Now here’s a creator I can relate to in a big way. Creator Highlights is all about finding the narrative strengths of creators; but for Robert Venditti it’s all about trying to find himself. When the traditional college life doesn’t work out, he finds comics to be a field of interest. Inspired by Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, Venditti took the chances to change careers.
Robert Venditti’s Taking the Leap
Venditti encounters Top Shelf Productions‘ Chris Staros at a convention with one thing leading to another. With Top Shelf in the process of going bankrupt, Venditti offers himself in warehouse work. While there, Venditti writes the screenplay for his debut series The Surrogates. With Top Shelf having little left to lose, Staros decides to have the five-issue mini-series published. This chance turns into a big break for everyone; Top Shelf after publishing The Surrogates gains recognition, despite initial low sales. After talks with Hollywood, a film adaptation garners more attention; still the movie underperforms critically. Luckily, Top Shelf gets out of bankruptcy after IDW acquires it.
Looking at Surrogates, Venditti takes cues and chances of several sci-fi works and technological advancements. Similar to I, Robot, advances in technology separates humanity from most of the real world. The title plot elements play on the developing anxieties on drones and video calls in daily life. With growing technologies, and the ability to work remotely, it removes a crucial human element. I feel like this is Venditti’s way of displaying fear of losing chances. Although, it’s a bit of irony with Venditti getting this job through an email list. Ultimately, these risks propel Venditti forward.
Robert Venditti: Experimental Period
Venditti’s work with Surrogates eventually gain the notice of some publishers including Marvel. There he works as part of Marvel Comics Presents series for a Captain America One-Shot. This ends up becoming a crucial piece of the best parts of the Captain America: The First Avenger movie. Before becoming the Super Soldier, Steve Rogers is selling war bonds to inspire support. It shows Rogers is still the loser before the Super Soldier serum until he decides to get his hands dirty.
Occasionally he works on stories in reaction to upcoming movies including Iron Man. But some of his more notable work is with Attila Futaki in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians graphic novels. Unlike the books or the movies, they focus more on Percy dealing with his heritage. The fight with the minotaur alone shows Percy’s emotional journey. The same goes for Venditti as his career begins to take off.
The Valiant Triumph of Robert Venditti
Venditti continues to work independently with The Homeland Security‘s publishing in Top Shelf. The graphic novel about conspiracy and corrupt officials seems to resonate with critics rather well. It reflects the unease people tend to feel about the US government’s war crimes. This along with his past work is enough to get a few calls and recommendations to “Valiant Entertainment”.
Valiant after a nearly twenty year hiatus decides to reintroduce their characters to the modern world. Among the cast, Venditti works alongside Conan artist Cary Nord for X-O Manowar. Combining the pair’s shared love of the two genres Aric of Dacia is a part of; this Iron Man meets Conan character stands as a cornerstone of the Valiant Universe to them. To respect that vision, Venditti writes Aric’s growth into a strategic warrior trying to make sense of his new setting. He isn’t a barbarian trying to conquer the world with a powerful weapon; Aric is a Visigoth trying to build a semblance to the life he lost. Despite all of his strength, Aric struggles to find a place in the new world.
Aric ultimately gets approval after all of his struggles that I can see reflecting Venditti himself. From a new generation of Visigoths comes proof of fans of Valiant and Venditti. The battle against Earth’s forces and subsequent understanding from the other party; proof of recognition in the comics industry. The Armor Hunters? There is always more to come.
Robert Venditti Retrofitting in DC
While still working on X-O Manowar, Robert Venditti begins working in DC starting with Demon Knights. However it’s a rather abrupt inclusion since it continues off of Paul Cornell’s work; Venditti finds himself in an uncomfortable position but pushes on none-the-less. His time with Green Lantern is rocky at first, but it builds into something even greater. Through Hal Jordan, Venditti takes matters into his own hands. Like how he writes Hal Jordan, Venditti takes the responsibility of a heavy task after many shortfalls.
Between Two Worlds
Between Venditti’s time with Green Lantern, he comes back to Valiant to work with the Eternal Warrior. Like with Gilad, Venditti completes a major milestone and no longer needs to continue. Both are in a place of solace and satisfaction; coming back to life could lead to disaster. But outside forces and a sense of duty compel character and writer to press on.
