Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Toil & Trouble
WORK NOTES: illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nicole Matthews
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.mscottwriter.com/
CITY: Los Angeles
STATE: CA
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.mscottwriter.com/bio/ * https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/transformers-windblade-writer-mairghread-scott-interview/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Dearborn, Michigan; married; husband’s name Jason.
EDUCATION:New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, B.F.A. (television writing).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Animation and comic book writer, freelance writer, and story consultant. Script coordinator for cartoons Transformers Prime and G.I. Joe Renegades; Marvel Comics, writer.
WRITINGS
Writer of various comic book titles, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Transformers: Windblade, and Rescue Bots.
SIDELIGHTS
Mairghread Scott is an animation and comic book writer, freelance writer, and story consultant. She writes action comedy for Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, and Dynamite Entertainment. She has worked on such titles as Guardians of the Galaxy, Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Transformers: Windblade, and Rescue Bots. In her original work, she has created her own comic book series Toil and Trouble and the upcoming Cold Iron Wars. Scott grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and loved Shakespeare, Monty Python, and Star Trek as a child. After earning a B.F.A. in television writing from New York University, she moved to Los Angeles where she got a job as script coordinator for Transformers Prime and G.I. Joe Renegades.
In an interview with Janelle Asselin at the Comics Alliance Web site, Scott explained what she wants readers to get from her work: “That more than anything, I strive to make you feel something in my work, and not just for the title character. I want the world, the plot, and the people to seem real and for each character to be a distinct individual in their actions, reactions and tone. The world is a vast and varied place. Comics should be, too.”
In an interview on the Previews World Web site, Scott described how she was inspired by other female comics writers: “I want to talk about one of my earliest heroes, Ashley Wood. I was in high school and I’d been reading comics but there were so few female creators that even though I wanted to write comics, I didn’t think I’d be allowed to write the kind I wanted to. Then I found ‘Lore’ and Ashley’s moody, surrealist artwork completely inspired me. I thought, ‘Here’s a woman who isn’t stuck making “girlie” art! If she can make it in comics, I can too!’”
In 2016, Scott released her creator-owned comic, Toil and Trouble, with artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews. With a nod to Shakespeare, the book recreates the story of Macbeth from the witches’ point of view. It centers on the three fates—combative Riata, oldest and gentle Cait, and moody Smertae—who secretly protect Alba (also known as Scotland) and control the monarchy according to the old religion. As the sisters fight over who is the rightful heir, they use men as pawns to manipulate kings. Riata aids the Norwegians and wants Prince Malcolm to be king, not Macbeth and the Scots who have stopped worshipping the old gods. Smertae, who was in exile for the last nine years, returns and has a secret that botches Riata’s plans. Cait is caught in the middle. As the immortals are willing to let men die to suit their whims, bloodshed ensues.
Calling the book action-packed, a Publishers Weekly reviewer said that “Scott’s writing is sharply paced and redolent with mythological hubris” and also complimented the angular, vivid art by Kelly and Nicole Matthews. At the Comic Bastards Web site, a reviewer praised Scott’s resignification of a work so entrenched in literary culture: “Mairghread Scott is fearless in her retelling. The book is a bold take on a hidden tale within the play. Scott manages to pay tribute not only the original source and invoke a number of influences from history and myth.”
In a somewhat mixed review at the comics blog Talking Comics, Hernan Guarderas observed: “The inconsistent pacing in the first two issues between the witches and the armies that land on Alba makes the book hard to enjoy. The witches’ plot is intriguing because of Smertae’s underdog characterization.” Concluding his review, Guarderas advised: “[Toil and Trouble] is not perfect, but it’s enjoyable if you appreciate fantasy-based drama or are interested in seeing a comic book adaptation of a Shakespeare play. It’s a complete series that tackles issues concerning Fate/Free Will, family, war, culture, and redemption.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, August 1, 2016, review of Toil and Trouble. p. 55.
ONLINE
Comic Bastards, https://comicbastards.com (September 21, 2016), review of Toil and Trouble.
Comics Alliance, http://comicsalliance.com/ (January 21, 2014), Janelle Asselin, “Hire this Woman: Writer Mairghread Scott.”
Daily Dot, https://www.dailydot.com (June 18, 2014), Lisa Granshaw, “Meet Mairghread Scott, The Writer Behind the First Female-Focused ‘Transformers’ Comic.”
