Vuelve Vigilante, pero no es Adrian Chase.

[J_Constantine]

VIGILANTE Nº 1




Written by Bruce Jones; Art by Ben Oliver; Covers by Michael Golden

A classic DC character returns in a thrilling 6-issue maxiseries written by fan-favorite Bruce Jones (Hulk) with; ; Art by Ben Oliver (THE AUTHORITY: HUMAN ON THE INSIDE) and covers by Michael Golden! Welcome to modern-day Metropolis, where two men with very different philosophies work toward finding justice in an unjust world.

Dr. Justin Powell believes in justice for the individual, including the psychotic souls whose whose abuse as children has led them to do terrible things. Vigilante believes in the right of society to be protected from these psychotics with no regard for restraint or the law. Now, the entire city wants to know who the Vigilante is...but who will find him first —the media or the authorities?

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

On Sale September 28, 2005


Fanas de Chase. ¿Que opinan de esto?

[Leo]

Que la tapa es muy bonita, pero q siendo M.Golden el q la hace, podria haber hecho alguna personita mas.

[pesadillag]

Interesante, mucho

[BATIPIBE]

pinta bien.
chase se habia suicidado, no?
en que quedo eso?

[J_Constantine]

supuestamente sigue finado, y el qeu aparece aca es otro.

[Obsidian]

Me gusta, el vigilante era un gran personaje y Bruce Jones es un muy buen guionista asi que esto puede andar. Que fue de la minita que reemplazo a Chase???

Live Long and Prosper

[POLAR]

y esto en que quedo? DC Panel WIZARDWORLD LA by me(?) con la vuelta de vigilanteeeeeee
Por que tambien era un nuevo vigilante

[DRA]

FIRST LOOK: VIGILANTE #1

Vigilante #1 will arrive in stores on Sept. 28 from DC Comics. The issue is written by Bruce Jones, with art by Ben Oliver and a cover by Michael Golden.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"A classic DC character returns in a 6-issue max-iseries. Welcome to modern-day Metropolis, where two men with very different philosophies work toward finding justice in an unjust world. Dr. Justin Powell believes in justice for the individual, including the psychotic souls whose whose abuse as children has led them to do terrible things. Vigilante believes in the right of society to be protected from these psychotics with no regard for restraint or the law. Now, the entire city wants to know who the Vigilante is...but who will find him first ‹ the media or the authorities?"

Vigilante #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.



CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGES

[POLAR]

BRUCE JONES' NEW VIGILANTE
Writer Bruce Jones is bringing not one but two classic characters back to the center of the DCU. He's working on the six issue Vigilante limited series with artist Ben Oliver and also scripting the return of Travis Morgan, the Warlord with artist Bart Sears. In the first of a two part interview, we catch up with Jones to learn a little about the Vigilante. Is this the Golden Age hero recently seen in Seven Soldiers or any of the others seen in DC comics? Is this even a hero at all? Along with chatting about the Vigilante, Jones said his upcoming work includes: "Man-Bat, Deadman, OMAC, Nightwing, Warlord, and, possibly, Jack O'Lantern or something else with Sam Kieth."

Although a Vigilante series was announced a few years ago - and with a different creative team - Jones said since he came on board as writer, it has been a smooth road. He called it "the least trouble-plagued project I've ever been involved with. It's certainly one of the most enjoyable to write. Editor Alex Sinclair has been a dream and the artist change only occurred once, which is actually rare for this industry. I began working on the series late in the summer or early fall of 2004. What may seem a long time to readers is really par for the course with publishers, especially the DC Group that likes to get six or so issues ahead to nail down problems early on; this can save everyone a lot of time. I was making the transition from Marvel to DC at the time and Vigilante was one of the first titles that came to immediate fruition. Making transitions always plays havoc with a freelancer monetarily, so I tended to write pretty much straight through with this series to ease the transition and keep work on my plate. It allowed me a measure of intense concentration without the distractions of a lot of other books, which I think really helps the way the series reads."

"Our version [of the Vigilante] is new," Jones continued. "The character has been around as long cowboy comics, and gone through several incarnations. The last one was something akin to The Punisher in vibe. I didn’t want to just repeat that motif so we sort of went off in our own continuity-free direction. This is a hard book to talk about without tipping my hand. So much of the plot and payoff depend on clues that begin with the first issue. I don’t want to tip my hand here and wreck things for readers who’ve plopped down their hard earned bucks with the idea of getting some unexpected twists and turns. But for me what made for such fertile ground was the latitude I was given by the publisher to go back into the character’s past and show in detail why he became the man he did - in some ways that’s more delineated here than even Batman/Scarecrow Year One. His identity is a strict secret. In fact, part of the fun of the series is in trying to figure out who this guy is as well as why he’s doing those terrible things."

