Comic book writer Rick Remender has never been one to shy away from taking creative risks. With his upcoming series The Seasons, set to debut under Image Comics, Remender teams up with artist Paul Azaceta to deliver a story that defies modern conventions, embracing whimsy, visual storytelling, and a deeply personal approach. In a recent conversation over Zoom, Remender shared insights into the creative process behind the series, its inspirations, and the unique challenges it poses in today’s comic book landscape.
Rediscovering Whimsy in Comics
For Remender, the inspiration behind The Seasons stems from a shared sentiment with Azaceta: the modern comic book market has changed, and not necessarily for the better.
“During the pandemic, Paul and I were talking about comic books kind of drifting away from… whimsy and joy,” said Remender. “We wanted to do something that paid homage to [Hergé’s] Tintin, Miyazaki, Winsor McCay, and Jeff Smith’s Bone. The kind of comic book that just didn’t seem like it was being done anymore.”
That core desire resulted in a story that embraces the mantra “show, don’t tell” in a big way.
“There’s a joy in letting the art tell the story and just letting it breathe,” said Remender. “It’s about rejecting safe, creative choices and living in the nuances of character.”
A Story That Marries Visual Elegance and Narrative Depth
The first issue of The Seasons introduces readers to Spring, one of four sisters named after the titular seasons. The story kicks off with a seemingly simple premise: Spring’s quest to retrieve a letter. As Remender notes, “that entire comic book is just a young girl on a Vespa chasing a letter.” While it may sound straightforward, the execution is anything but. Remender described a scene where Spring’s pursuit leads her to a rooftop with a bird’s nest and a stray cat, turning her quest into a visually rich, character-driven sequence.
“You would think that’s unnecessary,” said Remender. “But the idea is to live in those smaller moments that we’re not seeing enough of. Seeing an artist of Paul’s caliber illustrate that on a level of detail that feels almost like a Tintin comic is an experience that’s more meaningful than another middle-aged action hero punching someone off a rooftop.”
Courtesy of Image Comics.
Balancing Mystery and Accessibility
At its core, The Seasons explores a supernatural mystery involving a Faustian bargain — an ancient relic that allows people to see the world as they desire but prevents them from seeing it as it truly is.
“That’s the hooky part,” said Remender. “It’s a Bradbury or Shakespearean dilemma. But it’s also about creating a world that’s immersive and mysterious.”
Remender admits that the decision to lean into mystery rather than spoon-feeding the audience was a deliberate and risky choice.
“In TV and movies, people hate mystery,” said Remender. “They want trailers to tell them everything. But for The Seasons, we’re hiding the ball a little. You won’t fully grasp where it’s headed until issue three or four, and that’s by design.”
Building a World with Care
The world of The Seasons is staged in an alternate 1920s Paris, a setting that eschews modern technology in favor of timeless adventure.
“By removing cell phones and computers, we’ve created a storytelling environment that feels like a breath of fresh air,” said Remender.
The development process for this richly detailed world has spanned years, allowing the creative team to refine every aspect of the narrative and its setting.
“The story originally began with the older sister, Autumn, a world-famous adventurer,” said Remender. “But as we developed it, we realized the story should begin with Spring and her quest for the letter. Having the time to step back and rework these elements has made all the difference.”
Courtesy of Image Comics.
Embracing Love and Risk in Creativity
For Remender, The Seasons represents a return to creating with heart and passion.
“I’m officially not listening to the audience anymore,” said Remender. “I know what the trends are, but I’m doing what I want. When you create something with love, that love becomes a gravity center. People can tell when you’re passionate about what you’re making.”
That love and passion shine through in the partnership with Azaceta and colorist Mat Lopes. Together, they’ve crafted a comic that marries the joy of classic adventure storytelling with the darker undercurrents of a world grappling with moral dilemmas.
Courtesy of Image Comics.
A New Chapter for Comics
The Seasons is poised to be a standout addition to the comic book world, a refreshing counterpoint to the oversaturated market of fast-paced, action-heavy stories. With its blend of whimsy, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling, it’s clear that Remender and Azaceta are charting new territory — or perhaps rediscovering forgotten paths.
“Our job is to create new things and to do it with love,” said Remender. “The results aren’t really up to us, but if you give it love, it will find friends. That’s the hope with The Seasons.”
The Seasons #1 debuts on January 29. (The FOC is Monday, January 6.)
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