GeekDad, https://geekdad.com (September 16, 2016), review of Toil and Trouble.
Mairghread Scott Home Page, http://www.mscottwriter.com (May 22, 2017).
Previews World, https://www.previewsworld.com/ (March 1, 2017), interview.
Talking Comics, http://talkingcomicbooks.com (September 18, 2016), review of Toil and Trouble.
Mairghread Scott is an animation and comic book writer specializing in action-comedy. Her animation work spans such titles as: Marvel’s Guardians of The Galaxy, Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors, Transformers: Robots In Disguise and Rescue Bots. She has also written the comic books Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Windblade, as well as her creator- owned series Toil and Trouble and the upcoming Cold Iron Wars.
Mairghread Scott grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, and was raised on a healthy diet of Shakespeare, Monty Python, and three iterations of Star Trek. Her mother enforced strict grammar and the belief that there was a book out there for everyone. Her father encouraged wilderness training and breakfast food-making, both of which she mastered at an early age. Her sister was annoying.
Okay, her sister was actually her best friend (fellow Sailor Scout, constant inspiration and anime buddy), but she knows too much…
In high school, Mairghread took classes in film production, and met a boy named Jason, who would become her husband. In college, she studied dramatic writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and learned from some of the best writers in the business: including Charlie Rubin and Joe Kelly. She graduated with a BFA in Television Writing (or a BA if her mother is reading this). The day of her graduation, she packed up her car, picked up her boyfriend, and drove to Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Mairghread worked her way up as an assistant while writing plays and honing her talents. Then she landed a job as a Script Coordinator for Transformers Prime and G.I. Joe Renegades. Mairghread got her first opportunity to join a writer’s room there and it led to her first professional script, “Stronger, Faster”: a character piece that saw the Autobot medic, Ratchet, develop a dangerous serum that turned him into a fierce warrior but came at at a price.
Since then, she has written for many different TV shows and comic books as a freelance writer and story consultant. She has had the joy of helping to create the first fan-built transformer, Windblade, and bring her to life in the IDW comics series of the same name as well as writing Windblade’s introduction to the new animated series Transformers Robots in Disguise.
In 2015, she will be releasing her first original comic series, Toil and Trouble with artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews from publisher Boom Studios’ Archaia imprint.
–She Has Expert Knowledge In: Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Star Trek (TNG, DS9, Voyager), Star Wars original trilogy, Farscape, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Dungeons & Dragons v3.5, Pathfinder, Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Miyazaki films, The Prisoner, Game of Thrones, ancient myth, the generally accepted anatomy and ecology of animals that do not actually exist.
–As Well As Semi-Legit Knowledge In: Star Wars expanded universe, Farscape, Adventure Time, Kill la Kill, Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist, the Alien franchise (sans Prometheus), PS3 console games, arcade games, actual science, actually things grown-ups should know.
–But Is Willfully Ignorant Of: Doctor Who, Star Trek: Enterprise, Vampire: The Masquerade, the entire PvP FPS scene, American Football.
Mairghread Scott is an animation and comic book writer specializing in action-comedy. She excels at projects that involve heavy continuity, re-branding and breaking stories in a writers’ room. Her work can be seen in the examples below as well as upcoming seasons of Marvel’s Guardians of The Galaxy, Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors, Transformers: Robots In Disguise and Rescue Bots as well as the comic books Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Combiner Wars, and her first creator-owned series Toil and Trouble being released by Boom Studios imprint Archaia in September.