Even though this is an all new take on the character, Jones is hoping fans of any incarnation of the Vigilante will take a chance on these six issues. "I hope past readers will pick it up," he said. "You always want to pull in new readers, of course, but mostly I’d like to expand beyond the regular comic readers into a wider and perhaps more varied audience. I’d love it if women picked up the series and enjoyed it; truthfully, I write for women as much as for men. But I think comics holds a stigma for a lot of the fairer sex. Those who haven’t heard of him needn’t worry; ours is a completely fresh take, a very organic treatment that anyone off the street can relate to right from the get go. Just sit down with your favorite drink in your favorite chair, turn off the damn TV and enjoy! I think people who don’t regularly search out comics will be just as comfortable with the series as traditional superhero readers. That’s not to say it’s for everybody—by ‘comfortable’ I mean accessible. But it’s a pretty dark journey. If you’re squeamish you might tread lightly."

"This is probably the tightest series I’ve ever written and I think you’ll see what I mean when you get to the end," Jones said. "Every issue counts, adding another puzzle piece to the whole. It was hard work and tricky, but I as far as I know there’s still no other way to arrive at something decent. Finding ways to like a major character that’s really pretty despicable [was a challenge]. For a while there I thought: 'this is impossible, this will never work. The man is psychotic!' But I think, finally, you’ll find sufficient redeeming qualities there. More in him, perhaps, than many of those he plays opposite."

Although there is a Vigilante currently involved in Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers saga, Jones said this Vigilante has nothing to do with that hero. He said his story focuses on this Vigilante, who he is, and how he came to be. Jones said, "But I'm very happy with the way the secondary characters weave through the story. There’s no dead weight. Secondary characters are there to advance the plot and enhance the tale. They interplay pretty well I think. I spent a lot of time with every protagonist, and character motivation was chief among my challenges in writing the book, getting it right, making it real."

Jones said working on new incarnations of existing characters is intriguing and not too challenging. "In one way it isn’t tough at all because you don’t have to bother with all that past continuity and making sure you dot all your I’s and cross all your T’s. But anytime you take on a whole new creation it’s a rough row to hoe, because that same lack of continuity means you have to get to the exposition pretty fast so the reader knows what the heck is going on and who the players are. Basically, it’s a lot of freedom, with a large price to pay for that freedom. And you better make it good, if you’re the one doing the creating, because you can’t blame it on past plot holes and lame characterization—all the boo-boos are yours."

Jones said his key influences on the way he views Vigilante are the classic Film noir movies from 1945 to 1955. "But that’s only part of it," he said. "It’s a multi-layered book. Lot of Freud in there. Lot of dark stuff - very dark. Some will no doubt be put off. But there’s nothing gratuitous here. I loathe over-kill. It’s pretty grim stuff—not suffocating or gratuitous—but it definitely has its bleak, noir side. I’m very proud of the story; I think it’s some of my best writing. But then, I’m still kind of close to it, ya know?"

The writer isn't sure what's next for the Vigilante after this limited series, but if he has his way, this won't be the last we see of the mysterious Vigilante. "I’ve purposely set up the last issue in the initial run with an eye toward an ongoing series, though the arc is self-contained. It doesn’t just drop you off a cliff, there’s definitely a feeling of resolution, just not of finality."

Jones said his work on this series is almost complete. "Vigilante is one of the first books I worked on when I signed with DC for a two-year contract," he said. "It always takes a bit of time organizing what you’re going to be working on under contract, so I got to spend a lot of time with just Vigilante in the beginning until the other books got lined up and green lighted."

"I think [setting the story in Metropolis] was just DC’s way of keeping it in the best-known parts of the DCU," he continued. "Also--should the mini become a series—the intent would be to include Superman, etc. in future issues."

Jones said his Vigilante isn't involved in the upcoming Infinite Crisis. "Infinite Crisis and other recent DCU upheavals were in their infancy when I started work on Vigilante so it just was not prudent to try and work them into the story arc to any great degree. On the other hand, we tried to leave ourselves open to fit in with whatever those upheavals eventually turned out to be."

