You might know Eric Heisserer as the screenwriter behind Arrival , but his next big project is in a different nervure : Secret weapon system , anew superhero miniseries for Valiant Comics . We talk to the writer to see what it ’s like write for the screen and write for comics , and what ’s in store for the Valiant universe .
privy weapon — featuring artistic production by Raul Allen and Patricia Martin — will follow former Harbinger extremity and electronics - controlling technopath Livewire as she forge a new squad of unbelievable psychical heroes to search the dark supersoldier programme that turned her into a hero in the first place .
It ’s not the first time Heisserer has written for Livewire ; before writing Secret artillery , he helped bring the lineament and other valorous heroes to life as part of early plans to bring Valiant to survive - action ina series of Sony - produced movies . Check out our full interview with Heisserer below , as well as an extended preview of the first outlet in the four - part serial publication get its unveiling here on io9 .
io9 : Tell us a little moment about the premise of Secret Weapons .
Eric Heisserer : This kick off a story with Livewire , introducing a newfangled set of characters who ’d been staying at a adeptness in Oklahoma City owned by Livewire ’s older genus Bos , Harada . Livewire attain this is where Harada placed psiots whose power he found useless . So it ’s an island of misfit toy in the valorous ‘ verse . Livewire see about them because they are now all being hunted by someone or something . She ’s desperate to save them , but will they believe someone who worked for the man who called them all “ useless ” ?
You ’ve mentioned in the past that you fell in love with Livewire while helping to screenwrite Valiant ’s movie projects . What is it about her as a character that appeals to you ?
Heisserer : Her powers are astonishing , I remember . And beyond that , her empathy for fellow human beings makers her the kind of role model I postulate in my life right now .
What can you separate us about the other Psiots link up Livewire ’s Modern squad ?
Heisserer : Nikki can talk to bird . Owen can conjure up inanimate object , but ca n’t control what he gets ( or often , when ) . Martin can make objective glow with non - harmful luminousness . Another part we ’ll meet in way out two can turn his whole body into an fantastically unattackable pit , like marble , but he ’s stop dead in place when he does . I have a handful more to introduce if I get the chance . But those are the primary ace — Owen and Nikki in particular .
The book continues to deal with the fallout and legacy of Harada and the Harbinger organization . What ’s it been like being able to delve into all that lore and valorous comic strip backstory to help with this raw series ?
Heisserer : It ’s a great experience . The valorous Universe they ’re build out has always had some smart connectedness among the championship , but also give up each character to have their own stories , and the tonus can vary without it feeling unmoored from the rest of the books . My hope is just to mix with the big , sweeping arcs they have planned .
As a screenwriter , what ’s been the transition to writing a risible book been like ? What ’s the big difference ?
Heisserer : It ’s a reasonably suave transition for me , as they ’re neighbors in terminus of storytelling . mirthful authorship makes me think more like a director , which in play improve my screenwriting . The biggest difference , by far , is the process . In comics , it ’s more elegant . A writer , an creative person , and an editor are the only creative voices to feed into a story , and as such you get a book that does n’t feel like it went through a committee , a selling squad , and a clump of test readers before the public sees it .
What do you think you ’ve learned from writing comics that will play into your next work as a screenwriter ?
Heisserer : Oh , without a doubtfulness it ’s how small negotiation you want to communicate an idea when you have a gifted artist with you . I can redeem my speech balloon space for banter and the occasional backstory / expo , and let the visual action tell the story more .
You ’re coming off of a huge success with Arrival , a pic we have it away here at io9 , an adaptation from short story to movie . What ’s it been like going in reverse with Livewire , from writing for her in a film to write for her in a comedian ?
Heisserer : It ’s a similar gear wheel work shift , I believe . The trick now is that I have to be up to her portrayal in other comic strip , whereas in a film version you do n’t have a filmic comparing yet so you may set the stage the way you like .
Now that you ’ve had your dream of penning for Livewire , is there another valorous eccentric you ’d get it on to write a series for following your work on the films and Secret Weapons ?
Heisserer : Maybe it ’s my enthrallment with the paranormal , but I ’m rather fond of the way of life Jen Van Meter wrote Dr. Mirage . And sure enough the most iconic character I ’d love to write for is X - O Manowar . peradventure one day …
privy Weapons is set to get this June — for more selective information on it and more comics to come in Valiant ’s hereafter , you could hold back out theValiant Summitlivestream , which is set out flop now onTwitch .
ArrivalComicsEric Heisserer
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