Recently, Philip got a chance to chat to Nicole Andelfinger, the writer of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance tie in comic from Boom Studios / Archaia Entertainment to talk about how Nicole got involved with the tie-in comic, how she discovered The Dark Crystal and much more.
This article contains mild spoilers from Issue 1.
How did you discover The Dark Crystal?
As a huge Henson fan as a kid, I first found The Dark Crystal when I was really young. Unfortunately, the first time I tried to watch it the Skeksis scared me! I ended up revisiting it when I was older and falling in love with it then. By that point I was an avid reader and the themes in The Dark Crystal scratched every itch I had for not only an underdog tale but also a world of barely touched on potential.
What’s it been like being involved with IP such as ‘The Dark Crystal‘ with the tie-in comic to ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance‘ and how you got on board on the project?
The world of The Dark Crystal is so broad and the IP so iconic that there’s always a bit of nerves that come with working on something of this scale; especially considering the fact that new, never before seen content was coming down the pipeline. But like any IP where world building is at the forefront, the process is collaborative. It’s been an absolute treat being involved and getting to take stories from concept to finish as things ALWAYS change! And as for how I got on board? Sometimes you just get lucky!
How much access were you able to have with the show in preparation for the tie in comics with writing the series?
I was kindly given access to a large number of resources well before the show aired. I think I spent a good four or five days going over the material; it was that expansive! And also that absorbing. I’d come home after work eager to read and reread…it was so hard to wait for the show to come out after that! Reading material and looking at photos is one thing, but getting to see it on screen? It’s a whole different kind of magic.
How involved were Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews on the tie-in comic and how does that process work? Do they give you a run down of the story and you write it all out.
Jeff and Will provided the outline for the series. Which is always extremely helpful, especially considering that the story I was involved in revolved around a few pretty crucial ancillary characters and objects in the show. Like any outline and story, however, things change. Some elements were left for me to figure out how to best show on a page and then refined through advice, review, and of course some idea bouncing! Each step of creating a comic often means tweaking to ensure the story is represented as well as it can be; from script to final layout.
Was it a collaboration between Jeff, Will and you?
Jeff and Will came in with the story they wanted told but polishing what came of that idea was most definitely a collaboration between us, Matias, and the folks at BOOM! Studios.
We see in Issue 1 that we get to see Ordon’s wife Shoni, who was first featured in J.M. Lee’s ‘Song of The Dark Crystal‘, and was a great nod referencing other Dark Crystal stories. Will we possible see more of that in future issues?
I absolutely adore Shoni and I’d love to see a one-shot of her! (Hint hint…) This series mostly deals with elements of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance however. Those who have binged the new Netflix show will most definitely see references to things touched on within there. Though I like to think that this series, and the others being published, will just provide more fuel for hopeful future installments!
Thank you so much for chatting with me and looking forward to continuing reading more issues of the comics.
Issue 1 of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is now available in comic book stores or digitally on Comixology.com