Robert Rodi is an accomplished novelist and comics creator who has been active in the industry for nearly two decades. At present, he is writing the creator-owned Crossovers (Code 6/CGE) and Marvel's Elektra (his run started with issue 23). Initially slated to be a six-issue assignment, Rodi recently was told his run has been extended to 12 issues. SBC was able to interview Rodi briefly about this development, as well as his general approach toward Elektra and what else lies ahead for him at Marvel.
Tim O’Shea: Do you feel like you're shaking up the status quo with your unique approach to Elektra? To me it reads as a mixture of Punisher (violence with wit) by Ennis and Black Panther (politically tinged adventure) by Priest. Would you agree with this comparison?
Robert Rodi: I don't feel that I'm shaking up the status quo, so much as going back to it. Elektra was introduced as the world's most lethal assassin. I'm just sending her around the world, giving her a chance to live up to that title.
It's also pretty cathartic for me, because I get to send her after these completely heinous marks who are usually analogous to real-world scumbags. For instance, Bridget Sapanmyas, the dictator in issues #25-27, is based on Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, the genocidal government minister in Rwanda.
TO: Your run was just extended from six to 12 issues, in making this decision did the Marvel editorial tell you in particular what you were doing that made them enjoy your approach (so much as to extend the run)?
RR: They didn't tell me anything in particular; I think they're just happy with the book in general. And I'm equally happy to keep doing it for a while longer.
TO: How big of a storytelling risk was it to tell the same story over two issues, but from the prey perspective in #23, while #24 was from Elektra's perspective. How did that story in particular come about, did anyone in editorial bristle at taking such a narrative risk?
RR: No one in editorial bristled, because it was a direction we arrived at together. Specifically, Axel Alonso drove the decision. As a rule, we'll be showing events from two or more perspectives from now on; there'll be the perspective of the mark, of course, who sees Elektra as this unstoppable, almost supernatural force coming at him. And there'll be Elektra's perspective, where we'll get to see exactly how she does all the apparently impossible stuff the mark saw her do. Though it won't always be as tidy as that; our next arc, for instance, runs to a third issue, which should tell you that thinks don't quite go as smoothly for Elektra as in our first arc.
TO: To people who say Elektra is a book that should be devoid of humor, how do you answer to that assessment?
RR: "Humor" is a pretty broad category. Yes, I'll occasionally go for laughter here, but of the distinctly nervous variety. Which is, to me, perfectly suited to a book of this kind.
TO: Have you and artist Sean Chen creatively clicked from the beginning of your collaboration, or was there a period of adjustment over an issue or two? Will he be on art for all 12 issues?
RR: Sean has been a dream to work with from the get-go; he's very inventive and brings a lot to the table, both structurally and graphically. It's always a big treat when a new set of his pages comes through the fax. He's staying with the book for my first six issues, which will be collected in a trade; no decisions yet as to who will follow him.
TO: Is Marvel in talks with you to do more work with them? If so, can you divulge any details or hints?
RR: I've already written a project for Axel featuring one of Marvel's big-gun characters, that's being painted by Essad Ribic; it should be out next year. And I'll very likely be writing another ongoing monthly as well, featuring a character who's gained some new visibility thanks to Hollywood; possibly that project might even be announced by the time people read this.
TO: In terms of the Essad Ribic collaboration, you two once worked together a few years back on the Vertigo miniseries, 4 Horsemen. How did you two end up together again, had you just been both looking for the right project for both of you?
RR: Axel Alonso paired us up on that book, just as it was Axel who reunited us for the Marvel project. I'm excited about working with Essad again because this time out, I knew his work much more intimately, and was able to write for his strengths. I've seen some of the completed pages, and they're eye-poppers. Just gorgeous.
TO: For those unfamiliar with Ribic's work, can you recommend other works of his to seek out while we wait for the release of this new project?
RR: Well, 4 Horsemen, obviously. I humbly consider that his best work to date, and it's not too hard to find back issues.
TO: Why do you think folks should check out your Elektra run?
RR: It's a purely visceral experience, a blood-and-guts roller coaster ride. With a little gallows humor and some real-world verisimilitude. And it's drawn by Sean Chen!