Animation Writing
Guardians of the Galaxy – Freelance Writer
111, “Space Cowboys”
116, “We Are The World Tree”
120, “Fox on The Run”
Avengers Assemble – Freelance Writer
303, “Saving Captain Rogers”
Ultimate Spider-Man: Web-Warriors – Freelance Writer
406, “Double Agent Venom”
317, “Burrito Run”
Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015) – Series Writer
208, “Bumblebee’s Night Off”
204, “Suspended”
123, “The Buzz on Windblade”
116, “Some Body, Any Body”
108, “True Colors”
Rescue Bots – Freelance Writer
420, “The Need for Speed”
320, “The New Recruits”
311, “Quarry’s Quarry”
205, “Spellbound”
115, “The Griffin Rock Triangle”
Kaijudo: Clash of the Duel Masters – Freelance Writer
216, “Bring Me the Head of Tatsurion the Unchained”
Transformers Prime – Freelance Writer
306, “Chain of Command”
222, “Hard Knocks”
216, “Hurt”
202, “Orion Pax – Part 2”
122, “Stronger, Faster”
Published Writing
Marvel Comics
Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy Infinite Comics – Writer – 10 Issue Infinite Comic
Marvel Universe: Guardians of the Galaxy – Writer – 2 10-page stories
Boom Studios
Toil and Trouble – Writer – 6 issue creator-owned series
Power Rangers – Writer – Issue 0 – Backup Story
Lantern City – Co-Writer – Issues 3-12 – 12 issue maxi-series
Bravest Warriors Paralyzed Horse Giant – Writer – Anthology story
IDW Publishing
Transformers: Till All Are One – Writer – Ongoing Series
Transformers: Windblade Volume 2 – Writer – 7 issue series
Transformers Windblade Combiner Wars – Co-Writer – 6 issue crossover event
Transformers: Windblade Volume 1 – Writer – 4 issue mini-series
Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Co-Writer – 8 issues series
Transformers: Rage of the Dinobots – Co-Writer – 4 issue mini-series
Dynamite Entertainment
Swords of Sorrow Chaos Special – Writer – Prelude issue to Swords of Sorrow crossover event
Ruckus Media
Transformers Prime, Level 1-3 Children’s E-Books
Education
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
BFA in Dramatic Writing, with a TV Concentration
Hire This Woman: Writer Mairghread Scott
by Janelle Asselin January 21, 2014 1:46 PM
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In the overwhelmingly male comic book industry, it has been a challenge for some editors and readers to see the ever growing number of talented women currently trying to make a name for themselves. With that in mind, ComicsAlliance offers Hire This Woman, a recurring feature designed for comics readers as well as editors and other professionals, where we shine the spotlight on a female comics pro on the ascendance. Some of these women will be at the very beginning of their careers, while others will be more experienced but not yet “household names.”
This week we’re talking to comics and animation writer Mairghread Scott, who is best known for her work on the Transformers property both at Hasbro and at IDW Publishing, where she became the first woman to write an official Transformers comic.
ComicsAlliance: Tell us about your process.
Mairghread Scott: I always break out my outlines on paper before I type the actual script in my computer, then I go back to paper, breaking the script back into an outline during my revision process to see if/where I may have strayed from the original plan. Digital writing is wonderfully easy to edit, but the physical act of writing with a pen gives me the time I need when I’m thinking through a story as a whole. Of course, I can also use only one of three pens to write with or nothing works, but that’s another story.
CA: What’s your background/training?
MS: I have a BFA (or a BA if my mother asks) in Dramatic Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and got my start in LA working various production jobs in animation. Once I started writing in animation and my career began to take off, I was able to make the leap to writing comics as well.
CA: How would you describe your creative style?
MS: I tend to write very intense, motive-driven stories. I don’t like to say “character-driven” because I think fast-paced action is crucial in comics, but for me the real meat of any comic is in why the hero and the villain make the choices they do. Being either comes at tremendous personal cost, and exploring both the loss and gain from that choice is at the heart of what I write.
CA: What projects have you worked on in the past? What are you currently working on?
MS: In television I’ve written for Transformers Prime, Rescue Bots, Kaijudo and several other shows that haven’t aired yet because animation takes so long. In comics I’ve co-written Rage of the Dinobots and Transformers Prime Beast Hunters. I am currently writing Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs for Lion Forge (yes, it is about an intergalactic law enforcement officer on a robotic horse), and the Transformers Windblade miniseries for IDW with the fantastic Sarah Stone. I’m also pitching my first original graphic novel with Sarah and… between you, me and the Internet… it’s awesome!
CA: Approximately how long does it take you to write a 20-page issue?
MS: My preferred time frame is 10 business days for a first draft, five for rewrites on a 20-24 page comic. My “under the gun” timeline is half that.
CA: What is your dream project?
MS: I love filling in the gaps and smoothing out the bumps in a character’s continuity. My dream project would be fleshing out and re-grounding some of those wonderful side characters that get killed/canceled/retconned a lot, but are still around. Clearly they resonate with the readers; they just need someone to hit the right note.
Or Wonder Woman. My other ideal project is anything Wonder Woman.
CA: Who are some comic creators that inspire you?
