Comic book writer Rick Remender has never been afraid to take creative risks. For the upcoming series “The Seasons,” set to debut from Image Comics, Remender has teamed up with artist Paul Azaceta to create a modern-day story that embraces whimsy, visual storytelling, and a deeply personal approach. We deliver stories that overturn common sense. During a recent Zoom conversation, Remender shared insight into the creative process behind the series, its inspiration, and the unique challenges it poses in today’s comics world.
Rediscovering the eccentricity of manga
For Remender, the inspiration behind Seasons stems from a shared feeling with Azaceta. That said, the modern comics market is changing, and not necessarily for the better.
“During the pandemic, Paul and I have been talking about comics, but we’ve kind of gotten away from the whimsy and the joy,” Remender said. “We wanted to do something that paid homage to[Hergé’s]Tintin, Miyazaki, Windsor McCay, and Jeff Smith’s Bourne. It’s the kind of comic that didn’t seem to be done anymore. ”
That core desire created a story that heavily embraces the motto “show, don’t tell.”
“There’s joy in letting art tell a story and just let it breathe,” Remender said. “It’s about rejecting safe, creative choices and living within the nuances of your personality.”
Provided image comic
Provided image comic
A story that combines visual elegance and narrative depth.
The first issue of The Seasons introduces readers to Spring, one of four sisters named after seasons. The story begins with a seemingly simple setting: Spring retrieves a letter. Remender said, “That whole cartoon is just a young girl on a Vespa chasing a letter.” It may sound simple, but the execution is anything but. Remender depicted the scene in which she follows Spring and leads her to a rooftop with a bird’s nest and a stray cat, turning her quest into a visually rich, character-driven sequence.
“I would think that would be unnecessary,” Remender said. “But there’s this idea of living in small moments that we don’t see enough. To see an artist of Paul’s caliber describe it at a level of detail that feels like a Tintin cartoon is something other It shows that being a middle-aged action hero is a more meaningful experience than punching people from rooftops.
Provided by Image Comics.
Balance between mystery and accessibility
At its heart, The Seasons explores the supernatural mysteries surrounding Faust’s bargain, an ancient relic that allows people to see the world as they wish, but prevents them from seeing the world as it really is. It is.
“That’s the tricky part,” Remender said. “It’s a Bradbury or Shakespearean dilemma. But it’s also about creating an immersive and mysterious world.”
Remender admits that the decision to lean into mystery rather than easy bait for the audience was a deliberate and risky choice.
“People don’t like mysteries in TV and movies,” Remender said. “They want the trailer to tell you everything. But with The Seasons, they’re hiding the ball a little bit. You don’t fully understand where this is going until the third or fourth issue, but… That’s by design.”
Build the world carefully
The world of The Seasons is set in an alternate 1920s Paris, a setting that eschews modern technology in favor of timeless adventure.
“By removing cell phones and computers, we’ve created a storytelling environment that feels like a breath of fresh air,” Remender said.
The development process for this highly detailed world took place over many years, allowing the creative team to refine every aspect of the story and its setting.
“The story originally started with my sister Autumn, who is a world-famous adventurer,” Remender said. “But as we progressed through development, we realized that the story should have started with Spring and her search for her letter. Having the time to step back and reconsider these elements made a huge difference. I was born.”
Provided by Image Comics.
Love and risk acceptance in creativity
For Remender, The Seasons represents a return to creating with heart and passion.
“Officially, we no longer listen to the audience,” Remender said. “I know the trends, but I’m doing what I want to do. When you make something with love, that love becomes the center of gravity. Are you passionate about what you’re making? will be communicated to people.”
That love and passion shines through in Azaceta’s partnership with colorist Matt Lopez. Together, they created a comic that blends the fun of classic adventure storytelling with the dark undercurrents of a world grappling with moral dilemmas.
Provided by Image Comics.
A new chapter in comics
The Seasons is poised to be an outstanding addition to the world of comics and a refreshing counterpoint to the oversaturated market of fast-paced, action-focused stories. With their blend of whimsy, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling, it’s clear Remender and Azaceta are exploring new territory or rediscovering forgotten paths.
“Our job is to create something new and do it with love,” Remender said. “The outcome is not up to us, but if you give love, you will find friends. That is the hope of The Seasons.”
