Archive interview with Rob Williams - new Robo comic writer

[Archive]

RoboCop teaming up with other comic characters and robo still searching for his lost humanity? Read Rob Williams answers as the Archive talk to the new RoboCop writer from Dynamite Comics.

Issue 1 is released late January 2010.





RoboCop has been subject to much abuse along the years with bland TV series and silly animated shows. Why do you think it has been so difficult to make new serious RoboCop stories that doesn't make fun of the character? Was it difficult to write a Robo story and not have it turn out... silly?

Oh, I don't know, I think a degree of silly is probably healthy. There's plenty of comedy in the original movie. It's as much a satire as it is an action movie. It's all about getting the balance right, which I hope we've done. I do think though that it's important not to make fun of the central character. The name Robocop may be fairly silly in essence but there's a man inside that suit - Officer Murphy. If you don't find the humanity in the central character and respond to his hopes and fears, then you're in trouble.



Some years ago RoboCop did battle with The terminator in a pretty successful comic crossover title. What are your thoughts on RoboCop teaming up with other comic characters like Darkman, Ash and so on? Would that work with RoboCop or just cheese it up too much?

There's no reason why that can't work, it just depends on who he'd be teaming with and how easy and organic the concept of the team-up seems to the reader. If you can virtually hear the crowbar when you're justifying why Robocop is unexpectedly meeting up with Batman/Darth Vader/Newman from Seinfeld, then that comic would probably be doomed from the off. Good writing can probably make it work, within reason.



The ending to RoboCop1 is considered a "happy ending" although technically Murphy has nowhere to go. The only good thing that happened is that Murphy now remembers who is is. How do you address this in the new comic? Is Robo a happy camper or still a poor soul trapped in metal body?

He's a poor soul trapped in a metal body. Absolutely. The guy got his limbs blown off and was left for dead and then had his body experimented on. He's lost his family, the ability to feel another human being. He's a horror show. He may be a far more balanced Murphy when we join him - he's accepted his role as a cop in the Detroit Police Department - but when you're looking for the thing a character wants more than anything, that's not difficult to work out where Murphy's concerned.



The marvel comic put a lot of effort on emotional "human" scenes while the Dark Horse titles choose to focus on action. What is your mix in this new comic? Will Robo still search for his humanity while blowing shit up?

Absolutely. I'm not really interested in telling a story where we couldn't care less for the central character's hopes and fears. Stuff does get shot and blown up. A LOT, but you've got to actually care about the guy we're following through this story. That said, if this was pages and pages of Murphy going "boo hoo, my family" I think readers would run for the hills. Again, it's all about getting the balance right.



In you story, what does the general public think Robocop is? Do they think he's a pure robot, or a guy wearing a suit of armor?

I don't think they particularly care, to be honest. In our story the streets of Old Detroit are in an even worse state than they were in Verhoeven's movie. The economy's screwed, shops are shutting, there's no money to buy food, crime's at an apocalyptic level. Society is crumbling. Robocop is, to the public, just another cop, I think. He's the least of their concerns.



Did any of you touch on the idea of Robocop as a Christ symbol at all? Supposedly that's what drew Verhoeven to the original film. Are there any biblical allusions in the comic?

I saw that on the Making Of documentary on the DVD an thought it a somewhat eccentric view. You can see what Verhoeven's getting at though. Murphy's killed and then resurrected. Not sure about the rest of the Christ story though. I think, if you've seen Verhoeven's movies, you'll appreciate that they can be a little out there. That's what makes him such a unique voice - his being bonkers made Robocop the movie it was. I can't say there's Biblical allusions in our story.



There's some debate if the "Old man" is a good or bad guy in RoboCop1. What is your view on this and will he appear in the comic?

Ah, that would be telling. He seems vaguely kindly, doesn't he? But anyone would compared to Dick Jones. And you don't get to be in charge of a company like OCP without a degree of ruthlessness. He fired Jones pretty swiftly and brutally, didn't he?



** Coming next: Interview with Dynamite comics.
Can we expect crossovers? Will they release all the old comics in a near future? Stay tuned!

[Joined]

RoboCop teaming up with other comic characters and robo still searching for his lost humanity? Read Rob Williams answers as the Archive talk to the new RoboCop writer from Dynamite Comics.

