The following is an interview with writer Amal Desai regarding the upcoming release of the comic book series, Jane Jet, through Markosia. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Desai about his shared creative process in bringing the story to life on the page, why Markosia is the perfect home for the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Jane Jet! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the story’s premise?
Amal Desai: The book takes place in 1955 in an alternate history where armored heroes fought in WWII and have since become a staple of American life. Jane Jet’s husband Rocket Man, the first and most beloved hero, is egotistical and abusive. She fights back and kills him, triggering a nationwide manhunt for her.
Jane grabs her jetpack and goes on the run with assistance from her mysterious friend Tomi. If she’s to survive, she’ll need to outfly the looming shadows of WWII and onslaughts from the nearly unstoppable armored heroes of this age.
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in working with artist Paul Essenson to bring the story and characters to life on the page?
AD: Jane Jet was an entirely collaborative process from beginning to end. We worked on the book in chunks. I would send Paul a script of roughly 5 to 10 pages, he would provide incredible feedback and suggestions, and I would then revise. The artwork, character designs, and feel of those pages would then heavily influence the script I wrote for the next set of pages.
Our exceptionally talented colorist Giuliana La Malfa and team of inkers also worked on pages as later pages were still being scripted. Seeing completed pages helped me better understand the world we were building and also affected my scripting.
In my opinion, the continuous collaborative process for this book as a whole ended up helping the book feel energetic and “alive” throughout. All elements of the book were worked on concurrently and symbiotically to create one cohesive piece.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that this story may connect with and impact readers?
AD: The book touches on a lot of heavy topics including abuse, trauma, systemic racism, systemic sexism, and some of the horrific and surprising truths of America’s recent past. Most readers will, unfortunately, be able to relate to or empathize with at least one of these issues. Even though aspects of history are fictionalized to create a fun experience, anything important is not. Rather than weighing the book or the reader down with these issues, the goal was to show a shining, larger-than-life example of someone doing their best to fight, survive, and find happiness through it all.
BD: What makes Markosia the perfect home for this story?
AD: We wanted book one of Jane Jet to be a complete story but needed it to be a length that was feasible for us to maintain the high level of quality we were striving for. Markosia welcomed a short graphic novel format of 50 story pages (70 pages including bonus content, etc.). This allowed us to make book one a full standalone conclusive experience (while creating a world with infinite potential for future storytelling).
Markosia also allowed us full creative freedom and was understanding of the time we would need to complete the book. Having the commitment of a publisher with a wide reach early on provided us with the motivation needed to complete a book of this length and quality.
BD: As this is the first book in the series, what can readers anticipate with future story arcs?
AD: There is a final page reveal and some hints throughout the book as to what is to come, so I won’t give away too much. Jane will be facing greater threats, learning shocking secrets, and facing challenges she never expected. Paul and I took a bit of inspiration from video game logic – with every fight she wins her gadgetry and skills will grow. For every fight she loses, the consequences will be dire.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
AD: I have a handful of projects I’m writing, including an entirely separate project with Paul which we will be working on concurrently, but all are too early to share details. I am also a letterer and my work can be found in numerous books such as Immortalis, State of Kane, and Either Them or Us.
Paul Essenson has illustrated numerous Marvel Upper Deck sketch cards with many more sketch cards and comic books to come.
Giuliana La Malfa has colored books for many U.S. and international publishers with several exciting projects currently in progress.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Jane Jet and your other work?
AD: Jane Jet: Book One – Nuclear Shadows is available for pre-order from most booksellers and on Amazon.
Here’s a trailer for the book.
For more information on Jane Jet and other projects from the creative team, we can be found on Instagram:
Amal Desai (writer, letterer. co-creator) – @comicsbyamaldesai
Paul Essenson (artist, co-creator) – @paul_essenson_art
Giuliana La Malfa (colorist) – @giuliana.lamalfa
