KISS: Phantom Obsession's Ian Edginton Adds the Rock Band to His Writing Resume - CBR - Comic Book Resources

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The pioneering rock band KISS has been around for nearly a half-century and featured in various media forms for almost as long. The group has been portrayed as everything from superheroes to god-like entities to simply themselves. As KISS sets to resume their final "End of the Road" tour, they're now slated to star in Dynamite Entertainment's KISS: Phantom Obsession, an upcoming comic series written by Ian Edginton and drawn by Celor.

In KISS: Phantom Obsession, the band is hired to perform a private show in their trademark look by an eccentric, reclusive billionaire. However, this rich fan is also secretly plotting to seize the source of the group's power for himself. The band's power comes from a series of mystical talismans that give each rock star a unique ability. In KISS lore, Gene Simmons is named "The Demon" and Paul Stanley becomes "The Starchild." Now-former members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were known as "The Spaceman" and "The Cat," respectively.

Edginton brings decades of experience to his first KISS comic series. Previously, he also adapted the works of the metal band, Iron Maiden, into comic form for Heavy Metal. However, Edginton isn't the first writer to explore the idea behind KISS' talismans. The idea was first introduced in 1977's Marvel Comics Super Special #1 -- which followed a first appearance cameo by the band in Marvel's Howard the Duck comic -- and was subsequently referenced in the television movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park the following year.

Edginton spoke with CBR about his upcoming series, including any possible connection to the oft-criticized 1978 television movie and the landmark Marvel comic that preceded it.

CBR: Thank you for doing this interview, Ian. So, "Phantom" Obsession ... KISS Meets the "Phantom" of the Park -- aside from that commonality, is there a bigger connection between your comic and that infamous TV movie?

Edginton: There are a few nods to the TV movie but this series is very much its own thing. I've snuck a couple of Easter eggs in there though!

But speaking of KISS Meets the Phantom, there are robotic constructs in your story that bring that movie to mind -- a movie that was pretty widely derided, even by many KISS fans. Why give any nods to that film in Phantom Obsession?

It's fair to say that the movie is not high art but it does have that it’s so bad it's good thing going for it. You have to accept it for what it is, which is not very good but when I was offered the chance to write the series, I liked the idea of salvaging and repurposing some aspects of the story.

Getting back to comic books, there have been some pretty varied KISS comics over the decades -- KISS as superheroes, KISS as mythological beings, even KISS as tiny tykes. How does your comic differ from those, and add even more variety to that eclectic library?

I've tried to take a more science fiction/console game/1980s action movie kind of route. I've just mashed up those themes and stuck them in a bun!

If there’s an '80s vibe to this story, will readers see any glimpses of the band’s other two, lesser-known personas, Eric Carr ("The Fox") and Vinnie Vincent ("The Wizard"), who came along early that decade, after the departure of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley?

Not this time; but, if the book does well, I have a sequel in mind and who knows!

You mention repurposing, so did any of those previous comics perhaps inspire what you put into Phantom Obsession?

My main influences were issues 12 and 13 of Marvel's Howard the Duck and the first KISS Marvel Comics Super Special (printed in real KISS blood!). I didn't know who the hell they were at the time but loved the look.

That Super Special turned a lot of comic fans into KISS fans, and vice versa. Modern-day readers might not be familiar with the band, so are you looking or hoping for your comic to accomplish something similar?

If it does, that's great, but mostly I just want to take people on a fun ride. If anything else comes out of it, that's great!

How did you hook up with Celor for this project?

I think he was already on board when I signed up.

He brings a very unique, simplified look to the band, yet evokes a very larger-than-life feel. What were your thoughts when you first saw his pages?

I was really impressed. We start off the first issue with a big opening and he did a fantastic job. I've loved seeing the pages as they roll in. It's been a fun book to work on.

How do the two of you collaborate on this comic?

We've not spoken directly -- it often happens -- but I’ll send my script to [Editor] Joe Rybandt at Dynamite. He'll give it the once over and pending any changes, pass it on to Celor.

What about the band? Did Gene Simmons -- who’s widely known to be a comics fan -- or anyone else have any creative input on Phantom Obsession?

Did I have Gene calling me up to shoot the breeze? I wish! Alas not -- to my knowledge they had approvals and that was it. Nothing was changed so I'm assuming they liked it!

You've done comics based on rock bands before, Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast for Heavy Metal -- although those were nothing like Phantom Obsession. But do you have any kind of special approach to writing comic stories based on concepts and personalities that originate in music?

I stay close to the mood, look, and themes of the bands and their music. You're dealing with someone else's intellectual property and you have to respect that. Like any licensed property you're working within certain boundaries, and so long as you bear that in mind there's no reason you can't have fun doing it!

Along those same lines, you've done extensive work using licensed properties. Was doing a story using KISS, who are essentially licensed characters based on real people, any different from working with purely fictional properties like, say, Aliens or Planet of the Apes?

Not really. Each property comes with its own set of rules or parameters but that's not a bad thing -- if you were working on X-Men or Justice League, it would be the same thing. It's a thrill and a privilege to be asked to work on a series like this. You're being given the chance to play with someone else's very cool toys. So long as you treat them right and put them back in the box afterward, you're good to go!

You've had a very extensive and diverse portfolio of comics projects over the decades, but this is arguably unlike any of them. How would you say Phantom Obsession stands out from your other work?

It does simply by the fact it's the first KISS series I’ve worked on. It's great to see the look on friends' and colleagues' faces when I tell them that I'm writing a KISS book.

The band has no shortage of fans, that’s for sure. Every KISS fan has a story of how they became one. What's yours?

It was 1977, the UK and I was 14. I discovered KISS in Marvel's Howard the Duck! I thought they looked amazing. This wasn't glam rock, it was a whole something else. A friend of mine, who knew his metal, played me the Love Gun album and I was hooked, which is why Love Gun -- song and album -- has always been my favorite!

Awesome memory -- any other personal KISS anecdotes you'd like to share?

I once went to dinner with someone who was on the road with them back in the '80s. Let's just say they were wild times!

You mentioned a possible sequel. Once you’ve finished Phantom Obsession, do you have any more KISS projects lined up, or since you’re a fan, any others you'd like to pursue?

I'd love to do a huge, over the top, space opera adventure! Very much in a Guardians of the Galaxy kind of style.

Too cool. Thank you so much for your time, Ian. Rock and roll all night!

Edginton and Celor's KISS: Phantom Obsession #1 from Dynamite Entertainment, colored by Valentina Pinto and lettered by Troy Peteri, hits comic stands on Aug. 4.

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About The Author

Jim Johnson (1061 Articles Published)

Jim is a freelance writer who started writing for CBR in 2013. He had worked previously at Comics Buyer's Guide since 1997 as a writer, reviewer, and online columnist. He has also written for other various comics-related publications and websites, covered comic conventions, and appeared in video commentaries. Occasionally, he's been known to interview creative professionals including comic writers and artists, actors, and musicians. His love of pop culture began with Star Wars, followed by comics shortly thereafter. Forever a rock n roll aficionado, he's also an unapologetic KISS and Trans-Siberian Orchestra fan. And he's always willing to try a new hot sauce or microbrew – especially if someone else is buying. He also fancies himself as a photographer now and again. If you're nice, he can be found on Twitter as @QuiGonJimm.