When I heard that Chuck Dixon was coming back to the Alien Legion universe, I knew that I had to read and review this new comic. What I did not expect was to have the opportunity to interview such a great writer. I will first give you a quick review of the first issue of Alien Legion: Uncivil War and then we will jump right into the interview.
From Titan Comics comes Alien Legion: Uncivil War #1, the first new published tale from the Alien Legion universe since mid-1993. The Alien Legion is like the Foreign Legion, only in space. It is a collection of beings from all different races who have come together to help protect and defend. This series focuses on Force Nomad, a team lead by Sarigar, and made up of characters from all over the galaxy. In the past, the Legion has been instrumental in fending off invasions from the Harks, a warring race of beings. In Alien Legion: Uncivil War, the Harks are suffering a major civil war and many of their race are fleeing from under the ravages of that war. Force Nomad is called in to help manage the influx of refugees. I love the way this comic is designed as short stories, one on each vessel that the Legion is called to assist with. Quite a variety of stories, from action and intrigue to humor, all enhanced by the colorful team of Bospors that make up Force Nomad and the Alien Legion.
Interview with writer Chuck Dixon
Comic Booked: We are pleased to have some time to talk with Chuck Dixon, a comic book writer who is well known for his writing for such characters as Batman, Green Lantern, Iron Man, Superman, the Punisher, Spongebob Squarepants, and many creator owned series over his career. Today we want to talk about a classic science fiction series, Alien Legion. There has not been a new story in this universe since 1993, so the first question is what brings you back to the Alien Legion? It has been 21 years since the last story. I was just wondering if you could elaborate on what you enjoy about Alien Legion and what drew you back.
Chuck Dixon: It’s an unapologetic story about space war! It’s not pure space opera as we pay attention to science to some degree. But it’s an irresistible tale of a bunch of hard luck soldiers in a unit made up of a zoological nightmare of various alien species. This stuff is so in my wheelhouse that I would return to this series under any circumstance. And to work with Larry [Stroman] and Carl [Potts] again is gravy.
CB: I really like the way that Alien Legion: Uncivil War #1 was written almost like a collection of stories, as the team travels from ship to ship dealing with the various issues. This seems like it could be a really cool series to adapt for TV. Have there been any more plans made to do a movie or TV series based on Alien Legion? I know there was talk about a movie back in the early 2000’s.
Dixon: Carl Potts is our man in Hollywood. He has a deal going for a feature film that looks promising. And, I agree, it would make a great movie or series and a great game!
CB: True, with the possibilities of something like an MMORPG or an expansive RPG or even a tactical war game where you manage your team as they fight and defend. A lot of cool ways to go with this, so maybe we will see that someday. What kind of things can we expect from Uncivil War as this story progresses? Any plans for other series following the end of Uncivil War?
Dixon: We’ll all be back if this does well enough to warrant it. We have LOTS more plans!
CB: I have really enjoyed your writing. I was, and still am, a huge CrossGen fan and absolutely loved your work on Brath and El Cazador. I also picked up Winterworld. What other books do you have coming up that our readers should be on the lookout for?
Dixon: I’m doing a series of time travel action novels called Bad Times. They’re available through Amazon. And I do some work on Spongebob Comics now and then. I also have a motion comics series with a foreign publisher; something Graham Nolan and I have been working on. But it’s too soon to talk about it.
CB: I know you have done a lot of work in comics. You were even instrumental in the creation of one of the best Batman villains of all time, Bane. When it comes to writing comics, what are your favorite types of stories to write? I know that you have a very wide range, but you must have a favorite genre.
Dixon: My favorite would be westerns but there’s not much call for that. I suppose military action would come next. I enjoy writing humor also. But as the man said, comedy is hard.
CB: Finally, and I know this is a bit clichéd, but what advice would you give to new writers interested in writing comics or trying to get their start in the comic industry?
Dixon: Write a really successful novel, screenplay or TV series. Then you can afford to work in comics. Seriously, the internet is wide open for creators and the place to get noticed. Back when print was king you had to go to publishers. Today, you’re the publisher. Just find an artist to partner with and make some comics.
CB: Such a pleasure to be able to ask you questions. I really look forward to the rest of this series of Alien Legion: Uncivil War and hope to see some of the other stuff you are working on.
A big thank you goes out to our friends at Titan Comics and to Chuck Dixon for taking the time to talk with us. I hope you all enjoyed this and go out and pick up Alien Legion: Uncivil War #1. Thanks for being part of this Comic Booked world.
great stuff! chuck dixon rocks!
When Dark Horse released the Alien Legion Omnibus was when I was first introduced to the title, I immediately pictured it as a feature film. Everything works perfectly. Hopefully we get something soon. Can’t wait to check out the series