It's been a long time coming but it's finally happening. If you've been reading comics in the last decade or two, chances are you know who Joe Madureira is and how amazing his art is. What newer readers may now know is back in 1998, he launched a creator-owned series, BATTLE CHASERS through the Cliffhanger imprint of Wildstorm. Joe introduced us to many cool characters and the action was big and bombastic. Then life happens.
Joe's direction shifted from comics to video games. Putting BATTLE CHASERS on hiatus, he formed a company with some friends, became creative director at THQ, which lead to game development, including Darksiders, formed Vigil Games and later the studio Airship Syndicate. During this time, he did do some work in comics such as THE ULTIMATES 3, AVENGING SPIDER-MAN, and SAVAGE WOLVERINE. Now he's launched a Kickstarter campaign for a BATTLE CHASERS video game and is planning on bringing back the comic at issue #10.
Of course we needed to find out more.
COMIC VINE: Let’s get right to it, BATTLE CHASERS, in a comic book format, is coming back?!?
JOE MADUREIRA: Yes, that’s right!
CV: You’ve been keeping yourself busy in the video game world, which we’ll get to in a sec, so why is now the right time to come back to the BATTLE CHASERS comic?
JOE: It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but there was never enough time between projects. I’ve gotten offers over the years from publishers who wanted to continue the series with a different creative team on it, but I always felt that if BC were ever to happen again, It would have to come from me. When we began talking seriously about a Battle Chasers game, I knew it would be the perfect time to launch a few new issues of the series. Also, I’m almost positive diehard BC fans would kill me if I didn’t.
CV: For those that haven’t read it recently, or at all, will there be any sort of refresher?
JOE: Yes. I’m not quite sure yet how I’ll do it—maybe I’ll add a few extra pages to #10, I don’t want to cut into the new story too much rehashing old stuff. Additionally, issues 1-9 will be made available again (working out the details now with Image Comics). Of course, the original books are also available now through Comixology.
CV: What are your plans for this run of the comic? How many issues are you committing yourself to and what will the release schedule be like?
JOE: Because we all know that me attempting to do a monthly book is a recipe for disaster, especially alongside development of the game, I’m going to be releasing new stories in the form of story arcs. The first one is three issues (BC #10-#12). If the books do well, and people want more, I’d love to continue the series with future arcs of 3-5 issues. They will each be self-contained stories (which will make any gap of time in between arcs a little easier on the readers, I hope) but they will all further the central storyline.
CV: Will you be writing, penciling, and inking? Can you mention who else is involved?
JOE: I haven’t decided yet if I’ll be working with an inker just yet. But the pencils and story will all be me.
CV: As if this won’t keep you busy enough, what can you tell us about the game and Kickstarter you’re launching?
JOE: The game is called Battle Chasers: Nightwar, and it’s more of a companion to the story of the comic books than it is a continuation. Its an RPG that’s inspired by some of the JRPG classics that inspired Battle Chasers, so it’s fun and a little surreal to be working on this type of game. All of the central characters are playable (Garrison, Gully, Monika, Knolan, and Calibretto) and we are introducing some new characters as well! It’s a fun hybrid of action packed dungeon exploration, and tactical combat. Our team is comprised of Vigil Games vets (Darksiders1 & 2).
CV: When will you find time to eat or sleep doing all of this?
JOE: I’m trying. Sadly, I get plenty to eat, but just what’s in reach of my desk, which is mostly Power Bars and Sour Patch Kids. And lots of coffee. Sleep’s a tough one.
CV: When can we expect the BATTLE CHASERS comic?
JOE: We don’t have an exact release date, but I definitely want to get 10-12 out before the game hits December next year. I’m guessing next summer. It would be awesome to launch around SDCC. But again, that’s not an official date. Just my current plan!
CV: Any final comments to the patient BATTLE CHASERS fans that are ready to gobble up every new issue?
JOE: I can honestly say that this project would not be happening if it wasn’t for the years and years of support, encouragement ( and threats ) from Battle Chasers fans over the years. I just want to tell all those people who apologized for ‘bugging me’, thank you! It worked! I have the best fans in the world. I’m excited to do this for them. And I’m going to do everything within my power to make it worth the wait!
Check out the information on the Kickstarter campaign for Battle Chasers: Nightwar (it's doing pretty well). Stay tuned for more information on the continuation of the BATTLE CHASERS comic.