Independent comics maven teams up with STAR WARS artist to tackle the superhero archetype

Writer-publisher Larry Young announced that he has tapped STAR WARS artist Brandon McKinney for art duties on the upcoming 72-page original graphic novel PLANET OF THE CAPES to be published this spring by Young’s publishing house, AiT/Planet Lar.

"I was on the phone with X-Men and Superman writer Joe Casey, who was trying, in his good-natured way, to convince me to try my hand at a superhero book," Young said. "About the time I finished saying, ‘Joe, man, I don’t have anything to say about superheroes,’ the whole idea for PLANET OF THE CAPES just whooshed into my head."

Editor Mimi Rosenheim set up STAR WARS artist Brandon McKinney with the project. "We’ve known Brandon for a while, but Larry hadn’t been able to come up with the perfect project for him. I think it’s because he’s used to thinking of Brandon as the guy who did the CHAINSAW BOB animated shorts for the Spike and Mike Animation Festival and for the Converse and Foot Locker television spots," said Rosenheim. "I think of him as the artist on the Chronicle Books STAR WARS adaptations, so when Larry was trying to think of an artist who might enjoy his take on superheroes, I suggested Brandon right away."

Fortunately, McKinney’s schedule was opening up, and coincidentally he was looking for just such a gig. "You can look at PLANET OF THE CAPES, on one level, as a sixty-six page fight scene, sure," said McKinney, "but on another level, it’s Larry and I commenting on the comic book industry in general. Each one of the main characters represents one of the familiar superhero archetypes, but they also represent certain factions of the comic book industry, too. It’s a layered thing. No matter how you hold it up to the light, it’s an enjoyable book."

"I’m just looking forward to having this bad boy on my shelf," said Young. "I get to write what happens to a strange visitor from another planet, a dark and brooding super-patriot, a rampaging monster of destruction, and an interdimensional princess and what happens to them when they find themselves in need of the sort of help that only superheroes can provide. It’s a stab at the presently-ingrained superhero archetypes without any of the intrigue of corporate intercession. It’s big, vital, undiluted comic books, straight from our brains to yours."

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