Out this week is DC Comics’ yearly holiday anthology special complete with eight stories that bring the holiday cheer, lean into the winter vibes, and bring out the best in villains and heroes alike. It’s a good read and extra-sized at that, with stories featuring Harley Quinn, Tim Drake, and Vixen.
In fact, to shed some light on the Vixen story, Tee Franklin was gracious enough to answer a few questions about her story. You might know Franklin from her series Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour., or from the Image Comics series Jook Joint.
In her story “The Syphoning” with artist Yancy Labat, color artist Tony Aviña, and letterer Taylor Esposito, Franklin uses Vixen and the Super-Pets to fight Penguin to stop his plan to ruin the holidays for everyone in Reykjavik. We talk about Franklin’s love of Vixen, working with Labat, and more.
AIPT: When you were approached to write a story for Tis the Season to Be Freezin, was Vixen your first choice to use in your story?
Tee Franklin: It actually wasn’t, the email subject said Vixen and the Super-Pets and I screamed. My kids rushed into my room and thought that something was wrong. I had to apologize, cuz they were worried since I suffer from heart problems. Looking back, yeahhhh I probably shouldn’t have screamed…but I LOVE Vixen, David.
AIPT: You get to use the full force of the Super-Pets, do you have a favorite in the bunch?
TF: I think they’re all so adorable. I adore Beppo and Flexi. Ace and Krypto are cool, but I’m always for the underdog – no pun intended.
Courtesy DC Comics
AIPT: What makes Vixen work for you the most?
TF: Everything. Vixen is my favorite superhero, she’s so underrated and it’s about time for her to kick all the doors in and show everyone why sleeping on her is a mistake.
AIPT: Likely you wrote this story long before the holidays kicked into gear, did you need to do anything to get into the holiday spirit before writing this story?
TF: Actually not, while the story is in the holiday book, it was mostly a self-care story for Vixen. Unfortunately, Penguin felt like interrupting her vacation, I can tell you he’s gonna regret that.
Courtesy DC Comics
AIPT: Drawn by Yancey Labat, was there anything they blew you away within the story?
TF: Yancey is soooooo dope! The talent that flows from his fingers is amazing. Every single panel was gorgeous and Tony Aviña on the colors?!?!? Have you seen the Aurora Borealis??? Goodness, Tony’s work is phenomenal, I hope I get to work with him and Yancey again. Taylor Esposito’s lettering was just the cutest! The caption boxes for each of The Super-Pets gave me life! Taylor never misses. This entire team brought their A-game and I’m so pleased with how it all turned out.
That hypnotic page is my fave.
AIPT: Is there anything you look forward to personally during the holidays? How do you celebrate during the holidays?
TF: Gotta be honest here. I hate the holidays. HATE. It’s beyond depressing for me and I suffer from the holiday blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder, so every November 1st, I have to fight to get thru the depression. So, I guess I’d have to say I’m looking forward to the holidays being over.
Bah humbug.
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