Cullen Bunn On Sinestro Ongoing

From IGN

IGN Comics: Anyone who has read your work knows that you have a penchant for villains, or at least anti-heroes or heroes with checkered pasts – Wolverine, Deadpool, Magneto, and even Drake Sinclair from your Sixth Gun series – so you writing Sinestro feels like a great fit. What makes Sinestro different from the other “bad guys” you’ve written before?

Cullen Bunn: I definitely have a preference for writing anti-heroes and bad guys, especially when they have motivations that the average “good” person can understand and get behind. Snake Plisken, Vick Mackey, Boyd Crowder, Walter White, Parker… these are characters I love (or love to hate), and they tend to be the types of characters I want to write. These folks do “bad things” but we can almost understand their reasons (if not their methods). I think there’s a kind of joy in dancing between wanting to see one of these villains succeed… and wanting to see them finally get their comeuppance.

My hope is that each of the villains I write will have his or her own motivation that readers can understand, whether they agree or disagree. In every case, I think there is a kind of personal tragedy behind these characters.

What makes Sinestro stand out is that he doesn’t think he’s doing anything wrong. He legitimately believes that “his way” is the “only way” to save the universe. His pride has cost him everything, really, but he fails to see that. That’s what makes him so tragic.

IGN: How did you come to be on Sinestro's new series? Were you a fan of Green Lantern before or is this new territory for you?

Bunn: When editor Matt Idleson asked me if I’d like to write the series, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I always liked Green Lantern, but I wasn’t necessarily a diehard fan. I read stories here and there when I came across them. I did, however, follow Johns’ run on the character pretty closely, and I especially liked the “Sinestro Corps War” storyline. As mentioned, I like writing villainous characters, but I’ve also always wanted to write an epic space opera type story. So this was a natural fit for me.

IGN: Fans have been clamoring for a Yellow Lanterns/Sinestro Corps series for years. What was the thinking behind the decision to make this comic about Sinestro himself, not necessarily his Corps?

Bunn: Well, the Sinestro Corps will feature prominently in the book, but I believe that in this case, with a group of characters that is so vast, it’s important to have that one constant point-of-view character. While there will be many Yellow Lanterns at play in this book, we’ll be seeing the story through the eyes of Sinestro and a few key Lanterns. Another reason it’s important to see much of this story through Sinestro’s eyes is because we need to understand why he’s taking these drastic actions. Sinestro is a treacherous character, and he’s running a number of dangerous games, but I want the reader to have a pretty good idea of what he’s up to.

IGN: Could you clarify the time frame that this story takes place? It seems as though it’s post-Forever Evil because he no longer has Parallax.

Bunn: This story definitely takes place post-Forever Evil. A few months perhaps. As for Parallax, we’ll hint at what happened there, but you’ll have to wait until issue 5 or so to find out the whole story.

IGN: We see a quick glimpse of these awesome necro-priests that you call the Shepherds of a religion of Anti-Emotion. First of all, just seeing that page gave me chills, they’re pretty awesome, in a creepy way. Will they be the antagonists of the series?

Bunn: Ah, yes! The Paling! They are an extremely creepy bunch. When you’re dealing with bad guys like Sinestro and the Yellow Lanterns, you have to introduce foes who are much, much worse. The Paling will fit that bill, and they will be a constant thorn in Sinestro’s side for some time to come.

IGN: What were the conversations like that you had with artist Dale Eaglesham about how you wanted the book to look and feel?

Bunn: Dale and I always seemed to be naturally drawn to the same kind of tone for the story. We talked a little about it early on, and it was really exciting how we were on the same page from the get-go. I can’t remember which of us first spoke the word “Arthurian” in relation to this story. I think it was Dale. But that is a tone I’d always had in mind… sort of an Excalibur in space.

IGN: Anything you’d like to say to someone interested in picking up this title to get them excited?

Bunn: I think if you’re a fan of Sinestro… or of space epics… or of cosmic horror… or of the political intrigue… this book will have something for you. It’s a dark book, yes, but we’re also further developing Sinestro’s rich character and introducing a number of new Lanterns I think people will like. There’s plenty of interpersonal dynamics among this new iteration of the Sinestro Corps. Hell, there’s even some romance! And there are plenty of surprises in store for long-time Lantern fans and new readers alike!

Cullen Bunn On Sinestro, Fear, And His Favorite Yellow Lanterns

From Comicvine

The new SINESTRO series digs deeper into Sinestro's fears
There's a new Sinestro series out featuring the writing of Cullen Bunn and the art of Dale Eaglesham. The book follows the once leader of the Sinestro Corps and is the first time, in quite some while, that a villain has had his own on-going series at DC. Cullen Bunn took the time to answer some questions about this series.

COMIC VINE: What will the focus of this series be about?

CULLEN BUNN: As this series begins, Sinestro has gone into a self-imposed exile. He’s abandoned his quest for control over the universe. But he soon learns that he can’t go into retirement just yet. He believed that his people—the Korugarians—had been lost when his home planet of Korugar was destroyed. But he discovers that many Korugarians are still alive. They fled Korugar in secret while it was under Sinestro’s rule. They now live as refugees cast throughout the galaxy, and they are persecuted and mistreated, in part because of their connection to Sinestro. That’s enough to bring him out of exile. He has a new mission—save his people —but he needs help to accomplish this. For that assistance, he turns to the Sinestro Corps. The Corps, however, has fallen far from what Sinestro had envisioned for it.

So, the focus for Sinestro (and for the book) is saving the Korugarians and returning the Sinestro Corps to its former glory. Of course, those are just the first steps for Sinestro. As he sees his plans coming together, greater plans begin to take shape.

Sinestro’s own pride and ambition will be both his greatest assets and his greatest enemies.

CV: Why is it time for a Sinestro on-going series?

CB: I think it’s past time! Sinestro has been one of the most popular villains (and most popular characters in general) for several years. He’s not a character who is suited to long periods of obscurity. He’s made a mark on the DC Universe, and readers want to know what’s next for him.

