While covering C2E2, I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris Burnham and discuss his artwork on Batman Incorporated and the death of Damian Wayne. I was expecting insight into the story, but also received insight into being a creator of a major comic and the struggles they often face in today’s market.
Chris Burnham
Larry Poupard: Shortly before the death of Damian hit reader’s hands, Dan Slott began receiving death threats for “killing” Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man. In the days leading up to the release of Batman Incorporated #8, did dread of repercussions from fans go through your mind?
Chris Burnham: (Laughs) Ya, I think I was a little disappointed that no one wanted to kill me! I guess they were threatening Slott, but it was Ryan Stegman drawing the book. It was all targeted towards Dan Slott who is very vocal and is always out there getting into Internet fights with people so I think he brings those stories and that kind of stuff on himself. Nobody is going to threaten Grant Morrison because he is not going to read it. I don’t even think he owns a computer. I think that if you don’t engage people in that way you can kill the fire before it even starts.
Larry Poupard: With the increase in passion among comic book readers in the last few years, do you believe some fans have difficulties separating creators from the stories they create?
Chris Burnham: Yes. You know, I can understand that. There is a strange disconnect even with me as I have my fanboy side and my professional side. I know all of what is going on and sometimes I just have to tell people to leave us alone because we are doing our best.
People have all kinds of weird continuity issues and I think it is all a miracle that it [the work] finally gets done. You have 52 books which means there are about 200 people all working on them at the same time and it is a miracle that we are able to get Bruce Wayne’s hair black.
As a professional working behind the scenes, I understand what is going on when I read a Marvel book and it does not jive with my fanboy side and it turns that side of me off. I want to yell “What the Hell is wrong with you people? Why can’t you get it right?” Then it clicks and I remember that perfection in this job is basically impossible.
Larry Poupard: Since Damian was killed, the Internet has been filled with rumors about what is going to happen and many readers believe they know what is going to happen next. Do these preconceptions and rumors place creators at a unique disadvantage and apply a different type of pressure than should usually be faced?
Chris Burnham: That is a really interesting question as I am definitely stupid enough to go on the forums and look at where people think the story is going and asking “What does it all mean.” Sometimes I read some of the theories and think “Oh, man. I don’t think we are that smart.”
I really try hard to make sure that kind of stuff [theories and rumors] does not get into my head. I am sure it does get in a little bit. We have tried to have our story planned out for a few years now and are not going to take a hard left turn because some guy on the Internet figured out the ending.
If you get enough people screaming on the Internet, one of them is going to be right. Other people will say “Oh that is the stupidest idea I ever heard” and “Oh that will never happen” and I find myself chuckling and saying “He got it.” We just need to put our heads down and stick to the plan.
Larry Poupard: The death of Damian will probably follow you throughout your career. Can you think of a positive and negative to the notoriety you will forever receive for your work on Batman Incorporated #8?
Chris Burnham: Well, people know who I am now, and that is pretty neat. The convention this weekend has been my busiest ever and I have signed about a billion comic books this weekend. The vitriol behind the death has died down at this point. I think things would have been different if I had a convention experience a few months ago when the book came out. It would have been a nightmare for me and it would have been a rough one as I got all sorts of advice from angry guys.
Since it is a couple months past, people can respect it now as a dramatic story and not a shocking and offensive event. I think it is going to go down as a classic Batman story and not a horrible and traumatic experience.
