Monday, January 2, 2012

Interview with Joseph Mallozzi, Writer of Dark Horse Comics Dark Matter

Wow, what a great couple of weeks for us to have a few opportunities to interview some great writers from Dark Horse Comics. We recently had the opportunity to interview Joseph Mallozzi, writer of Dark Matter a new sci-fi series that will be released on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. 

Joseph Mallozzi is best known for being a producer and screenwriter for Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis,  and Stargate Universe the huge sci-fi televsion series. He has also written for many other television shows, Are you Afraid of the Dark?, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Young Robin Hood, The Lost World, and so much more. 




Dark Matter is a new four-issue, sci-fi miniseries that takes place with six crew members of a spacecraft that awaken from stasis who have no memory of what has come before, who they are, and how they came aboard the ship. Each of the crew members try to piece their lives together, which results in some pretty unique skills that come in very handy for their defense.  


Dark Matter #1 Cover

We knew that Joseph Mallozzi has such a busy schedule launching this new series, so we just wanted to ask him a few questions. 

Question #1: 

Angry Koala Gear:  Having been involved in Stargate and that being such a big part in sci-fi, is this your favorite genre in writing? 

Joseph Mallozzi:  While I certainly enjoy sci-fi, I wouldn't say it's my favorite genre.  In fact, when it comes to writing, I wouldn't say I have a favorite genre.  As long as there's the opportunity for some humor (which I feel goes a long way towards humanizing the characters and adding contrast to a story's darker elements), I'm happy.

Preview Page in Dark Matter

Question #2: 

Angry Koala Gear:  Who have been some of your influences?

Joseph Mallozzi:  Hmmm.  That's a tough one.  I can't think of any one individual who has directly influenced me in my writing, but there are certainly writers I do enjoy and have long held in high regard: John Scalzi, Jeffrey Ford, Octavia Butler, George R.R. Martin, Iain M. Banks, David Sedaris, Jeffrey Steingarten, Ted Chiang, Stephen King, Gail Simone, Mark Waid, Jason Aaron - to name a few. 

Preview Page in Dark Matter

Question #3:

Angry Koala Gear:  What were some of your favorite comics growing up? Do you have a favorite series now?

Joseph Mallozzi:  I grew up collecting The Avengers (started at around issue #137 with the introduction of the Beast who still ranks as one of my top ten favorite characters in superherodom) and The X-Men (starting with Giant Size X-Men #1).  Today, my favorites include Scalped, Chew, Sweeth Tooth, and The Walking Dead.  Lately, I've gotten into a number of titles in the DC relaunch (Batman, Batman and Robin, Detective Comics, Batgirl, Batwoman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Red Lanterns, Demon Knights), various Marvel books  (The Ultimates, Ultimate Hawkeye, Ultimate Spiderman, Punisher MAX, Iron Man 2.0, Uncanny X-Force, Daredevil) and Dark Horse Presents.  There are still a few I have to get around to checking out.  



Question #4: 

Angry Koala Gear:  The first issue of Dark Matter is awesome! Love the way the crew members have awaken and learning some of the skills they may have had before and beginning to remember them. What kind of background information would you like the readers to know? 

Joseph Mallozzi:  At the risk of giving too much away, I'd suggest readers pick up the first issue and take it from there.  They'll be unlocking the secrets alongside the ship's mystified crew.  Enjoy the ride! 


Preview Pages in Dark Matter 


Question #5:  

Angry Koala Gear: Do you have a plan of how many issues will be in this series? 

Joseph Mallozzi:  I don't.  We're starting with the opening four-issue arc and I suppose we'll see how it goes from there.  The plan is to use the opening arc as a springboard to a television series (or mini-series).  I've been working on Dark Matter for a years and have a fairly detailed game plan for the series be it television, comic book or, ideally, both.


Question #6: 

Angry Koala Gear: Do you have anything else lined up at the moment?


Joseph Mallozzi:  Lots of Dark Matter-related interviews and final approvals on issues #3 and #4.  We head to L.A. in January to start pitching it to various interested parties, then I'm off to Tokyo for some R&R&R (rest, relaxation, and ramen).  I'm presently researching a historical mini-series so a trip to Europe may be in the offing at some point as well.  Other than that...NOTE THE SIZE OF THAT COMIC READING LIST!


Dark Matter #1 Cover

I thank Joseph Mallozzi again for this great opportunity and we have enjoyed the first issue of Dark Matter. We look forward to seeing what you have lined up for us in the future whether we see the series on television, in comics, or both!

Dark Matter #1 will be in stores on Wednesday, January 11th with a cover price of $3.50. We can not wait to see the mystery behind the crew and this vessel. We look forward to the RIDE!!


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