@’s by BEFORE WATCHMEN
Writer Brian Azzarello!!!
MATT ADLER (MA): So you're writing two of the BEFORE WATCHMEN miniseries, featuring Rorschach and The Comedian. How was it decided that you would write these two particular characters?BRIAN AZZARELLO (BA): Well, you'd have to ask Dan [Didio] that! He was the one who came to me and asked me to write Rorschach. And then I asked to write the Comedian.
MA: What made you want to write the Comedian?
BA: I had a story to tell, simple as that.
MA: Did you know right away what story you wanted to tell, or did you need some time to think and come back to Dan?
BA: Well, I knew right away I had a story to tell, but of course I did hesitate because I knew this assignment would be controversial. But I talked to Lee [Bermejo, the artist of the book] and he said "Let's do this!"
MA: So Lee was your first thought for artist for the RORSCHACH series?
BA: It's Rorschach! Who would you pick?!
MA: Well, you've worked with a lot of great artists! You've got so many artists to choose from, it'd be a difficult decision, I'd think.
BA: Yeah, but it's Lee Bermejo drawing Rorschach!
MA: (laughs) All right, good point. Did you also reach out to JG Jones to work on THE COMEDIAN?
BA: Well, JG and I had been looking for a project to work on for a while, so this was a good fit.
MA: Alright, so you knew ahead of time that there would be some level of negative reaction because it's somebody other than the original creators working on this. Now that the news is out, have you seen any of the reaction, and if so, what do you think of it?
BA: I haven't. I've stayed away from it.
MA: Because you feel it would sidetrack you from what you're trying to do?
BA: It wouldn't sidetrack me, but it would be a distraction, and I don't need that. I have enough distractions in my life. But let me just say, I think the people who are being negative, I think that's just a really unhealthy reaction. At least wait until the book is in your hands before you go negative.
MA: So, what kind of influence did WATCHMEN have on you when you first read it?BA: Well, I read it when it was first coming out monthly. Well, not monthly exactly, but it was being serialized. And I think that puts me in the minority now.
MA: Because most people have read it as a collected edition.
BA: Right.
MA: So as a reader at that time, did you think to yourself that you would like to see the story expanded in sequels or prequels?
BA: I don't remember what I thought at the time! But I would think as a reader of comics, I would have assumed that the possibility for sequels existed.
MA: So this is a prequel, but do you think, now having worked on the prequel, there is room for a sequel to WATCHMEN itself?
BA: Ah...you know, I don't. Because they'd all be these old, over the hill guys, and what would you do with them?
MA: Well, there's the kid who (maybe) finds Rorschach's journal.
BA: And?
MA: Well, maybe he becomes the next Rorschach!
BA: Wow.
MA: I'm sorry, did I just ruin that idea for you?
(laughter)
BA: Yeah, now I can't do it!
MA: So, from a character standpoint, what is the purpose of these miniseries?
BA: Well, I don't want to speak for any of the other writers, but for me, it's a chance to explore what makes these characters who they are. Rorschach is a really fascinating character; so many people identify with him, and I don't know why. Do you?
MA: I think because, as dark as he is, he's an idealist.
BA: I don't know, he's got a really twisted worldview.
MA: Yeah, but in the end, he's the only one who really fights for the truth; everyone else is sort of willing to compromise and go along with the lie.
BA: Huh, I never thought of it that way. I guess yeah, he fights for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. (laughs)MA: And apple pie! So do these various miniseries connect at all, not even necessarily explicitly, but maybe with a common theme?
BA: Well, in the Rorschach miniseries, he's really the only Watchmen character. So no, I'd say these pretty much stand alone.
MA: Rorschach is always seen as this sort of prototypical, dark vigilante figure; what do you think makes him stand out from other such characters?
BA: I think there's something visceral in him that appeals to the worst in us. People have these fantasies, and I think he allows us to indulge in that.
MA: The Comedian, I think, is interesting because his cynicism sort of serves as a counterpoint to the idealism of the characters; they want to be heroes, and he's telling them they're wasting their time because it's all a joke. What do you do with him when you're focusing on him as a individual, without those other characters to bounce off of?
BA: Well, with the Comedian, I want to explore how he got to be the way he is. He didn't always see life as a joke.
MA: So you want to give us some more insight into what shaped his worldview.
BA: Yeah. Because there isn't a lot of that in the original book.
MA: Right. I guess we get a little bit of the stuff that went on with him in Vietnam...
BA: Yeah, and this expands on that.
MA: So is this all taking place in that timeframe, or will we also be seeing him in the WW2 era?
BA: No, MINUTEMEN will be dealing with the WW2 era. We're focused on the Vietnam era, the '60s.
MA: Who do you personally identify with more, Rorschach or The Comedian?
BA: Whaaat?
MA: Well, you mentioned that so many people identify with Rorschach...but I guess that doesn't include you?
BA: Well, I hope not! I guess if I have to choose, I'd say the Comedian, except for that whole "life is one big joke" thing...
MA: But there's something of each of them in all of us, right? We've all looked at life at times and thought how absurd it is...
BA: Yeah...although Rorschach, I just can't see identifying with him.
MA: Yeah, I guess that's a more extreme, black-and-white worldview.
BA: And I just don't see him as fighting for anything... he's just against stuff.
MA: You don't think the truth is an ideal he's obsessed with?
BA: I see him more as fighting AGAINST lies than FOR the truth.
MA: Ok, that's fair. So do you ever hit blocks where you're like, "Wow, I just can't figure out what he'd be thinking in this situation"?
BA: No, not really...and maybe that should scare me!
MA: Ok, so we know you're working also on WONDER WOMAN and SPACEMAN, but are there any other projects on the horizon that you can mention?
BA: Um...nope! I think those are more than enough!
MA: Can't argue with that! Well, thanks for taking the time to talk with me again, Brian. Always fun!
Brian and the rest of the creators behind BEFORE WATCHMEN will be making an appearance at this year’s C2E2 in Chicago, IL. Find out how to get tickets and more info on C2E2 here!
Matt Adler is a writer/journalist, currently writing for AICN among other outlets. He’s been reading comics for 20 years, writing about them for 7, and spends way, way, too much time thinking about them, which means he really has no choice but to figure out how to make a living out of them. He welcomes all feedback.
Proofs, co-edits & common sense provided by Sleazy G
