What?s Eating Solid Snake?
- September 13, 2004 13:28 PM PST
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Metal Gear Solid?s dark and brooding world comes alive as a comic book?and GamePro has the exclusive interview and sneak peek.
World-threatening conspiracies, strange villains, and a mysterious protagonist?these are ingredients you?ll find in any run-of-the-mill comic book or video-game plot. But it?s how the tale is told and the strength of the characters that shapes these ingredients into the stuff of legends. Such is the case with the Metal Gear game series, which is now being worked into what looks to be a memorable comic book experience. Charged with this daunting task are writer Kris Oprisko and artist Ashley Wood. Oprisko is fresh off work on CSI, while Wood is best known for his unique renditions of Spawn and his character designs for Contra: Shattered Soldier for the PlayStation 2. GamePro sat down with the pair to go over the challenges and joys of bringing the espionage thriller to the paneled page.
GamePro: Solid Snake's history has always been shrouded in mystery and several twists have been revealed in the plot line of the games. Does that complex back-story make it easier or harder to create a comic around him?
Kris Oprisko: Definitely easier. In a world where some things are hidden and others made plain, a host of options open up to the writer as to where to take a character. At the same time, it is my intent to stay 100 percent true to Snake as a character.
GP: How involved is Konami or series creator Hideo Kojima in the project?
Ashley Wood: They?re all over it?it?s their baby. We?re all working very closely to make sure it?s the best it can be.
GP: Will the comic follow the story laid out in the games, or will there be different twists?
KO: The comics will follow the story line of the original Metal Gear Solid game. There will be instances, though, where incidents hinted at in the dialogue are more fully explored. In fact, the opening of the first issue is just such a scene!
GP: Will you change any of the characters? appearances radically from what we?ve seen in the games?
AS: No way. Yoji [Shinkawa], the character designer and visual monster of Metal Gear Solid, has created a stunning world and set of characters. I love them the way they are.
GP: What characters are you most looking forward to putting your visual spin on?
AW: Well, Snakey-boy, of course; Vulcan Raven; but I gotta say, all the girly characters, I?ll be putting some spin on!
GP: What are some aspects of the Metal Gear mythos that are easier to explore with the comic book medium?
KO: Well, what was harder was getting across the prodigious amount of back-story and setup at the beginning of the tale while keeping the action level high. What was easier was heightening the suspense of the parts of the game that fell between the cut-scenes. In the comics, these situations can be given the same kind of cinematic intensity and suspense that the cut-scenes possess.
GP: Without spoilers, can you briefly go over how the first story arc will play out?
KO: Although those familiar with the game will know the basic signposts of the story we present, they will still be seeing it in a totally unique way. Ashley Wood?s art has been brilliant, and I plan on taking full advantage of his talent by giving him the room he needs to stretch out and breathe with the storytelling.
GP: For fans very familiar with the Metal Gear series, what new type of experience can they expect from the comic?
KO: Fans who know nothing about Metal Gear Solid can enjoy this comic based on the amazing artwork and tense story line. Those who already know and love the video games will have an even richer experience since the pacing unique to comic books allows me to linger on the bursts of intense action that make up so much of the game.
GP: Let?s talk about your previous Konami collaboration, Contra: Shattered Soldier. What was it like working on the character designs for that game?
AW: I had a load of freedom, which was cool. I worked with their designs but was never forced or pushed in any direction. That was a fun job.
GP: Are there any other Konami games you are itching to take a crack at?
AW: Well, I?m hoping that Metal Gear Solid will lead to a gig on Frogger?a man can dream, can?t he? Dammit, Castlevania would be cool. Hmm, why hasn?t anyone asked me to do that?
GP: What has been your toughest challenge on this project so far?
KO: Honestly, the project has been a dream so far. I get to play through the game all over again with the added benefit of being able to retell that story in a way I know will thrill comic fans. Kojima-san has been nothing but supportive and helpful every step of the way. We are proud that he chose IDW as the home for Metal Gear Solid comics and have dedicated ourselves to producing the hardest-hitting, best comic series possible!
Comic starts on next page
