Review Fix Exclusive: Xane Daniel Talks ‘RIGHTEOUS’ And More

Review Fix chats with “RIGHTEOUS” creator Xane Daniel, who discusses the comic book series and how over two decades in the video game industry and love of films the likes of Groundhog Day, Liar, Liar, Big, Teen Wolf, and What Women Want, as well as the work of Robert Kirkman molded it into something special.

For more on the comic, click here.

Review Fix: What inspired this comic?

Xane Daniel: Easy answer: the movie Liar, Liar. This is a variation on that theme – just substitute lying with greed. The longer answer: During the presidential election in 2016, I was mystified by this bizarre character named Bernie Sanders. After watching footage of him railing congress in the 80s and 90s, beating his fist on the table, demanding that they considered the people first; I saw a guy who was just determined to help others above anything else. It was so radical at the time, he just seemed like a lunatic. But now, as we are allowing people to suffer as a consequence of political and socio-economic progress and accepting the destruction of our planet because we believe the economy was more important, I realized that we needed more people like that in all walks of life. Doesn’t matter your political persuasion. If we could just help each other more, then we could live in a better world. So I imagined what it might look like if everyone suddenly woke up one day, committed to helping each other above all else. So I decided to create a story where a greedy corporate analyst contracts a supernatural disease where he could ONLY help others and he couldn’t make money for himself anymore. The twist – every time he helps someone, he passes it on to them, too! 

Review Fix: How is it different from your previous work in the video game industry in terms of tone?

Daniel: The tone of this work is largely positive and uplifting with some comedy strewn throughout… also with plenty of conflict. Our main character quickly realizes that he’s completely incompatible with society after his supernatural change, and he has a man-vs-society crisis right from the start.

While I never worked on any video games with this same theme, the tone does mirror a lot of the games I produced. Leisure Suit Larry has a positive, comedic vibe, for instance. Family Guy has plenty of comedy, of course. In both of those cases, the subject matter is a bit on the risqué side, but it still has some similarities. Even the color schemes of Larry, Family Guy, and RIGHTEOUS are similar. 

Review Fix: How do you think your work in the video game industry helps you as a creator in comics?

Daniel: In many ways. Storytelling is a big part of most video game projects, so I received plenty of experience working with writers and animators to create and tell stories in various ways. I also got to watch incredible art directors critique and manage the talented artists under their leadership. Both of these experiences made me uniquely qualified to handle many aspects of comic creation. And where I lacked in experience, I hired it done. I’m not an artist myself, so I hired artists to illustrate, color, and letter the books. I also was somewhat unfamiliar with the tricks that comics use to tell stories, so I hired an editor from the industry to teach me the rules of storytelling with comics. It really helped ensure that the books’ level of professionalism was high. 

Review Fix: What makes this comic special to you?

Daniel: I earnestly believe it’s my life’s purpose. My 46-year backstory is filled with experiences that lead directly to the creation of this book. I’m crazy enough to think I can help change the world. I know that I’m writing an instruction manual on how to create a Utopian society. I will stop at nothing to make sure this book is either widely read or there are movies/TV shows developed from it. I have the contacts, the experience, and the drive to make it happen. So mark my words – one day you will be watching a big-budget movie or TV show based on RIGHTEOUS. It may be named something different, but it will be made!

Review Fix: What creators do you think have influenced you the most?

Daniel: From a comic standpoint, Robert Kirkman’s work in both The Walking Dead and Invincible have been incredibly influential. I’ve read both series multiple times over. The Walking Dead taught me how to create scenes and pacing. Invincible opened my mind to the potential of doing epic storylines with permanent ramifications from chapter to chapter.  

From a story genre standpoint, crafting a story in today’s everyday world with one element of the supernatural came from a number of movies that thrilled me. Movies like Groundhog Day, Liar, Liar, Big, Teen Wolf, and What Women Want. 

Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?

Daniel: As the story that began the awakening process for many people who watched/read it. It made people wake up to the idea that helping others instead of following society was what we’ve been searching for. That RIGHTEOUS was the trick – the key – to setting us down a Utopian path.  You know… something small. :)

Review Fix: Where are you with it now?

Daniel: We have just completed Chapter 10 – so just over 250 pages of content at this point. I have begun writing Chapter 17, and I have an outline that takes us to chapter 40 at least. After the final touches to Chapter 10, we’ll be able to print and deliver Graphic Novel Volume 2 (Chapters 6-10) as rewards for our second successful Kickstarter. 

Review Fix: What can people expect from Volume 2?

Daniel: Volume 1 is the origin story. Daniel contracts the disease and begins inadvertently passing it to others while his life falls apart. At the end of Volume 1, Daniel has a realization and he commits to “saving the world.” Volume 2 begins the second story arc, where he sets out to try to do just that. We introduce the main antagonist and establish his motivations and his tie to Daniel. A group of infected people get together to start scheming on how to make sure their “disease” gets spread. The lines of good guys and bad guys get blurred, and we have ourselves an epic story arc for Volume 2!

Review Fix: What’s next?

Daniel: We’re expanding the organization and marketing side of the business behind RIGHTEOUS to get the word out and to generate a plan to turn it into a show or movie. 

Review Fix: What’s been the most rewarding aspect about working on the comic?

Daniel: The people who write to me and say that the comic has changed their lives. Many tell me that they have re-evaluated their choices and make different decisions now. I recently reunited with an old co-worker and lent him a copy of the book. He had been suffering from depression and anger issues, but after reading it, his outlook on life changed in such a way that he became more self-aware and less stressed. He credits the comic to his transformation! You can’t ask for anything more than that!