BLOOD FROM A STONE

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning squeeze a new Marvel star out of the past with BLOODSTONE

By Arnold T. Blumberg     October 22, 2001

This Halloween, it's dangerous to be a monster in the Marvel Universe. Ulysses Bloodstone, the monster hunter who cut a swath through the denizens of the dark in titles like MARVEL PRESENTS and that magazine, may be long dead, but he's left behind a successor his daughter Elsa! There's just one problem: Elsa doesn't know that her daddy used to tussle with terrifying creatures and protect the innocent from ghouls and goblins, but she's about to find out, courtesy of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. For these popular creators, who will also be tackling a new LEGION series for DC Comics, the lack of substantial continuity here is a welcome advantage.

"The new series pretty much starts off afresh," says Lanning. "Elsa inherits the mythos of the original Bloodstone series. There wasn't really that much of the original Bloodstone to become a fan of; a few appearances here and there as a background character and some stories in black and white magazines. But what's not to love about the concept of an immortal monster hunter armed with a double-barreled shotgun taking on a host of hideous creatures? Armed with that cool premise, we sought to give the series a spin for a modern, BUFFY/TOMB RAIDER/X-FILES lovin' audience."

"In today's market, Marvel are generally keener to develop existing Marvel characters than to create new ones out of whole cloth," adds Abnett. "[It's] hard when most of the obvious heroes have already been refitted. The villains and monster are the ones awaiting new handling, and by nature, they're harder to identify with or sympathize with. When we saw the list of monsters, we thought 'they're the stars...and the bad guys'. The fact that we could add a new hero to that mix and then connect that hero with past continuity sealed the deal with the guys at Marvel."

"I think there's a definite sense there, for older readers, that this is the successor to the past tales of Bloodstone senior," continues Abnett. "But we acknowledge that continuity is there rather than reviewing our way back through it. Looking backwards too much will bring a book to a dead stop, and when you're dealing with ancient monsters, there are plenty of 'past secrets' to reveal anyway."

While Bloodstone is fondly remembered by some Marvel aficionados with sharp memories, he was always at best a bit player. Abnett and Lanning hope that Elsa will connect with readers, but she too will be battling the dark forces on the fringes of the Marvel Universe, and won't be teaming up with Spider-Man or the Avengers any time soon.

"Marvel has a very well established 'supernatural' corner to its universe," says Lanning. "BLOODSTONE will be firmly rooted in that setting, but the tone of the book, rather than being dark and mysterious, is more irreverent and fun in a dark and mysterious way."

"Nothing in the miniseries will place it outside the Marvel Universe," says Abnett, "but I don't think this is the place for the obligatory Spidey guest-spot. Our guest stars tend to have long-term Marvel creds...and sharper teeth."

This is not to say that BLOODSTONE will lack the action and excitement fans have come to expect from other Marvel Universe titles. While Elsa will often stick to the shadows, she'll come out kicking every time.

We've hopefully got a balanced mix of both action and adventure," says Lanning, "with vampires, mummies and zombies running around all over the place and interesting and engaging characters delivering some sharp, witty dialogue."

Abnett concurs. "I'd like to think the emphasis is firmly on character. If we have action involving any of those characters, then...hurrah!"

There are countless horror titles emerging from every major comic book publisher, and even Marvel has another new monster-themed series waiting in the wings with the creator-owned NIGHTSIDE. Are we seeing a rebirth of the horror craze that swept across comics in the early '70s?

"Let's hope so!" says Lanning. "Recently, DC seems to have cornered the market on 'mature', supernatural and horror titles. It's well overdue for Marvel to start producing some titles in that genre, just like the heyday in the '70s. I'm a big fan of the black and white horror titles from the '70s with memorable characters like Simon Garth, Living Zombie; Satana; Gabriel the Exorcist; and Hellstrom. Let's hope that BLOODSTONE and its fellow titles can herald a resurgence of supernatural comics."

"I'd hope it harks back to the campness of the '70s Marvel horror books," concurs Abnett. "Maybe with a "noughties" hint of post-modernism. Post-post modernism, maybe. Retro-ironic post-millennial monster-snaffling...OK, I'll shut up."

Perhaps Abnett is simply too excited to make sense, since BLOODSTONE is already being developed as a television series by Artisan, the company partly responsible for the 1999 indie horror sensation, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Will we soon be seeing Elsa's nose up close and personal on our TV screens?

"Unfortunately, we haven't got a clue about the TV series," says Lanning. Ah well. "Of course, we would love it if they reflected elements from the comic series- the book has a very 'conversational' feel to the script, which would lend itself to TV, and the miniseries' story arc is set up like a pilot to a TV show. We can dream."

As we have noted with other creators of recent horror titles, there's a unique social situation in this country today that may color the public's perception of and reaction to the horror genre. Yet, horror stories in all media appear to be growing in popularity. Perhaps the men behind BLOODSTONE can shed some light on this phenomenon.

"It's funny how certain climates, socially and politically, can generate popularity in one genre or another," says Lanning. "The conservative '50s heralded the rise and fall of EC comics. The Nixon/Ford years gave us the pulp-style black and white magazines and the DC supernatural titles like HOUSE OF SECRETS and SWAMP THING in the '70s. The Reagan/Thatcher years of the '80s brought us the Clive Barkerverse and the resurrection of Swamp Thing. What all this means and the correlation between a conservative socio-political climate is totally beyond me, but it's a band wagon we're willing to jump on and ride into the ground!"

So much for philosophical insight. Abnett offers a much briefer but no less potent reason for the public's love of a horror story.

"No matter what the age, every one loves a good joke and a good scare," says Abnett. Lanning certainly agrees.

"For my part, I've always loved horror novels, comics and movies and jumped at the chance to produce one for the new millennium- even if its fangs are firmly in cheek!" says Lanning.

There's just one last question. The Bloodstones, as with many other comic book characters, are linked to a powerful crystal from which much mystery and power emanates. The Marvel Universe in particular is just lousy with crystals, from the Bloodstone to John Jameson's werewolf-transforming stone to the Soul Gems and beyond. What is it with all these crystals? Let's go to the experts.

"Search me," says Lanning. Damn. "Maybe it's just lazy writers who, presented with creating a new all-powerful mystical talisman, stare at a blank computer screen for an hour or so and finally plump for the old stand-by: the all-powerful crystal!"

"You mean you don't derive your life-power from a mystical crystal?" says Abnett. "Gee, I thought everyone did..."