Issue 1 is released late January 2010.





RoboCop has been subject to much abuse along the years with bland TV series and silly animated shows. Why do you think it has been so difficult to make new serious RoboCop stories that doesn't make fun of the character? Was it difficult to write a Robo story and not have it turn out... silly?

Oh, I don't know, I think a degree of silly is probably healthy. There's plenty of comedy in the original movie. It's as much a satire as it is an action movie. It's all about getting the balance right, which I hope we've done. I do think though that it's important not to make fun of the central character. The name Robocop may be fairly silly in essence but there's a man inside that suit - Officer Murphy. If you don't find the humanity in the central character and respond to his hopes and fears, then you're in trouble.



Some years ago RoboCop did battle with The terminator in a pretty successful comic crossover title. What are your thoughts on RoboCop teaming up with other comic characters like Darkman, Ash and so on? Would that work with RoboCop or just cheese it up too much?

There's no reason why that can't work, it just depends on who he'd be teaming with and how easy and organic the concept of the team-up seems to the reader. If you can virtually hear the crowbar when you're justifying why Robocop is unexpectedly meeting up with Batman/Darth Vader/Newman from Seinfeld, then that comic would probably be doomed from the off. Good writing can probably make it work, within reason.



The ending to RoboCop1 is considered a "happy ending" although technically Murphy has nowhere to go. The only good thing that happened is that Murphy now remembers who is is. How do you address this in the new comic? Is Robo a happy camper or still a poor soul trapped in metal body?

He's a poor soul trapped in a metal body. Absolutely. The guy got his limbs blown off and was left for dead and then had his body experimented on. He's lost his family, the ability to feel another human being. He's a horror show. He may be a far more balanced Murphy when we join him - he's accepted his role as a cop in the Detroit Police Department - but when you're looking for the thing a character wants more than anything, that's not difficult to work out where Murphy's concerned.



The marvel comic put a lot of effort on emotional "human" scenes while the Dark Horse titles choose to focus on action. What is your mix in this new comic? Will Robo still search for his humanity while blowing shit up?

Absolutely. I'm not really interested in telling a story where we couldn't care less for the central character's hopes and fears. Stuff does get shot and blown up. A LOT, but you've got to actually care about the guy we're following through this story. That said, if this was pages and pages of Murphy going "boo hoo, my family" I think readers would run for the hills. Again, it's all about getting the balance right.



In you story, what does the general public think Robocop is? Do they think he's a pure robot, or a guy wearing a suit of armor?

I don't think they particularly care, to be honest. In our story the streets of Old Detroit are in an even worse state than they were in Verhoeven's movie. The economy's screwed, shops are shutting, there's no money to buy food, crime's at an apocalyptic level. Society is crumbling. Robocop is, to the public, just another cop, I think. He's the least of their concerns.



Did any of you touch on the idea of Robocop as a Christ symbol at all? Supposedly that's what drew Verhoeven to the original film. Are there any biblical allusions in the comic?

I saw that on the Making Of documentary on the DVD an thought it a somewhat eccentric view. You can see what Verhoeven's getting at though. Murphy's killed and then resurrected. Not sure about the rest of the Christ story though. I think, if you've seen Verhoeven's movies, you'll appreciate that they can be a little out there. That's what makes him such a unique voice - his being bonkers made Robocop the movie it was. I can't say there's Biblical allusions in our story.



There's some debate if the "Old man" is a good or bad guy in RoboCop1. What is your view on this and will he appear in the comic?

Ah, that would be telling. He seems vaguely kindly, doesn't he? But anyone would compared to Dick Jones. And you don't get to be in charge of a company like OCP without a degree of ruthlessness. He fired Jones pretty swiftly and brutally, didn't he?



** Coming next: Interview with Dynamite comics.
Can we expect crossovers? Will they release all the old comics in a near future? Stay tuned!

[Post Count]

RoboCop teaming up with other comic characters and robo still searching for his lost humanity? Read Rob Williams answers as the Archive talk to the new RoboCop writer from Dynamite Comics.

Issue 1 is released late January 2010.