This is the first revitalized DC character Jones is returning to center stage in the DCU. His second, Travis Morgan: Warlord is set to make his debut in January. Although it seems as if Jones is keen on taking everything old and making it new again, he said he doesn't always like reintroducing classic characters to new audiences. "Sometimes it’s nice to dive in with the familiar—it’s even easier really, sometimes, to use the last writer’s continuity as a springboard," Jones said. "The main thing with new characters/series is the challenge. You need to lay down some pretty heavy licks right out of the gate. Today’s readers don’t stay with you out of nostalgia or if you’re doing it with your left hand. New series first issues are always daunting. It can become miserable if you let it. But I know fairly early on if this or that is my cup of tea. If it isn’t I bow out politely. If it is, but it’s still tough going, I tell myself that’s a good thing--writing should be fun and looked forward to, but sometimes the hard going means you’ve got something worth going after. This isn’t rocket science, but that doesn’t mean you should ever just toss if off. It always shows when you do, or at least when I do. Everyone has those days when you just can’t make the story work, just can’t break its spine. And polishing can be tiresome and redundant. But you have to do it, you really do, gotta get down and get anal. And you also have to know when it’s time to stop or you’ll kill the thing. Unfortunately, sometimes you don’t find this out until months after publication. The writer’s nightmare."

"In some ways its 'safer' to take on characters you weren’t that involved with as a kid because you don’t approach the material with all these preconceived notions, most of which are born of nostalgia," he continued. "At the same time, you have to respect what’s gone before. Anyone who doesn’t do that should be seeking other means of employment. You can’t run around being a raging iconoclast. I’d have fun writing a new Capt. Marvel Jr. book. But the appeal to me might be at odds with reality. I’d want it to look like the glory days of Mac Raboy and that’s not very realistic unless you can nail someone like Dave Steven to draw it. And the Cap Jr. of my youth was a graceful, athletically average-looking kid, not the muscle-pumped stompers today’s younger readers know, so my little 'dream project' may not be apropos for either readers OR myself. You have to be careful what you wish for."

You do, indeed. The first issue of Vigilante is due in stores this month.

Jones is one busy man in the DCU. He told THE PULSE about all of his upcoming projects. "We're doing a Deadman with Vertigo; a Man-Bat mini; Warlord as an ongoing; OMAC as a kind of provisional ongoing; a Nightwing ongoing has just been approved; possibly a Jack O'Lantern or at least something with artist/writer Sam Kieth. Enough stuff to keep me off the streets!"

Be sure to keep checking back with THE PULSE to read about Jones' take on the new Warlord.

Pulse

[POLAR]

Vigilante Justice With Bruce Jones

The Vigilante is one of those classic Golden Age DC heroes that keeps being reinvented for each generation. He's gone from kerchief-wearing cowboy to battle-ready quasi urban commando in his years in the DC Universe, and now, Bruce Jones and Ben Oliver are bringing a new Vigilante to the DCU, and this time he’s more killer then hero.

Newsarama: Let's start with the obvious, why is this character the Vigilante, when there is already another Vigilante running around the DCU?

Bruce Jones: I think that will be answered early on in the series. Ours Vigilante is cut from a wholly different cloth than the other(s) with an agenda and vibe that sets him apart from the traditional superhero of the DCU-or any U for that matter.

NRAMA: While this series in no way related to the previous Vigilantes, is the story or plot related to Micah Ian Wright / Carlos D'Anda previously announced 6-issue Vigilante mini-series for WildStorm?

BJ: No. This is strictly the Bruce Jones/ Ben Oliver version, a whole other take from the previously announced Wildstorm project. We went pretty much in our own direction for this one. It’s a wild ride. Buckle up!

NRAMA: I ask because visually they look is very similar.



BJ: It may appear that way at first blush, but I think you’ll soon see the very marked differences. Ours is a darker, more psychological approach.

NRAMA: How did you get involved with this series?

BJ: I met with editor Alex Sinclair at the San Diego Con when I first signed my new contract with DC. We hit it off right away. He took April and myself over to La Jolla to meet the Wildstorm folks and have lunch and talk about new projects. He was very open to a new approach on the character and, well one thing lead to another and here we are! Alex has been a dream to work with, by the way. Very sweet guy. And a great colorist to boot!

NRAMA: Is this just planned as a mini-series or are there plans beyond the initial 6 issues?