CV: For some of the newer readers out there, what's changed about this character, since the New 52 began?

CB: Sinestro has gone through a number of significant changes in recent years, but the events that have rattled him to the core have been the destruction of his homeworld of Korugar, his abandonment of the Sinestro Corps, and the estrangement of his daughter, Soranik Natu. These things will all play a major role in his new adventures, because he’s really setting out to “make things right” with his people, his daughter, and his army.

CV:In Sinestro's past, mainly pre-52, there's been a power play for leader ship of the Corps. Is Sinestro going to be leading again, and if so, will there be those in the corps that don't want him in power?

CB: Sinestro doesn’t necessarily see leading the Corps as something he wants. He sees it as a necessity. In his mind, he’s the only person who is good enough to control the Yellow Lanterns. So, yes, he’s going to make a move to take control again. And, yes, there will be those who do not want anything to do with Sinestro. He’ll spot some of these dissenters right away, but there will be those who are a little more secretive and cunning. Some of Sinestro’s greatest detractors will be in positions of great power within the Corps.

CV: In GREEN LANTERN CORPS, we've seen Arkillo pop back up. Will he have any connection to this series?

CB: Most certainly! Arkillo will be a regular supporting character in the series, along with many of the Yellow Lanterns. You’ll see most of your favorite Yellow Lanterns in this book, but there will be a core group of focal characters. Sinestro, Arkillo, Lyssa Drak, and a couple of new characters and surprise characters.

CV: What tone are you going for on this series?

CB: There are a couple of moods playing against each other in this series. Because the Yellow Lanterns are fear-based, there will always be an undercurrent of horror and darkness in the book. At the same time, the series will depict epic cosmic adventures—other worlds, other cultures, aliens—and I’m hoping to get the idea across that the universe has a deep history of its own that we’ve only seen glimpses of. Exploration and discovery will be important story elements. Finally, there will be a lot of intrigue and politics at play here, a lot of double-dealing and backstabbing as Sinestro tries to control the Yellow Lanterns. All of those elements should come together to give the book its own distinct flavor.

CV: Aside from Sinestro, what are some of the other aspects, within his life you wanted to focus on?

CB: Sinestro’s relationship with Soranik Natu is of great interest to me. Here we have a terrible villain who wants to be a father to a great hero. How he deals with his daughter is something that will inform readers as to the type of character he really is.

CV: Will this series be new-reader friendly? How much of the recent GL-events will need to be known?

CB: I’ve tried to keep this book as new-reader friendly as possible. There’s obviously a very rich history with Sinestro, but I’ve tried to summarize it pretty quickly in just a couple of pages. Those are elements that I’ll layer on as the series progresses. In the meantime, as long as you can buy into the idea that he was once a great (if somewhat misguided) man and lost everything because of his actions, you’ll be able to follow the book pretty easily.

Dale Eaglesham on ‘Sinestro’

From Robot 6

It doesn’t matter how many years I’ve read comics, on the eve for the launch of a new series that piques my interest, I always get pumped with excitement. Such is the case this week, given that writer Cullen Bunn and artist Dale Eaglesham‘s Sinestro #1 hits shelves on Wednesday.

The series marks a departure in style for Eaglesham as he pursues a darker, horror tone, an approach he discusses in this interview. He also discusses discusses the opportunity to digitally ink his art, being colored by Jason Wright, collaborating with Bunn, and looking forward for the chance to indulge in Kirby dots (aka Kirby Krackle).

Tim O’Shea: Reading the advance word on Sinestro, writer Cullen Bunn is clearly going for a dark tone with almost a horror vibe to a certain extent. Am I right in thinking this is a departure from the kind of stories you normally tell? How much do you relish delving into this darker territory?

Dale Eaglesham: This is a big departure from the kinds of stories I have done in my professional career. However, the horror genre is a favorite of mine and as a genre may be even closer to my heart than any other. I’m a fan of M.R. James, Edgar Allen Poe, Stephen King, Ambrose Bierce and many others and truly delight in spooky tales. I’m ecstatic to have the chance to finally show my artistic dark side.

Tim O’Shea: In a recent CBR interview you discussed arriving upon the right look for Sinestro. How much of a trial-and-error process was it for you?

Dale Eaglesham: It proved to be a very large task indeed. I’ve found that I have struggled with the genre, so accustomed am I to traditional heroes and their wholesome objectives. I kept portraying Sinestro in postures that were unsuited to him, postures that reflected protectors and good guys in general. I found myself erasing entire figures over and over, starting from scratch in an attempt to capture a very special blend of dark traits. He’s not a deluded narcissist, in thrall to his vanity but more supremely arrogant and driven. He’s not a true sociopath, but close. What I do want to make clear with him is that despite his formidable intellect, he possesses the explosive, savage rage of the killer. The destruction of his home world has lit this virulent fire within him. He is a coiled serpent and you want to feel that around him. When he goes into battle that rage lashes out and he can make mistakes. His body is lithe and poised, but I am portraying that sense of being “coiled” by showing tension in the shoulders, clavicles and neck. His shoulders sit up a little higher on him, the shoulder width and bunched blade,s slightly out of proportion, bringing that tension out in a subtle but noticeable way. I also differentiate him from others with the halo that appears around him during battle. We can see an after image in it, showing us some of the preceding actions as if he were moving quickly and furiously. We’ll see that after image in some of the others but not as much as with Sinestro.

Tim O’Shea: In terms of controlling the look of the series, how much do you enjoy being able to digitally ink yourself?