Like most Hero’s Journeys, reflection is key. Venditti goes through a period of creative deficient at DC. The Flash and the Green Lanterns continue to come up short until Jordan has a moment of self-reflection. For Venditti, this means it is time to take a few steps back; leaving the Flash behind he returns Hal to the Corps. Hal’s renewed sense of will makes this feel like a genuine step in the right direction. The only problem is handling so many characters at once. The Corps just seems too big for Venditti unlike with Hal; who gets to confront what makes him such a great character.
Refocusing on Perspective
With Gilad, Venditti finds a way to express real fears and struggles from having a successful career. From having and raising children to dealing with the world as people only see the superficials of others. Venditti keeps most of his life a secret but I can’t help but feel he’s been going through these struggles. But what’s most important aren’t just the struggles a person has to go through; it’s the drive to make peace with the past and keeping what you love most close.
Fitting in The Larger Universe
With Venditti firmly establishing his place in comics but needing to change gears; he takes on the difficult challenge of Hawkman. Hawkman is a character who struggles to exist in the DC universe; from origins that retcon every so often to an unhealthy bond with Hawkgirl. Venditti has Carter Hall become a vehicle to explore his own place in DC. Rather than try to fix the messy origin, Venditti accepts all incarnations of Hawkman. Venditti already accepts his messy past and doesn’t try to hide it; why should Hawkman? His ties with the Atom alone make Carter feel like a real person. In fact the climax reveals not only a new origin but a celebration of the greater DC universe. With all of genres one character can encompass; Hawkman and Venditti keep their place in DC.
The War of Connections
Despite Venditti’s success, all of that can change drastically. Look no further than D-Day, a struggle that defines the Allies victory against the Third Reich. This however is no overwhelming win despite the statistics. Anything can go wrong even with certain victory. To the people at large, despite every sacrifice and chance you take, people can be reduced into casualties. Venditti actually has an uncle who does not survive the fateful day. Imagine what it’s like to face off against Nazis on not one but two fronts.
Making Connections Through Found Footage
Venditti doesn’t even know his Uncle Tommy so he tries to reach out to him through Six Days. He collaborates with Kevin Maurer, a writer who understands the struggles of soldiers. Much like D-Day itself, the development comes through many information channels and chance meetings. Six Days is by no means an autobiographical depiction of making Venditti’s uncle a hero or a victim. It’s a story about soldiers making connection with French civilians against overwhelming odds. Not everyone makes it out, but no one dies in vain. It’s connections like these that likely propel Venditti to another part of DC’s multiverse.
The War Against Obscurity
In DC’s Freedom Fighters, Venditti has the opportunity to work with heroes who fight with Uncle Sam. The original Freedom Fighters actually die in the first issue and hope is all but lost. When the symbol of American tenacity is MIA, many give in. Yet, some people are more than ready to fight unbearable conditions. The passions reach Uncle Sam who questions if the fight is even worth it. Going face-to-face with Nazi Superman doesn’t deter him as much as the complacent masses. Truly the message of a creator who values connections and how easily they erode. But people have heard him and he gets the new chance to lead the Justice League for it.
Venditti’s Bad Ideas
When Justice League doesn’t quite work out those connections come back in the form of the experimental comic publisher, Bad Idea. It’s here that I notice some familiar tropes of Venditti like trying to fit in. But more importantly, there’s a strong emphasis on camp. Both Tankers and Pizza Detective feature scenario’s so absurd, there’s nothing to take seriously. The only real thing to take away is the enjoyment Robert Venditti and his creative teams are having. Because now that Venditti finds a place among friends, why not enjoy it instead of worrying about everything?
Live A Little With Robert Venditti
Robert Venditti has come a very long way; like many people it takes a long time to find a calling. Even fewer can manage to achieve success. Anxieties and other external factors can hold people back in a big way. But it’s braving the struggle to pave way to a satisfying life that makes all the risks worth it. It certainly helps in finding the right people. Venditti can never expect the entire future to go the way he wants; but that just means he has to live in the moment.