MS: Greg Rucka, Neil Gaiman, Emma Rios, and Kate Beaton. All people who pushed the boundaries of what comics are “supposed” to be while keeping the human element at the forefront of their work.
CA: What are some comics that have inspired you either growing up or as an adult?
MS: I started reading comics in high school. The ones that have meant the most to me are: Lore, One Soul, I Kill Giants, Batman: The Black Mirror, Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia, Pang: The Wandering Shaolin Monk and Egg Story. I know it seems a little out of step with the others, but it is fantastic.
CA: What’s your ideal professional environment?
MS: A deadline and a decent chair. Seriously, I know it sounds silly, but I hate working on a nebulous deadline. If you want it in a week, if you want it in 24 hours, I don’t mind either way, just give me the date and consider it done.
CA: What do you most want our readers and industry professionals to know about your work?
MS: That more than anything, I strive to make you feel something in my work, and not just for the title character. I want the world, the plot, and the people to seem real and for each character to be a distinct individual in their actions, reactions and tone. The world is a vast and varied place. Comics should be, too.
CA: How can editors and readers keep up with your work and find your contact information?
MS: I can be reached on Twitter at @MairghreadScott or Tumblr at MScottWrites and look forward to any and all questions.
If there is a woman you’d like to recommend or if you’d like to be included in a future installment of this feature, drop us a line at comicsalliance-at-gmail-dot-com with “Hire This Woman” in the subject line.
Meet Mairghread Scott, the writer behind the first female-focused ‘Transformers’ comic
Lisa Granshaw—
June 18, 2014 at 11:00AM | Last updated Feb 25 at 1:24AM
imgur: the simple image sharer
An all-women team is bringing Windblade to life.
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When Hasbro launched an online Transformers poll last year to create the first fan-built robot, the result sparked an interesting and heated discussion in the fandom.
The majority of fans chose to create a female robot called Windblade, who would get her own toy and appear in the IDW Publishing comic books. While female Transformers have appeared in the franchise before, they are rare compared to their male counterparts. Some fans upon seeing Windblade felt there was no need to specify her gender. These fans argued that the robots are gender-neutral, ignoring the fact that the majority of other Transformers look and sound male.
Windblade, as a result, has become a sign of hope for female fans who want to see more of themselves—as much as robots allow—in the franchise. But even more is riding on the new Windblade mini-series by IDW. That’s because it’s the first Transformers comic to have an all-female creative team featuring artist Sarah Stone and writer Mairghread Scott. The Windblade writer has a lot of credibility in the Transformers fan community. Not only is she the first woman to officially write a canon Transformers comic, but she has written episodes for The Hub’s animated TV series’ Transformers: Prime and Transformers: Rescue Bots. For better or worse, the team’s gender added to the anticipation surrounding the introduction of Windblade.
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“It certainly added a bit more pressure,” Scott told the Daily Dot. “But when it came to writing Windblade, it just made it that much more important to me that she be a complex, three-dimensional character (funny, brave, naïve, doubtful, hopeful, the whole range.) Sarah and I wanted to put our stamp on the book and I think we’ve made sure it stands out on the racks.”
While fans visually designed Windblade, her personality and every other aspect of her character were left to Scott to develop. Before the current Windblade miniseries, the character appeared in the Dark Cybertron storyline as a new Transformer arriving on Cybertron. Scott knew she would come in at that point and came up with a plan.
Transformers Windblade comic cover
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“My strategy was to backtrack her design into a character. Work from the outside in, as it were. It was pretty clear she had a very important, formal position. But, because I don’t like any of my character’s lives to be easy, I thought it would be more interesting to make that a major contrast in her. So Windblade became a very hopeful, youthful character trying to fill a role that’s a little too big for her. Everything else built from there,” she explained.
Two issues out of the four-issue miniseries have been released so far. It’s not necessary to read other Transformers comics to get into Windblade. In fact, Scott said the comic can actually be a good introduction into the Transformers comics for fans new to the series and a jumping-on point for the Dawn of the Autobots arc. As for what readers can expect from the story, Scott told us readers should get ready for lots of feels.
“More than anything Transformers Windblade is about the journey Windblade herself goes through, so it’s a very intense, personal story. But it was important to me that it also be a hopeful one. Windblade is a good person and the primary struggle of the book is how long she can stay that way and what that costs her and everyone else,” Scott said.
