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Heroes Will Break Your Heart: Jeff Lemire and Emi Lenox Discuss Plutona

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What would you do if you suddenly came face-to-face with the most famous superhero in the world? It's probably a safe bet to say that you would probably freak out. But what if said superhero were... not very alive. Yeah, you'd probably freak out even more (and not in a good way).

This September, comic creators Jeff Lemire and Emi Lenox are bringing us Plutona, a new Image Comics series that explores the aftermath of a superhero meeting an untimely end. Offering a new perspective on the superhero genre, this tale of grief, growing-up, and trying to relate to others and the world around us is sure to resonate with an reader who's survived the trials of adolescence (or is currently doing so). Check out the PREVIEWSworld interview with both creators below to see why you'll want to add this new series to your pull-list, and be sure to head over to your local comic shop to pre-order issue one (JUL150545) today!

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PREVIEWSworld: Rather than just rest on the few sentences for the description of the book in the July PREVIEWS catalog, what’s the premise of Plutona?

Jeff Lemire: Plutona focuses on five kids living in a suburb somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. They live on the same street, but are not all necessarily friends. But circumstances draw them together and they discover the dead body of the world's greatest superhero, PLUTONA, in the woods near their homes one afternoon after school. The series focuses on how this discovery affects each of the kids and the group, as they struggle to decide what to do.

PREVIEWSworld: As the audience is "general reader" for this title, do you think that the ages of your characters will lend the story to a younger audience? Or is this a title that should still be read by fans in their mid to late teens?

Emi Lenox: I could understand why the look and the ages of the characters could draw a younger crowd, but I think the content is better suited for those a bit older. It’s sort of like horror manga. The characters and style could still look appealing but those stories will give you nightmares. It happened to me once as a kid looking through my mother’s copy of Drifting Classroom. Okay, kind of like that but not like that.

Jeff Lemire: This book is definitely not for kids, but I think teenagers could get into it. It's a dark and disturbing story. It all came from Emi's sick mind.

PREVIEWSworld: Could you give us a brief description of the characters that we see in the preview pages of the book in the July PREVIEWS catalog? What can you tell us about them? Are they mainstream Americana, or alien cultists in disguise?

Emi Lenox: I’m not sure what exactly mainstream Americana means but I’m gonna assume that maybe that’s what they are like. Each kid comes from their own unique household just like any kid would. Mie is a bit of the cool, feisty girl, Mike is the little brother gamer nerd, Diane is more of a shy girl who tries to be cool, Ray is the kid your parents wouldn’t want you hanging with, and, lastly, straight-laced and hero-obsessed Teddy.

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PREVIEWSworld: Which of you two is the bigger fan of Stand By Me? This story makes us think of that film classic, and we just had to throw it out there. We’re trying to guess which resources you tapped into to get the “feel” for adolescent angst. Are we close? Is Stand By Me a bullseye? Or were there other influences?

Emi Lenox: I’m not sure if one is a bigger fan or not but definitely Mean Creek, for me, was a major influence. The idea was spawned after I saw the movie back in 2005. Then I’d say Stand By Me and then the novel Lord of the Flies.

Jeff Lemire: I was a HUGE Stand By Me fan as a kid. That movie had a massive impact on me. I saw it when I was the same age as the boys in that film. It really spoke to me. I would throw River's Edge in as another of my influences.

PREVIEWSworld: Will either of you be promoting the book at any of the conventions this summer? Will you be announcing dates on your social media pages?

Emi Lenox: I personally will not be until September when the first issue is going to be released. I will be attending Rose City Comic Con here in Portland, Oregon. I will also be attending Boise Library Comic Con, Thought Bubble, and Jet City Comic Show this year. I will always remind people on all of my social media! Twitter, FB, Instagram, Tumblr, etc.

Jeff Lemire: I'll be at San Diego Comic-Con and Thought Bubble.

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