Dale Eaglesham: Traditional India ink and I get along like a cat and a hot bath; it just doesn’t work. At Marvel, we shot from the pencils but it often seemed inconsistent and too light. Lots of rendering seemed to disappear after leveling. The colorists spent a ton of time cleaning and coloring the pages and they simply do not have the time to go in and fix things on a panel by panel basis. It just seemed like the art was losing something no matter which way I went. Additionally, I had long wished I had the ability to render white on black, something you can’t do with a pencil. I have always been very specific with my own line weight, so the decision to try digital inking was a natural next step for me. I discovered first hand the problems faced by colorists when working with pencils only and it was a daunting task. I decided to go completely dark with the lines instead of trying to effect some kind of penciled look. I wanted to see my line art but as if it were inked. The result has been an education in a completely new aspect of the art for me. The control it gives is incredible but the additional workload has been tough on me.

Tim O’Shea: What can you tell folks about the look you are going for with the Yellow Lanterns and the Pale Vicars?

Dale Eaglesham: The Pale Vicars represent anti-emotion, so to that end, we will never see their faces. Hidden in the shadows of their hoods, we see their mouths only. By stripping away the humanity and individuality that facial features give us, we are left with unsettling questions about who they are as we gaze into that dark void where a personality defining visage should be. How old are they? Where did they come from? They have what looks like dusty cobwebs on them when we first see them and they seem absolutely monolithic and implacable. They will be a very dark force to be reckoned with, the kind of force that only Sinestro can deal with. The Lanterns are a motley crew of freaks, killers and backstabbers. Among them are some very, very dangerous people that Sinestro himself will need to be wary of.

Tim O’Shea: How important is it to you to be able to do the both the interiors and covers for Sinestro?

Dale Eaglesham: Covers have always been an oddity for me. I am much more comfortable with interiors. I tend to be unorthodox with my choice of cover subject and they tend to be a hard sell with good reason. You’ll see what I mean with the cover to issue three. I usually enjoy doing a few but in the end acknowledge that they are simply awkward for me.

Tim O’Shea: As teased in Issue 3, “Sinestro’s daughter, Soranik Natu, is back at her father’s side, whether she likes it or not.” How enjoyable is it to explore familial tension like that?

Dale Eaglesham: Ah, yes, Soranik, the doctor, the humanitarian, the care giver . . . and daughter of Sinestro. I think we are already seeing a darker side to her. She has always reined that in and very successfully. However, in this snake pit of murder and mayhem we just might see an unsettling glint in her eyes and explore her dark side more. She will clash with her father and others around her and she will have to be strong enough to withstand these worlds colliding and remain a Green Lantern. Being the daughter of Sinestro, I can see her struggling with this throughout the series and ultimately coming to terms with it.

Tim O’Shea: Care to discuss who is coloring you on Sinestro?

Dale Eaglesham: Our color artist on this series is Jason Wright. I spotted him many years ago when he was coloring Secret Six and loved what he was doing. Jason’s strength is his excellent knowledge of anatomy which results in terrific color sculpting. I made a mental note of his work and when I was asked if there were any colorists I would like to work with, I requested him right away. He didn’t disappoint. He has done brilliant work and has elevated my art to the next level.

Tim O’Shea: When I interviewed you in 2011, you noted how the collaborative process and having “back-and-forth discussions” (with the writer) frequently serves to benefit and inform your work in a positive way. How much back-and-forth discussions are you having with Bunn?

Dale Eaglesham: Not so much back and forth, as we have both been on the same page since the get-go. We both love the same kinds of stories and I feel as though we just synced up right off the bat. We both chuck ideas around about how we can make this book as good as it can be and we have been united in every decision so far. It’s just a good fit and you hope for that in this biz.

Tim O’Shea: What do you most look forward to in terms of getting to explore DC space with this series?

Dale Eaglesham: Kirby dots.

Preview : Sinestro #1

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Art: Dale Eaglesham

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $2.99

In Stores: April 16, 2014

Description:

Thaal Sinestro has lost everything he’s ever loved: his home, his family, his only friend. But no matter how desperate he becomes, Sinestro will never be without fear...a lesson his one-time ally, one-time enemy Lyssa Drak is eager to teach him! Can he take back the despicable Yellow Lantern Corps? Or does the universe have a new destiny in mind for Sinestro?

Sinestro Sneak Peek From Rags Morales

SATURDAY SHOWCASE : Sinestro Wallpapers

Bunn And Eaglesham Talk Sinestro

From CBR

If "Forever Evil" has taught us anything it's that DC Comics is home to some major league supervillains. Lex Luthor, Bizarro, Black Manta and Captain Cold are all bad to the bone (if not mildly misunderstood) and can unleash doom and gloom like nobody's business. But when it comes to fear -- in its purest and most primal form -- the true master is Thaal Sinestro of Korugar.

Created by John Broome and Gil Kane, Sinestro made his first appearance in "Green Lantern" #7 in 1961. The former mentor of Hal Jordan, Sinestro turned to the proverbial dark side over the years and now fights the Green Lantern Corps with fear and the unyielding power of a yellow ring.

Fueled by the fear entity Parallax and living in self-exile since the close of Geoff Johns' final bow on "Green Lantern" in the story arc "Wrath of the First Lantern," Sinestro is about to come roaring back in April with his very own solo series.

Written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Dale Eaglesham, the "Sinestro" ongoing series features a man that has lost everything he's ever loved: his home, his family and his only friend -- Hal Jordan. But his one-time enemy and now greatest fan, Lyssa Drak, has found his hiding place and aims to get him back into the game -- big time.

CBR News connected with Bunn and Eaglesham and the creative team discussed the nuances of developing a series based in fear and headlined by one of DC's greatest supervillains. Bunn also teased which events transpire as the series opens and which familiar Yellow Lanterns will also be playing a role while Eaglesham revealed that making Sinestro and his supporting cast too wholesome was an ongoing concern.

CBR News: In "Green Lantern" #23.4, his Villains Month one-shot, Sinestro is called the greatest ring-wielder there ever was. Yes, it's his #1 fan Lyssa Drak saying it, but when "Sinestro" #1 opens, is he actually the greatest ring-wielder there ever was? When we last saw him he had gone into self-exile following the events of "Wrath of the First Lantern"…

Cullen Bunn: Sinestro considers himself the greatest ring-wielder, yes, not just of one Corps, but of two. It's for that reason that he feels so betrayed and lost. He gave the rings everything he had and look what it cost him -- his wife, his daughter, his planet, his freedom, his reputation. It's because of this feeling of abandonment that he has turned his back on the ring and taken to a life of isolation and meditation.

