How Paul Dano Created The Batman Evil Origin Story (Exclusive)

Earlier this year, it was revealed that actor Paul Dano who brought on the scary villain BatmanEdward Nashton/The Riddler, for life in Matt Reeves helmed will dive into the character’s origins by writing a comic prequel, The Riddler: Year One. This comic, featuring art by artist Stefan Sobeck in his American comic debut, hits shelves October 25 and is a unique setting in which a live-action actor shifts gears to write an original story. talk with ComicBook.comDano explained how the opportunity to explore Edward Nashton and his development in The Riddler came about and it turned out to be a natural extension of the work he did in preparing for it. Batman.

Dano explained to us in an exclusive interview that building a dramatic storyline for his characters is something that’s part of his process as an actor — and when it comes to Nashton, he’s come across as something a lot like a comic.

“Yeah, so one of the important steps I’m taking as an actor is to kind of create a backstory. A lot of the work goes into just getting to the first page of the script so that you kind of carry the life that, in this case, that character that Edward lived in your body and in subconsciously as best you can,” Dano said. “And that’s kind of how you can help build a physique, a voice, and a blah, blah, blah. Matt Reeves is also a very thorough writer, and we got along really well because of that. I was talking to him one night at Edward’s apartment. I said, ‘He’s funny,'” I said. There’s something, I don’t remember, but I was kind of thinking about this, my background and this picture and this picture. And I kind of kind of had it partially implanted in the original language of the comics because that’s where the character comes from anyway, so I just mean, I had major images in my head.”

And he continued, “And I was like, ‘Yeah, I think it could be. ‘ I kind of thought about it in my head, but I don’t think I would have made it on my own. And then, I guess, literally the next day, ‘I emailed, or called Jim Lee and you guys should talk to DC.’ And I said, “Okay.” Then I did, and they liked the idea and the backstory I had. And then it was one of those really good things that, oh damn, now I really have to do this. But also really excited and that’s really cool. Then it started. It has turned into something of its own now. So, her upbringing is the backstory with which she worked as an actor, but it also has to be a story that stands on its feet for the comic reader, and not just in the service of the film. So, she needs to do both. So now she’s really turned into, she took her own life.”

But while for Nashton his background takes on a form of a comic book — and thus his own life — perhaps a little unexpected, Dano is no stranger to comics as a reader and lover. He explained that he had long been a fan of comics and graphic novels and that this only intensified when he started writing The Riddler: Year One.

“I was a fan of comics as a kid,” Dano said. “And then in my adult life I’d read some great graphic novels. I wouldn’t say I was obsessed with comedy or anything else. I am now.” When I had to prepare BatmanI read a lot of Batman comics. Not just thrillers, just sucking Gotham, the history, the kind of original energy that’s in all of these comics. And I just love them. It was like opening a door and saying, Oh, I haven’t been in this wonderful room in a while. And I was very surprised by how much I liked The Batman work as a whole. Including storyboards.”

He also said that his renewed interaction with the comic book medium also makes him feel very lucky to be trying his hand and feeling that what he created with the artists involved feels like a “full meal”.

“I got caught up in talking about comics pretty quickly before I knew I was going to write comics,” Dano said. “I’ve even been reading books on comics, I’ve gotten really into the topic, reading Scott McGlason, Grant Morrison, Supergoods, and that was all before comic writing. It was just, as soon as I went down the Batman rabbit hole, I was suddenly really engaged. With the moderator again. Well, it was really, I mean, I feel really lucky too, to get into this, and they let me in. It’s a very complicated process. My artists and I have a very intense collaboration and we’ve put a lot into this. So, I feel like It really is a complete meal.”

Here’s how DC . describes it The Riddler: Year OneAs portrayed in the hit movie Matt Reeves BatmanNot only was Riddler a fun nerd with an affinity for wordplay and perplexing clues, but as terrifying as a villain as anyone in the Dark Knight Chronicles. Here you can see Edward Nashton’s evolution into the menace known as the Riddler. How did an unknown forensic accountant uncover the dark secrets of Gotham’s underworld and come close to demolishing the entire city? This six-issue mini-series is an instant introduction to The Batman – a detailed, disturbing, and at times horrific story of a man who has nothing to lose.

Artist Stefan Sobeck makes his American comics debut, including the cover variety and is the first of six interlocking covers. This collaboration with Paul Dano presents a mysterious and gritty tale of a forgotten society man who refuses to go unnoticed anymore. Conan the Cimmerian by French publisher Glenat, recently introduced by Sobek, has brought huge acclaim in Europe and is on the cusp of a global launch with the Batman series unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

The Riddler: Year One #1, written by Dano with Art for Stefan Sobeck, goes on sale October 25.

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