In the new mini-series Pariah, trapped in space, the genetically engineered geniuses known as “vitros” must band together and create a plan to get back to Earth before their failing satellite turns into a deathtrap!

The series picks up after the first volume of Pariah which was collected and released by Dark Horse this January. A mix of science-fiction, survival movies and even a bit Lord of the Flies, the first issue of the new volume is tense and exciting.

We got a chance to ask series creator Aron Warner about it, some of the themes and even about a certain other recent movie that took place in space.

Graphic Policy: Where did the idea of Pariah come from?

Aron Warner: I was reading an article about genetic manipulation being done in vitro to correct some transcription errors.   I started thinking about where that could go – bodies are very complex and medical science is moving very quickly.   We don’t even understand some of the processes let along can we predict all the consequences.

At the same time, I read a lot of science news and so much of what I read is so mind-blowing that I’m surprised more people don’t know how much change we’re on the verge of.   Yeah, there’s a lot of bad news out there, but we’re also on the verge of so many amazing advancements.    I kind of pulled together my love for science with our natural fear of it and out came Pariah.

GP: How did you come to work with Dark Horse?

AW: The first four issues we’re published by another company but I was really bummed out with how they handled it. Dark Horse graciously offered to take it on.  They re-released the first four issues in January as a graphic novel. Check it out! I think it does a great job of setting up the cast of characters.

GP:  Reading through the first volume, it strikes me that there’s a lot of underlying themes that have resonated post 9/11 of sleepers among us, the things government might do to protect us, and the blaming of an entire group of people for the perceived actions of a few. Was this all intentional?

AW: I think it’s more personal for me.   Growing up hearing first hand horror stories of oppression and scapegoating meant these themes were always close to the surface.

GP: You’ve worked on a lot of films, writing some, producing some, and even acting in some. What does the comic form provide that movies don’t for storytelling?

AW: This has been the most direct and personal creative experience of my career.   It’s been the only thing I’ve done so far that wasn’t for someone else.

GP: The newest mini-series finds the Vitros stuck on a satellite in space that’s been sabotaged and kind of a death trap now. Can we expect to find out exactly how they got there and some of the machinations that lead to their situation?

AW: That’s all in the trade graphic novel. Check it out!

GP: I also couldn’t help think that they represent the issues of a new nation forming post pseudo revolution, and the dysfunction in that. We’ve seen some of this in the real world. Was this intentional or am I reading too much into it?

AW: I appreciate you giving me credit for being way smarter than I am…

GP: The final thing that stuck out to me about the themes that these kids are all disliked and not trusted due to their intelligence and more reason/science based focus. There’s lots of division in our real society due to those two things as well. Was this commentary on that?

AW: For sure. People fear what they don’t understand. Science increases our understanding of the universe which means it brings into question why we exist. Not all science is “good” – sometimes it leads to inaccurate, incomplete or even dangerous conclusions. These kids will struggle with those issues as well. Knowledge is power – that’s why everyone’s scared to death of them.

GP: Like the movie Gravity, also set in space, I read the first issue thinking how much they’re both character studies. This is also the first time we’ve really seen all the Vitros together interacting. What got you to want to focus on those personal interactions as opposed to some straight action story, which it could have easily been?

AW: I’d rather see people do stuff than watch a bunch of CG smash into more CG. The movie Gravity represents everything I love most about what movies can be – personal, emotional, transformational, beautiful to look at and the perfect use of the current state of image making tech. Can you tell I love that movie???

GP: Artist Brett Weldele has provided some beautiful artwork. How did you come to work with him as well as fellow series writer Philip Gelatt?

AW: Phil was introduced to me by my co-worker Jeff Fierson. I really like the tone of Phil’s work and he completely got where I wanted the story to go. Brett I found by walking around Comic-Con, table by table, booth by booth and picking up books until I found something that really spoke to me. I introduced myself to Brett who I’m pretty sure thought I was crazy at the time.

GP: What can we expect next for Pariah as well as yourself?

AW: The series ends with a couple of very distinct paths – I really want to continue with one or both of those stories. I’m also working on another comic book idea and a bunch of movies. Stuff takes so long to happen that I like to have a lot percolating.