If life imitates art and reality is influenced by fiction, then there’s much value in Tom Taylor’s work as a screenwriter and comic book author. The award-winning playwright has a knack for challenging the status quo – whether subconsciously or otherwise – through showcasing diversity in his choice of characters.
Here, the cheerful Australian shares with Arman Shah the excitement and challenges of working on the “All-New Wolverine” comics series – which sees the iconic male protagonist replaced by a strong and empowered female clone – after his appearance at the 2016 Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention (STGCC).
You’re a playwright as well as a screenwriter. How did you make that transition to being a comic book author?
Well, I was a multi-award winning playwright who had plays across four continents, but I only made about AUD50 because theatre is a lot like crime in that it doesn’t pay. *laughs*
After one of my short plays won “Best Dramatic Writing” during the Short and Sweet festival, Collin Wilson – a big time comic book artist – helped me adapt it into a comic. It was about a briefcase at a train station, and that comic eventually got me a gig writing for Star Wars!
What were some of the challenges you faced writing for a different medium and audience? Were there also interesting similarities?
I think the biggest challenge was just writing for known commodities like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Batman, Superman, Wolverine and Iron Man.
Writing for these household names with a massive following can be intimidating. You have to make sure that you’re a fan too and can deliver what you love and what they love as well.
While there is a massive difference between writing for theatre and writing for comics, the similarity lies in remembering to entertain people; hopefully they continue to watch, read or listen to whatever you’re doing.
Image via Tom Taylor’s Facebook Page
Who was your comic book hero growing up? Why did this character have such a profound impact on you?
For me it was Superman. That first movie came out the year I was born, and for as long as I can remember, I believed a man could fly. I basically love superheroes who inspire hope and exist just to make the world a better place, and characters like Superman and Captain America are right up there.
You’re writing the All-New Wolverine series that’s already six issues deep. What was your reaction when you found out you got the gig?
It was great! I was actually working on something else for Marvel, and when they asked if I wanted to write Wolverine instead, I immediately said yes. We actually talked a little bit when they revealed that it was going to be a new Wolverine, and it absolutely made sense to have Laura Kinney continue Logan’s legacy. The reaction from fans have been fantastic, and I’m so glad so many people are loving the new series.
Image via Tom Taylor’s Facebook Page
The new Wolverine is a female clone of Logan’s who’s formerly known as X-23. What were some of your considerations when writing the comics to draw in new readers without alienating the older fan base?
Well, you have to make it very accessible. You’ve got to tell a story that grabs people’s attention from the start, while also not being so bogged down by continuity that they have no idea what’s happening. I also wanted a fast-paced action story that was fun as hell and had some good humour.
So, when you first meet Laura, she’s on the streets of Paris and immediately gets shot in the head. You then see a little bit of her past with her dad in a dream sequence before we rush back to the main story. The reader gets something out of it but doesn’t really know everything that’s going on, and that’s how we wanted it. We can then all go on this journey of discovery together.
There’s been a handful of other characters who have been reimagined lately. Iceman has come out as gay, and Iron Man will be a 15-year-old black girl called Riri Williams. What are some of the positive impacts that such diversity brings?
I think it’s a no-brainer that all entertainment media should reflect the actual world that we live in; It’s a really simple thing. I’ve got a TV and comic book series called The Deep which features a multiracial family; there is an asian mother, a black father and their two kids who travel the world in a submarine.
When I created the show with James Brouwer, people were asking why I decided to do that, but I didn’t even think about it; I just did it. We purposely didn’t say where they’re from so that anybody who wants to identify with them can – they’re yours to own.
But what we really need in terms of diversity is more creators; it shouldn’t just be boring old white guys telling these stories. We need everybody from every country and all walks of life to not just appear on the pages but actually tell the stories behind these pages.
Image via Tom Taylor’s Facebook Page
You’re working with artist David Lopez on the All-New Wolverine. What’s the collaboration process like? Do you have any say in how the visuals turn out?
Yeah, sort of. He would send me thumbnails and we’d go through them a bit. He designed a lot of the everyday wear and how she looks, and we really wanted her to look powerful and muscular, like she can actually kick someone’s ass. She’s the clone of Wolverine, so she shouldn’t be this tall and thin thing, and I think David nailed it.
You recently attended STGCC. Why is this platform important for comics fans in Singapore in your opinion?
I don’t think it’s important just for fans; it’s important for creators too. A lot of the time, we’re locked away behind our computers, and we forget there’s a big wide world outside where people are actually reading our work.
So, it’s great for fans to be able to meet creators and just have a quick one-on-one conversation and maybe say “Hey, I really like what you’re doing”. It’s nice to hear that because it sorts of re-energises you and reaffirms that someone does like your work and it’s not just you! *laughs*
Do you have any words for fans of your work in Singapore?
I’d just like to say thank you to them because it’s been incredible seeing the numbers they turn up in for my signings. I love all the support I’ve had for everything from The Deep to Wolverine. There are some really hardcore fans here, and it’s so good to see the enthusiasm; it’s been a lot of fun.
