Buddy Baker has gone from "super" man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers?

We caught up with writer, Jeff Lemire, to talk about the new Animal Man series from DC Comics.

Horror News Network: How did you land the job as writer of Animal Man?

Jeff Lemire: When DC came to me with the news of their plans for relaunching their entire line, they suggested a few characters to me, not of which really got me too excited. I pitched them the idea of a Frankenstein series, which they accepted. But I still needed another book as well. They new I had a lot of interest in Swamp Thing, a book my good friend Scott Snyder was going to write, and I think that gave them the idea to offer me another old Vertigo property in Animal man.

Horror News Network: What kind of research did you do on the Animal Man character prior to writing the first issue?

Jeff Lemire: Well, I was already very familiar with the character and his history, having been a fan of all the previous incarnations. The Grant Morrision and Jamie Delano versions from the late 80’s, early 90’s were my favorites. But I still went back and re-read all the original material from Strange Adventures in the 60’s and the entire 90 issues of the character’s previous series in preparation.

Horror News Network: For those that may have not yet seen issue one, can you talk a bit about the way you plan to make this title creepy?

Jeff Lemire: Animal Man’s mythos is tied to something called THE RED, which is sort of an elemental force that connects all living things. I’m going to make the Red a real place, another dimension of flesh and blood and bone and inhabit it with all sorts of twisted creatures. But there is also something dark, something corrupt and rotten spreading through The Red. These creatures called The Hunters are where the horror really begins for The Baker Family.

Horror News Network: Can you talk a bit about the Baker family? As we saw in the first issue Maxine has started to develop some powers of her own.

Jeff Lemire: The entire family is really the stars of the book, not just Buddy/Animal Man. This is a book about a family and their evolving relationships to one another in the midst of dark and horrible circumstances. Ellen, the wife and mother, is the rock of the family. She holds it all together. Cliff is the rebellious son, jealous of his Sister’s connection to Buddy. And Maxine …well let’s just say Maxine’s powers in issue 1 are only the tip of the iceberg. When I’m done Maxine will become a hugely powerful and important character in this new DC universe.

Horror News Network: How many issues do you have planned out currently for Animal Man?

Jeff Lemire: I’m currently working on the final script for Issue 7 and have 24 issues plotted out so far. The second year of the book will be a huge story crossing over with Scott Snyder’s Swamp Thing series.

Horror News Network: There was much praise of Animal Man #1. When will we know if Animal Man will be an ongoing series? Does it just boil down to sales? Obviously this title, because of the lack of popularity of the main character, would not outsell Batman, etc., but if the first issue is a sign of things to come this will be a huge sleeper hit.

Jeff Lemire: It was always intended as an ongoing and sales and reception are so strong at this point that I think I’ll be able to have a long healthy run on the book unless something dramatically changes.

Horror News Network: Can you talk a bit about the artwork, especially the creepy scenes depicted by Travel Foreman?

Jeff Lemire: Travel has brought so much to the book. His visual imagination is vast and incredibly distinct. He’s played a huge part in establishing of the mood and tone of the series. I can’t express enough how lucky I feel to be working with him.

Horror News Network: When is the second issue due out?

Jeff Lemire: First week of October! The first issue has already sold out and there is a second printing coming.

Horror News Network: Where can our readers find out more about you?

Jeff Lemire: I also write and draw a post-apocalyptic sci-fi/horror series called Sweet Tooth, which comes out monthly. And you can follow me on twitter at JeffLemire or at my blog, jefflemire.blogspot.com

Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say about the Animal Man series?

Jeff Lemire: It’s a series for people looking for something different from your average superhero fare. It’s dark and emotional and combines family drama with horror in, I think, a really unique way. Give it a shot!

Horror News Network: Thank you for your time, Jeff. Best of luck with Animal Man. Comment on this interview here.

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Published on: 2011-09-14 (629 reads)