Off the Record...

You've heard of the Wachowski, Farrelly and Cohen Brothers in the movies and the Righteous, Gallagher, and Allman Brothers in music... but move over Andy and Adam Kubert, because there's a new set of brothers taking comics by storm. Jonathan and Joshua Luna's first collaboration, ULTRA, was a hit for Image Comics, and GIRLS #1 is now in its fourth printing. With their current work with Marvel, SPIDER-WOMAN: THE ORIGIN, hitting the stands, it won't be long before everyone in the comic world knows the "Luna Brothers."

CBEtc: Which brother is the oldest?

JOSHUA: Jon.

CBEtc: Who is the trouble maker?

JONATHAN: Neither, I think. We’re pretty chill guys.

CBEtc: You both attended the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Did you attend and graduate the same time?

JOSHUA: We attended the same time but only for two years--I was a freshman when he was a junior.

CBEtc: Both of you studied to be artists. Yet, in your current series, GIRLS, like your earlier project together, ULTRA, one gets more credit for writing and the other more for the art. How did that come about?

JONATHAN: Josh has side work, and art takes much more time, so I did it by default. If Josh had more time, it would probably be him doing the art.

CBEtc: GIRLS, published through Image Comics, has been a hit for you guys, with #1 now on its fourth printing and #2 on its third printing. Why do you think it has done so well?

JOSHUA: I have no idea. You never really know when something will resonate with an audience, but it’s not something we actively set out to do. We just tell our stories the best way we can, have fun doing it, and let the chips fall. When people enjoy our work, it’s really an amazing reward.

CBEtc: I find it difficult to describe GIRLS to potential readers without giving too much away and still do it justice. For the readers who haven't picked it up yet, how do you describe the series?

JOSHUA: I try not to give too much away myself. I just call it the "ultimate battle of the sexes." It sounds like such a cheesy high concept line, but sometimes you just need to keep it short and sweet, and hopefully spark some interest. Opposed to me blathering away and putting everyone to sleep. [Laughs]

CBEtc: Talk about how Brian Michael Bendis recruited you to do SPIDER-WOMAN: ORIGIN mini-series.

JONATHAN: Brian was looking for an artist for an unannounced project on his board one day, and pages and pages of recommendations were posted. One of them said "Luna Brothers", and so Brian called me and asked if I wanted to illustrate SPIDER-WOMAN. It took time to figure out if I could pencil, color, and ink two books a month, but I eventually accepted the project.

CBEtc: What can you tell fans about SPIDER-WOMAN: ORIGIN?

JONATHAN: From what I can see, this origin story is going to show SPIDER-WOMAN like you’ve never seen her before. It’s a lot of fun, and very classic. I feel that it could be made into a film and be just as powerful as X-MEN or SPIDER-MAN.

CBEtc: Will there be any naked girls running around?

JONATHAN: Maybe. Maybe not. [Laughs]

CBEtc: With your work being mostly creator-owned projects published through Image Comics, how is it different taking on the art duties for Marvel's SPIDER-WOMAN: ORIGIN?

JONATHAN: It’s pretty much the same. I’m given a good amount of freedom. I just have to communicate with much more people.

CBEtc: ULTRA was a smash success both critically and in sales, which is certainly far from the norm for people breaking into the business. It was well thought out and executed, in terms of concept, pace and style. Was this an idea you both had while in school?

"When I was working on the cover to ULTRA, I wanted to show that Pearl was this icon - everyone knew her. So, I used Time magazine. It’s such a great fit. Then, we said, 'Why not do all the covers like this?'

JOSHUA: No. ULTRA definitely wasn’t an epic, grand opus we’ve been planning since utero or anything. Actually, the story was barely fleshed out when we submitted the first five sample pages to Image. It had structure and plot points of course, but at times, it was a very organic process. We took a basic concept, threw in these crazy elements and just ran with it. I really enjoyed the randomness of the story.

CBEtc: One aspect that made ULTRA stand out right away was how the covers parodied mainstream magazine covers. Who's idea was it to do that?