Is he the greatest? Again, this is from Sinestro's point of view, but to his way of thinking he had a clarity that the other Lanterns simply didn't have. He could see how the end justified the means. That vision allowed him to accomplish big things with his ring.

CBR: In his own solo series, is Sinestro a superhero or a supervillain? And does he see himself the same way?

Bunn: Sinestro is beyond seeing himself as a villain or hero. In his mind, even the greatest hero must act in a villainous fashion in order to succeed. If anything, he sees himself as a returning king who has come to redeem his people -- and himself in the process.

CBR: While I have known Sinestro for nearly 35 years thanks to "Super Friends," it's only in the last few years that Geoff Johns has really defined, and refined with the New 52 relaunch, the character. As you've been getting to know Sinestro in preparation for this new series, what do you feel makes him tick?

Bunn: If Sinestro's motivation could be boiled down to one overriding concept, it would be pride. His pride carries him, often when nothing else will. His pride has also been his undoing from time to time. He's too proud to ever accept that his way is not the right way.

CBR: Again, realizing that Lyssa is probably not someone that would define a hero quite the same that you or I would, she uses words like "honesty" and "courage" to illustrate the choices Sinestro must make to fully embrace the power of the ring in "Green Lantern" #23.4. Would you use these same words to describe Sinestro in his new solo series?

Bunn: I think so, yes, but keep in mind that terms like "honesty" and "courage" and even "fear" can be subjective. Lyssa and Sinestro view those things differently than others do. But there is one thing that Lyssa is absolutely positive about -- in fear is the only true honesty.

CBR: I love that Sinestro was an archeologist by trade before becoming a Green Lantern. Does that particular skill-set come into play with what you are going to explore with him as a character?

Bunn: I'm not sure there will ever be a moment where you'll see Sinestro dust off the leather jacket, whip and fedora. However, I hope to do a lot of galactic-level world-building in this series, exploring worlds and cultures with ancient histories. With that in mind, Sinestro will be flexing his archeologist muscles to some degree.

CBR: Can you give us a tease of what we'll see in the series and what types of stories that you will be telling? Does it pick up from where we last left him at the end of "Wrath of the First Lantern?"

Bunn: Our earliest stories will see Sinestro choosing a new mission, which is bringing the lost Korugarians together once again. For this, he decides that he needs the Yellow Lanterns. The Yellow Lanterns, though, are in a state of disarray, and many of them will not be too keen on Sinestro's new mission statement. So, he'll be wrestling with his own Corps, and that will bring about the formation of a Sinestro Corps leadership council and a shadowy group called the Black Circle.

While Sinestro is dealing with turmoil and intrigue within his own team, the Yellow Lanterns will run afoul of a new threat that may be more than a match for them because to them, there is no such thing as fear.

CBR: Dale, after spending time on Earth with "Justice Society of America," you were able to do some stargazing with "Fantastic Four." What does drawing an intergalactic concept featuring Sinestro and the Green and Yellow Lantern Corps allow you to do as an artist?

Dale Eaglesham: Artistically, taking off into space is never boring because you are breaking through that barrier of the known and engaging in world creating. In sword and sorcery fantasy, the latitude for artistic license is considerable. In galactic adventures, we can go further still with our artistic license being positively James Bond-ian.

Sure, we have to observe the established continuity of certain things, but beyond that is that black expanse of space where creatively, anything can happen. "Justice Society of America" was as quirky a collection of heroes as you could find but they were family and it was a traditionally wholesome kind of experience. In "Sinestro," I'm confronting a concept that will force me to undo everything I've learned to date regarding heroic posture and mannerism.

I am constantly redrawing figures because they are coming off as too "wholesome." Sinestro's world is like the jungle at night, alive with predators looking for a meal. Those who let their guard down don't survive. Artistically, this title allows me to venture into the horror genre to a degree, too, and that is a kind of art I have always loved to do but have never had the chance to do professionally. If I don't draw a Wrightson-esque head on a hand at some point in this series, I'll never forgive myself.

CBR: What do you like about Sinestro's look and feel, and seeing as you want to avoid him looking too wholesome, is there something you specifically like to showcase about his body or mannerisms to make Sinestro your own?

Eaglesham: In "Green Lantern" #23.4., I drew that elongated forehead of his and it proved to be a cumbersome feature. For "Sinestro," I am going with more of a high hairline on a broad forehead. As interesting as the exaggerated forehead was, he didn't come off as feral enough.

Traditionally, he has had a slender figure and I'm not going to change that but it wasn't quite enough for me. There needs to be that sense of a coiled serpent about him, ready to strike. That is the problem posed by his character, how to project that visually? To solve this, I increased his muscularity but in a very limited way. He is broad shouldered but not with muscle mass, just the physical dimensions of his upper torso. I am increasing the muscle mass of his shoulder blades and his neck too. His shoulders hunch up a bit, implying a tension in this area while his slender body looks completely relaxed.

While Sinestro is very capable as a warrior physically, it's that mind of his that is so cunning and lethal. The postures I choose for him reflect a calmness but also tension up high, near his brain. Visually that tells us that he is coiled and ready to strike at all times.

CBR: The solicitation for "Sinestro" #1 teases that Lyssa Drak continues to play a major role in this series. Can you talk about Lyssa? And who else will be featured in the supporting cast? Specifically, will we see Hal Jordan or any other Lanterns?

Bunn: Lyssa is Sinestro's closest advisor and will be a member of his inner council. As we've seen, she's branded herself with the words of the Book of Parallax. This will awaken some new and interesting abilities for her.

