I got to interview the lovely Melissa de la Cruz again for her upcoming graphic novel release, Gotham High! It’s an imagining of our favourite hero and a few villains as they go through high school. With Selina Kyle as the narrator, I loved reading how the story played out. It’s dramatic and full of action, and a little sprinkling of romance. I’m excited for what Melissa de la Cruz will write for us next!
What’s the difference between publishing a novel vs. a graphic novel? Does your timeline change?
A little bit – mostly we worked on the graphic novel in chunks to “feed the artist” – the story has to be ahead of the artist’s schedule – they need something to draw! So I worked on it in 20 page sections I think, and I was about 20 pages ahead of Thomas so that we would be on schedule.
The biggest difference is that graphic novels tell a story through images – so I had to think about how the images landed on a page, the experience of reading it is very tactile – when you turn a page you WANT a surprise, that sort of thing. Very much closer to writing a screenplay than a novel.
Can you talk about your process writing this graphic novel and working with Thomas Pitilli?
Like I said I tried to stay ahead of the art deadline so that we could make our deadline. I would put notes on how I wanted rooms to look – Bruce’s library is based on the interior of the Harvard Club in NYC, Selena’s outfit for the party – I had a very specific designer and outfit I wanted to use. I sent him photos of K-Pop stars for Poison Ivy, and images of Chinatown for when Bruce goes to find the herb.
I am obsessed with Selina in this book! How did you decide who to have narrate through the course of the story?
That was my editor’s suggestion! I wrote the narration but later we realized it was SELINA telling the story and it really clicked with the voice.
I loved getting to see Ivy involved in this volume, will you be including more of the Batman villainesses in future volumes? Any hints?
I hope so! 🙂 That’s all I can say right now.
Jack’s card game situation was definitely fascinating. What’s your favourite card game to play?
My dad taught us kids how to play poker when I was about 8 or 9 years old, he had a standing game with his friends – it would get wild- they were all investment bankers and would bet cars and vacation houses, throwing down keys on the pile of chips. So I’ve always been fond of poker as it reminds me of my dad.
What challenges can come up when developing characters for a graphic novel?
I think making them three dimensional—really showing all the layers —so for me I like seeing what they eat, where they live – that brings them to life more.
Who’s your favourite character in the Batman universe, or in the greater DC universe?
I think I’ve answered this by choosing to focus on Bruce, Selina and Jack! Those three for sure.
This awesome graphic novel will be out in a couple weeks, are you doing anything digitally that we can help you promote?
Yes – but not sure of the plans yet! Check my Twitter and events page on my website. I will definitely be at YALLSTAYHOME, YALLWEST’s digital festival.
What are some ways you’re coping with staying home at the moment?
I have an office at home and to be honest it’s not that different from my normal life. I have a ton of deadlines. It just sucks that we can’t take a break and go out – going to restaurants and on vacations are my favorite hobbies. But feeling grateful to be comfortable and surrounded by my family. We are coping by playing board games, leaving each other alone, and eating really well. My kid seems to survive on a diet of truffle cheese, Bellota ham, and insists on fresh sourdough bread, lol.
I’m definitely getting this!!