Both Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber are well-known in the world of comics. Parker, a veteran writer of such titles as Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four and Guy Ritchie’s Gamekeeper and Lieber, the artist responsible for drawing the monster hit Whiteout, have worked side by side as partners in Portland’s Periscope studios for years. But they’ve never worked on a project together before. That is, until now.
This year, the two have teamed up to create the five-issue miniseries Underground, which hits stores in September and is published by Image Comics. Parker and Lieber were nice enough to share some pages of the new book — which are featured at the end of the interview. I also had a chance to chat with the creators a bit about the new book, their inspiration for creating it, Steve’s reaction now that the Whiteout movie is finally on the way and more.
The Flickcast: Underground is an interesting title. How did it come about?
Steve Lieber: Tim Cahill wrote an essay of caving the made my brain explode. I knew the moment I finished reading it I had to draw a cave story.
TF: Tell us about the story? What was your inspiration for creating it?
SL: That one should go more to Jeff. I had a sense of the setting, and scenes, and the tone I wanted to strike, but I didn’t know who my characters were, so I didn’t have a story. I had a lot of conversations with Parker about it, and it was clear that he just had a much better sense of the people and the conflicts they’d find themselves in.
Where he grew up is an easy drive to the Kentucky state line, so he’s writing with some real understanding.