BJ: It’s planned as a mini with an eye toward leaving an open-ended last issue that hints at the possibility of future story lines more directly involved with the DCU, possibility arcs to include Superman, etc.

NRAMA: With both the Adrian Chase and Pat Trayce Vigilantes there was a common plot that they were going after people who had escaped justice on a legal technicality. Is that still the case with the new Vigilante?



BJ: In part it is, yes. However, there’s a central character in our series the focuses the entire series and, in fact, plays a major role in both the structure of the arc and the underpinnings of the Vigilante character himself. This individual goes a long way toward providing clues about how and why Vigilante became the person he is. Hopefully it’s weaved through the story skillfully and readably. I sure as hell tried my best to.

NRAMA: The Adrian Chase Vigilante was roughly based on Don Pendleton's Executioner novels. Is there any of that in this version or is he just a serial killer who preys on street criminals?

BJ: I remember those Don Pendleton books with great nostalgia and was reading them before the idea of a comic was even conceived. But our story is very much a departure from the Pendleton books with a history all its own. I’m not sure I’d classify our character as a “serial killer” and he doesn’t’ limit himself to only street justice…as you’ll see.

NRAMA: Do you see this Vigilante as a hero or villain?



BJ: That is the question. I know how I see him, but I don’t want to reveal that until the series has run its course for fear of swaying readers from their own deductions. This is not an easy character to pigeonhole, I can tell you that!

NRAMA: Why set the story in Metropolis?

BJ: As I mentioned, should the books do well, we wanted to take advantage of both Superman and some of the other DCU characters that are connected with that city. Also the legendary look and mythos of Metropolis were a natural for the tale we chose to tell.

NRAMA: When you go to the trouble of setting the series in Metropolis why create the Lansky character instead of using Jimmy Olsen?

BJ: Because where Jimmy goes Superman and Lois inevitably follow and we didn’t want the reader thinking in that vein quite yet…only that those characters might and could be an eventual possibility.

NRAMA: We have a pedophile, a prostitute, a biker, a serial killer as well as a mystery. So I assume your target audience is 5 and under?



BJ: Yes, we’re out to scare babies everywhere. Seriously, though: I think our target audience is anyone who likes a deeply layered, psychological thriller firmly grounded in the action genre.

NRAMA: Were there ever plans to do this as a mature reader comic?

BJ: Well, it is pretty mature, really. But all mainstream comics have matured a great deal in recent times, it’s just inevitable if you’re going to keep up with a more and more complex and demanding audience whose age group is increasingly more diversified. Comics are as sophisticated as any other form of entertainment out there today, really, I think it’s comes down more to a matter of personal taste than worrying overmuch about censorship or public opinion about what a comic is suppose to be. The medium has just evolved so rapidly, so exponentially.

NRAMA: There were two scenes with a much more intense look at crime and violence then is ever usually seen in Metropolis. What types of limits were placed on what you could and could not do?

BJ: No limits really. But I’ve been around for a long time and editors and publishers tend to trust my instincts about such things and know they’re likely to get something pretty dark with a Bruce Jones script from the get go. But dark doesn’t have to mean excessive or exploitative. I concentrated on making this a character-driven piece where morals and morality are at the forefront of the theme. People die, but not willy-nilly.

NRAMA: For a title called Vigilante there is very little of him in the first issue, the Vigilante’s victims appear in the comic more then he does. Is it this way through out the series?



BJ: We’re getting into spoiler territory here. Let me just say that readers will have no complaints about the amount of “screen time” regarding the title character.

NRAMA: The supporting cast also gets a lot more attention then the Vigilante himself, will that continue?

BJ: They will continue to get a lot of time but not necessarily more than Vigilante himself. Stay tuned.

NRAMA: As the story progresses, I get the feeling that the mystery will be less who is the Vigilante and more why does he kill. Is this a fair assessment, or am I missing the point?

BJ: Yes and no. How’s that for skirting the spoiler issue?

NRAMA: What can you tell readers that might have missed the first issue, to make them rush to their local comic shop and pick up a copy of Vigilante #1, before the second issue ships on November 2nd?

BJ: I worked very hard to make each successive issue more exciting than the last, to keep toping myself and upping the ante, so I don’t think there’s going to be a problem with readers who happen to miss the first issue going back and picking it up, at least I hope so. Sooner or later this is a story that just gets under your skin… sort of like a friendly tumor. You’re going to want the whole set, trust me!

Newsarama