JONATHAN: When I was working on the cover to ULTRA, I wanted to show that Pearl was this icon - everyone knew her. So, I used Time magazine. It’s such a great fit. Then, we said, "Why not do all the covers like this?"

CBEtc: Do you have a favorite?

JONATHAN: My favorite is probably the Rolling Stone parody (ULTRA #4). It’s dynamic.

CBEtc: In you short professional careers, strong-willed female characters seem to be a common theme. Were both of you influenced by someone like that in your life?

JONATHAN: Not really. Female characters just tend to be more emotive and sensitive to conflict. Either sex is really a lot of fun to tell stories with.

CBEtc: Joshua, looking at the sketches on your website, it looks like you are the dark humor influence we see in ULTRA and GIRLS. Is there anything Jonathan convinced you to keep out of either series, or vise versa?

JOSHUA: For the most part, we’re on the same page. There will always be some over the top elements in our work, offset by the more subtle, quiet moments. Variety’s the spice of life—it keeps it entertaining. But yeah, it’s always nice to have someone rein me in from time to time.

CBEtc: Any other projects coming up in the future?

JOSHUA: Nothing we can talk about just yet. Sorry.

Okay, now is the time for the "2099" portion of our interview. This is where we ask you 20 questions in 99 seconds. It’s basically an "either/or" type of response, but you can answer whatever first pops into your head.

Interiors or Covers:
JOSHUA: Interiors
JONATHAN: Interiors

Script or Plot:
JOSHUA: Script
JONATHAN: Plot

Late night or early day:
JOSHUA: Early day
JONATHAN: Late night

Play with toy or keep in box:
JOSHUA: Play with toy
JONATHAN: Play with toy

Fly or drive:
JOSHUA: Fly
JONATHAN: Fly

Spider-Woman - Armpit webs or clean shaven:
JOSHUA: Clean shaven
JONATHAN: Clean shaven

South Park or Simpsons:
JOSHUA: Simpsons
JONATHAN: Simpsons

Cell phone or E-mail:
JOSHUA: E-mail
JONATHAN: Cell phone

Sleep in or make deadline:
JOSHUA: Make deadline
JONATHAN: Make deadline

X-Box or Playstation:
JOSHUA: Playstation
JONATHAN: Playstation

For backgrounds - interiors or exteriors:
JOSHUA: Interiors
JONATHAN: Interiors

First print or trade paperback:
JOSHUA: First print
JONATHAN: Trade paperback

Tighter costume - Ultra or Spider-Woman:
JOSHUA: Spider-Woman
JONATHAN: Spider-Woman

Mac or PC:
JOSHUA: PC
JONATHAN: PC

Star Wars or Star Trek:
JOSHUA: Star Wars
JONATHAN: Star Wars

John or Paul:
JOSHUA: Elvis
JONATHAN: John

(If you were female) Locked in a room with one of the GIRLS or comic convention fanboys:
JOSHUA: Oh, geez
JONATHAN: Ditto

Squeeze from the middle or at the end:
JOSHUA: Tip
JONATHAN: At the end

Lou Ferigno or Adam West:
JOSHUA: Adam West!
JONATHAN: Adam West

Buffy or Vampirella:
JOSHUA: Both
JONATHAN: Buffy



CREDITS:

GIRLS #1 to present (Plot / Art / Colors / Letters by Jonathan, Plot / Script / Layouts by Joshua)
SPIDER-WOMAN: ORIGIN #1-5 (Pencils / Inks / Colors by Jonathan, Layouts by Joshua)
ULTRA #1-8 (Plot / Art / Colors / Letters by Jonathan, Plot / Script / Layouts / Letters by Joshua)
TALES OF THE TMNT #20 (Cover by Jonathan)
INVINCIBLE #25 - Dupli-Kate Origin (Art / Colors by Joshua)
PVP #19 (Cover by Jonathan)
86 VOLTZ: DEAD GIRL (Cover colored by Jonathan)
THE MATRIX COMICS VOL. 2 - SAVIORS (Colors by Jonathan)