When it was announced in 2016 that Gerard Way would curate the Young Animal imprint for DC, long-time Vertigo readers were thrilled that Doom Patrol and Shade the Changing Man were getting reboots. And Silver Age spelunker Cave Carson was there too, reimagined with a cybernetic eye. Awesome, right? But who or what was Mother Panic?

An original concept of Way and artist Tommy Lee Edwards, Mother Panic wasn't originally intended to be a part of Young Animal but as the idea developed, Way concluded that Gotham's newest masked vigilante would be a perfect piece for the shared universe that he was (and is) building for some of DC's wackiest characters, and the first volume of the series didn't disappoint.

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Following the events of "Milk Wars," the first-ever Young Animal crossover event and the larger (and more conventional) DC Universe, Jody Houser, who wrote the first volume and co-created Mother Panic, is back for the second, now titled Mother Panic: Gotham A.D., which launched last month. The fan favorite writer of Faith for Valiant and Star Wars: Thrawn for Marvel is now joined by artist Ibrahim Moustafa on the series.

CBR connected with the creative team and discussed what's new and what's different for Violet Paige now that she finds herself back home in Gotham City but in a very different time and space -- both physically and emotionally. Houser also shared her thoughts on why Mother Panic works as a character within Gotham City, despite all of the other caped crusaders protecting those streets, while Mostafa spoke candidly about the strength of Violet's costume and which Platoon star inspired his version of The Joker.

CBR: Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. isn't a reboot or a retcon, but it is a new series with a new #1. Following the events of "Milk Wars," what has changed in the world of Violet Paige? As the cold opening tells us, it's: "Gotham City. Different Bat-time. Different Bat-channel."

Jody Houser: Violet herself is the same, and Rosie is the girl we've known, carrying the scars from "Milk Wars." Other than that, everything and everyone is new. Mother Panic basically took a wrong turn heading home and ended up in the wrong reality.

Do readers have to have read the first series to follow what comes next for Mother Panic?

Houser: We've tried to make the series welcoming for new readers, or people who were introduced to the character via "Milk Wars." But it will definitely be a more rewarding read for those who know Violet and her history.

Ibrahim Moustafa: One of my favorite things about this book is that new readers are plunged into this different future Gotham along with Violet, which I think helps to make it a more immersive experience. That being said, it certainly helps to have all of the context clues from year one of Mother Panic. I'm lucky in that I was a huge fan of the book to begin with, so when I got the call to draw it I was fully initiated.

Jody, you've worked with Violet for more than a year now. What do you love about her, or not love about her, and what do you think has made her a breakout character for DC's Young Animal imprint?

Houser: I love how she's a new voice in a very familiar setting. She's a complete mess, but not quite as much as she thinks she is. She's a product of Gotham as much as any of the characters we've known for years, but spawned from a newer, darker side of the city. And of course, her mom. Everyone loves Rebecca, especially me.

Page 2: [valnet-url-page page=2 paginated=0 text='Making Mother Panic stand out in Gotham, writing the Joker and his possible return']

Ibrahim, you're new to Mother Panic. One of the things I have loved about her since her debut is her costume. An all-white costume running though the dark streets of Gotham is an excellent contrast. What do you love about her look?

Moustafa: Everything! I think Tommy [Lee Edwards]'s costume design for her is up there with the all-time greats. The suit's silhouette is so distinct and original, and yet it fits in with the canon of Gotham vigilantes so seamlessly. From an artistic perspective, I've been playing more with higher contrast and heavier shadows, so to have this beautiful white shape to add to the mix is a ton of fun. I also love how well the all-white look fits in with Violet's "F-U" attitude toward Batman and his team. It's a really great "I'm not one of you" move on her part.

Does drawing a character -- I will hold off on calling her a superhero for now -- decked out all in white prove any difficulties, especially in Gotham?

Moustafa: Quite the contrary actually. I like to try to find a strong focal point in ever panel, and I think that's one of the ways that colorist Jordan Boyd and I work really well together because he is of similar mind. Having an all-white costume really gives us something fun to play with in that respect.

No spoiler here as he's featured on the cover, but The Joker makes an appearance in this issue. What's it like scripting such an iconic character within this story?

Houser: I love writing the Joker. I would write a whole series starring The Joker. I'm actually a little disturbed at how much I enjoy writing The Joker. [Laughs]

And Ibrahim, I know you don't get to fully explore him in this issue, but what was your inspiration for creating your version of The Joker?

Moustafa: To me, this version of The Joker is like a sad dad after a divorce. Batman is gone, so who is he trying for anymore? Visually, I always thought Willem Dafoe would have made a great live-action Joker, and he's currently the perfect age for this particular version, so I kind of had him in the back of my mind as a loose archetype while drawing this one.

Will The Joker be returning to Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. beyond this cameo?

Houser: Quite possibly!

Moustafa: I would encourage readers to check out Tommy Lee Edwards' cover to #4!

I love this line: "That’s the problem with comedy, you know. Without your straight man? You're nothing." Will Batman return in Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. too?

Houser: You don't want to telegraph the joke too much. The humor is in the unexpected.

And what about other classic Batman rogues like the Penguin and the Riddler? Will they be making appearances too, or will The Collective remain the big bad moving forward?

Houser: Even if the Collective is the main big bad, it doesn't preclude other familiar baddies from showing up!

Moustafa: Evil lurks around every corner in Gotham City!

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Finally, we learn in this issue that Rebecca Paige, Violet's mom, was Joker's "neighbor" in Arkham, not because of disease but something that was done to her. What was done to her, and will Mother Panic honestly do "whatever it takes" to get her back?

Houser: We'll see more of what had been happening to Rebecca in this world. But Mother Panic will definitely do everything in her power and more to get her mother back.

Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. #2 is available now.