Ryan Ferrier Talks 'Sons Of Anarchy' #21, Charlie Hunnam's Jax Teller, & SAMCRO! [EXCLUSIVE]

Based on the popular crime drama, Sons of Anarchy, from FX, BOOM! Studios continues the ride of Jax Teller (memorably played by Charlie Hunnam). In an exclusive interview with MStars News, writer Ryan Ferrier discusses the latest crime-ridden SAMCRO arc in Sons of Anarchy #21.

As we previously mentioned, in issue #19, and issue #20, Bobby Munson (Mark Boone Junior)'s estranged nephew arrived in Charming and started his criminal career as a promising Prospect. Because he is Bobby's blood, everyone had high hopes that Dillon would eventually fit in with the motorcycle club. Unfortunately, Dillion got involved with the Mayans and sent one of them to the hospital. Guns are loaded and the bikes are revved up as debts have to be paid, no matter what the cost.

With issue #21 arriving in stores, Ferrier talks about the influences behind this current arc, where Jax and Juice (Theo Rossi) find themselves in the story, and which SAMCRO member is his  favorite. 

MStars News: How did you become involved in this project?

Ryan Ferrier: I've known and worked with BOOM! for quite awhile now. It started with lettering some of their books, and from there led to writing (Curb Stomp, Bravest Warriors). When Ed Brisson, who is amazing on anything he touches, moved away from Sons, I guess my name came up, and my wonderful editors Dafna [Pleban] and Mary [Gumport] reached out about possibly taking over. 

I was totally flattered and thrilled, as I am a big fan of the show and the genre. It was actually totally nerve-wracking. [Laughs]. But from there, we talked a lot and bounced ideas around, and I was fortunate enough to land the gig. 

It's been an absolutely incredible pleasure to be part of such a talented, wonderful team. From Matías Bergara on interiors, Paul Little on colors, Ed Dukeshire lettering, and Toni Infante's covers-along with the brilliant minds of Dafna and Mary, my editor and assistant editor-I'm totally honored to work with such talented, hard-working people. 

MS: In issue #19, tell me how Dillon, Bobby Munson's nephew, came about. The character is a great way to bring in new readers and surprise longtime fans.  

RF: Dillon Munson is...complex, that's for sure. When we were developing this arc, we wanted a fresh new "villain," but not someone blatantly bad and mustache-twirling-though in SoA, they rarely are; the lines between good and bad are rarely clear-cut.

But we wanted someone with an extra level of involvement, hence the relationship-literally a blood relationship-to SAMCRO. In this arc, as we've seen already, it throws a bit of a wrench into the gears, and Dillon's actions affect everyone around him. 

Above all this though, we wanted Dillon to be someone we haven't quite seen before, and someone entertaining. He is the character you absolutely love to hate, yet you can't stop watching him. He's over-the-top and living totally in his head. Often, villains are too smart for their own good. I wanted to put a spin on this and have Dillon be, in fact, very dumb but think he is wildly intelligent. He tests SAMCRO, and the Mayans, on every level. He is so much fun to write too!

MS: In issue #20, Jax Teller makes the decision not to kill Dillon, and stands by it. But his sense of mercy is also his downfall. Tell me about his character arc.

RF: In our arc, Jax is finally leading SAMCRO as President of the MC. He's been through hell and back by this point, and has an immeasurable weight and pressure on his shoulders.. So it's no surprise he is a bit high-strung. But Jax is also really very down-to-earth, and family-his Sons brothers in particular-is very important to him. 

Luckily for Dillon, Jax agrees to honor Bobby, who is imprisoned. But with every action is a consequence, and Jax soon learns this when everything hits the fan. This goes both ways though, and Jax is more than capable-so we believe-of making things right. 

In this arc it was really important to us to evaluate where Jax is with the Sons at this point, and where he's going-the kind of leader, the kind of man he chooses to be-and explore that, alongside Dillon's self-proclaimed "rise" to greatness.

MS: Tell me about the relationship between Dillon and Juice. Dillion's betrayal foreshadows what Juice will eventually do to the club.

RF: I see some similarities in Dillon and Juice that immediately attract themselves to each other, but in many ways they are wildly different. Still, they are both the "young ones" with seemingly a lot to prove, at least to themselves.

Juice saw sponsoring Dillon as a prospect as being something he could do to step up for the club, which quickly backfires. Because of that sponsorship, Dillon felt a little more comfortable in being himself, which is a total a$hole. [Laughs]

As much as Juice hates Dillon after what he did, he still gives the young punk some parting words of wisdom-perhaps this comes from a place of feeling bad for the kid. Make no mistake about it though, Juice is committed to his club, and would not hesitate to take Dillon all the way down.

MS: The past two issues feel like a crime thriller, reminiscent of Goodfellas and Reservoir Dogs. What were your influences with the story?

RF: Those are mighty fine comparisons, thank you! This arc feels really involving, and not entirely from the Sons' perspective. We wanted this to feel like an ensemble story, as there are so many twists and moving parts, so to speak. For me personally, I feel this arc is influenced a lot by spaghetti westerns, Sergio Leone films, and even a hint of Michael Mann crime films. It is always top priority that it feels indelibly Sons of Anarchy though, and is true to that universe.

MS: My favorite character from SOA is Juice. Do you have a favorite among the cast?

RF: It's almost impossible to pick a favorite, as there's a special place in my heart for everyone. That being said, I do feel a connection with Chibs, as my whole family is Scottish. I also really gravitate towards Opie, as an entirely tragic and sympathetic character. 

MS: Tell me about collaborating with artist Matias Bergara?

RF: Matías is simply amazing. What he does to bring emotion and style to every panel is a true testament to his talent and hard work. The first time I saw his pages, I was awe-struck; he brings everything to reality-to a whole other level actually. He is going to be a huge, huge force in comics.

I can say the same for everyone on the art team-Paul Little's colors and Ed Dukeshire's lettering couldn't get any better. And yet with every page, they do. I'm incredibly lucky to have my name alongside everyone's work.

MS: What can you tease about issue #21?

RF: Issue #21 really ramps up the tension, and I can't wait for people to read it! It gets much more personal, much more sinister, and we introduce another layer of threat that affects everyone involved. Everyone is going to get into it even more deeper, and so far we've only just lit the end of the fuse on the powder keg. There will be death, destruction, and vengeance...but I can't say with whom.

MS: What other projects are you working on now?

RF: I've been so lucky to work on some amazing comics with amazing collaborators this year. Curb Stomp is coming out through BOOM! as well, and Devaki Neogi, Jeremy Lawson, Colin Bell, and I couldn't be more proud and excited for it. It's a thrilling, important book to all of us. 

I'm super pumped for my story in Bravest Warriors: Tales from the Holo John, with artist Jorge Corona-it's bright, fun, and hilarious, very different from Sons. 

I've also got D4VE coming out through IDW at the moment. Valentin Ramon and I couldn't be more proud of this work, as well as the reception. 

My first Marvel work will be published this summer in Secret Wars: Battleworld #3, with artist Logan Faerber. 

There may also be a couple new things yet to be announced. But I'm so thrilled and excited to continue some kick-ass stories with Sons of Anarchy.

Highly recommended, Sons of Anarchy #21 arrives in stores now.