Red Herring #1 cover image

David Tischman has written such comics as Cable (Marvel), Star Trek: Year Four (IDW), and Greatest Hits (DC/Vertigo) and well as co-writing a number of projects with Howard Chaykin including Bite Club (DC/Vertigo) and American Century (DC/Vertigo). Now he returns with Red Herring from DC/WildStorm. Westfield’s Roger Ash contacted Tischman to learn more about this project.

Westfield: Who is Red Herring?

David Tischman: Maybe he’s a con man. Maybe he’s with the Feds. The way the world works today, is there a whole lot of difference? All I can say is, there’s more to Red Herring than meets his glass eye. I’ve written six issues of the book, and I STILL don’t know how he lost it. The incident involves a Girl Scout troop and a can of WD40, but beyond that – well, it’s anybody’s guess. He is paranoid and cynical, a man who recognizes that most people are unaware of the global conspiracies that control their daily lives. It makes him a bit of a prick, but he is a hero.

Westfield: What can you tell us about the mini-series?

Tischman: The first six issues explore Red’s secret attack on the Capricorn Group, a Washington, D.C. think tank that’s bilked the US Government out of trillions of dollars. But is the threat real? I’m not so sure. With a true conspiracy, there are so many layers, it’s hard to find the truth, even when you think you have all the answers. Aiding him in this fight is our co-star, Maggie MacGuffin. Maggie’s a sexy Washington aide, a recent college gradate having an affair with her boss. That causes some big problems for her – her boss is on Capricorn’s payroll – and she joins Red to try and get her life back. We really see the story through Maggie’s eyes; we follow her journey. Maggie is special. After almost 10 years in comics, I finally named a character after my wife. (laughs) She is very different from Red-very book smart, and the difference in their ages makes for an interesting counterpoint. This is NOT a Mulder-Scully situation. Red’s probably 10 years older than she is, and they see life in very different ways. She doesn’t know how strong she really is.

Westfield: Who are some of the characters we’ll be meeting in the book?

Panels from Red Herring #1

Tischman: The guy you’re going to love the most is Meyer Weiner, who works for Capricorn. He’s a bit nervous, but he’s fighting the good fight. He loves his girlfriend, Penny Candy – who’s the day manager at the Copy Cats copying center. He’s doing all this for her. There are others, too – Afi Komen, comes to mind first – but don’t think this is all giggles. Our characters may have funny names, but they live in a dangerous world. People get the crap beat out of them. People die. These people inhabit a scary world.

Westfield: You’re working with artist Philip Bond. What can you say about his contribution to the book?

Red Herring #2 cover

Tischman: Philip and I are partners on the book, and he is hands down one of the best artists I’ve ever worked with. I’ve said it before – Philip’s pages are gorgeous; the attention to detail is astounding. I really feel like he’s putting as much into the art as I am trying to put into the story. So, that’s a very long way of saying we’re having a great time. And his notes on the scripts have been really helpful. I’m not a writer who likes notes, but Philip’s made some smart points on the scripts, and it’s made them better. On the other hand, I am so NOT an artist; my notes on his artwork are better left ignored.

Westfield: If this mini-series does well, would you like to tell more stories with Red Herring?

Tischman: What I can tell you, is that Red learns there are SEVERAL conspiracies – almost an oligopoly of conspiracies – that are at war with each other for control of the planet. We see hints of this throughout the six issues. But there is a FINAL truth. If Red makes it that far. He is in for some very big surprises. The book is designed to be a series of six issue mini-series. We’re already planning out the second book. It’s an L.A. story, very funny, very disturbing. Some of the themes are layered into this first mini; it’s not obvious, but they’re there.

Westfield: Are there any other projects you’re working on that you’d like to mention?

Tischman: Like Red’s glass eye, the facts differ depending on who you talk to. But I am working on two very special secret projects; three, if you count taking over the world. Grab some popcorn. You’ll hear about them soon.

Westfield: Any closing comments?

Tischman: We’re putting the “con” back in conspiracy. What’s your theory? Red Herring #1 – in stores in August.

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