Next week DC’s “We Are Legends” initiative formally kicks off with the launch of Spirit World #1. The collection comes from the inventive workforce of author Alyssa Wong, artist Haining, colorist Sebastian Chang, and letterer Janice Chiang. Picking up the place a prelude story in February’s Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate one-shot left off, the new collection follows Xanthe, a spirit envoy from the afterlife, as they work with John Constantine to search out and rescue Batgirl Cassandra Cain, who has been pulled towards her will into the titular Spirit World. The collection blends magical superheroics with East Asian traditions for an off-beat, high-stakes journey that takes place on two planes of existence without delay.
The Beat chatted with the inventive workforce behind Spirit World about the genesis of the collection, its connection with the higher DC Universe, and rather more. Check that out, in addition to an unlettered preview of the collection’ first difficulty, beneath.
Joe Grunenwald: Alyssa, which got here first, the character of Xanthe or the story of Spirit World? How did you develop them?
Alyssa Wong: My editor, Jessica Chen, and I have been speaking about the Qingming pageant, when folks sweep their ancestors’ graves and burn joss paper cash in order that their family members can have it in the afterlife. Jess requested, “What happens to the dead who don’t have anyone to send them burned offerings? What does the afterlife look like for them when they’ve been forgotten?” I believed that was an enchanting idea. Jess was like, “Do you want to write a book about that?” That’s how Spirit World was born.
A narrative by no means crystallizes for me till I do know who the protagonist is. Once I discovered Xanthe, all the things else–the plot beats, the really feel of the surroundings, the supporting solid, the voice of the e-book–fell into place.
Grunenwald: Talk a bit about Xanthe. Who are they, and what do they need?
Wong: Xanthe Zhou is a Spirit Envoy, somebody who tends to the needs of the useless. Their skills are based mostly on the observe of burning joss paper choices to ship them to the afterlife. As somebody who’s each useless and alive, Xanthe can take a folded paper object and switch it into an actual one by lighting it on hearth. They use this expertise to ship items to the Spirit World’s forgotten folks.
Xanthe is intelligent, sly, and enjoyable. They have been born in Gotham Chinatown however grew up in the Spirit World, so that they contemplate the afterlife their house. Their mischievous streak is just rivaled by their kindness. My visible touchstone for his or her look was LA Asian American streetwear: sneakerhead kicks, embroidered silk bomber jacket, West Coast cool. Their design is all Haining’s, although!
Grunenwald: Haining and Sebastian, Xanthe’s look could be very hanging. How did you method designing them?
Sebastian Cheng: Design-wise, Haining did all of it by herself! It was merely mind-blowing once I obtained Xanthe’s character sheet from Jessica!
Haining: The design of Xanthe is predicated on the thought from Jessica and Alyssa. Xanthe is the envoy who can journey between the lands of the residing and the useless, use paper talismans and joss paper magic, carry a sword that may beat back evil spirits…All these remind me of Taoism.
So I borrowed some Taoist parts [for] Xanthe. Black and white colours symbolize Yin-Yang (additionally appropriate for his or her Non-binary gender). Yellow high with button knot and sneakers each got here from the idea of Taoist clothes. I wished to mix conventional Asian tradition and fashionable streetwear model, making it look neat and energetic.
Grunenwald: Alyssa, How did you determine on bringing Batgirl Cassandra Cain into the combine?
Wong: I’ve wished to write down Cassandra Cain for some time. She’s my favourite Bat! I’ve borrowed her for just a few brief tales, like “The Hunt” in The Doomed and the Damned and my Batwoman story in Batman: Urban Legends #8-9. Bringing her into one thing with a much bigger narrative scope offers me the probability to discover her character and actually let her shine.
Xanthe and Constantine’s skills are magic-based, and I wished to have somebody on the workforce who’s very grounded of their physique. Her particular skill is that she’s very good at what she does. I see her as an intense, direct individual with a fancy, compassionate coronary heart. That quiet honesty balances Constantine and Xanthe’s extra sarcastic, banter-y dynamic.
Grunenwald: What went into visualizing the Spirit World itself? Was there a selected aesthetic you have been going for?
Wong: The Spirit World is based totally on Chinese concepts of the afterlife, with further East and Southeast Asian influences. (As somebody who’s blended race and comes from each an East and Southeast Asian background, I didn’t need it to really feel culturally monolithic.) It’s additionally a spot the place historic and fashionable parts meet: for instance, you may encounter a centuries-dead, hanfu-wearing spirit with a skateboard and smooth over-ear headphones. All sorts of paper choices make their technique to the Spirit World.
Haining: The Spirit World is unquestionably an Asian fantasy. This world is filled with surprises and wonders, but additionally scary and mysterious. It’s the place that I’d like to dwell in after my dying haha.
Cheng: As a Chinese who grew up from Southeast Asia, I used to be surrounded by a residing place which shaped from a big a part of conventional Asian cultural heritage. I really feel like that is one thing I used to be impressed by and delivered to the coloration artwork of Spirit World. Warm yellow, Red, and Jade inexperienced typically adorn oriental environments, temples, and apparel of characters in the story. Glowing neon, magical colours are utilized in terms of the want of particular results. I feel the distinction of those 2 historic and fantasy parts will create one thing enjoyable and fascinating to the Spirit World.
Grunenwald: For the entire workforce, what’s your collaboration been like?
Wong: I like Haining and Sebastian’s work! It’s a pleasure to collaborate with them. Every time I see a brand new web page, I’m simply delighted and impressed. I have a tendency to regulate my scripts and write for the particular inventive workforce I’m working with, so I all the time attempt to come up with stuff I feel they’ll have enjoyable with. And Jess’ notes are all the time insightful and enthusiastic.
Haining: I nonetheless can’t consider I’m a part of this wonderful workforce. Every time I see Alyssa’s script, Sebastian’s coloring and Jessica’s notes, I’m reminded that I’m working with such gifted folks! I’m grateful for that.
Cheng: It’s an exquisite expertise to collaborate with this bunch of gifted inventive folks! My pleasure to work with the entire workforce!
Grunenwald: What are you all excited for readers to see once they try Spirit World?
Wong: I can’t wait so that you can meet Xanthe! The Spirit World is a gorgeous, unusual, and harmful place… and Haining and Sebastian have accomplished an incredible job bringing it to life.
Cheng: Imagine Xanthe, John Constantine, and Cassandra Cain are in a narrative! You will stroll into an enchanting imaginary world by Alyssa. Brilliant and dynamic artwork by Haining and my humble colours. 😉
Haining: With all these cool characters, I can’t think about there’s any motive to not be enthusiastic about this story!
Spirit World #1 is due out in shops and digitally on Tuesday, May ninth. The prelude story for the collection is reprinted on this week’s Dawn of DC We Are Legends Special Edition #1, out now.
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