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Windblade’s gender is not a focal point of the series, even though she’s one of the only Transformers referred to as “she” in the comics. The only time anyone inquires about this is a brief, funny moment in Issue 1. Otherwise, gender is not important to the other Transformers, leaving no real reason to bring it up beyond what we may see of Windblade’s past. Scott is more concerned with just writing the best story she can.
Of course that doesn’t mean Scott is unaware of the importance of Windblade’s character to the franchise and the fact that there have been few female robots. Her own comments about the history of female Transformers in the franchise have appeared in the spotlight, particularly how the only other canon female Transformer in the IDW series, Arcee, was forced to be female and was driven to violence as a result.
Transformers Windblade comic
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Scott told the Daily Dot that Hasbro has made an honest push to support Windblade and her creative team, and that she wouldn’t try to justify or explain away the past.
“It feels great to be a part of Windblade’s creation, and hopefully this is the start of something very positive for the brand, something that will keep it vital for generations to come,” she said.
Despite the negative response from certain parts of the fandom, Scott feels the franchise has been more accepting of her than other professional women in comics. All too recently we’ve seen the kind of harassment women can face in the comics community.
“Something is seriously wrong with the way female professionals are treated in comics, particularly from the more anonymous portion of the fandom. Female friends of mine get death threats, assault threats, and have had people try to hack their financials just to punish them for working in this industry. They aren’t prison guards! They’re illustrators!” Scott said. “They shouldn’t have to worry about their safety because they drew the wrong character. The fact that they do and that these actions have made it harder to get women interested in working in the field (and I know this from experience) disgusts me. It should disgust us all.”
Scott told the Daily Dot this hateful fringe is largely absent from the Transformers fandom, and that there are many reasonable fans who don’t like Windblade, which is fine. She describes the fans as wonderful, rational people and said she refuses “to let a group of fringe weirdos claim a power they do not have.”
While there are only two more issue of Windblade planned at the moment, there is a hope that the miniseries may become a full, ongoing series. Considering Scott’s vision for this new female character and an increasingly inclusive fandom, it would certainly be a powerful, positive statement for Windblade.
“I, personally, am working toward the future, and the future I want to see is one where more little kids, and grown men, and teenage girls—where more people like Transformers and get joy from it,” Scott said. “It’s not the grandest dream, but it’s mine.”
Art by Sarah Stone, screenshots by Lisa Granshaw via the IDW Publishing iPad app
Women in Comics Month: Interview with Mairghread Scott
Mar 01, 2017
In honor of Women in Comics Month this March, PREVIEWSworld talks with writer Mairghread Scott!
*************
PREVIEWSworld: Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are you currently working on?
Mairghread Scott: I'm a writer for Transformers: Till All Are One and am currently spearheading a big event over at IDW that should come out in the 2nd half of 2017. I'm also working on the TV side for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy cartoon.
PREVIEWSworld: How long have you been working with sequential art? What titles, companies, and creators have you worked with over your time in comics?
Mairghread Scott: I've been writing comics for about four years for IDW (several Transformers titles and an issue in the new Star Trek: Waypoint anthology), BOOM! (my creator-owned graphic novel Toil and Trouble), Dynamite (with their Swords of Sorrow event), Marvel (two different Guardians of the Galaxy mini-series) and DC Comics (included in their Wonder Woman 75th anniversary anthology). I've been able to work with a lot of talented artists including: Sara Pitre-Durocher, Kelly & Nichole Matthews and Riley Rossmo.
PREVIEWSworld: Did you have a mentor or hero in the industry that inspired you to pursue a career in comics?
Mairghread Scott: There are a lot of female creators who have lent me a hand over the years, but I want to talk about one of my earliest heroes, Ashley Wood. I was in high school and I'd been reading comics but there were so few female creators that even though I wanted to write comics, I didn't think I'd be allowed to write the kind I wanted to. Then I found "Lore" and Ashley's moody, surrealist artwork completely inspired me. I thought, "Here's a woman who isn't stuck making 'girlie' art! If she can make it in comics, I can too!"
Of course, I found out later Ashley Wood is a man, but by then I was old enough that I didn't need him to "blaze the trail" for me anymore. There really is truth to, "If you can see it, you can be it." If I hadn't miss-gendered Ashley Wood in high school I probably wouldn't be working in comics today.
