Heroes + Villains: Joshua Ortega, Dialogue Dealer

Crispy's column about the intersection of comics and videogames chats up the guy responsible for telling Marcus Fenix what to say.
11/6/2008 7:15 PM | 0 Comments | Page 1 of 4

If you're a Gears of War fan, you're more than ready to return to Sera, the fictional planet where the apocalyptic war between humans and underground-dwelling Locusts rages. It's a safe bet that you've already read our coverage of Gears of War 2, and chances are that you've seen the trailer and videos, too.

But, maybe you haven't read the comic yet, thinking that it's just a cheap attempt to cash in on the mega-popular franchise. Well, we've got two big reasons for you doubtful COG soldiers to put those fears aside. One: Joshua Ortega handles scripting duties on both the comic and the game. Two: The Seattle-based scribe knows a little something about adapting concepts across different media, having also written Spider-Man for Marvel and created stories for the works of master fantasy artist Frank Frazetta. Read on to hear Ortega talk about putting words in the mouths of iconic characters from the worlds of fantasy, comics and videogames.

Crispy Gamer: When do you remember first getting grabbed by the world of videogames?

Joshua Ortega: It was undoubtedly at a pizza parlor, but my first really memorable experience was playing Atari 2600 at my uncle's house ... man, I loved that console! Combat, Boxing, Air-Sea Battle, that weird circus game, he had a ton of games at his place. I didn't get my own 2600 until I was older, but I was able to play for hours at my uncle's pad. I still have a 2600 now, actually ... and yes, I actually still do dig a lot of the games!

Crispy Gamer: What are some of your strongest comics memories?

Ortega: As a reader, I got hooked on comics during the late '70s; my dad would pick up issues for me. The earliest ones I remember were the Avengers issues during the late Perez era, when Beast and Wonder Man were on the team. I also enjoyed the Fantasy Masterpieces reprints of the original Silver Surfer issues from the '60s ... those both made a strong impression on me, especially the Surfer stories.

As a professional, my most memorable experience would probably be the day I saw my first comic in print. I don't think any pro forgets that day, or which issue was their first. Mine was Spider-Man Unlimited #8, and I was lucky enough to have the very talented Ryan Sook on pencils. Joe Hill also had a story in there -- it was his first comic as well -- and the late Seth Fisher also turned in some great work on that book.

Crispy Gamer: You started out as a journalist. What's it like being on the other side of the equation?

Ortega: Ultimately, more fulfilling. I really enjoyed journalism, and still do occasional pieces for the Seattle Times, but -- at least while covering art -- I found quickly that I'd rather be doing the art than reporting or commenting on it. When I do journalism now, it's to get the word out on something, or to explore an issue. I did a piece, "Water Wars," for the Times a few years back, about how wars will soon be fought over water rather than oil, and how companies affiliated with arms dealers are buying up world water supplies ... it's been reprinted a bunch, appeared in a number of college textbooks, and was quoted by Jane Goodall in her last book. A friend of mine was teasing me recently how I must be the only writer to have been quoted by Jane Goodall and written Spider-Man and Star Wars ... it's a weird combo, right?