With the news that Digital Extremes and Top Cow Comics are collaborating to bring Warframe to the Comic Book world, Villordsutch managed to speak with Matt Hawkins (Top Cow President/COO) who is co-writing the upcoming Warframe comic books series with Ryan Cady.
Villordsutch: Matt, I know who you are and what comics you’ve delivered to the world, but for the sake of anyone new to this world of ink on paper, could you give us some Top Cow comic book recommendations, which the readers should pick up before the release of the Warframe comic book series to get ready for the big day?
Matt Hawkins: The closest thing I’ve done to Warframe would be Symmetry or Aphrodite IX in the high concept SCI-FI type projects. I’ve written a lot of Think Tank, Postal and The Tithe as well but those books are more like a Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton book but still have heavy science components. There are 50+ free issues at the bottom of topcow.com and many of those I’ve written if people want to sample them.
V: How did Digital Extremes first approach you when it came to this five-part series? Had they read Aphrodite IX and realised you could bring the Warframe Universe to life?
MH: Sheldon Carter (Digital Extremes Studio Manager) emailed me about a year ago and asked if we’d be interested in working with them on a comic book of the game. I knew him and Digital Extremes well as he was point and they were the developer for The Darkness II video game that came out from 2K in 2012. When he emailed me I downloaded the game and have been playing it ever since. We nailed down the particulars a couple months back and jumped into development.
V: Now it’s easy for a Games Designer and Publisher to stroll up to a door with a sack of cash and say “Make us a comic book” however I’m guessing you’ve got to have both heart and knowledge about the subject in question. Were you savvy about the Warframe Universe, Tenno’s and the Corrupted before Digital Extremes came knocking?
MH: I was not, but as I said above, when he reached out it was almost a year ago so I had a long time to research and play the game before we locked it down. I’m incredibly impressed with the depth and rich character history and mythology of Warframe. It rivals all great sci-fi epics ever.
V: What knowledge were you privy too? It’s mentioned that the comic book series may allude to future game updates, is there any chance you can give a small taste of what these are? What holy books have you had to swear on to keep some secrets?
MH: I can’t give any details or they’d send a couple Tenno over to shut me up. There is an introduction of a new enemy type and the story will enrich the backstory and history of the Grineer. That’s about all I’m going to give you. =p
V: We know who’s behind the writing duties of this new series, but who is tackling the artwork and colours? Who did you enrust to bring the Warframe look to the pages?
MH: Looking at the images Digital Extremes used in their marketing and for other merchandising, it reminded me of the Studio Hive group that did a book for us called Son of Merlin a few years back. I’ve worked on other things with them and they are amazing. They do fantastic mechs and tech so I knew they were the go to team for art. I just had to convince Digital Extremes of the same but they did agree and man this art looks awesome!
V: With this being a five-part series have Digital Extreme’s already asked you to plot out a second series or is this – as yet – a standalone piece and you’re all looking to see how it goes after it’s ended?
MH: I’d like to do more, but I think it’s a wait-and-see kind of thing to see how the first arc does for them. We’re working very hard to make sure the hardcore fans will dig it but that it’ll also be accessible to new fans who are unfamiliar with the Warframe universe.
V: Finally Matt, as we’re dealing with gaming and albeit Warframe currently is sitting pretty with of 30 Million registered users, if you could put pen to paper for one of your classic gaming characters – from you days gone by – who would you like to bring back into the light?
MH: I’d love to write a story or two about my World of Warcraft warlock Morganna Le Fey. I clearly have a love for Arthurian stuff and would write the hell out of that!
Villordsutch would like to thank Matt Hawkins for taking the time out for the interview. For more information on Top Cow Comics visit their website, follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook. Also thank you to Danielle for arranging the interview.
For more information about Warframe and to download it for free on PC, Xbox One or PS4, visit the official website at warframe.com. For more information on TennoCon 2017, go to the TennoCon 2017 website, warframe.com/tennocon, for the latest announcements.
The first issue of the Warframe comic is due out in October 2017, however those attending TennoCon 2017 will be able to get an exclusive TennoCon edition for absolutely free.
Originally published May 31, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
