Interview: Mark London's Bloodthirsty Battlecats!
Mar 28, 2019
by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
The Battlecats trilogy marches forward!
After the epic furious, fur-filled finale of Battlecats. Vol. 1 (MAR191882), Kelthan, Vaela, Zorien, Kaleera, and Mekkar return from their battle with the Dire Beast to discover a less than warm welcome back home. Their loyalty has been thrown into question and now they must withstand a series of trials!
What happens if they win? What happens if they lose? Writer Mark London has the answer as he takes us inside the story behind Battlecats Vol. 2 (MAR191881)! Get battle-ready by reading on...
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PREVIEWSworld: Why is this Vol. 2 and not a continuation of Vol. 1?
Mark London: We see Battlecats as a three-part story: The set up (vol. 1), the crux (vol. 2), the conclusion (vol. 3 resolution) and once we are done, it will be collected in a badass hardcover edition containing all three volumes.
PREVIEWSworld: Is this a good jumping on point for readers, you think?
Mark London: In issue #1 of volume two, we quickly recap the events of volume one for the reader. So yeah, I think it’s a good jumping on point if you are new to the series. However, for long-time readers who have read volume one, the pay off will be there. If you read volume one it would only enrich the experience because it gives you more back story on current events.
PREVIEWSworld: Catching folks up to speed, how has the paradigm shifted for the Battlecats as we enter Vol. 2?
Mark London: From most of Valderia’s point of view, the Battlecats are still the Battlecats and they still have their titles. But what Valderians don’t know is that, at the end of volume one, Kelthan, the leader of the Battlecats, made a decision that not only impacted Valderia, but also his team. However, the King of Valderia, Eramad III, is giving them a second chance by having them prove their loyalty to him during the opening ceremony of Rorinhal, the time of year when felines across Valderia indulge in their bloodthirsty instincts, but it's not going to be easy.
PREVIEWSworld: Can we expect the Battlecats to eat a little humble pie in Vol 2?
Mark London: This whole arc is about the Battlecats “eating humble pie.” Eramad, their king, wants to teach them a very public lesson. He wants respect, he wants their loyalty restored and that is going to be a feat for the Battlecats. Eramad faced a similar situation in the past that cost him dearly and he won't make the same mistake again. He is like a father teaching his children a lesson.
PREVIEWSworld: You tease a new look in the preview of Vol. 2. Does this indicate an emotional change or new aesthetic?
Mark London: Both. Michael Camelo’s art is a blessing to the series, not only to the look of the book aesthetically, but also emotionally. He is really cranking up the design and the overall look and feel of the book. I personally think Mike’s work on this volume blows everything else we’ve seen up to this point out of the water.
PREVIEWSworld: Will readers be seeing any exciting new locales in Vol. 2?
Mark London: Oh, yeah. We are going to be exploring a lot of regions in this new volume that were briefly mentioned in volume one. So, long time readers will definitely feel rewarded when they see the full scope of this world for the first time. Without going into spoilers, this new arc will explore decaying ruins, arid deserts, magical gardens and many other beautiful and dangerous locales.
PREVIEWSworld: In terms of audience, who is Battlecats for?
Mark London: For people who love worlds where the possibilities are endless and the lore is expansive. Fans who enjoy medieval fantasy and adventures should really gravitate towards Battlecats. If you’re into stuff like D&D, Lord of the Rings, Conan, and Thundercats, then this is the story for you. It’s a story with complex characters, beautiful environments, deep mythologies, and unfolding mysteries.
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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His comics work includes BAMN, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Awards-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Awards-nominated Magic Bullet.
