Gary Whitta and Darick Robertson Reimagine Charles Dicken’s Oliver

The best stories ever written, what we consider the classics, are fertile ground for reimagining by contemporary authors that speak to new audiences. 

 

My guests today are Gary Whitta and Darick Robertson, writer and artist respectively of Oliver, a 12-part series debuting on January 23 published through Image Comics. 

 

The story is new take on the Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver. 

 

In this version, an orphan fights to liberate a post-apocalyptic war-ravaged England while searching for the truth about his own mysterious origins. 

 

Gary Whitta is an award-winning screen writer his work includes co-writing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story , work The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington as well as written for the animated series Star Wars Rebels. 

 

His long time friend and artistic collaborator Darick Robertson is known his work on the award winning Transmetropolitan, The Boys and Happy. 

 

Their series Oliver has been 15 years in the making. 

 

Why was the comic in development so long?

 

Who introduced steam punk elements into the story and why?

 

How did they manage make each of clone war veterans that appear in Oliver distinct?

 

Why did Darick find it necessary to travel to England in preparation for this science fiction story?  

 

And while discussing my fun questions with Gary and Darick, we learn about odd soaps on the market and which technology now considered “obsolete” Gary and Darick miss the most.

 

This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone

http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/

 

About Oliver:

https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/oliver-1

 

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