PREVIEWSworld: In your opinion, how has the comic book industry evolved in terms of gender?
Mairghread Scott: There's a lot of heat and very little light that's been added to the subject. You're definitely seeing more high-profile creators of other mediums (television writers, novelists, etc) being brought in to do a line or two, and lot of diverse characters being written by old guard creators, but that usually translates into good press for the company and little change in the actual diversity of the talent pool long-term. Real change has been much slower in coming, but then that's how change goes.
PREVIEWSworld: What challenges do you see surrounding women in comics and how could people of all genders go about addressing them?
Mairghread Scott: Women in comics are seen as women first, then creators. It's a great marketing tool at times because every company wants to look inclusive, but while it can help you get in, it often stops you from moving up. There's still the sense that women are inherently political or divisive and therefore inherently risky. Real change will come when there are more female writers/artists on male-character books, the heavy-hitting titles.
How do we get this? The key is editors. A diverse pool of assistant editors is helpful, but a diverse pool of editors is more helpful. Until more women have the power to hire women, I think we'll still be viewed with that thin layer of skepticism we are now.
PREVIEWSworld: Where do you see yourself in the industry in the next ten years and what projects would you like to work on that you haven’t yet?
Mairghread Scott: I'd like to keep writing and working on the kind of political intrigue and thriller storylines I enjoy. I also love writing characters with that kind of quiet hope I think defines real bravery: Captain America, Superman, etc. I love characters that aren't ignorant of the darker sides of life, but that keep actively choosing to see the best in the world and who choose to keep an open heart and an open hand.
PREVIEWSworld: If you could give advice to any aspiring editors, executives, writers, or artists, what would you tell them?
Mairghread Scott: When in doubt, be honest. Since everything in comics is done remotely, it's easy to drop off the grid when there's a problem or get nervous about asking too many questions. (No one wants to look stupid at a new job.) But the last thing an editor wants is to be waiting for a script and not know why they don't have it. If you get stuck, if you need more time, if you have a question, ask!
PREVIEWSworld: And lastly, are there any up-and-coming women creators who you would recommend readers check out?
Mairghread Scott: On the writing side, Jody Houser is doing some really cool work over on Faith and Mother Panic. On the art side, I wake up every morning surprised that no one's stolen the artist on Till All Are One, Sara Pitre-Durocher. The fact that she can express a huge range of emotions for our characters (many of whom don't really have faces) is impressive.
Toil & Trouble
263.31 (Aug. 1, 2016): p55.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Toil & Trouble
Mairghread Scott, Kelly Matthews, and Nicole Matthews. Archaia, $29.99 (160p) ISBN 978-1-60886-878-0
Macbeth was about the bloody price paid for human folly and greed, but why did those witches care so much about what the Thane of Cawdor got up to? That's the conceit behind Scott's (Transformers: Distant Stars) action-packed Shakespearean spin-off, in which the Bard's three "weird sisters" are given their own storyline. As King Duncan prepares to fight off a Norwegian army, witch Smertae, a moody redhead, returns from long exile to reunite with her sisters: combative, haughty Riata, and gentle Cait, the nature-minded peacemaker. Riata wants to raise up young Prince Malcolm and keep Macbeth from the throne. But a secret from Smertae's past throws a spanner in the works. The bloodshed that follows is straight from the Greeks, with immortals letting mortals die to appease their whims, rivalries, and jealousies. Scott's writing is sharply paced and redolent with mythological hubris. The angular, vivid art by the debuting Matthews sisters helps etch the pungent, occasionally tangled melodrama into sharper focus. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Toil & Trouble." Publishers Weekly, 1 Aug. 2016, p. 55. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA460285704&it=r&asid=ebb9689b47fbc2d155ee8bc366847a2c. Accessed 27 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A460285704
Toil And Trouble Review
Hernan Guarderas
September 18, 2016
Story by Mairghread Scott (@MairghreadScott)
Art by Kelly and Nichole Matthews (@kickingshoes)
Lettering by Warren Montgomery (@twm1962)
In this retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Toil and Trouble, the reader is introduced to Smertae, a witch banished from Scotland for the last nine years. Once she’s returned, her and her sisters, Riata and Cait, meet to discuss the future of Alba ( commonly known as Scotland). Together, they are the conduit of Fate, guiding the outcome of a war that would dictate the next ruler of Alba. The premise, while familiar Shakespearean fantasy, provides a refreshing look at the witches behind the madness of the events in Macbeth.stl010269
The first two issues focus on Smertae’s conflict of protecting her land and the people who reside in it. While Riata aids the Norwegians in spite of the people of Scotland who no longer respect the superstitious “traditions” no longer paying tribute to the “gods.” Riata wishes to have the foreigners run Alba because they pray to the gods that she could take the place of and be worshiped. Smertae stands in the way of Riata’s plan.
