Broken Frontier

After starting out in the comics industry writing for BF, Aaron Stueve now finds himself on the other side of the fence: writing comics. He presents you with an Inside Look at Bluewater's Legend of Isis #1.

Man, it is great to be back to Broken Frontier!  It has been two long and eventful years.  I stepped away from the Frontier to earn my MFA in creative writing from the University of Nebraska (which, incidentally, I will have on August 1, 2009—go ahead and pat my back), write a novel (which is finished and waiting for an agent . . .), and collect my bearings after a long move to Omaha, NE (it’s still Nebraska). 

Perhaps most significantly for my readers, I also managed—with great help from my buddy, the phenomenal comic book artist Gregg Paulsen—to get a job writing funny books for Bluewater Productions.  I know, right?  What the hell were they thinking? 

Anyway, since writing for Broken Frontier was one of the greatest jobs I’ve ever had, I recently sought Frederik out again and offered my support, both for the new look and handling of the website as well as all of the great articles/essays/reviews BF has done over the years.  As a response to my heartfelt support, Frederik gave me an assignment.  Old habits die hard I guess. 

Without further ado then, I give you a glimpse, an “Inside Look” if you will, dear Broken Frontier readers, of my first foray into the world of writing comics.  I hope you enjoy it enough to go out and buy the actual comic.  Hell, I hope you enjoy it enough to go out and buy several copies.  

Page 1

With the first page we are setting the scene.  Starting off the story, Derek (Ruiz—co-writer for issue #1), wanted to remind fans that Legend of Isis, though firmly planted in modern day LA, has its roots in ancient Egypt.  What better way to hammer the point home than with the line: “Egypt, the Shrine of Nephthys, a long time ago”?  It doesn’t really get any clearer than that.  The first few pages in fact give fans a taste of what is to come—if they can read between the lines that is . . . .

Page 5

This is the first time Isis is seen.  My intent was to make her look as though she is comfortable in this new setting—for the first time.  Thanks to Ivan Barriga’s art she does appear to be almost relaxed, which is odd since she is, above all else, a woman unstrung from time.  But since she doesn’t have the Staff of Luxor anymore and all the powers and responsibilities that come with that, she is able to let her guard down, let herself become acquainted with the time, even channel surf.  This is the most relaxed I hope to ever write Isis.  So don’t get used to it.  I mean right here (and again, my hat is off to Ivan) she could be mistaken for any other (attractive) young modern woman bored with the million channels on television.  Then, of course, Scott walks in and all the drama and baggage associated with their relationship walks in with him—along with something a little more sinister.

Pages 6-7

Isis has received a mysterious package that contains a broken tablet telling the tale of the Scarab Queen.  Isis recounts this story for Scott in flashback.  Our script basically told Ivan to draw the Scarab Queen doing some horrible $%!*.  It is a way for our readers to get to know her quickly.  She is brutal, she is powerful, and really, compare her to the Isis that we all know and love, and seriously.  I mean, come on?  There’s no way she can beat her—especially since she doesn’t even have her staff right now.  Just where the hell did that thing get to anyway . . . ?

Pages 10-11

Oh, there is it!  At the same museum displaying and ancient Egyptian exhibit containing a bunch of artifacts related to the legendary . . . wait for it . . . Scarab Queen!  Now, this happens to be the same museum Isis works at, has friends at, etc.  Just why didn’t she know about this?  Why isn’t she more questioning?  What is going on here?  If you are a long time fan and your eyebrows aren’t raised at this point, they should be.  Seeds are being planed folks.  It is spring after all.

Page 20

Of course there are some shenanigans (that’s right, I said it) at the museum involving Isis’ longtime foe, Lynx.  And as is clearly demonstrated on Page #20, even without her power, Isis can handle herself in a scrap.  However, in case anyone has forgotten just what religion Isis practices, we throw in a nod to Ra to appease fans looking for technical errors.  Ha!

Now, if you would like to see what happens next, feel free to take a leisurely stroll on down to your comic book store and pick up Legend of Isis #1.  I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.  And if not, I guess Frederik could always use an extra hand around here . . . .

Legend of Isis #1 is out now from Bluewater priced $3.99