Kirby: Genesis - Dragonsbane #1 (Alex Ross Cover)

Robert Rodi is a writer of novels, short stories, and comic books including Codename: Knockout, Astonishing Thor, and Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers. His latest project, Kirby: Genesis – Dragonsbane from Dynamite Entertainment, is now available for pre-order. Westfield’s Roger Ash contacted Rodi to learn more about the book.

Westfield: What attracted you to the project?

Robert Rodi: I’ve been working with classic Kirby characters more frequently over at Marvel — Ego, The Stranger, The Eternals, the Deviants — and it’s revived my love for his vibrant, expansive genius. So when I heard about Kirby: Genesis, which gathers together the King’s vast array of unused character sketches and series concepts (the man seemed to inhale oxygen and exhale story) and combine them into a coherent universe, I was intrigued and excited. When I was invited to join the team, it was a very easy yes. I love immersing myself in all this amazing Kirby-ness.

Westfield: If someone hasn’t read Kirby: Genesis, what should they know coming into Dragonsbane?

Rodi: Well, first, let me just say if someone hasn’t read Kirby: Genesis, he or she is a crazy person and should just start already. Because it’s just a ridiculously great read. But to answer your question: Dragonsbane #1 opens in Valhalla, home of the legendary Norse heroes. That’s all you need to know. We’ll guide you from there.

Kirby: Genesis - Dragonsbane #1 (Herbert cover)

Westfield: What can people look forward to in the series? Any peeks at the characters or the stories that you can give us?

Westfield: Sigurd Dragonsbane is the titular hero of the series, and will remain so; he’s a lot of fun to work with, because he’s much younger, brasher, and more impulsive than Thor (the other Norse hero I’ve been spending a lot of time with lately). But in addition to Sigurd and his band of fellow champions, there’ll be heroes — and villains, and monsters, and mysteries — from Greek and Roman mythology, Eastern European folklore, Persian and Arabian traditions, and more. And that’s just our first arc.

Westfield: The artist on the series is Fritz Casas. What can you say about working with him?

Rodi: I’m very excited to be working with Fritz. His work has the classic, burnished look of the comics I grew up with; he’s absolutely perfect for this project.

Alex Ross' cover sketch for Kirby: Genesis - Dragonsbane #2

Westfield: Any closing comments?

Rodi: Just that I’m having the time of my life, and I’m thrilled to be working so closely with Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross, and Joe Rybandt. Oh, and I think we may already have found the breakout star for this series. I won’t say who, but you should know it as soon as you meet her. (Okay, that narrows it down a bit!)

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Kirby: Genesis – Dragonsbane #1

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