RoboCop has been subject to much abuse along the years with bland TV series and silly animated shows. Why do you think it has been so difficult to make new serious RoboCop stories that doesn't make fun of the character? Was it difficult to write a Robo story and not have it turn out... silly?

Oh, I don't know, I think a degree of silly is probably healthy. There's plenty of comedy in the original movie. It's as much a satire as it is an action movie. It's all about getting the balance right, which I hope we've done. I do think though that it's important not to make fun of the central character. The name Robocop may be fairly silly in essence but there's a man inside that suit - Officer Murphy. If you don't find the humanity in the central character and respond to his hopes and fears, then you're in trouble.



Some years ago RoboCop did battle with The terminator in a pretty successful comic crossover title. What are your thoughts on RoboCop teaming up with other comic characters like Darkman, Ash and so on? Would that work with RoboCop or just cheese it up too much?

There's no reason why that can't work, it just depends on who he'd be teaming with and how easy and organic the concept of the team-up seems to the reader. If you can virtually hear the crowbar when you're justifying why Robocop is unexpectedly meeting up with Batman/Darth Vader/Newman from Seinfeld, then that comic would probably be doomed from the off. Good writing can probably make it work, within reason.



The ending to RoboCop1 is considered a "happy ending" although technically Murphy has nowhere to go. The only good thing that happened is that Murphy now remembers who is is. How do you address this in the new comic? Is Robo a happy camper or still a poor soul trapped in metal body?

He's a poor soul trapped in a metal body. Absolutely. The guy got his limbs blown off and was left for dead and then had his body experimented on. He's lost his family, the ability to feel another human being. He's a horror show. He may be a far more balanced Murphy when we join him - he's accepted his role as a cop in the Detroit Police Department - but when you're looking for the thing a character wants more than anything, that's not difficult to work out where Murphy's concerned.



The marvel comic put a lot of effort on emotional "human" scenes while the Dark Horse titles choose to focus on action. What is your mix in this new comic? Will Robo still search for his humanity while blowing shit up?

Absolutely. I'm not really interested in telling a story where we couldn't care less for the central character's hopes and fears. Stuff does get shot and blown up. A LOT, but you've got to actually care about the guy we're following through this story. That said, if this was pages and pages of Murphy going "boo hoo, my family" I think readers would run for the hills. Again, it's all about getting the balance right.



In you story, what does the general public think Robocop is? Do they think he's a pure robot, or a guy wearing a suit of armor?

I don't think they particularly care, to be honest. In our story the streets of Old Detroit are in an even worse state than they were in Verhoeven's movie. The economy's screwed, shops are shutting, there's no money to buy food, crime's at an apocalyptic level. Society is crumbling. Robocop is, to the public, just another cop, I think. He's the least of their concerns.



Did any of you touch on the idea of Robocop as a Christ symbol at all? Supposedly that's what drew Verhoeven to the original film. Are there any biblical allusions in the comic?

I saw that on the Making Of documentary on the DVD an thought it a somewhat eccentric view. You can see what Verhoeven's getting at though. Murphy's killed and then resurrected. Not sure about the rest of the Christ story though. I think, if you've seen Verhoeven's movies, you'll appreciate that they can be a little out there. That's what makes him such a unique voice - his being bonkers made Robocop the movie it was. I can't say there's Biblical allusions in our story.



There's some debate if the "Old man" is a good or bad guy in RoboCop1. What is your view on this and will he appear in the comic?

Ah, that would be telling. He seems vaguely kindly, doesn't he? But anyone would compared to Dick Jones. And you don't get to be in charge of a company like OCP without a degree of ruthlessness. He fired Jones pretty swiftly and brutally, didn't he?



** Coming next: Interview with Dynamite comics.
Can we expect crossovers? Will they release all the old comics in a near future? Stay tuned!

[Edd 209]

Nice interview, Archive, well done! And next an interview with Dynamite, cool!

Did you get a privilieged sneek preview of any more artwork or story?

This series sounds like it's really on track!

I'm still hoping for no crossovers!
Robo to me is a one man show, put him with someone else and the focus has gone. Or to me it signifys they have run out of Robo ideas or they want to cash in on their other characters!
Though I did enjoy RvsT, as Robo was the main good guy focus! But that has been done now, what more can be added?
_________________
Roobocop // The future of Australian justice...