We'll also be seeing the Sinestro Corps, so Arkillo and company will be present. As for the other Lanterns, they'll turn up, but not immediately. Sinestro hopes to keep his return secret for a while. The only other Lantern you"ll be seeing right away is Soranik Natu, Sinestro's daughter, who will have a huge part to play in this story.

CBR: It's awesome to hear that Parallax still looms large too. Will this series be crossing over with the other Green Lantern-themed books or will you be telling your own stories when the series starts?

Bunn: At the beginning, these stories will be focused on Sinestro and his Corps. But the universe isn't that big, so it's just a matter of time before the other Lanterns figure out that something's going on.

CBR: Finally, as the host of Parallax fear drives Sinestro like no other character in the DCU. What does writing and illustrating a series based on the most primal of emotions allow you to do as creators?

Bunn: For me, writing about characters that are so connected with fear allows me to combine horror and space opera in some interesting ways. There are so many levels of fear, from the overt to the subtle, that can be played with here.

Sinestro even founds his inner circle around the tenants the five primal fears will exploit in their enemies: extinction, mutilation, loss of autonomy, separation and ego-death.

Cullen Bunn Rings In The Era Of Sinestro

From CosmicBookNews

Since his “discovery” by writer Geoff Johns, the former Green Lantern villain Sinestro has become one of the most complex non-Batman villains in the New 52.

Now Writer Cullen Bunn and artist Dale Eaglesham are preparing to chronicle the continuing adventures of the character come April in an ongoing DC comic.

To get to the bottom of this new addition to the GL franchise, Cosmic Book News Managing Editor Byron Brewer spoke exclusively on a ring-to-ring connection to the scribe and filed this report.

Cosmic Book News: Sinestro is a multilayered character mostly due to the writing of Geoff Johns. How does it feel to be adding to the destiny of this great DC character?

Cullen Bunn: It’s exciting and scary! Sinestro has such an awesome presence and a lot of fans. I want to do something that will honor the character and advance his story in some exciting ways. I’m really thrilled about this story, because we’re going to be exploring some new angles of Sinestro as well as the Yellow Lanterns as a whole.

CBN: Cullen, how did you become involved with this new Lantern book?

Cullen Bunn: I worked with editor Matt Idelson on a four-issue run of Superman/Batman a couple of years ago. We talked about doing something else together, but the timing didn’t work out. A few months ago, when my schedule would allow it, I reached out to Matt and this was one of the first ideas he mentioned to me. I love writing about morally ambiguous characters, and I’ve always wanted to work on a cosmic story, so it seemed like a perfect fit!

CBN: Tell us about the character of this former Green Lantern as you see it right now as the book begins.

Cullen Bunn: As the book begins, Sinestro is in self-imposed exile. He feels that his dedication as a ring-wielder has cost him everything—the woman he loved, his daughter, his people—and he just wants to be left alone. That, of course, isn’t going to happen, though. Lyssa Drak seeks him out, bringing with her a bit of news that he can’t resist—there are still Korugarians in the universe, and they need his help.

CBN: Guess the lost Korugarians will start popping up like the supposedly rare Kryptonians, eh? (laughs) So, is the Bunn Sinestro a villain, an antihero, or something in between?

Cullen Bunn: Sinestro’s beyond the hero/villain paradigm. He has done what needed to be done, period. Morality didn’t play into it. He wants to redeem the Yellow Lanterns. He wants to save his people. He wants to build a connection to his daughter. The problem is, Sinestro is so proud that he can’t see how he’s caused (and continues to cause) some of these problems. His own pride may very well lead to his downfall.

CBN: What role does Lyssa Drak play in this new book?

Cullen Bunn: Lyssa becomes Sinestro’s closest advisor. As we’ve seen previously, she’s branded herself with the words of the Book of Parallax. This has some unexpected consequences for Lyssa, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

CBN: What is the relationship between Sinestro and his former Yellow Lantern Corps, if any?

Cullen Bunn: Sinestro will try to repair his relationship with the Sinestro Corps, but it won’t always be easy. Many of the Yellow Lanterns feel betrayed by Sinestro. They feel as though he only seeks them out when it please his whim. What’s more, Sinestro wants the Yellow Lanterns to strive for a goal that a good portion of their number will not agree with. Sinestro, on the other hand, feels that the Yellow Lanterns have gotten sloppy in terms of their recruiting procedures. He feels it’s time to thin the herd a bit.

As you might guess, it will be a struggle to keep the Lanterns from planting a knife in his back.

CBN: I was going to ask about the first "big bad," but I guess I should say who is Sinestro's first "opponent"?

Cullen Bunn: Sinestro will quickly find himself at odds with the Yellow Lanterns, but his quest to rescue Korugarians will soon bring him into conflict with a dangerous group called the Paling, which will be a challenge for him for some time to come.

CBN: Any particular section of Green Lantern books you're looking at for your characterization of Sinestro?

Cullen Bunn: For Sinestro’s characterization, the best resource is the great work Geoff Johns did with the character. That’s the Sinestro readers love, so that was the starting point here.

CBN: Are you a fan of Dale Eaglesham's art?

Cullen Bunn: Lord, yes! I was so excited to hear that Dale was going to be working on this book! He’s an artist who can really go crazy on big ideas, and he brings his own ideas to the table as well. He’s really bringing a kind of “epicness” to the visuals here. Readers are going to freak out when they see this stuff!

Eaglesham Says SINESTRO Series Art Will Inspire Fear

From Newsarama

DC's new Sinestro title will not only deal with the wielders of fear, but according to series artist Dale Eaglesham, it might instill some fear in readers too.

Eaglesham, who's working with writer Cullen Bunn on Sinestro, described the new title as "much darker territory" than he's ever explored before. While Bunn told Newsarama that the April-launching title has a "space epic/intrigue/horror vibe," Eaglesham is hoping the visuals will be downright "scary."

DC fans will remember Eaglesham's work for the publisher during the late '90s and early 2000's, including the high-profile re-launch of Justice Society of America with Geoff Johns in 2006. But Eaglesham became a Marvel exclusive artist in 2009, and worked more recently on series like Fantastic Four, Steve Rogers: Super Soldier and Incredible Hulks.

