Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 1

Q&A with Tom Taylor

Q: What has been the best part about writing the Injustice: Gods Among Us universe, specifically this world outside of what’s going on in the rest of the DCU?

A: Well, you just hit it right there, it’s outside of DC continuity. Essentially, I’ve had the most creative freedom I’ve ever had on any licensed book ever and because it’s weekly, I get to tell any story I can think of. Yes, we’ve told a huge arcing story about Superman getting more and more controlling and Batman and Superman splitting up as friends. But we’ve also told these one shots out of the middle of nowhere, like Superman and Flash playing super speed chess and Green Arrow and Harley Quinn just having a little adventure in a very funny, poignant, and sad story. The Flash also goes running across the Nullarbor in Australia. People have loved these stories and it’s kept things very fresh. Even though some of them haven’t appealed to everybody, the fact that it’s a weekly comic is exhausting and I don’t get a lot of sleep, but I still want to put absolutely everything into every issue. I agonize over every syllable.

Q: It’s very apparent that you’re having fun with this story and I think that’s why everybody loves reading it. Do you have a favorite issue or an issue that you think people should go back to if they’ve only read Issue #1 or only played the video game?

A: For people who are worried about the violence and darkness of it, they should definitely check out Chapter 5. It’s that Green Arrow and Harley Quinn issue which is probably still my favorite issue, it’s not very Injustice but it’s just great. Its throwing together two wonderful characters that have never really mixed before. There’s also a Flash story in Chapter 13 where Superman, Wonder Woman, and Flash come to Australia to break up a protest and that’s a story that everyone seems to love, a lot of people have told me that’s their favorite. The whole run has been fun and I know a lot of people have been hesitant at the start because some truly horrible things happen. Some nasty things happen that I didn’t even want to write or read but if they can get past that there are some stories that aren’t so dark and some stories that have a lot of humor. If I’m going to recommend one? I’d recommend all of them, read everything so far, that’s a good place to start.

Q: You bring up a funny point because even though the world is so dark in this alternate universe, so many of these characters would handle it with humor. Even with everything happening some of them have to laugh to survive.

A: That’s exactly it. I hate writing without humor, I can’t stand anything humorless. You know, I have a sense of humor and I believe other people do too and telling superhero stories without any lightness and levity is just not the way to go. Batman can do that but no one else can. Even a world turning to dark needs laughter.