Pop Mhan: Spies And Jedis

By Mike Jozic

This September, Star Wars scribe Ryder Windham, and fan favourite artists Pop Mhan and Norman Lee, will be bridging the gap between Episode I and Episode II of the Star Wars prequel trilogy with their four issue mini-series, Jedi Quest. The creative team will chronicle one of the first adventures of Anakin Skywalker and his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in the years before the second film, sending the Chosen One on a mission that will require him to face his deepest, darkest fears, and overcome them.

Because of his fresh style and ability to draw youthful characters, Pop was hand picked for this assignment by Star Wars editor Dave Land after his and Peter David's acclaimed collaboration, SpyBoy, went on hiatus. This will be Pop's first full-time foray into the Star Wars universe (having previously done some spot illustrations for Dark Horse's Star Wars: Crimson Empire Handbook), and from what I could tell, he couldn't be happier.

I recently snagged Pop for an interview, which he wedged into his very busy schedule, and talked a little (via the wonder of e-mail) about working in George Lucas' sandbox, and just what the heck happened to SpyBoy...

MIKE JOZIC: Working on a Star Wars project is obviously a thrill, but is it strange to be doing it with characters from the new movie rather than the original trilogy that you grew up with?

POP MHAN: I think that I am a little more confident drawing the characters from the new movie. Drawing the characters from the trilogy would have been extremely great, but at the same the time, it would have been like the new movie in the sense that "it" is still Star Wars, but it's a different Star Wars. The Star Wars from my childhood would be different for me if I was involved, creatively, with the property.

JOZIC: So, your proximity to the project is everything in this case?

MHAN: Yes, I think so. After working on Jedi Quest, Episode I feels different [to] me because I have worked with the property. I guess there is a sense of familiarity with the characters after working on the project [that] really makes it feel different.

JOZIC: What was your first exposure to Star Wars?

MHAN: My uncle took me to see Empire back in the day. I remember lots of people in line to see it.

JOZIC: How do you think your interpretation of the world will differ from others? How does the Star Wars universe look through your eyes?

MHAN: I am not sure what my interpretation entails. I think Star Wars is like a cross between Space 1999 (the ol' TV show) and a samurai drama.

JOZIC: I am going to have to insist that you elaborate on that.

MHAN: Well, Star Wars has some of the "space action" of the Space 1999 tv series. I wouldn't say it was like Star Trek, because the underlying theme of Star Trek is about exploration. Star Wars is more akin to a samurai drama in that they both have "the way of the sword" type feel to them.

JOZIC: What did you think of Episode I?

MHAN: I think Episode I was cool. The trilogy is still better. I think that there is an authentic feel in the first two films that the consequent movies lacked. In the first two it felt to me like George Lucas was trying to make his movie and opinions be darned. The latter two (Jedi and Episode I) had a "I have to make the movie more appealing to everyone so we can cash in" feel that made the movie feel a little washed out.

JOZIC: Are you anxiously awaiting Episode II?

MHAN: Yes I am anxiously awaiting Episode II. I still hate Jar Jar, though.

JOZIC: What do you think of the much maligned title for Episode II, "Attack of the Clones"?

MHAN: I think it's cool.

JOZIC: How has it been working with Ryder Windham?

MHAN: I thoroughly enjoyed working with Ryder. His scripts are very detailed and concise. It made my job easier. Much appreciated.

JOZIC: I'm assuming that Ryder uses full scripts over "Marvel Style"?

MHAN: Yes.

JOZIC: Do you prefer one style of script over another, or is it all the same to you when you sit down to draw the page?

MHAN: I generally prefer the "Marvel Style" script because it lets me do more with the story telling. Which is good and bad. I usually put too many panels on the page. Working with a tight script helps keep the panel count low.

JOZIC: How are you finding the process of doing a licensed comic, especially on something like Star Wars?

MHAN: LFL was not bad at all. I have dealt with some previous companies that have nitpicked the most silliest things. LFL was a dream to work for. They were always on the ball with what they wanted. Very professional. Very cool.

JOZIC: How much freedom were you given with the likenesses of the characters? Looking at the preview art, you're obviously not going for a photo-realistic representation...

MHAN: I was given a lot of room with the likenesses. At first I toyed with the idea of doing the likenesses, but then I saw what other creators were doing with the license. There really is no pressure to do the likenesses at all.

JOZIC: Will Anakin and Obi-Wan be the only characters from the films to make an appearance in Jedi Quest, or are there a lot of familiar faces kicking around in the background?

MHAN: I think there were some, but not many at all. There are a lot of new faces.

JOZIC: Can you go any deeper into the plot of Jedi Quest than the solicitation information or are you sworn to secrecy?

MHAN: Well, I have been sworn to secrecy. I have heard that LFL sics a band of Ewoks headed by Jar Jar Binks on people who break the oath. You wouldn't wish that on me, would you?

JOZIC: Is it cool to be "bridging the gap", so to speak, between episodes I and II with this mini-series? Filling in some of the blanks of Anakin's training under Obi-Wan?

MHAN: Yes, very much so, although I would've liked to see more.

JOZIC: Do you have any input on the story or how it develops, or is that totally Ryder's show?

MHAN: Ryder was the man!

JOZIC: I'm assuming you had a say in who your inker would be since you're working with Norman again?

MHAN: That's right. Norman is my man. Plus he's about twice my size length-wise.

JOZIC: What is it about working with Norman that you enjoy so much? What effect does he have on your finished artwork?

MHAN: Well, keeping my drawing hand and vulnerable organs intact does wonders on the ol' artwork. I thoroughly enjoy those organs too. Working with Norman keeps those organs intact. Plus he's a darn good inker. His lines are very solid. Norman, doesn't usually use many "inking tricks" to hide his lines. He makes my work look more polished.

And that's all I have to say about that.

JOZIC: Was working on a Star Wars project always a goal for you in the industry, or was Jedi Quest something that just fell into your lap after SpyBoy?

MHAN: When I was first starting out, I'd always wanted to work on a Star Wars project. Jedi Quest kind of fell in my lap after SpyBoy. I was very lucky.

JOZIC: What's the story with SpyBoy going on hiatus, anyway? And what will be the overall fate of the series?

MHAN: I am not really supposed to talk too about it. Well, that, plus I am in the dark as well.

I'd like to thank Pop for his time and contribution to this interview, and if you like what you see, don't forget the first issue of Star Wars: Jedi Quest arrives in comic shops September 12th, 2001.

	Mike Jozic has spent the last several years interviewing comic book creators and other entertainment related personalities for various publications. He has been published both online and in print, with his work appearing in The Comics Journal, FearsMag.com and Silver Bullet Comicbooks. He maintains his own website at www.meanwhile.net and currently serves as the Features Editor for SBC.