It’ll come as no surprise that we’re in the business of feeding fandom here at DCComics.com. We love stoking the fire of devotion that you and your fellow fans hold for your favorite heroes and villains. Fandom unites vastly different groups of people, giving them something in common to rally around. It’s a positive, supporting, inspiring force.
But it can so easily get turned on its head. We see it every time we hear about an actor, musician or athlete filing a restraining order against a stalker, learn about a rough cut of a movie or new album getting leaked, or watch a reviewer’s criticism of a movie, game or comic provoke an onslaught of threats from fans. When fandom crosses the line, it turns destructive or even dangerous.
These are the torrid waters upon which EFFIGY, the new Vertigo series from Tim Seeley and Marley Zarcone, sails. Telling the story of Chondra Jackson, a rookie cop who was once the child star of a kid friendly sci-fi TV show, Effigy is a tale of murder, obsession and celebrity that will keep you guessing with every frightening new page.
DC Comics readers unfamiliar with Vertigo will still likely find much to enjoy and ponder in this brand new ongoing. You could start with the writer. Seeley’s been making a name for himself in the New 52 thanks to his co-writer contributions to Grayson and Batman Eternal. Effigy is his first original comic for Vertigo, but as anyone familiar with his Image work (including the slasher-inspired Hack/Slash and his “rural noir” Revival) can attest, Seeley’s no stranger to creating original, compelling characters and worlds. Effigy’s debut issue reads like a dark cable drama, mashing up a small town murder mystery with reality show satire and possible supernatural themes. Throw in a touch of humor and horror and you have a potent new series with a lot of potential.
After reading EFFIGY #1, we wanted to get to know the wonderfully warped minds driving this comic a little better, so we sat them down for a brief Q&A. Enjoy, but be warned. Seeley and Zarcone’s answers may just make a fan out of you…
TIM SEELEY
Most exciting part of the premise has to be ____.
Mummies!
My favorite character is ___ because ___.
Ginger, because she's so much fun to write.
What's the one thing that will shock readers about Effigy?
That it's actually pretty damn smart under all that sexiness and gore.
What's the one thing that will horrify readers about Effigy?
Mummy stuffing!
If you could job swap with any member of the creative team who would it be and why?
Marley, because I think it's only fair to punish myself with some of the stuff I ask her to draw.
Favorite cover to date?
Issue #3!
What's your definition of an effigy?
It's a damn nice word that I was surprised was still available as a comic book title. It's just fun to say.
What makes Effigy a must-read for potential readers?
I think it's a classic Vertigo title...it'll give you that wonderful, unsettling feeling you love...what's the word? Ah, yes...Vertigo.
What's the soundtrack for issue #1?
The soundtrack for everything lately in my mind has been the new DOOMTREE album, ALL HANDS. BUT, an argument could be made for the MINISTRY song "Effigy (I'm not an)" played on repeat.
Pick three words to describe the first issue.
Sexy, creepy, weird.
Who wins in a fight, Chondra Jackson or John Constantine?
Chondra learned space kung-fu. John is British. It's a draw.
What characters would be most likely to sell each other out?
I think, for the right price, everyone would sell each other out. Yeah, it's that kinda comic.
How do you know when to call a page a finished page?
When Shelly Bond says it's done!
Who would play whom in a live action Effigy movie?
Bebe – Quvenzhane Wallis
Ginger – Gabrielle Union (I know the age doesn't quite match up, but she'd be great)
Edie – We'd want an actual transgendered actress, so let's go with an unknown who's awesome
Meatball – Lassie's head, CGI'ed onto Steve Zahn
Grant Moore – Aaron Paul
The first corpse – Leftover cast member of The Walking Dead
Laurence Lauritz – Chris Sarandon
The stressed out editor – Totally computer generated, like one of those Avatar critters
MARLEY ZARCONE
Most exciting part of the premise has to be ____.
The sentai/Power Rangers-inspired Star Cops show!
My favorite character is ___ because ___.
Edie is my favorite because she's bursting with energy and she wears her heart on her sleeve.
What's the one thing that will shock readers about Effigy?
They'll be shocked when they want their very own Meatball and Bebe Soma Star Cop plushies.
What's the one thing that will horrify readers about Effigy?
Entrails. So many entrails.
If you could job swap with any member of the creative team who would it be and why?
I would swap with Tim, but it wouldn't be a good idea. The book would turn into “The Adventures of Edie Chacon.” All Edie all the time.
Favorite cover to date?
Issue #3!
What's your definition of an effigy?
A burning totem constructed as a warning for intruders. I'm thinking of putting one on my balcony.
What makes Effigy a must-read for potential readers?
If you're looking for a mystery that's exciting, weird and a little gross, then this is the title for you.
What's the soundtrack for issue #1?
Grimes for anything out of this world, and Queens of the Stone Age for the rest.
Pick three words to describe the first issue.
Weird, exciting, Meatball?
Who wins in a fight, Chondra Jackson or John Constantine?
This is a cruel question. If Tim turns Chondra into a space wizard, then she'll have a shot.
What characters would be most likely to sell each other out?
Edie would never sell out Chondra. Not sure about the rest of them.
How do you know when to call a page a finished page?
It's a twenty-minute process of me asking "Does it look done?" and adding lines here and there.
Who would play whom in a live-action Effigy movie?
Chondra – Nicole Beharie
Bebe – Quvenzhane Wallis (stop stealing my answers, Tim)
Ginger – Angela Bassett
Edie – I'm with Tim on this. Amazing unknown transgendered actress.
Meatball – A well behaved North Carolina dog's head CGI'ed onto Fred Armisen
Grant Moore – Sam Rockwell
The first corpse – The Inca Mummy Girl prop from Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a blonde wig
Laurence Lauritz – Robert Blake
EFFIGY #1 is now available in print or digital.
