This awesome print by Joëlle Jones is available exclusively at SDCC!
If you love vintage-inspired artwork, female assassins, or just great comics in general, you’ve probably read Dark Horse’s awesome limited series, Lady Killer, written and drawn by the super-talented Joëlle Jones and co-written by the equally super-talented Jamie S. Rich, which tells the story of an early 1960s housewife named Josie who fights suburban ennui by living a double life as a paid assassin. Yeah, it’s like that. Well, there’s great news coming out of SDCC today! At the Dark Horse panel, it was revealed that Lady Killer will be returning for a second story arc!
According to Dark Horse, here’s what we can expect from the next chapter in the life of Josie Schuller:
Josie Schuller, the picture-perfect homemaker, wife, mother, and ruthless killer, is now in business for herself. Her years as a homemaker haven’t made cleaning up these messes easy, and relocating to a new state hasn’t helped either. As a freelance assassin, Josie’s kills aren’t as glamorous as when she worked for the corporation, and the Florida mosquitos aren’t the only ones out for her blood.
We had the chance to speak with Lady Killer writer/artist, Joëlle Jones, about what inspired Lady Killer and what the future holds for our new favorite assassin housewife! And boy, is she good at being cryptic!
Teresa Jusino (TMS): I’m a huge fan of Kill Bill, so I love me some female assassins – but where did Lady Killer come from? Why did you choose to create a story about a female assassin, and why do you think it’s important to tell a story about a character like this, as opposed to a straight-up hero?
Joëlle Jones: The idea came from a love of vintage advertising and illustration from the 1940s through the 1960s. I really just wanted to create a story that would allow me to play in that world. I also grew up in a very traditional home where the women had very defined roles. Because of that, I have a lot of sympathy for a character that is forced to balance a duel nature.
TMS: Why make Lady Killer a period piece? How does that inform your storytelling?
Jones: Lady Killer was always a period piece. I could have easily set in in a current time period but I find the aesthetics boring and without the conflict of what was happening culturally for women and minorities at the time the story doesn’t play out as well.
TMS: The characters in Lady Killer, from Josie Schuller on down, seem to have a very strong German connection. Is there a reason for that?
Jones: Yes, but that’s a secret.
TMS: You’ve primarily been a comic artist up until now. What made you decide to write this script as well? And what was your experience like writing this? Is writing a comic something you’d do again?
Jones: I was never really interested in writing but I kept getting this itch to draw something different that never came. So I decided that I just had to write it myself. Since it was my first time writing and I felt a little shaky on my feet I brought in Jamie to assist in the process and show me the ropes.
As far as writing again, I don’t feel like I’m finished telling Josie’s story yet so I’ll keep going on that because I really am having a great time with it.
TMS: Speaking of “again,” Lady Killer‘s first story ends with the possibility of Josie going into business for herself – are we going to see that happen? Are we going to find out more about who she was working for in the first place? TELL US THINGS! But seriously, what can you tell us about the future of Lady Killer?
Jones: I’m not telling you anything! Ok. Just a little… The family has relocated to Florida and Josie has decided to go into business for herself. That’s it. That’s all I’m saying.
TMS: At The Mary Sue, we talk a lot about how we need more women’s voices in in the comics industry. From your perspective, what do you think needs to happen in order for there to be more women creating mainstream comics? Or do you think it’s more important for women to subvert mainstream comics rather than try to be a part of it?
Jones: I feel really positive about the direction that all comics seem to be taking. There are a myriad of voices creating compelling stories old and new. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
TMS: Who are some of your favorite comics artists and writers? Maybe people who aren’t getting the attention they deserve?
Jones: This is a pretty mean question, I could either make a long list of all the creators that I love or a shortened one that forces me to forget people. Let’s go for a shortened one.
All the artists I work with at Periscope Studio are fantastic and inspire me everyday, but outside that I love Amy Reeder, Stuart Immonen, Craig Thompson, Adam Hughes, Phil Noto, Terry Dodson, Travis Charest, Mike Allred… I really could keep going but I’m going to stop there.
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The second story arc for Lady Killer is due to drop in early 2016!
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