PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Rob Williams talks resurrecting Project Superpowers for the present day
Uniting Golden Age heroes from the likes of Fox Comics and Crestwood, Rob Williams’ relaunch of Project Superpowers takes place very much in the here and now. Illustrated by Sergio Davila, the series begins with a special 10-cent issue zero.
“The historic properties aspect is fun, as it gives you the challenge of making some characters relevant again,” Williams tells Red Alert. “That’s a big theme: do these characters have resonance with modern times?”
Having been established by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger in 2008, the team was reinvented by Warren Ellis for 2015’s Project Superpowers: Blackcross. “The cast of the Ross stuff is huge, so we’re streamlining the line-up initially and adding more,” explains Williams, whose opening roster includes Masquerade, The Death Defying Devil, Scarab and Green Lama.
“There’s also the Spirit of the American Flag, who may have a new host. They’re a strong, fun mix in terms of gender and race. This is really trying to be Project Superpowers for 2018.”
It begins with Green Lama – described as “our mystic character” – being contacted by The Death Defying Devil. “But the Devil’s host disappeared long ago, so how can his suit be alive by itself?” teases Williams. “The Lama is taken on a journey through Project Superpowers’ past, which brings new readers up to speed before showing them a terrifying future. It’s going to be up to the team to stop that vision coming to pass, so expect some mystery, foreboding and some good-quality punching!”
And don’t expect too many nods to previous adventures. “We’re approaching this like a brand new jumping-on point,” insists Williams. “There’s a threat, which the team comes together to face. It’s meant to be a celebration of superheroics – I mean, look at the title!” SJ