by Rich Lovatt

Joshua Ortega is relatively new to comics, but he's already managed to work on Spider-Man and Star Wars - not bad for a newcomer. With Top Cow's NECROMANCER (with art by Francis Manapul and colors by Brian Buccellato), he's landed his first monthly gig; issue #2 should hit stores next week, (but prior to that you can get a sneak preview below). Joshua kindly spared some time to answer some questions...

PBR: Before we get to your current work, give me a quick run-down of yourself: who is Joshua Ortega?

Joshua Ortega: First and foremost, a storyteller. My background is in journalism, but I've also written novels, comics, screenplays, and I've just started negotiations with a few different video game companies about doing some writing for them as well.

PBR: You made a splash with your first novel ((FREQUENCIES)), which garnered some good reviews - was it difficult making the transition to being a comic writer or was that something that you always wanted to do?

JO: Ultimately, writing comics is something I was always interested in, but the timing had to be right. After ((FREQUENCIES)) was released and was met with so many good reviews, the timing became right. The transition from novelist to comics writer has been a very smooth one for me, and I've really enjoyed working in the medium. It's an awesome experience and I'm having a blast working with so many talented artists - Ryan Sook, Francis Manapul, Dustin Weaver, Atilla Adorjany, Jim Mahfood...just amazing talents, all.

PBR: In a relatively short time, you've managed to score some impressive jobs: some STAR WARS work for Dark Horse, a SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED for Marvel and now the ongoing NECROMANCER series for Image - to what would you ascribe your success?

JO: Yeah, I've been very fortunate in that sense...I've even done a Batman story already for DC Comics, - The Gun, - which should be appearing in a future issue of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT.

To be able to write a Spider-Man, Batman, and Star Wars story as your first three paid gigs in comics is pretty amazing, and I'd attribute that success to the buzz on my novel, as well as my knack for following up on good leads and networking. And of course, a little luck never hurts, though the harder you work at something the less you need to rely on luck to get the job done.

PBR: Okay, on to NECROMANCER; it's one issue old, so it's a good time to for new readers to get on board: what's it about, and who will it appeal to?

JO: THE NECROMANCER is the story of Abigail van Alstine, a 17-year old high school student who has a natural talent for magic. In the world of NECROMANCER, there are natural magic users and there are those who can only use magic through training - Abby's a natural, but she's just becoming aware of her powers as the first issue begins, and this soon draws her into an ancient war being fought between two magic factions: the Enlightened Hierarchy and the Dark Agents.

The series will appeal to anyone who enjoys good horror, epic fantasy, or superhero action, as well as those who like character-driven plots and lots of surprises and twists along the way.

PBR: I understand that the story has been developed from a concept by Top Cow President Matt Hawkins - how does that work from a creative point of view? Is Abby your baby now or does he still have some creative input beyond his usual role?

JO: So far, the experience has been awesome, and Matt and Top Cow have really let me make NECROMANCER my own story. Outside of the general concept - a teenage magic-user experiences a great tragedy - they've really let me make the story my own.

There's definitely an element where Abby and NECROMANCER are my 'babies' now, however, I'm also well aware of the realities of work-for-hire writing. It's fine to put your passion into the project - in fact, if you can't, you really shouldn't take the gig - but you should never expect to be in total control. The company owns whatever you write or whoever you create, and can take it away from you whenever they want. That's the reality.

However, if you and the company see eye to eye, and you both respect and enjoy what you're doing, things can work out just fine. Look at Neil Gaiman's run on SANDMAN or Alan Moore's run on SWAMP THING. Vertigo/DC let them do their thing, and it worked out great for everyone.

PBR: Alright; story questions: who's Locke and what's going on 300 years ago that will impact Abby today?

JO: The events of yesterday are very much affecting the events of Abby's today...beyond that, I don't want to say too much or I'd spoil things for the readers!

PBR: It seems that Abby has always had some latent magical ability - given her team's winning streak, for example - is there a danger that you're getting into 'Chosen One' territory? 'The one girl in all the world' kind of thing?

JO: I wouldn't call it a danger so much as a mythical theme that runs throughout many great - and not so great - stories. The Rise of the Hero or the Finding of One's Destiny are themes that resonate with everyone, so it really just comes down to whether or not you're a good storyteller. A good storyteller doesn't rely on cliches and puts new twists on familiar themes. Abby will indeed play a major role in her world, but so will others, and if I do my job properly, you'll be quite surprised - and often shocked - as to how the story unfolds...

PBR: You've chosen an interesting structure; Abby is reliving her 'origin' as a form of torture and it's obvious that she's been through some dramatic changes at this point. Is it safe to assume that the narrative won't catch up with itself by the end of the first 3-part arc?

JO: Very safe, and you're spot-on with your question. You'll catch up with Abby's present around Issue #4 or #5.

PBR: The first issue did something that you don't see too often these days - it introduced a fully developed, interesting cast of characters - then killed them! However, given that this is being viewed through Abby's memory as she's tortured, is everything really as it seems?

JO: Things will often not be as they seem in the world of NECROMANCER... that's the nature of magic.

Are Greg, Carlos, Raquel and the other teens really dead? Have her parents really been slaughtered as well? Yes and no. You'll see what I mean in #2.

PBR: Is NECROMANCER in the shared Top Cow world inhabited by the MAGDELENA, WITCHBLADE, DARKNESS, etc, - and if it is, how long until we get a crossover?

JO: No, NECROMANCER is set in its own universe. However, due to the nature of magic - portals, shifting realities, etc. - we could actually do a Top Cow Universe crossover without it being forced...but at this time, there are no current plans, though we have had some talks already with one of the big two companies about doing a possible crossover at some point in the future with one of their major characters - a female, and it would make a lot of sense storywise - and that's about all I can say!

PBR: Issue 2 is out next week; what can we expect from it?

JO: More of Abby's origin and lots more shocks and surprises...and just wait 'til you see that last page...

PBR: Once we get past the origin, what can we expect from the book? Do you have an end-game in mind, a fully-plotted run, or are you taking it one story at a time?

JO: I have NECROMANCER roughly plotted for about a 40-50 issue run. I know where Abby's story begins and ends, I know most of what happens in the middle, though I like to keep a bit of flexibility to keep the story vibrant and exciting. I like to be surprised just as much as the reader, so I work with a roadmap more than an ultra-detailed outline.

PBR: Finally, your website www.joshuaortega.com makes it seem like you have a busy time ahead, with a number of projects at different stages - any upcoming projects that you can give us a hint of?

JO: Sure. I just finished the script for an amazing Star Wars project and a really cool ESCAPIST story for Dark Horse, and both will be released in 2006. I'm also working with an editor at Vertigo on an intriguing pitch that could be a very groundbreaking series, and I'll be writing a very trippy, very controversial BEOWULF arc for Speakeasy that will begin with #7 in November.

For those looking to read my other comics work, they can check out SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED #8 (with Ryan Sook on art), STAR WARS TALES #23 (a prequel to the KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC video games), and keep an eye out for the aforementioned LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT story for DC Comics (release date TBA).

There are a lot of other things in the works as well, and readers can always check in at www.joshuaortega.com for all of the latest updates...


Thanks to Joshua for taking the time to answer my questions. NECROMANCER #2 is out October 11th. For more details see www.topcow.com ! And for larger scans of the previews below, click here!