Five Questions With...Rob Williams

We started Weird Science with the mission statement of reviewing every DC Comic, every week.  We may have bitten off more than we could chew, but we have done a pretty good job meeting our goal.  However, even with a large workload, some comic books come along that pique my interest so much that I have to add them to my pile.  Rob Williams' Vertigo title, The Royals: Masters of War, was one such title.  I'm a sucker for historical fiction, so a book set during World War Two where the Royal Families around the World have superpowers sounded so cool.  It was much more than that.  Williams, with artist Simon Coleby, crafted a six issue story that was smart, exciting, mature and should be a movie right now.  I can't stress enough how great this series is and beg everyone to pick up the individual issues or the trade.  Of course, Rob has done a few other books as well.  Robocop, Judge Dredd, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, Deadpool, Punisher, Star Wars, Doctor Who...man, that's more than a few! Head on over to his site (HERE) to see what Rob's up to now, including the hilarious Ordinary.  With everything he's done, it is my pleasure to ask him questions about chicken wings and American Football.  Thanks to Rob for doing this goofy interview and having fun with it.









1.What are you working on now and/or is it coming out soon?

Today I'm writing a Judge Dredd for 2000AD. It's a follow-up to 'Titan' the story Henry Flint and I did earlier this year. And it's kind of a big Dredd story. Rest of the week I'll be writing the first part of a Doctor Who, 11th Doctor, two-parter. As for what's coming out soon from me. Well, ORDINARY, my creator-owned GN with D'israeli from Titan Comics was only just released, so that counts. It's a wonderful and beautiful thing that everyone should own. What happens when a Walking Dead-like plague hits the world and gives everyone superpowers - apart from one man. The GN of THE ROYALS: MASTERS OF WAR is out from Vertigo soon. And The Grievous Journey Of Ichabod Azreal, a supernatural western by myself and Mike Dowling, is currently running in 2000AD.

2. I loved your series "The Royals:Masters of War", how much research went into writing it and will we ever see a sequel?


Well, I love the era and tend to read a lot of books on WW naturally, so it wasn't like I had to dive in and do a tonne of research especially for the project, but I did some specific reading up on our main settings - The Battle of Midway, Stalingrad etc. And I did a fair bit of research on Royal Families around the world, the history of terms like 'The Divine Right of Kings' - for people who don't know, our hook is that this is a world where the only people who have superpowers are royalty.. As for if there's a sequel. Not right now. If the GN sells great or if DC decided to do a TV show or movie with The Royals, then maybe. It's a concept that has so much potential. You could use any era as a backdrop.




3. Who would win in a fight, Robocop or Judge Dredd and why?

 
Oh Dredd. He'd run him over with his Lawmaster. Probably for the crime of copying his whole schtick.










4. Who is your Doctor?

Dr. Riley down the local medical centre. She's very nice and gives me ointment for it.





5. What are your thoughts on the Title "The Force Awakens"?


The Force was previously napping. Title for VIII - 'The Force needs coffee!' No, the title's kind of meh, but I'm excited about seeing the Falcon and grumpy Han and Chewie and Luke with beard. Can't help myself.


6.  What did you have for breakfast today?

Bran flakes. Good ruffage. Bit of toast too. And coffee.





7. How popular are chicken wings in England?

Amongst English chickens? Very popular. Each of them have two, I believe.





8. Does anyone in England really care about American Football?  Do you have a favorite team (besides the Philadelphia Eagles of course)?

Its popularity is growing. They sell out Wembley Stadium for three games a season these days. It's hardly mainstream though, still. My team is the St Louis Rams, for my sins. That's why I'm bald and why we can't have nice things.

Thanks again to Rob who does deserve nice things...and hair...and everyone's money for the awesome comics he writes.  See you next time.