[Joined]

Nice interview, Archive, well done! And next an interview with Dynamite, cool!

Did you get a privilieged sneek preview of any more artwork or story?

This series sounds like it's really on track!

I'm still hoping for no crossovers!
Robo to me is a one man show, put him with someone else and the focus has gone. Or to me it signifys they have run out of Robo ideas or they want to cash in on their other characters!
Though I did enjoy RvsT, as Robo was the main good guy focus! But that has been done now, what more can be added?
_________________
Roobocop // The future of Australian justice...

[Post Count]

Nice interview, Archive, well done! And next an interview with Dynamite, cool!

Did you get a privilieged sneek preview of any more artwork or story?

This series sounds like it's really on track!

I'm still hoping for no crossovers!
Robo to me is a one man show, put him with someone else and the focus has gone. Or to me it signifys they have run out of Robo ideas or they want to cash in on their other characters!
Though I did enjoy RvsT, as Robo was the main good guy focus! But that has been done now, what more can be added?
_________________
Roobocop // The future of Australian justice...

[Comment]

Nice interview, Archive, well done! And next an interview with Dynamite, cool!

Did you get a privilieged sneek preview of any more artwork or story?

This series sounds like it's really on track!

I'm still hoping for no crossovers!
Robo to me is a one man show, put him with someone else and the focus has gone. Or to me it signifys they have run out of Robo ideas or they want to cash in on their other characters!
Though I did enjoy RvsT, as Robo was the main good guy focus! But that has been done now, what more can be added?
_________________
Roobocop // The future of Australian justice...

[Stan The Man]

Great interview, Archive, those are all pretty good questions.. I like Williams' responses for the most part. I'm glad he's trying to emphasize balance in the story elements and so on. Sounds pretty good.

Now, I'm undecided about a crossover with some other character - it could be a fun change of pace at some point. I understand Edd's concerns though.

I doubt a crossover will happen for a while, if at all, so I'm not worried much either way on that point.

Again, great interview, and I look forward to the next.
_________________
I don't wanna pay that, PhotoBucket. Now maybe you haven't heard, but I'm the guy in old Archive. So hows about you just shit snow for a year and I'll figure out something else. Sayonara!

[Joined]

Great interview, Archive, those are all pretty good questions.. I like Williams' responses for the most part. I'm glad he's trying to emphasize balance in the story elements and so on. Sounds pretty good.

Now, I'm undecided about a crossover with some other character - it could be a fun change of pace at some point. I understand Edd's concerns though.

I doubt a crossover will happen for a while, if at all, so I'm not worried much either way on that point.

Again, great interview, and I look forward to the next.
_________________
I don't wanna pay that, PhotoBucket. Now maybe you haven't heard, but I'm the guy in old Archive. So hows about you just shit snow for a year and I'll figure out something else. Sayonara!

[Post Count]

Great interview, Archive, those are all pretty good questions.. I like Williams' responses for the most part. I'm glad he's trying to emphasize balance in the story elements and so on. Sounds pretty good.

Now, I'm undecided about a crossover with some other character - it could be a fun change of pace at some point. I understand Edd's concerns though.

I doubt a crossover will happen for a while, if at all, so I'm not worried much either way on that point.

Again, great interview, and I look forward to the next.
_________________
I don't wanna pay that, PhotoBucket. Now maybe you haven't heard, but I'm the guy in old Archive. So hows about you just shit snow for a year and I'll figure out something else. Sayonara!

[Comment]

Great interview, Archive, those are all pretty good questions.. I like Williams' responses for the most part. I'm glad he's trying to emphasize balance in the story elements and so on. Sounds pretty good.

Now, I'm undecided about a crossover with some other character - it could be a fun change of pace at some point. I understand Edd's concerns though.

I doubt a crossover will happen for a while, if at all, so I'm not worried much either way on that point.

Again, great interview, and I look forward to the next.
_________________
I don't wanna pay that, PhotoBucket. Now maybe you haven't heard, but I'm the guy in old Archive. So hows about you just shit snow for a year and I'll figure out something else. Sayonara!