The inconsistent pacing in the first two issues between the witches and the armies that land on Alba makes the book hard to enjoy. The witches plot is intriguing because of Smertae’s underdog characterization of her minority effort to serve the people of the land. The drama that ensues with her return from exile and meeting with Cait and Riata creates an id/ego/superego dynamic. Riata is the superego competing for the loyalty of the people of Alba, while Smertae serves as the opposition. Cait serves as the mediator of the group. She assesses the needs of both the other witches and the war to provide a fair outcome. Matthews and Matthews’ art shine in these moments detailing Smertae’s strife, Cait’s arrogance, and Riata’s conscientious temperament.
The real issues are found in the moments when Smertae is an observer. The dialogue, at times, is trying to remind the reader that this is a Shakespearean tale, but without diving too deep into Shakespearean language. Scott’s approach to the language is meant to be authentic of its source material, but at the cost of entertainment. The conversations are bogged down by the language and the characterization of Macdonwald, Macbeth, and others gets lost because of it. In these moments, the art takes a step back for generic fantasy imagery.
The scene of the prophecy, beautifully drawn by Matthews and Matthews, combines the strengths of this book. The supernatural beings are given a chance to view Macbeth’s different possible futures. This causes more friction between the witches and gives Macbeth a chance to look into the supernatural side of this world. The awareness of his fate allows the reader to find their footing in a story that is all too fantastical. It’s a revelation of utmost importance, but it doesn’t give Macbeth the chance to use the information as any significant plot device or character development.
This is the most frustrating aspect of the mini-series because the team gets so much right. The big moments are visceral and exciting, but they don’t feel like they’ve been earned. The creative focus needs to be directed to the smaller moments and smaller characters to create a more intimate storytelling. This would allow the reader to have emotional investment in the human characters equal to those of the supernatural ones. The book needs to be tightened up, but it’s charm is not to be denied. It’s a concerted and admirable effort to tackle an adaptation of one of the most widely regarded writers of all time.
Verdict
Depends. It’s not perfect, but it’s enjoyable if you appreciate fantasy based drama or are interested in seeing a comic book adaptation of a Shakespeare play. It’s a complete series that tackles issues concerning Fate/Free Will, family, war, culture, and redemption using a story written hundreds of years ago. The love for Shakespeare is most certainly there by writer Scott and artists Matthews and Matthews. It can be felt throughout the series and despite its idiosyncrasies, it captures the spirit of the towering reputation of its source material.
Review: Toil and Trouble
September 21, 2016
When you aim to re-tell a famous story, especially one as entrenched in the literary culture as Macbeth, it’s easy to fall into the trap of conformity. In a sense you’re working uphill against the preformed ideas your audience has about the story and the characters. In Toil and Trouble, Mairghread Scott is fearless in her retelling. The book is a bold take on a hidden tale within the play. Scott manages to pay tribute not only the original source and invoke a number of influences from history and myth. toil-and-trouble-tpbThe Toil and Trouble Hardcover is a chance for anyone who missed out on this series when it first premiered. The story follows Smertae, one of three witches tasked with overseeing the fate of Scotland, as she attempts to not only save the country, but a man who she sees as the rightful heir to the throne. Opposing her is her sister and fellow witch Riata, who has her own plans for the future. The third witch and oldest sister is Cait. She is stuck in the middle desperately trying to keep them together against the pressures that bubble within the family and threaten the land. Scott has done a masterful job with these characters, each of the witches have their own histories and motivations. Within their interactions, you can see how their unique perspective puts them at odds with each other.
As I said earlier, Scott has made a clear distinction between her story and the original play. The first and most prominent example of this comes in the form of Lady Macbeth. Instead of giving her the same motivation (or should I say lack of motivation) as in most tellings of the Macbeth play, Scott crafts a tragic backstory which fits well within her narrative. It makes the story that much more poignant and heartbreaking. Another small, but important distinction between most interpretations of the play, is that this narrative includes people of color throughout. An inclusion which I find refreshing. It is a brilliant way to challenge the audience’s perceptions of the time period while remaining true to the original source.
Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews do an amazing job here as well. Their art scheme is elegant, with bright vibrant colors and an attention to detail creates a subtle shift in tone throughout the book. Character designs and color choices create a connection between the art and the plot, with the art getting darker as the story progresses. The art feels almost like a medieval tapestry, a grand telling of an old fable. It’s great to see two relatively new mainstream artists perform so well in their debut.
This edition also offers a deep dive into the creative process. Essays, sketches, and a breakdown of the script are all included in the back. Archaia has done wonders with this and anyone who is interested in the nitty gritty of comic creation this book provides valuable insight.
In short, Toil and Trouble is a great comic. Scripted by a talented writer and brought to life by two up and coming artists. If you like comics, this is one of the good ones.
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Toil and Trouble Writer: Mairghread Scott Artist: Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews Publisher: BOOM! Studios/Archaia Price: $29.99 Format: Hardcover; Print/Digital
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In Comic Reviews Tags BOOM! Studios, Hardcover, Kelly Matthews, Mairghread Scott, Nichole Matthews, Toil and Trouble
‘Toil and Trouble’: A Tantalizing Tale
Posted on 16 September, 2016 by Nivi Engineer • 0 Comments
Screenshots: Archaia publishers
Screenshots: Archaia publishers
Spinoffs are tough. Especially of Shakespeare’s stories. Sure, there have been remakes that stand well on their own, modern retellings like Ten Things I Hate About You (starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger), films that stand out (the 1993 Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson film version of Much Ado About Nothing comes to mind), and films (like the 2002 Midsummer Night’s Rave) that I didn’t even know existed until researching for this post. Meanwhile, stories that focus on minor characters from a Shakespearean play are likely to be compared to Tom Stoppard’s absurdist play, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. Plenty of writers have explored the the world of Shakespeare, so any new story aiming to join the ranks has a difficult admission process.
Enter Maighread Scott’s graphic series, Toil and Trouble, which tells the tale of the three witches from MacBeth. Together with illustrations by Kelly & Nichole Matthews and lettering by Warren Montgomery, the story weaves in and out of the well-known story of MacBeth, which provides a familiar framework that doesn’t completely contain all that this story offers.
While MacBeth mentions the witches, introduces a bit of magical intervention that serves more or less as a plot device to nudge the story along, Toil and Trouble delves deeply into the magical world in which the witches reside.
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When looking at characters of any story, I ask these questions (that I learned from my playwriting professor):
What do you want?
Why today?
What’s standing in your way?
What will you do to get what you want?
Considering each question for each character in a story helps to identify whether a story is unclear or lacks urgency. It comes in really handy when revising your own stories, but also when reading and/or evaluating them.
These three witches—Smertae, Riata, and Cait—have their own backstories, conflicts, and motivations. More importantly, theirs is a complete story that, while intrinsically tied to the fate of MacBeth, is about more than the characters from the original story. Right from the start, the readers learn why the witches are involved—because they rule Scotland; their interference in the lives of men was dictated by prophecies foreseeing what needed to be done for the sake of Scotland. That these prophecies are open to interpretation, and that the witches differed in their interpretations, quickly establishes the core (and long-standing) conflict.
To be clear, I enjoyed these books. The choice of format (graphic series) fits. The artwork enhances the story, the illustrations provoking a sense of time and place. They also seamlessly weave in magic, show how witches move unseen amongst men, and allow a framework (without the squiggly screen) for flashbacks. The plot moved forward, worked with the original play, weaving in and out, much like a river flowing parallel to a train track. The two stories moved forward rapidly, at their own paces, intersecting occasionally (with the witches splashing onto the tracks and riding the train a while before returning to the river where their separate ride flowed forth).
The ultimate sign of a great spinoff is when you re-read the original and find the experience is enhanced. Just like with Gregory Maguire’s retellings of popular fairy tales (Wicked, Mirror Mirror, and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister to name a few), Toil and Trouble tells a complete story that not only works with the original but adds depth to it. For those who hadn’t considered the story of the witches in MacBeth, and for those who had, Toil and Trouble provides a very satisfactory answer.
The hardcover edition was released on September 14. Click here to order it online.