Hot off the tail of Rangers of the Divide, Megan Huang is launching a sequel series. The aptly-titled Rangers of the Divide II: Into the Depths is due out October 26, and, based on some early conversations, it seems this latest title will be an effective continuation and follow-up. Which is to say, plenty of ingenuity, fantastic world-building, and an art style that feels straight out of an animated film.
If you’re a little behind, series one followed our dragon-riding cadets after they’d survived an adventure that could’ve altered the fate of humanity. In part two, the cadets are struggling with losing their teammates and the perceived betrayal from their commander. And if that weren’t enough, they must uncover the answer to that oh-so vital question, “Is there life after death?”
I sat down with Huang to discuss what we’re in store for with the sequel, her favorite character in the series, and some other exciting tidbits.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
AIPT: As a sequel to your original series, where are we picking things up?
Megan Huang: Things pick up right after the cliffhanger at the end of the first series. It’s a direct continuation, which I feel was the only way to go with series two.
AIPT: Was a sequel always in the cards, or was this something that came up organically?
MH: I had always planned for a sequel. However, Dark Horse greenlighting was always something I wasn’t sure about. Hopefully, we can get at least two more arcs out of it. That would be enough for me to wrap up the story and the overall series.
AIPT: Now that you have the first series under your belt, was there anything you learned you could impart to fellow creators who are kicking off their fantasy world?
MH: Sure! I think it’s important to really make your fantasy world unique. I love seeing elves, fairies, hobbits, goblins and all that great stuff, but it always makes a series or story stand out when you diverge from the classics a bit. For example, mixing in a little of sci-fi like I did made a world of difference to the “stand-alone” aspect of the story. I have no regrets about diverging from the usual high fantasy world. I think it really paid off, and I hope readers feel the same way!
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
AIPT: I understand you’ve created all the creatures from scratch in this series, might we get any new ones in this new series?
MH: The short answer is yes! But to elaborate on that, haha, it was revealed on issue two’s cover that there will be these floating sharks and sea life. I just really like sharks. They are one of the several new beings introduced. And I say “beings” because it may not simply be just new creatures being introduced… but I’ll stop there.
AIPT: What were the challenges, if there were any at all, in plotting and thinking up where the story goes after the first series and now in this second part?
MH: The big challenge for me was… remembering what I wanted to do for a sequel! It’s so embarrassing, but I’d forgotten what I had planned to do at the early stage of series two. I had written it down but misplaced my notes. I knew the ending, I just needed to fill in the gaps. What’s more embarrassing is I wrote it down fully the second time ‘round, but I just know I’m going to forget again and misplace those notes! It’s a curse.
AIPT: I know these characters are all your babies, but has one risen up as your favorite now that you’ve lived with them for so long?
MH: Yes! Though I see myself a lot in Bryce, which is probably not a good thing, haha, I’d have to say, Camille. She’s been this reliable force on the team. She protects everyone and always does her best. Not even Elsie in this second series is that reliable, and you’ll see why starting around issue three.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
AIPT: I know it’s early yet, but in our culture of trilogies, might you have a third series planned once this second series is complete?
MH: For sure. Four arcs are the goal. But I always fear it’ll be condensed to only one last arc for the sake of “trilogies”. Though to tell the full, nuanced story, I think four is the only way to do it.
AIPT: You said in our last interview the first series started as a fantastical buddy-cop series…any chances you’ve reworked the idea, and we’ll get it in some format soon?!
MH: Haha, I do have an idea for something like that! I haven’t started it yet, but I’d see it as a more comedic series. I think after Rangers ends, or even when it’s close to the end, I’ll have more time to develop the idea.
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