[Mindchamber]

very fun interview. nice work

[Joined]

very fun interview. nice work

[Post Count]

very fun interview. nice work

[RoboPimp]

Good interview. I like where he's headed with this. I could be down with the crossovers...it just depends who.

[Joined]

Good interview. I like where he's headed with this. I could be down with the crossovers...it just depends who.

[Post Count]

Good interview. I like where he's headed with this. I could be down with the crossovers...it just depends who.

[Comment]

Good interview. I like where he's headed with this. I could be down with the crossovers...it just depends who.

[Philip17]

Finaly some good new about our hero

It is great to see that his opinion is similar to ours
_________________

When duty calls; you pay the price!
Join today!

[Joined]

Finaly some good new about our hero

It is great to see that his opinion is similar to ours
_________________

When duty calls; you pay the price!
Join today!

[Post Count]

Finaly some good new about our hero

It is great to see that his opinion is similar to ours
_________________

When duty calls; you pay the price!
Join today!

[Comment]

Finaly some good new about our hero

It is great to see that his opinion is similar to ours
_________________

When duty calls; you pay the price!
Join today!

[RoboDemise]

Wow... Awesome! This is fuckin sweet! How did this interview come about? Did you contact them or did they contact you?

[Joined]

Wow... Awesome! This is fuckin sweet! How did this interview come about? Did you contact them or did they contact you?

[Post Count]

Wow... Awesome! This is fuckin sweet! How did this interview come about? Did you contact them or did they contact you?

[Comment]

Wow... Awesome! This is fuckin sweet! How did this interview come about? Did you contact them or did they contact you?

[Archive]

[Joined]

[Post Count]

[Nika Silwerra]

Hey good news ! I cannot wait to know more !

Also thanks for the interview .. You asked the right and good questions .. so now we know probably everything what we wanted to know !

Also is good to know they are preparing really good thing with old good Robocop very close to the first two films !

thanks guys !

[Joined]

Hey good news ! I cannot wait to know more !

Also thanks for the interview .. You asked the right and good questions .. so now we know probably everything what we wanted to know !

Also is good to know they are preparing really good thing with old good Robocop very close to the first two films !

thanks guys !

[Post Count]

Hey good news ! I cannot wait to know more !

Also thanks for the interview .. You asked the right and good questions .. so now we know probably everything what we wanted to know !

Also is good to know they are preparing really good thing with old good Robocop very close to the first two films !

thanks guys !

[Comment]

Hey good news ! I cannot wait to know more !

Also thanks for the interview .. You asked the right and good questions .. so now we know probably everything what we wanted to know !

Also is good to know they are preparing really good thing with old good Robocop very close to the first two films !

thanks guys !

[RoboFan_93]

Great interview. It looks like the guy really knows what he's doing and that's what we're all hoping for I guess.
Can't wait for the comic. And contests, huh? Sounds fine to me!
_________________
Anything you post can be used against you!

[Joined]

Great interview. It looks like the guy really knows what he's doing and that's what we're all hoping for I guess.
Can't wait for the comic. And contests, huh? Sounds fine to me!
_________________
Anything you post can be used against you!

[Post Count]

Great interview. It looks like the guy really knows what he's doing and that's what we're all hoping for I guess.
Can't wait for the comic. And contests, huh? Sounds fine to me!
_________________
Anything you post can be used against you!

[Comment]

Great interview. It looks like the guy really knows what he's doing and that's what we're all hoping for I guess.
Can't wait for the comic. And contests, huh? Sounds fine to me!
_________________
Anything you post can be used against you!

[RoboDemise]

[Joined]

[Post Count]

[Comment]

[Edd 209]

[Joined]

[Post Count]

[Comment]

[jamarmiller]

cant wait for this book to come out, really looking forward to reading Robo again

[Joined]

cant wait for this book to come out, really looking forward to reading Robo again

[Post Count]

cant wait for this book to come out, really looking forward to reading Robo again

[murphy38]

Very good news really,
nice Work Archive

Murphy38.

[Joined]

Very good news really,
nice Work Archive

Murphy38.

[Post Count]

Very good news really,
nice Work Archive

Murphy38.