But the artist returned to DC last year, most notably working on September's one-shot issue Green Lantern #23.4: Sinestro (where most of the art in this interview is from).

Newsarama talked to Eaglesham to find out more about his approach to Sinestro.

Newsarama: Dale, we should have known that, after working on September's one-shot Sinestro book, you'd want more. What appealed to you about working on a Lantern title, and with Sinesto in particular?

Dale Eaglesham: In Sinestro, I'll have the opportunity to wade into much darker territory than I ever have before, even crossing into the horror genre. I absolutely love the comic book horror genre but I have rarely had the opportunity to experience it professionally. I am really looking forward to crafting scary imagery, whether it's monsters, killers or giving the imagery the feeling of a serial killer crime scene. There's a killer on every corner and there's only one guy truly at home in that environment and that's Sinestro.

Nrama: That sounds like a little different from what we've seen from you in the past. In what ways is this new title a challenge for you?

Eaglesham: After two decades of wholesome heroes, I have to switch off those visual instincts that have been guiding my postures and expressions. I struggled with my early pages of Sinestro, because the drawings were reflecting the wrong vibe, the strong noble poses or poise and courage in the face of danger. This title requires a sense of coiled ferocity, of safety mechanisms turned off. Sinestro will be a huge challenge in presenting those qualities and yet still be the almost mythical leader, pulling the sword out of the stone.

Nrama: In what ways do you think it harkens back to your work on other projects?

Eaglesham: I've worked with villains and antiheroes before, such as the team from Villains United, Conan, Batman, the Punisher, the Hulk and flirted with horror on Dial H for HERO, when a serial killer got his hands on the dial.

My very first Green Lantern story was issue #136 that featured Alexander Nero, a psychopathic science cell escapee with a yellow ring that created page after page of crazy monsters. I was like a kid in a candy store that issue. That will pale in comparison to what Sinestro is going to do.

Nrama: Wow, when you say it's dark, you must not be kidding.

Eaglesham: It's going to be a very dark journey. We aren't kidding around with this.

Nrama: I remember that back when you were doing Fantastic Four a few years ago, Marvel was touting the way you were working without an inker. Are you still working that way, on Sinestro?

Eaglesham: I'm continuing to work without an inker, and there has been one additional change since returning to DC: I am digitally inking the work myself. I've tried the paler "penciled look," and while it was artistically satisfying, I simply wanted more punch. When shooting from the pencils, the job of cleaning up the pages, a substantial task, as I found out, fell to the colorists. They were losing a lot of actual coloring time performing this clean-up task.

The subsequent enhancing of the pencil art the way I wanted it was also difficult, in that the line gradient is inevitably uneven and there is no time to go in and adjust all of this stuff individually. You end up with lines disappearing, faded black areas, etc. Not only that — pencil lines are easily buried in the modern, saturated approach to color.

I ultimately decided to ink digitally. A friend of mine, Bruce Toombs, showed me a different Photoshop approach to darkening the lines — add to that the ability to do additional drawing digitally, and you have the current formula.

Nrama: For DC fans who might not have seen your work at Marvel or some of the single issues you've done since returning to DC, how would you describe the evolution of your work since you last worked regularly on a DC monthly book?

Eaglesham: If you look at JSA as my last work before I left, the enhanced pencils, which are now digitally inked pencils, is the biggest change. I always had an inker back then. At Marvel, I handled a wide variety of subjects and just continued to round out my skills and evolved my approaches to lighting and figure movement. One of the bigger changes was the use of more creative panel arrangements and framing devices. I tend to choose them based upon the page content and the goal is to heighten the feel of the material but not distract from it. I never make stuff fancy for sake of doing it because I don't see the point of that.

Nrama: As you're doing these digital inks, is there a certain color palette or look you're hoping to achieve, communicating with the colorist on Sinestro?

Eaglesham: When I was going with enhanced pencils, which is much lighter and more vulnerable to being washed out by heavy color, I kept pushing for a lighter and lighter palate, and begging for some white to be used. Turns out that blue is the new white, so that never worked out. With digitally inked art, the line art can take a heavier load.

As to a look, well that will unfold as we go. I always wait for the book to speak to me, tell me where it needs to go, and I haven't gotten that calling yet.

Nrama: You've been acclaimed as an artist for your portrayal of characters and their body language, but you mentioned earlier that this is a darker book, and you're having to think about a different approach to the characters. As you're working on Sinestro, what are the most important things about his character that you're trying to bring out in the art?

Eaglesham: I'm in the process of deconstructing the approach I have used my entire career. In Sinestro, we have a unique challenge in that he is extremely dangerous and yet there is an Arthurian quality to him. Do not be fooled by that calm exterior. The man is a coiled black adder and he will ruthlessly get what he wants. Communicating that will involve his watchfulness, those baleful yellow irises boring into you, thinking three moves ahead of you, seeing right through you. What's emerging is a coiling of sorts, up in his shoulders, neck, upper back and shoulder blades. We have a slender, poised body but those shoulders are oddly hunched up a tad, showing us a hint of tension and power.

Nrama: Any other characters that stand out as figures you either enjoy drawing or are finding a particular challenge?

Eaglesham: Well, all of them actually. They are all twisted in a way, and I find that incredibly fun to work with.

Nrama: Are you providing a new take on the setting of the comic?

Eaglesham: It won't be a new take — just pushing the limits as much as I can. I am not shooting for any zany horror stuff; I'm shooting for art that is as scary as I can make it. I anticipate that things will get darker than I am used to, even uglier. I don't even know exactly what will happen at this point.

The art tends to evolve over the first couple of issues and I'm still feeling out the material.

Nrama: I assume that will also come as you get used to Cullen Bunn's scripts. How's it been working with Cullen?

Eaglesham: I read Cullen's pitch for the series and he struck all the same notes I would have. Cullen is going to take this book and throw it into the dark side of things. Who knows what will grow out of that?

