This weekend I had the opportunity to talk with Joshua and Jonathan Luna, the creators of the critically acclaimed ULTRA.

Paperback Reader: Hey guys, nice to meet you. Let me start by asking about your professional background and training.

Joshua Luna (JsL): We went to the Savannah School of Art and Design and majored in Sequential Art. Y’know, drawing comics. I graduated in 2003 and when did you graduate?

Jonathan Luna (JnL): 2001.

PBR: And did you do anything before ULTRA?

JsL: No, it was always ULTRA. This actually wasn’t the first pitch of the story we made to Image. That one didn’t work out.

PBR: How was the first pitch different from the final outcome?

JsL: It wasn’t as focused. We tried to tell too many stories at once. So after Image rejected it, we backed off and regrouped. Gave the story more structure.

PBR: So what was the genesis of ULTRA?

JsL: Originally, it wasn’t about superheroes at all. It was kind of like “Swingers.” Everything was told from the guys’ point of view. We changed it to women when we realized there needed to be an extra edge. Then we made them superheroes and it snowballed from there. There was never any specific thought process to it, like we’re going to call this one “Cowgirl” and she’ll do this and look like that. It was an evolution.

PBR: How’d you decide to sign up with Image as opposed to self-publishing?

JsL: Image was always our first choice. We really wanted the artistic freedom that they provide and to be able to own our own characters. Plus they don’t take too much in production costs.

PBR: One of the interesting aspects of the comic were covers paying homage to magazines, how did that come about?

JnL: That wasn’t something that was planned. I really didn’t know what to do with the cover for number one. We wanted to make it clear that Pearl is really famous so we thought, “Why not put her on the cover of TIME?” The rest just followed. It was a little confusing for some people with the font changes.

PBR: Is there any moment that you’re particularly proud of?

JnL: The diner scene in the last issue. When Pearl breaks down and starts crying.

JsL: My favorite moment? Probably right before the diner scene when she’s walking through the city.

PBR: Now you’re next series is called GIRLS. Could you tell us a little about that?

JnL: Well, it’s a really short series. It’s not a sequel or related to ULTRA in any way. A brief overview would be that it’s about a guy from a small town who’s never really had much luck with the ladies. Then a mystery girl comes to town and changes his life and, ultimately, the world. That’s very vague but there’s a big reveal at the end.

PBR: Okay for my last question I was wondering what kind of reception you’ve gotten from both the industry and the fans.

JnL: It’s all been very positive. There hasn’t been any negative feedback as far as I know. I mean, nobody has come up to us and said, “You guys suck” or anything.

JsL: The response from the mainstream media has been a big surprise. Like Variety, Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly did an article on ULTRA and gave us an A+, which was great.

JnL: Brian K. Vaughn has said he likes the book. He gave us a quote for the trade. And Mike Oeming, who’s a friend of ours, has been really supportive.

PBR: All right, that’s all for me. Thanks a lot guys. Good luck with your upcoming projects!