Talking Dynamite’s ‘Barbarella’ With Writer Blake Northcott

If all you need to hear is the name “Barbarella” for the lyrics to her theme song from the 1968 movie to get stuck in your head, then I have some news for you. Besides the impending remake starring Sydney Sweeney, Barbarella is coming back to comics courtesy of Dynamite Comics and I got to ask writer Blake Northcott about the new series she’s working on with artist Anna Morozova:

Rachel Bellwoar: As someone whose knowledge of the character revolves around the Jane Fonda movie, does comics Barbarella differ a lot from movie Barbarella, and what’s one thing fans of the film are missing out on by not reading Jean-Claude Forest’s comics?

Blake Northcott: I feel like the film captures the dreamlike quality and sexual liberation of the original comic quite faithfully.

Younger readers might not realize that radically reinterpreting source material is a pretty recent phenomenon in Hollywood! Even ten or fifteen years ago, it was common to stick as close to the original story as possible when adapting material. So I think they got it right in 1968.

Having said that, if you want to experience the unfiltered, original voice of the author, I’d always recommend going to the first publication. And Barbarella’s original comic has elements that simply couldn’t have been done justice with the film effects and technology in that era.

Bellwoar: How did you first encounter Barbarella?

Northcott: I was first exposed to the series through Jane Fonda’s performance in the film, but then went back and read everything in chronological order. It’s been a fantastic rabbit hole to tumble down.

The subsequent books by Dynamite have been fantastic – they take Barbarella on slightly more linear adventures, give her more agency and a sense of direction, and introduce amazing new characters for her to interact with. I’d recommend reading it all.

Bellwoar: Barbarella’s spaceship in the movie, with it’s shag carpet walls, is probably my favorite spaceship ever. What was it like designing her space ship for this?

Northcott: I left that to Anna, who is an absolute wizard when it comes to design. That’s the best part of being paired with an artist of her caliber: I can let her interpret those design elements and really flex her muscles creatively, and she exceeds my expectations every time.

Bellwoar: One thing Jane Fonda didn’t have in the film was a pet. Can you tell us a little about Vix and where they fall in the pantheon of comic book pets?

Northcott: Right! Vix was an addition that came later on in the Barbarella canon. She’s a fascinating character because I think it was assumed early on that she was just an adorable sidekick, but she’s evolved into so much more than a pet.

Definitely check out the other Dynamite books if you want to know more about Vix and her backstory. But she’ll be a big part of our upcoming series as well. I think fans would revolt if we didn’t include her at this point!

Bellwoar: The solicitation text mentions that the first issue will be picking up after the events of Barbarella: The Center Cannot Hold. Should readers be familiar with that story before jumping into this arc?

Northcott: I always recommend reading everything, but if you’re planning to start now, it’s definitely a safe jumping-on point. You can easily follow along, even if you have only a peripheral knowledge of Barbarella and her lore.

But we’ll have fun Easter eggs and callbacks for the longtime readers as well.

Bellwoar: We also know that Barbarella is going to be spending at least a little time on Earth. With so many unknown planets to explore, does that make Earth a bit boring in this context or does it being the future change all that?

Northcott: I don’t want to give too much away, but rest assured there won’t be any boring environments. Everything in her world is heightened and electric – and Anna’s art takes that to the next level.

From Earth to far off alien worlds, it will all be psychedelic and surreal.

Bellwoar: Speaking of the future, as a huge fan of the ’60s vision for the future, will that be the aesthetic you’re going for with this series or a more modern approach?

Northcott: I’m definitely with you on that — my preference lies with the retrofuturism that was hot in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Anna has been doing an unbelievable job at capturing that in the first issue, and readers will pick up on it immediately.

If you’ve ever been to ‘Tomorrowland’ at Walt Disney World in Orlando, you’ll know the type of vibe we’re aiming for.

Bellwoars: Are there any characters or new creatures you’d like to tease?

Northcott: Lots of wild and dangerous new creatures will be introduced!

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Blake!

Barbarella #1 goes on sale October 2nd from Dynamite Comics.