Westfield:
JLA/Haven: Arrival is your first comics
work. What have you done previously?
Ashley-Jayne Nicolaus:
Before I began work for DC Comics on the Haven
project, I have never had anything published. Up until
then I've spent most of my time writing, painting and
school. However, being that I can't really answer that
question, I can tell you that I've been busy with a few
other side projects. I recently had a short story
published in a book called Bento
(published by Allen Spegel Fine Arts. 2001) with Neil
Gaiman, Kent Williams, Barron Storey and lots of other
unbelievable writers and artists. The other projects...
well they're still in the works, hence top secret - and
I would hate to have to kill you. (smile) This has been
an amazing year; it has all been very exciting for me. I
am very lucky that [editor] Mike Carlin gave us kids a
chance.
Westfield:
JLA/Haven: Arrival and the upcoming
maxi-series, Haven: The Broken City, will
have a big impact on the DC Universe. Was it daunting to
debut with such a high profile series?
Nicolaus:
While I was writing Haven I never really
allowed myself to think like that. To be honest, I
didn't realize it would grow into such a 'high profile
series.' If I allowed myself to think on such a grand
scale I might scare myself into stagnation. Then I would
never get any work done! (another smile) I just had an
idea that I thought people would want to read, as well
as developing a piece of work that went beyond what Matt
and I created. I wanted other writers and artists to
play in this world, helping shape it, and taking it
where it needs to go.
Westfield:
How do you and co-writer Matthew Schuster work together?
Who does what on the book?
Nicolaus:
Matt and I work half and half. We come up with the page
breakdowns together, then thumbnails are created. From
that point, I write the first half, he does the second
half. We switch halves to make sure that the issue works
and flows as a whole. In the end, we go back through the
issue and make our tweaks and review the final work. I
find that we are our own best editors, that is, before
Carlin gets a hold of it and puts us in our place.
(grin)
Westfield:
What can you tell us about the story of JLA/Haven:
Arrival and Haven: The Broken City?
Nicolaus:
Hmmm... well, I can't give too much away here. Haven
crash lands on earth and mayhem ensues. No really... I
want it to be a surprise.
Westfield:
Who are some of the new characters the book will
introduce?
Nicolaus:
The Haven maxi-series will focus on a
group called "The Alliance" which consists of
a main group of heroes that protect Haven as well as
Earth's cities. We have Katalia, a psychic; Siv who
lives for his nanite-machines; Valadin, an old war hero
with unspeakable energy powers; and Nia who is cursed
with powers made from Haven's ultimate enemy, Anathema.
We also have a slew of side characters like my favorite,
Hank Velveeda, who has the ability to "just know
things" and is an information gatherer. Hank has
already picked out a suitable new earth name. In
essence, apart from the main group of characters, we are
adding a city filled with the possibility of 10 million
new superheroes to the DCU for everyone to come and play
in.
Westfield:
Any closing comments?
Nicolaus: I just want to say thanks to the whole DC crew for giving me a shot at writing and for their help and support. |