Talking Dynamite’s ‘Barbarella’ With Artist Anna Morozova

From space craft to planets, there’s a lot that goes into creating the world of Dynamite Comics’ Barbarella. Last week writer Blake Northcottanswered some questions about the new Barbarella comic she’s working on with artist Anna Morozova. This week here are Morozova’s answers to those questions:

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?

Anna Morozova: Comics is a unique visual medium that was capable of reaching a variety of worlds way before other media such as movies could. Now, of course, with the technology having advanced so far, the horizons for visualisation are of almost no limits. Yet still, reading comics is ultimately a different experience to watching a story narrated in a linear way. Additionally, reading the original source will provide the audience with a more in-depth understanding of the creator’s concept and vision for the story. It’s also fascinating to go through the variety of runs in comics (especially when we’re dealing with a legacy character such as Barbarella) where different talent teams have interpreted the character in their very own unique ways, which only adds to the volume and impact of a given character. As an illustrator, I would always vouch for looking at the art if there’s an opportunity, of course – especially if a movie has used comics or graphic novels as an original source. I can’t help but mention the fact that in comics, one drawing them has to inhabit many creative roles: a character designer, a set designer, a transport designer and many more – allowing to create a entire world as per an individual’s concept of it based on a writer’s direction and scenario description. When we’re looking at the big production for movies and such, in most cases, the imagery perceived by the audience as the result, is a collaborative effort on a bigger scale, usually with bigger teams assigned per each role and a segment of the overall picture tailored towards a director’s vision. That fact alone is fascinating, because when looking at comics, we get to appreciate the fact that the entire visual picture of the world is usually brought to us if not by one person, then by a very small team of collaborating individuals – and everyone can find that artistic voice they resonate the most with as a reader.

Bellwoar: How did you first encounter Barbarella?

Morozova: Ah, a question that I couldn’t recall an answer for, I’m afraid! In my case, I first discovered the existence of comics, and only then — the movie! Even though I can’t remember my very first encounter with the character, I can certainly say that Barbarella immediately got in to my drawing wish list as I’ve always been fascinated by space operas and adventures taking place within the depths of the Universe!

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?

Without giving too much away, I’ll just mention that in the first issue, Barbarella’s access to her ship is… very limited, to say the least, which is why the story unravels the way it does! When I started working on the art, the specific ship design for our main character was already there, so I had to reference the existing visuals. This being said, we do get our fair share of space crafts throughout the pages – and I had great fun drawing them! Although illustrating such elements as space crafts is usually associated with a more technical approach to illustration, there’s always room for something quite quirky and fun, and there was certainly room for accommodating some amusing designs in there. There’s one specific character I got a chance to design a special space craft for, but that’s to be shown as the story evolves into the Issue #2.

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?

Morozova: Vix is a wonderful sidekick and, by now, I believe, a part of the tandem that the readers would expect to see within a Barbarella comics run. It’s interesting to see how pets have gradually obtained more of a role in some segments of the entertainment industry. They’re quite common in anime, Western animation (Disney in particular), European animation as well as live action pieces (for instance, Salem the Cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch is the first example that comes to mind) – the list just goes on and on. Pets are a part of some subtle sub-story, not only providing a bit of distraction from the main drama that may be unveiling, but also affecting the story themselves and playing a big role at certain points of a given scenario. Such a feature does surely transcend into comics too – and it’s fun not only to draw, but also to follow the adventures of a given tandem that can occasionally break into separate storylines only to re-unite in the end. Sometimes it can become really handy for the storytelling experience in general. I’m sure there are some great examples of ‘the lead character + pet sidekick’ pairings in comics despite the ones I’m aware of, and they all have certain unique features, though when it comes to Vix in particular, I like that we can read her thoughts. She comments on things taking place often relying on her great intuition – it’s like having a commentator within the story who doesn’t necessarily break the fourth wall. Vix is also quite opinionated that adds dynamism to certain situations and interactions , which benefits the story.

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?

Morozova: A safe jumping on point indeed, but the one that may invite the readers who aren’t familiar with previous runs to check the past arcs out too!

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?

Morozova: We shall keep things exciting indeed! After all, it’s comics (even more so: it’s Barbarella comics!), where through art of visual storytelling, we turn even rather boring or most familiar things up a notch to keep the read an exciting process.

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?

Morozova: A good question. I’m a fan of retrofuturism, so I’m on the same page with you and Blake here. Since my inspiration often comes from the comics published in the last century (mainly UK and European markets), I think that visual link is rather noticeable. Not to mention that certain parts of the story reference the ’60s/’70s vision of the future. However, the fact that I’m using some modern art production techniques, of course does modernise the general picture to a certain extent, so I’d say the result is rather a mix.

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

Morozova: Oh, there are quite a few new cast members appearing! Where do I begin so that I don’t give anything away? I’ll say that throughout the first issue storyline Vix won’t be Barbarella’s only sidekick! But there’s more, so keep an eye out!

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Anna!

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