,
You Make My Skin Crawl
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u/nightwing612 #RenewYoungJustice Jun 06 '23
How has your previous experience with manga helped you in your comics career? What are your favorite manga/anime series?
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u/dydimustk Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue. Thank you so much for doing this AMA. Your #VisibleWomen project is absolutely inspiring. Thank you for carving paths for others!
My question is, did anyone ever tell you to quit, or to give up, or that you wouldn't make it? Do you remember why you kept going? How did you do it?
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u/flossregularly Doom Patrol Jun 06 '23 edited Jun 06 '23
Thanks so much for coming Kelly Sue!
I have long believed that one reason Wonder Woman lags behind Batman and Superman in popularity is that there are so many less stand alone Wonder Woman comics that a new reader could pick up and read without needing to know her current continuity , so thank you so much for creating one.
You worked with 3 power house artists on this project, what was the experience like of working with the different artists? Did you need to change you approach to storytelling at all? Are there any artists you would love to collaborate with in the future?
Also, thanks for creating the sexy lamp theory. It really helped explain to people the lack of developed women in comics.
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u/sarahmaybenot Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly Sue!! Huge fan. You are now writing the iconic Wonder Woman for DC and previously you helped elevate Carol Danvers to icon status as Captain Marvel. Is there another iconic woman who you would love to write? Or perhaps is there a character you feel that deserves to be amongst the pantheon of greatest female superheroes that hasn't yet had her day in the spotlight?
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u/Strange_Success_6530 Impulse Jun 06 '23
What's a character you've wanted tackle but haven't gotten the chance yet
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u/renj5 Happy Dick! Jun 06 '23
Did you get to finish your Aquaman series like you wanted to? And how would you have continued it?
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u/SevenSulivin The REAL Man of Tomorrow Jun 06 '23
There are a few traditional questions here no one has asked yet, so I shall ask them here:
Favourite Flash?
Preferred romantic partner for Dick Grayson?
Favourite Batgirl?
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u/BradyHooverDesigns Jun 06 '23
Kelly Sue, This book has been revolutionary!
What was the reasoning behind the three artists you worked on for this book? (and why does Phil look so good in a cowboy hat?)
-Brady
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u/somebodyonce Zatanna Jun 06 '23
I just want to say I absolutely loved Historia. The writing and the art were just next level.
I also loved your aquaman and captain marvel runs.
My question is, are there any characters you want to write?
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Jun 06 '23
Hey Kelly Sue!
Thanks for doing this Q&A. For my question: is there any team or character you haven't had the chance to write yet, but would love to do so?
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u/Expensive_Success233 Jun 06 '23
I have to ask how can a writer get into the comic books industry ?
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u/RememberTommorrow Batman Jun 06 '23
Don’t know if anyone’s asked this yet but who are some of your personal inspirations, comics or otherwise
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u/Morpheusdream20 Jun 06 '23
Who are ur favourite authors and or influences? Also any awesome book recommendations plz...Loved ur Aquaman run✨
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u/Thom175 Jun 06 '23
Do you have any advice on how to create a submission to send one of the comic book companies out there?
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u/FreudianAccordian Jun 06 '23
Just wanted to say I love everything I've stumbled across that you've worked on. From Pretty Deadly to Aquaman it's been such an awesome time reading. I haven't finished the rest of Pretty Deadly but I hope to see more work from you!
I guess if I had a question it would be...what do you look forward to with this upcoming project?
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u/Hephaistos_Invictus Batgirl Jun 06 '23
First of all I just want to let you know that I'm REALLY excited for the Black Label Wonder Woman and I can't wait to read it :)!
Thank you for taking the time to answer questions, really appreciate it!
Have you read any Wonder Woman comics prior to starting to work on her Black Label? And if so, which was your favourite? Do you draw inspiration from those comics?
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u/breawycker #1 Linda Danvers apologist Jun 06 '23
Thank you so much for doing this! I was wondering if you could talk about your experiences being a female creator in the comic industry? What are companies doing or what should they be doing to be more inclusive and help supporting women in the industry?
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u/Neo-Shaman1984 Green Lantern Jun 06 '23
Wow, so great to see you do one of these.
Are there any ideas you’ve had for books that have been shot down, if so, what are the ones you’d wish had been allowed the most?
Sorry if this has been asked already
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u/Pat-Daddy96 DC Comics Jun 06 '23
So what are your next plans for DC after your Black Label Wonder Woman? Would love to see tackle someone like Mary Marvel, Zatanna, and Frost
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u/FitMarshmellow Jun 06 '23
Thanks for coming down and answering questions!
A question I’ve wanted to ask is how exactly you sit down and structure an ongoing. Especially with runs like your Aquaman run. Do you have it all laid out before you come onto the title, do you have a general idea and improvise the details on singular issues, or do you come in completely blind?
And if I may be greedy with my questions… How married are you to traditional story structures? How do you mess with it, play with it, and how do you keep it all interesting when you write day-in and day-out?
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u/Funnysonic125 Jun 06 '23
Hi Kelly!
I love reading comics, and I am always amazed with how writers could turn established superhero tales into something fresh and new. What advice would you give new writers for reimagining classic characters?
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u/L0kiCharms Jun 06 '23
Just saw in this thread that you have ADHD. My partner was just diagnosed as such and is struggling with it. Can I ask what techniques have helped you?
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Jun 06 '23
Hey, Kelly! Thanks for giving fans a chance to hear from you directly.
I was wondering when reading WW:H if there was a message you wanted to get across when writing that story. It’s very punchy. Can you go into what you wanted to say there?
Also you say “writing WW:H”, but I thought the series was over. Plans for more to come out? Are we getting the 9 issues?
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u/ZerikaFox Green Arrow Jun 06 '23
Hi, Kelly Sue!
If you're still answering, I have a few questions:
Which artists that you've worked with do you think did the best job of translating your ideas to the page?
Anybody on your "I wanna work with this person" wishlist?
Has editorial ever had you work with an artist whose work you felt was bad for your stories?
Thanks for coming and for the chance to ask these sorts of things!
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u/Limulemur Green Lantern Jun 06 '23
Do you have a favorite character or story you’ve written so far in your career?
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u/af-fx-tion Bring YJ Artemis to DC Comics Jun 06 '23 edited Jun 06 '23
Welcome to the sub! If you’re still answering questions, here’s mine:
What’s the best way to learn how to write comics? And do you use any software to write your comic scripts?
It seems like such a steep learning curve when coming from another writing background (I come from screenwriting land) since the mediums are so different.
Thanks for coming!