Murder Drones, the hit animated series from Glitch Productions, is now a graphic novel. Or, will be a graphic novel, soon, from Oni Press, writer Wyatt Kennedy, and artist Jo Mi-Gyeong. The project is on Kickstarter now, and for fans of the series? Well, expect more of the same.
“I’d asked Glitch if they’d wanted any kind of expansion or deviation from the original source material,” Kennedy told Comic Book Club over email, “but they seemed very intent on using this first graphic novel as a way to get their fans onboard as well as attract a new comic reading audience and hopefully expand and do different kind of stories set in the universe later down the line, so I hope that’ll be exciting for whoever might get attached.”
Point being: get on board with Murder Drones, now. To find out more about the book, read on.
Comic Book Club: You’re pretty busy lately between your Image series, the Wiccan mini, and more… What drew you to Murder Drones in the midst of a packed schedule?
Wyatt Kennedy: I mean, everything kind of hit me from all sides at around the same time. I’d said yes to the Wiccan mini-series the same week as when Oni reached out to me, and I was fairly familiar with the series. I think when it comes to projects with characters that aren’t my own (BOLERO, Nights, etc) the thing that entices me the most is what can I learn from this experience that’ll help my writing? I’ve spent the last year in meetings with writers who’ve discussed adapting my work and I wanted to see the other side of that.
What was your process in adapting the series? They’ve clearly got a ton of material, but I assume it was more complicated than slapping their storyboards on a page and calling it a day.
I mean, yes and no? Haha! Glitch was very specific in being as close to the original show in terms of dialogue and structure, so as far as describing visuals for Jo, I just did my best and finding the most economic paneling (especially since Murder Drones has a lot of complicated set pieces) but I did have two monitors in front of me while I was working, one that had the show playing and the other being my Pages document. It was very technical in a lot of ways.
Given the graphic novel is supposed to launch a series of comics and books, how much was set up for the new line, versus a straight adaptation?
I’d asked Glitch if they’d wanted any kind of expansion or deviation from the original source material, but they seemed very intent on using this first graphic novel as a way to get their fans onboard as well as attract a new comic reading audience and hopefully expand and do different kind of stories set in the universe later down the line, so I hope that’ll be exciting for whoever might get attached.
Were there any characters from the series that popped for you in writing in a surprising way?
I mean, like I said, I didn’t really have to change any of the characters in this translation process, but I’d saying being able to bring N’s antics to the page was very enjoyable.
What did Jo Mi-Gyeong bring to the collaboration?
Jo is a consummate professional, so I’m very hands off once the script is in their hands. I know they’ve still gotta answer to any modifications or notes that Glitch and Oni have, but given their insane level of talent I’m sure they’re knocking everyone’s socks off!
Oni’s previous Kickstarter for Cult of the Lamb did gonzo numbers… You wanna Babe Ruth Murder Drones and call your shot?
That’s not my prerogative haha! I hate thinking about numbers, so really as long as Oni and Glitch are happy, that’s all I care about.
You’ve got your own animated series coming with Nights, are you poking the Murder Drones folks for any hot tips?
You know, it’s never even crossed my mind, haha! I’d definitely be open to hearing any advice they have to offer but working with Titmouse (Big Mouth, Vox Machina, Venture Bros) I definitely feel like I’m in very capable hands.
Murder Drones is on Kickstarter now.
Comic Book Club Live Info:
Discover more from Comic Book Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.