He understands the monsters within, so I eagerly anticipate him getting into Sinestro's head and showing us depths we haven't seen before. I see so much potential spilling out from his take on this. I'm glad the stars aligned and dropped me on the Sinestro doorstep just at the right time.

CULLEN BUNN Describes Villain's New Ongoing Series

From Newsarama

In April, the Green Lantern villain Sinestro gets new focus and a new mission as he and his fear-wielding Yellow Lanterns get their own DC title.

The title is being launched by writer Cullen Bunn and artist Dale Eaglesham, both returning to monthly DC work after more recently being seen on Marvel comics. It represents a further expansion of the titles associated with the Green Lantern Universe, as DC adds it to the existing Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern: New Guardians, Red Lanterns and the more recently launched book, Larfleeze.

Sinestro's story will be picked up after the events of Forever Evil and the villain's September one-shot. After the destruction of Korugar, and some motivation by his one-time Sinestro Corps recruit Lyssa Drak, Sinestro begins down a path he believes will set things right.


Bunn describes the new comic as a "space epic/intrigue/horror vibe." And although readers will see familiar and new Sinestro Corps members, Bunn said that "Sinestro definitely takes center stage."

"This will be the story of Sinestro, mistrusted even by the Corps he founded, trying to 'right the ship,' so to speak," Bunn said. "He’s trying to give the Yellow Lanterns focus. To do that, he has a new mission for them."

Bunn, who's also launching a Magneto title for Marvel, is best known for his indie work on projects at Oni Press like The Damned and The Sixth Gun. The last time he wrote for DC was in 2011, with a four-issue stint on the pre-New 52 title, Superman/Batman.

Newsarama talked to Bunn to find out more about the new title — and whether Sinestro's daughter, Soranik Natu, will show up.

Newsarama: Cullen, it's good to see you writing a title at DC. What brought you to the DCU?

Cullen Bunn: Thank you! I’m pretty excited to be working on this book. The only other work I’ve done for DC was a four-issue stint on Superman/Batman a few years ago. That was some of my first work with “the Big 2.” I’ve always hoped that, schedule allowing, I’d be able to work with DC again if the right project came along. And Sinestro is definitely the kind of project I’d hope would come my way.

Nrama: Why did Sinestro appeal to you as a writer? And what do you think of the way Sinestro has been written in the past? Anything you're hoping to change, highlight, emphasize...?

Bunn: I’ve always liked Sinestro on some level. Even as a kid, I thought he was one of my favorite parts of Challenge of the Super Friends!

But, let’s face it, he was always a bit of a mustache-twirling villain (and he does have a great mustache for it) until Geoff Johns got hold of him and gave him depth. Suddenly, he became a character readers could relate to. He had a past. He had goals (sometimes unreasonable goals, but goals nonetheless). And, even though his actions were evil, he became somewhat sympathetic. Whether he succeeded or failed, you wanted to be along for the ride.

That’s the Sinestro I hope to bring to this book. He’s not evil for the sake of being evil. But he wants something — be it redemption, glory, salvation, honor, or respect — and he’ll ruthlessly pursue it. But I think his reasoning… and his “mission”… will be understood by readers.

His methods, maybe not so much.

Nrama: Is there anything you can name as an influence on your approach to this title (even if it wasn't necessarily a Green Lantern story)?

Bunn: I’m drawing on a lot of influences here, I think. Geoff Johns' run with the character. My love of science fiction and space opera in movies, comics, TV, and books. We’re talking everything from Lensman to Star Wars, Dune to Firefly, Dr. Who to Micronauts and Dreadstar and Atari Force, Foundation to Flash Gordon.

I’m also drawing on many of my influences from horror fiction, because there are some dark things going on in this book.

Arthurian legends have a significant impact on the story, too. I didn’t really notice that until Dale Eaglesham pointed it out, but those influences are there.

And I’d be lying if I didn’t say Breaking Bad and The Shield and Game of Thrones didn’t influence me a bit. At one point, I described Sinestro’s role in the book as “Jaime Lannister, having suddenly decided that he wants to be a hero for the people, finds all his terrible actions from the past standing in his way.”

Nrama: You're also writing Magneto for Marvel. Do you think "villains with good intentions" are a strength for you?

Bunn: I’ve always been drawn to characters who were a little more morally ambiguous. If you look at my creator-owned projects, my leads are often those who could be heroes… or could be villains… depending on how you look at them. Eddie in The Damned is a complete SOB who tends to destroy the lives of anyone around him. Drake Sinclair in The Sixth Gun may, after 30-something issues, still turn out to be the biggest villain in the story. For me, those characters are more interesting… and more fun… to write.

Nrama: You've mentioned several of the titles you've done in the past. Will fans of that work see elements of other books you've done in this one? Can you compare or contrast Sinestro with other books you've done?

Bunn: I think there will always be personal signatures in anything I work on. I’m not even sure I could tell you what they are, but you can bet they’ll be there.

This will be a different type of book than, say, Fearless Defenders, which focused on these offbeat (sometimes silly) adventures. I want this story to be fun and entertaining, but its tone is different than much of what I’ve worked on. If nothing else, the space epic/intrigue/horror vibe sets it apart.

I think my interpretation of Sinestro will likely have hints of Eddie (from The Damned) and Drake (from The Sixth Gun). But I’m also trying to give him his own voice here, something that makes him stand apart.

Nrama: Let's talk about what it is that makes Sinestro "stand apart." What makes Sinestro different from other villains you've written — and other villains in general?

Bunn: Sinestro is a character who, to quote Pulp Fiction, is trying real hard to be the Shepherd. He wants to do the right thing. Now, that doesn’t necessarily set him apart from every other villain. However, the scope of his designs definitely gives him an angle. He’s an intergalactic conqueror who thinks he’s being a hero of the people.

Nrama: I keep calling him a villain, but would you call Sinestro a villain? Is he still a bad guy?

