Writer Joe Keatinge brings back ‘Glory’ to Image Comics

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In the second part of a two-part interview with Image Comics writer Joe Keatinge, he discusses his work on “Glory,” a character created by Rob Liefeld.

In “Glory,” writer Joe Keatinge is crafting new adventures for a superpowered female warrior who was created by one of the most successful artists of the 1990s.

The new series is a blend of fantasy, sci-fi and superheroes with an art style that blends manga and European comics. Visually, it’s a bit different from the character’s early days. In the new “Glory,” the hero is the daughter of two warring alien races.

Rob Liefeld, who created characters Deadpool and Cable for Marvel, debuted Glory in Image Comics’ “Youngblood Strikefile” back in 1993. The character starred in her own title starting in 1995, and writers including Alan Moore (“Watchmen”) and Jo Duffy (“Catwoman”) have written her stories. Keatinge says none of the previous stories from Liefeld’s Extreme Studios will be invalidated, but fans and newcomers should expect a fresh take.

“My thing with continuity is, I try to approach it like ‘Rashomon,’ you know?” Keatinge said. “All that stuff happened, but the way you perceive it and tell it may be a little different. The way our Glory looks is different from that other Glory, but all those stories happened.”

The new, muscular look of Glory is courtesy of indie comics writer/artist Ross Campbell, the artist for the new “Glory” series. Keatinge brought in Campbell at the suggestion of Brandon Graham, who is writing “Prophet” as part of the Extreme revival.

“He turned out to be the perfect guy,” Keatinge said of Campbell. “I had a pitch and everything was accepted before him, but our run is what it is because of him as an artist.”

Keatinge is continuing the numbering of “Glory” from those original comics from the 1990s, so his first issue is No. 23. It sold out quickly from comic shops, with a second printing arriving in stores this week along with issue No. 24. Keatinge said he’d be glad to bring back fans from the original 1990s series, but he’s also hoping for new eyes on his work.

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