We are delighted to be joined by writer Jordan Clark. We got a chance to chat with Jordan about his new comic Ancestral Recall, releasing on August 6th from AHOY Comics. Jordan has written many comics, including Aquaman, Crimes of Passion and Star Wars Adventures.
“Right out of the gate, I loved ANCESTRAL RECALL! Here’s a team with a certified fresh idea that knows how to get every single ounce of it. It’s SINNERS meets QUANTUM LEAP, as a struggling artist’s quest to solve his wife’s disappearance careens into a cross-time war to preserve his culture! He might be fighting in the present, but Melvin Waring has the skills of every ancestor on his side—and he’s not stopping until his family’s whole again!” — Steve Orlando
Hi Jordan, it’s so lovely to have you here with us.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Sure! My name is Jordan Clark and I’ve been writing comics for over a decade now with work at DC, Image, Dynamite, IDW, and more. Now I’m getting ready for my debut creator owned book at Ahoy Comics, Ancestral Recall, which follows an eccentric painter who gains the ability to commune with historical Black figures and use their knowledge and skills to reunite with his missing wife.
Can you tell us about the origins of Ancestral Recall?
The inspiration came to me after seeing Everything, Everywhere, All At Once and how it was able to balance crazy sci-fi action and humor with a deeply personal story of family and culture. I really wanted to try and see if I could take a big swing like that in the world of comics. On top of that, seeing how Black history has been under attack, I wanted to shine a spotlight on some incredible figures who often don’t get the shine they deserve.
What can you tell us about Melvin Waring?
Melvin is the great grand nephew of famed Harlem renaissance painter Laura Wheeler Waring. He is a bit of an eccentric figure, not really interested in being in the public light. As the story goes on, he’s forced to fight through his anxieties and find strength in the past to reunite with his wife.
What made Atagun İlhan the right artist for Ancestral Recall?
Atagun is a tremendous talent. We both had the honor of being a part of the Milestone Initiative Program and seeing his skill, creativity, and flexibility in style in person immediately made me want to work with him. Atagun is the kind of artist who can draw a wild splash page of robot dogs chasing a car and follow it up with a quiet scene between two characters and both blow you away.
How did AHOY Comics get involved with Ancestral Recall?
I was lucky to connect with Derron Bennett of Andworld Design who was also working with Ahoy. He mentioned they might be open to some pitches if there was an idea I had to send his way. Meanwhile, Atagun was familiar with Ahoy EIC Tom Peyer as he was finishing up his MFA at Syracuse University. So there was a bit of synergy pushing everything together and Ahoy ended up being the perfect place for this series.
Can you tell us about the world that Ancestral Recall is set in?
Ancestral Recall takes place simultaneously in present day Oakland and the far (but not too far) future. There’s a lot that will feel familiar for readers but also we’ll get a look at a possible future filled with sentient AI corporations and robot attack dogs as well as different historical settings.
How long have you been working on Ancestral Recall?
I’ve been working on it for about 4 years now between the initial idea to today. It’s been a bit surreal because a lot of the main themes surrounding Black history, art, and artificial intelligence have only become more heightened during that time.
What has it been like working with Atagun İlhan and AHOY Comics?
A dream! Atagun is such a great collaborator. We’ve really clicked in terms of ideas and how we wanted to shape this book, so it’s been so fulfilling to get work alongside him as well as colorist Pippa Bowland and letterer Rob Steen. Ahoy is also such a fantastic publisher, really encouraging and pushing us to tell the best story we can.
Who is Myran Byun?
Myran is Melvin’s teenage neighbor and almost his total opposite. She’s extremely outgoing, social, and basically acts as a running dialogue (mostly against Melvin’s will). She plays a number of roles from comic relief, to helping push Melvin forward, and even Melvin’s protector at times. I love their friendship.
How would you describe Ancestral Recall?
As a love letter to those who came before as well as an affirmation for us living in this present moment. Black history and culture is vast and wondrous and I want readers to be able to connect with it in a way that feels urgent and joyful.
Can you tell us what else you are working on?
At the moment I have a few anthology projects. One is non fiction, and explores different elements of Black culture I’ve always been curious about, ranging from dap to roller skating. The other is basically the Green Book of time travel (the real one, not the awful movie) that explores little known moments in Black history.
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
I hope there’s something in Ancestral Recall that speaks to you. It’s equal parts celebration of Black history and culture, a love story, a wild sci-fi adventure, and absurd comedy. We really put our hearts into this and I think it shines through.
We would like to say a big thank you to Jordan for chatting with us and wish him the best of luck for the release of Ancestral Recall.