Bunn: Sinestro will always be a villain. There’s really no changing that. He’s such a tragic figure, because he’s a bad guy who thinks he’s doing good.

Nrama: There's no doubt Sinestro usually has good intentions, but he's used some really bad methods. Has he learned from his more recent experiences and time as a Green Lantern at all?

Bunn: One of the things that makes Sinestro interesting for me is that he learns and changes, yes, but his own pride is so much more powerful than his experiences. Pride is his only real weakness, but he doesn’t see it that way. If he even recognizes pride, he’d say it was a strength. So, he’s got a new plan… new methods… new goals… but his pride will poison even the best intentions.

Nrama: Knowing that he's playing a role in Forever Evil, which ends right before your series launches, would you say he's feeling redeemed at the point you take over his story? Or have the horrors he created in the Sinestro Corps made that difficult for him?

Bunn: I wouldn’t say he’s redeemed at the beginning of this story. Rather, I think he’s simply given up. He’s lost everything — his world, his people. I’ll leave it to the readers to decide if he can or can’t be redeemed. In Sinestro’s mind, though, he’s lost any hope of redemption.

Until Lyssa Drak shows up and gives him a glimmer of hope… and fear.

Nrama: We've got a book for the Red Lanterns. Is this kind of like a Yellow Lantern book, with a Corps playing back-up roles to Sinestro?

Bunn: That’s how I’d describe it. Sinestro definitely takes center stage, but the Sinestro Corps will be playing a big role in the book. This will be the story of Sinestro… mistrusted even by the Corps he founded… trying to “right the ship” so to speak. He’s trying to give the Yellow Lanterns focus. To do that, he has a new mission for them.

But there are more than a few Yellow Lanterns who will not be happy with these new marching orders.

Nrama: So will there be other Sinestro Corps characters? Can you name a few?

Bunn: Yes, there will be plenty of Sinestro Corps members. You’ll see all your favorites. Maash and Karu-Sil and Murr the Melting Man will be there, among many others. Arkillo and Lyssa Drak will be there. There will be many new Lanterns, too, including Dez Trevius and Rigen Kale, a pair of characters I think readers will dig.

But the story will be Sinestro’s. While the other Lanterns will show up, they’ll definitely be there as supporting characters.

A few — Lyssa, Arkillo, Dez Trevius, and Rigen Kale — will act as a kind of inner council for Sinestro.

Nrama: Will we see Soranik Natu play a part in Sinestro's life?

Bunn: Soranik Natu will be very present in the book. She has an important — and surprising — role to play in the series.

Nrama: How much of a role does Korugar play in the comic?

Bunn: The memory of Korugar serves as a driving force for Sinestro. He believes that almost all of his people died when his world was destroyed. But we know (from the recent Sinestro one-shot) that some Korugarians still live. When Sinestro learns this, he sets out to be the savior his people deserve. Of course, the Korugarians don’t necessarily want to have anything to do with Sinestro. In addition to earning the respect of his Lanterns, Sinestro must earn the trust of his remaining people.

Nrama: Will there be any reference to Katma Tui or other characters from Korugar that we've seen in the past?

Bunn: You might see some references to some of those characters. For Korugarians, we’ll be more focused on some new individuals found among the surviving members of that race. One in particular will become an interesting foil for Sinestro in the days to come.

Nrama: Will there be any Earth natives playing regular roles in the comic?

Bunn: I went back and forth with this. Initially, though, we won’t be seeing any Earth natives playing a major part in the book. That will change, of course, but not for a few issues.

Nrama: How much will Sinestro interact with the other Lanterns and with Earth characters?

Bunn: Initially, Sinestro will be keeping his distance from the other Lanterns (except for Soranik). But it’s only a matter of time before they realize that he’s back to moving and shaking.

Nrama: Will we see Sinestro's origin fleshed out at all? Or his past life in the Green Lantern Corps?

Bunn: Even though Sinestro is focused on the future, we will touch on his past from time to time. As I mentioned, his actions in the past may form obstacles for him.

Nrama: You mentioned that Dale pointed out some of the Arthurian themes you're exploring. But as the artist on the book, what do you think he'll add visually to Sinestro?

Bunn: I’ve been a fan of Dale’s for a long time. He has a gift for bringing big, epic ideas to life on the page. He’s a terrific collaborator, too, and I think the book has improved… even in the early stages… by discussing the direction with him.

Nrama: Anything else you want to tell fans about the Sinestro title?

Bunn: I think we’ve got plenty of surprises and action and intrigue and character moments in store for you! Please make sure to pre-order the book! And let me know what you think once you’ve read it! You can find me on Twitter @cullenbunn!

Sinestro Ongoing In April

From Newsarama

On the final page of last month’s Forever Evil #4 (to your right), Sinestro arrives on the Crime Syndicate-occupied Earth to face off against Power Ring. DC then asks the question teasing the next issue, “GUESS WHO WINS?”

While we can’t predict the winner, we can tell you Sinestro at least survives the fight, and comes out something of a winner because starting in April he’ll become the latest DC supervillain/sometimes anti-hero to headline his own ongoing series, further expanding the publisher's cosmic/Lantern family of titles.

DC has confirmed that Sinestro, by the creative team of writer Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Marvel’s Magneto - yup, another villain book!) and artist Dale Eaglesham (Green Lantern #23.4: Sinestro) will debut on April 16.

We’ll be talking to Bunn (doing just his second DC work after a four-issue stint on 2011’s pre-New 52 Superman/Batman) for more details soon, but for now we can tell readers the new series finds Sinestro desperate having lost everything he’s ever loved – his home, family, and his only friend.

But his one-time enemy/one-time Sinestro Corps recruit Lyssa Drak (who played a prominent role in September’s Sinestro Villains Month one-shot) reminds him he’ll always have fear.

The series will follow the one-time Green Lantern as he either takes back the Yellow Lantern Corps, or forges whatever new destiny the universe has in store for him.

Look for that interview with Bunn and more information coming soon.