INTERVIEW: Vexana returns in ‘Forgotten Queen’
Image: Courtesy of Valiant / Art by Mirka Andolfo / Provided with permission.
The Forgotten Queen, the new miniseries from Valiant, details a legendary warrior who walked with the mighty generals of the Mongol Empire and infected the hearts of those who stood in her way. She is a suspected witch, war-monger and forgotten queen, and fans should know her villainy from Valiant’s Unity comic.
The first issue of The Forgotten Queen details an underwater expedition in the modern day that uncovers Vexana the War-Monger from beneath the ocean. The action then travels to 1200 when Vexana is considered a witch and Genghis Khan walked the earth.
The second part of the series releases March 27. The story was written by Tini Howard (Captain American Annual #1), with art by Amilcar Pinna (Generation X).
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Howard, Pinna and Robert Meyers, senior editorial director for Valiant. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What did you like about Vexana the first time you read about her?
Howard: I enjoy irreverence in characters, but I enjoy it a lot more when I get to unpack the reasons behind it. I mean, I write Rick Sanchez pretty often (for the Rick and Morty comics), and the vibe isn’t too far off? If you’re immortal, unkillable, irreverent, a bon vivant, but you have some sort of un-soothed pain in you — what is that and where does it come from? That’s what I like about her, and that’s what the book’s about.
What inspired you to create The Forgotten Queen miniseries for Valiant?
Howard: I’m a sucker for a historical period piece that’s also a frame story. I love immortal characters —t hey’re my favorite part of the Valiant Universe, so when I was approached about working with Valiant, this was exactly the sort of book I wanted to make. I got to pitch this wild structure for a four-issue miniseries that packs hundreds of years into under a hundred pages, and I’m so glad we’ve gotten to make it happen.
What do you find most interesting about this central character?
Howard: In our book, I love that she’s immortal but not omniscient. Some of the things that make humans human — like a fear of death, for instance — are totally foreign to her, but it makes her jealous and lonely. She is a villain, after all.
Did you have to conduct any historical research to learn a bit about the Mongol Empire?
Howard: I’m a history nerd through and through, so research is a pleasure — and you’ll see other times and places in the book as well!
Will Vexana’s story extend beyond these four issues?
Meyers: Oh, absolutely. By the end of The Forgotten Queen, Vexana will be set on a much darker, more vengeful path. Next time, it’s personal.
How long did it take for you to settle on the look of Vexana?
Pinna: I had some time to do some research for Vexana, Genghis Khan and the others, but at the end of the first issue I came to feel more at home with Vexana’s looks!
Did you base the art off her previous appearance in Unity?
Pinna: A little, yes, but when Tini sent me some dystopian references, I ended up making my own version of Vexana. But I was sure to respect her look in Unity.
What’s it like working with Tini Howard?
Pinna: It’s cool! Tini has a great sense of what will work well in terms of visuals. She is a great writer!
Did you have to conduct any historical research to learn about the architecture and look of the Mongol Empire?
Pinna: Yes, I did some research on the architecture, horses, armor and more. It’s nice because you also kind of learn more about some other cultures!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Forgotten Queen, written by Tini Howard with art by Amilcar Pinna, will release issue #2 March 27. Click here for more information.
