Writer Matteo Pizzolo discusses his radical new series
The presidency of Donald Trump has certainly been eventful so far.
The country has rarely felt so divided.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This story definitely feels like a product of the Trump era.
Credit: Black Mask Studios
What kind of real-world experiences inspired this story?
We were initially putting this all together last year.
Youre right though, its become very much a product of the Trump era and weve embraced that.
Black Mask Studios
The real-world experience that most inspired it is an unlikely one: the California drought.
And I realize thats a bit of a local story but I think the experience rings universal.
It was a chilling image.
Black Mask Studios
The thought of having to rely on the federal government for something like water was scary a year ago.
In 2017, its downright terrifying.
But it can also be inspiring to recognize our interdependence and get past political vitriol to work together.
Black Mask Studios
So Californias sense of itself as semi-sovereign is deep in its DNA.
So the governor in Sacramento responds by refusing to enforce the law, proclaiming California a Sanctuary State.
What happens after that?
Black Mask Studios
The state itself fractures and plunges into civil war.
Immigration law is as contentious within California as it is throughout the rest of the country, after all.
We dont pretend to be experts on the subject, but it certainly weighs on our minds heavily.
And from there we avoid doing direct political commentary.
Its peppered here and there, but we try and devote our efforts to serving the story and characters.
By the end of the first issue, Zora has emerged as a badass resistance leader.
Shes been elevated to a leadership position in the resistance because of her force of will and fearlessness.
The art here is really spectacular.
What would you say Amancay Nahuelpan brings to the story?
Amancay is flexing totally new muscles here, and I think what hes doing is just astonishing.
Hes doing work with these characters here that I just find stunning.
So expect bold but complex heroes who are willing to look fascism in the face and challenge it.
