Three Little Wishes is a hilarious graphic novel which subverts the traditional idea of about fulfilling one’s grandest desires. Sometimes, the person finding magic in the bottle doesn’t want that, and in what he or she wants may well be something nicer. I don’t want to say too much, but as for what caught my attention is that we don’t get a tale out of Arabian Knights, and the creators Paul Cornell and Steve Yeowell crafted a beautiful tale that I often don’t see in this subgenre.
It’s a very British work, and the nuances that come with it was enough for me!
Can you please introduce yourselves? That is, what was that break that got you into working in the comics industry?
Paul Cornell (Pictured left): Both times it was through Doctor Who–I got into writing British comics because I knew the editor of Doctor Who Magazine and I said I wanted to write. John Freeman gave me a strip and taught me the basics, And many years later, after he saw my work, Mark Miller emailed me asking if I would like to write for Marvel Comics. It’s a career route that any young creator can easily follow. I recommend it to anybody.
Steve Yeowell (Pictured Right): My first professional job was working with Grant Morrison on a Japanese toy tie in, Zoids, for Marvel UK. And from there, I went to 2008 A.D. From then on, it was with various American projects–Skrull Kill Krew, Starman, The Invisibles. I worked with lots of American writers. I’ve even worked with Miller a couple of times, and James Robinson. My latest is with Paul on Three Little Wishes, a rom com graphic novel.
One thing I’ve always wondered about–what’s the difference between British comics and American comics?
PC: There aren’t many of them left now, but most of them were anthology titles. So you’re dealing with short strips. And it gives you great discipline. With 2000 AD, you have to be in and out in five pages. What would you say, Steve?
SY: I think it’s a difference in dynamic because of the format. It means the story is much more concise. You have to get to the point quickly.
With Three Little Wishes, how did the idea come about?
PC: Well, the idea came about because I was sitting with my agent one day, and her husband is a contract lawyer. And I had in my head an idea for a book about granting wishes. I thought who would be the worst possible person for a fairy, interested in tricking humans with the fine detail of wishes, to encounter? A contract lawyer!