Interview with Peter David on Fallen Angel: Reborn

[Stephanie]

Fallen Angel creator Peter David knows how to handle the writer's pen. He recently agreed to step away from the fictional worlds he's created to answer some of our questions on the upcoming Angel/Fallen Angel crossover, Reborn—dishing on the crossover's welcomed star, Illyria, and what we can expect to see in the comic.

Impulse Creations: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions, Peter! It’s an honor to be able to talk with such a well-versed writer like you. You’ve tackled novels, short stories, screenplays, comics … What makes a comic like Fallen Angel so special, especially considering everything you’ve done before?

Peter David: It's the only ongoing series in which I'm solely in charge of determining the fates of all the characters. If I decide that someone is going to die or become pregnant or get married or shake up the status quo or what-have-you, I don't have to write a memo pleading my case or convince a group of editors that it's the right thing to do. It goes straight from imagination onto the script page.

Impulse: For our readers who aren’t up-to-date with Fallen Angel, can you a little talk about what has been going on in Bete Noire recently?

Preview art from Fallen Angel: Reborn

David: Bete Noire just came out the other side of a major war for control of the City that Shapes the World. The Fallen Angel's side won, but not without a price: Her son, Jude, who was once the Magistrate, is now horribly disfigured and has taken up residence at Furor's, the Angel's former haunt. There he serves as a court of last resort for the truly desperate. The Fallen Angel, meanwhile, is now the Magistrate of Bete Noire. She's now in charge, which for her is almost sort of a living death. It's the one thing she never wanted.

Impulse: You and IDW Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall approached Joss Whedon about incorporating Illyria into the upcoming four-part storyline, Reborn. What inspired you to want to bring in a character from an entirely different creative world, and what sort of role will she have? What makes Illyria perfect for the part?

David: There aren't a lot of characters from other universes who would fit into Bete Noire without a hitch, but Illyria is definitely one of them. Just as our protagonist is a fallen angel, Illyria has likewise been cast down from a position of power. In many ways, they have a lot in common ... which almost guarantees that they will take an instant dislike to each other.

Impulse: Whedon’s world in Angel and Bete Noire are two entirely different realities. Even though Reborn unfolds during Angel’s fifth season—when Illyria lost most of her powers—will Illyria’s history (and we mean history) of traveling across dimensions and worlds have anything to do with her appearance in Fallen Angel? How will she become involved?

David: I actually used a device that we saw in Angel, in a second season episode where he steps into an elevator at Wolfram and Hart that's intended to bring him to "the home office." That elevator shows up at the beginning of this series as well, except it's not a member of the Senior Partners. Instead it's a member of the Hierarchy, the mysterious overseers of Bete Noire, who take an interest in Illyria because they believe she can be of use to them against Liandra. And we just kind of go from there.

Illyria from IDW's Angel comics

Impulse: I’ve heard you’re a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, so it must be quite an experience for Whedon to allow you to take the reins on Illyria for several issues of your own comic. What went through your head when you received the green-light, and does writing Illyria into a fresh setting present a unique challenge?

David: Well, keep in mind that I'm not exactly a stranger to the Whedonverse. I wrote a Spike one shot, a Spike limited series, and a one-shot with Illyria as well. I didn't see putting her into Bete Noire as a challenge, because frankly I thought she'd be a great fit for the city from the get-go. I mean, Harmony wouldn't have worked particularly well. But there is an ancient aspect to Bete Noire which I thought dovetailed beautifully with the essence of Illyria. The Angel isn't even the first person she encounters. Instead, as often happens with newcomers to Bete Noire, she encounters Benny. And she takes one look at him and recognizes him instantly, and he recognizes her, despite her different form. The moment he does, he turns around and runs like hell.

Impulse: Some readers might not be familiar with the Angel television show. How will you ease them into this new storyline?

David: I'm actually assuming that more people reading the limited series will be more familiar with Illyria than the Fallen Angel. That being said, the story is essentially told from Illyria's point-of-view. She is, after all, the one with the mission, the one who drives the story. So a lot of her background is presented in the first issue, including scenes from her fully demonic days that have never been depicted on television before. The closest we've ever seen is the illustration of her in a book; in Fallen Angel, we bring that illustration to life in a sort of preamble that's evocative of the first few minutes of the film of Lord of the Rings. So if you never read Lord of the Rings but had no problem following that film, you should be fine here for the same reason.

Impulse: Liandra is a very strong and determined character, and unlike many super-heroines in comics, she doesn’t strut around in a scantily clad costume. What made you decide to portray her this way, and do you feel it adds to her strength and her purpose in Bete Noire?

Illyria in Fallen Angel: Reborn

David: I wanted someone I could take seriously. I'm reminded of the words of Mark Twain who said, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have very little influence on society." I wanted the Fallen Angel to be mysterious and formidable and it's hard to do that if she's walking around with a size 42DD chest and clad in a thong. I wanted to make her as "real," as "down to earth" as possible. So I made sure she dressed in a concealing costume, and was built with modest proportions, and smoked too much and drank too much and cursed too much and had lousy taste in men. Amazingly, a lot of women find that easy to relate to.

Impulse: Illyria has a very distinct personality, as well. If she and Fallen Angel are going to interact, heads just might roll. How will they match up on the paneled page?

David: I admit that this time out, I do embrace the cliché and have them squaring off when they first meet. On the other hand, there really are genuine story reasons for it. As for who wins, if anyone, well ... let's just say they both get their licks in (in a non-sexual context).

Impulse: What made you decide to tell the Fallen Angel stories in comic book form?

David: The original notion of launching it came from a meeting between Dan Didio and myself in which I described the direction I wanted to take Supergirl, except we weren't going to be continuing SUPERGIRL. And he liked it enough to suggest that I reframe it as a brand new ongoing series. Things just kind of went from there.

Impulse: Is there anything you’d like to add about Fallen Angel: Reborn?

David: Buy lots of copies.

Well, you heard him. Pick up your multiple copies of Fallen Angel with the July premiere of the four-issue mini-series from IDW Publishing.