From the original animated Winx Club to Netflix’s live-action remake, the fairies now make the leap to the world of comics with a new series from Maverick by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs and Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau titled Fate: The Winx Saga-Dark Destiny Vol. 1.
The adaptation picks right up where Netflix’s Winx series left off, following a group of fairies enrolled at the magical school of Alfea after losing their close friend, Bloom. In this new school year, Aisha, Kat, Terra and the rest of the gang must face a mysterious new enemy that threatens to destroy each and every one of them.
We spoke to Cuartero-Briggs all about the new series, as well as many of her current and upcoming projects in this exclusive interview with the writer.
How did you become involved in Fate: The Winx Saga graphic novel?
I just kind of lucked out! One of my favorite people in comics, Mike Marts, had just moved to Mad Cave as their editor in chief, so I made sure the folks over there knew who I was and that I was very interested in working with them. The timing ended up being pretty perfect, because within a couple months they wrote me and said, “I think we have something for you!” and that was Fate: The Winx Saga.
Your story picks up right where the Netflix series ended, correct?
Kinda. Dark Destiny begins six months after the end of season 2 of the Netflix Series. This was a strategic choice, as we did want to continue the story, but we also needed a bit of a reset so that folks who hadn’t seen the show could also pick up the book and enjoy it for what it is. So, fans of the show will definitely notice that some pretty big revelations have already occurred and that this is the beginning of a new school year at Alfea, and an entirely new story arc, building off of where the characters were where we left them.
The Winx Universe has spanned a number of mediums, from the original Winx Club animated series, to the the live action remake, to the the new graphic novel. Did you feel that any story elements or characters changed for the print medium?
Yes. The biggest change fans of Fate: The Winx Saga may notice is the triad that was hinted at in the final episode of the second season. While we have the rights to all of the characters that have already appeared in Fate: The Winx Saga, we don’t have those to all of the Winx Club characters, so things needed to change. Additionally, however, with only about 200 pages to tell a complete season 3 arc, I felt it would be more interesting to include more characters we already knew than introducing new ones. Other than that, however, I feel like we stayed pretty true to the characters as they were depicted in the television series.
How was it working with Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau on Fate, and how would you describe her style?
Christianne and I actually didn’t even meet for the first time until the book was finished. We had a very short window in which to complete the book, and Maverick just ran with it. When I did get to see her work, however, I was really blown away. I hadn’t expected such a whimsical, playful style of art for this book, but when I saw the level of emotion she was able to convey, I thought it was a really cool juxtaposition against the dark, brooding nature of this story, and the heartbreak and violence within it.
Last time we spoke, Jill and the Killers had just been released. Any plans for a follow-up?
I’m so glad you asked! I don’t know yet about a second arc as the trade paperback hasn’t come out yet, BUT, Maestro Media has acquired the rights to turn Jill and the Killers into a tabletop game! I am so incredibly excited to work with them on this project. Writing a game has always been a dream of mine, and to get to do it with Jill and the gang is just too amazing! I am forever grateful to Hunter Gorinson and Oni Press for making this happen.
You have many projects on your plate right now, so any that you can speak to from the realm of comics?
Literally everything I am working on has yet to be announced, so I can’t reveal titles or plots, but I can tell you that my upcoming book with Mad Cave is the craziest, most violent, gruesome book I’ve ever written, AND the most deeply personal. I call it Squid Games meets Everything Everywhere all at Once on a subway train, and I can’t WAIT for the announcement to come out! I can also say that I’m working on my first YA romcom graphic novel with Maverick, and it’s SUPER CUTE. AND, while I can’t tell you ANYTHING about it, I just got my first book deal in the traditional publishing space for a YA thriller. So, I’m very busy, excruciatingly excited, and feeling very blessed as a creator.
Fate: The Winx Saga-Dark Destiny Vol. 1 is now available at finer comic book shops and bookstores everywhere.
