Martinbrough, Illidge and Williamson Bring “The Ren” to Life

Amidst the many news stories and announcements made at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, one book announced by First Second Books involves some comics veterans working on a very different project. Written by Joseph Illidge and Shawn Martinbrough and illustrated by Grey Williamson, “The Ren” is a story set during the Harlem Renaissance and involves a love story between two young artists, a brewing gang war and attempts to capture the spirit of that revolutionary time and place.

Martinbrough and Illidge first met at DC when Illidge was an editor and Martinbrough was the artist on “Detective Comics.” The two went on to form Verge Entertainment and have been working on a variety of projects since. For “The Ren,” the duo has tapped artist Grey Williamson, who comics fans may know from the recent adaptation of the classic film “The Warriors” from Dynamite.

CBR News spoke with the creative team about the upcoming graphic novel, the concept behind the plot, the type of research done and the importance of the Harlem Renaissance as a period in American history.

Click below to read the interview.

via Martinbrough, Illidge and Williamson Bring “The Ren” to Life – Comic Book Resources.