EXCLUSIVE: ‘Alienated’ Writer Taki Soma On The Inspirations Behind The ComiXology Series
by Olly MacNamee
Alienated comes to a close this week, with the final issue out today on ComiXology. And to celebrate the sci-fi series, writer Taki Soma has shared her influences with us.
Over to you, Taki…
Alienated is not my style. Until it was.
What I meant by that is that I typically gravitate towards more adult subjects, and yet, it is written in a way that’s accessible to most age groups, imho. There is quantum physics (that I only understand as a layman.) involved, except you’re not required to know any of it to enjoy the story. I’m betting that the references I picked below as inspiration for Alienated must be confusing, but hold on, it’ll all make sense once you read it. That is a Taki Soma promise (you may not be familiar with me, nor how binding my promise is but that’s all I can offer as one individual human!).
Anyway, Steven Spielberg‘s films involving aliens in the ’80s, such as E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind was a huge, giant part of the Alienated DNA; shockingly, not because they both involved aliens, but their tone. What with the undercurrent threat that’s always looming, even as whimsical events occur, and the wonder and quirkiness is abundant. But the most important point in these movies is the humanity and compassion the characters display as the stories unfold. I love stories that use a telescope in an event that’s immense. Plus, the art is by John Broglia and I just feel the ‘Steven Spielberg’ vibe from his pages, whether it’s on purpose or not.
Also, Isaac Asimov‘s The Gods Themselves is a classic, hard sci-fi I reference often without shame. I read this book countless times to the point I’m not certain if I have an original idea, or if they’re just different versions of thoughts I had as I was reading it. In my opinion, he’s a genius, so if I were to emulate anyone, I think I made the right choice. The physics I had in mind while writing Alienated is loosely influenced by this book. Please take note of the word I used, ‘loosely’ very seriously.
