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Emily Edison is just an ordinary teenage girl. She hates school. She fights with her sister. She has a crush on a guy named Tom. And occasionally she has to battle evil robots built by her grandfather from another dimension. Hmmm, maybe she’s not all that ordinary.

See Emily’s father is a super genius who accidentally opened a portal to another dimension with a nuclear powered vacuum cleaner. In this other dimension Emily’s father fell in love with and married Emily’s mother, Luciliana. The two lived happily for a time but unfortunately it was not meant to be and Emily’s parents divorced. Now, in order to spend time with both sides of her family, Emily must travel between the two worlds. And as if being a super-powered teenager with a mother from another dimension weren’t complicated enough, Emily must contend with constant attempts by her grandfather to destroy the earth, thus ensuring that Emily will have stay in the alternate world for good.

Last week Viper Comics released the Emily Edison graphic novel by writer David Hopkins and artist
Brock Rizy. Through them I was able to contact Emily for a one on one interview about her life, her family and the new book based on her adventures.

PAUL MILLIGAN: Hi, Emily. How are you?

EMILY EDISON: I'm good. It's summer, so no school. Mostly, I've been helping my dad around the shop. Watching a lot of TV.

PAUL: How does it feel to be the star of your own comic book?

EMILY: At times, it's a little embarrassing, especially with the book mentioning the whole "crush on Tom" thing. I'm so over him. (No, I'm not.) Beyond that, I kick a lot of butt. I rule.

PAUL: How did David Hopkins and Brock Rizy become involved in telling your story?

EMILY: Hmmm... that's an odd question. I don't know. There's not anyone else in my dad's dimension able to do what I do. So I guess it interested them or something. None of the other students really notice that much, I guess because they're all worried about their own problems, you know?

PAUL: How, and at what age, did you discover your powers?

EMILY: Huh. I've never really thought of it as "powers," sorta like calling eye sight a power, or the ability to walk. I've always been strong, and I've always been able to fly. Of course, I was really clumsy starting off. I'd float out of the crib, fly off, and then accidentally knock a hole through the roof. (I still do that sometimes.) From my mom's dimension, all the girls are like that, much more than the guys.

PAUL: Being a child with divorced parents, while not uncommon these days, can still be very traumatic. Aside from being torn between two different dimensions, how did your parents’ divorce affect you personally?

EMILY: I don't know. They separated when I was pretty young, so I'm sure it could've been worse. And the holidays aren't too bad, because it's not like my mom celebrates Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's a little sad, because I think my dad misses my mom sometimes.

PAUL: Your situation is definitely a unique one. How difficult is it for you to relate to other kids with divorced parents?

EMILY: Molly, her parents are still together. I don't have too many friends whose parents divorced, but it can't be too different. Either way, you have to hop back and forth between mom and dad.

PAUL: What makes earth so much better than your mother's homeworld? That place looks pretty rad!

EMILY: Really? Have you seen the royal Quilarane ballroom? There's nothing in it! Just a big funky room. And purple. Not a big fan of purple, and it's everywhere. In my dad's world, you have cable television, puppies, cool clothing stores, and junk food. In my mom's world, everyone wears the same swirly silk pajama outfits.

PAUL: When a giant tentacled beastie shows up or robots try to take over the world, you're pretty much the only one who can do anything. I’d imagine it’s pretty tough to be so responsible all the time. How challenging is it for you to do the right thing when all you really want is to hang out with your friends or go to the dance?

EMILY: It's not like I'm patrolling the city at night looking to beat up masked criminals from robbing banks or stealing an old lady's purse. That'd be kinda dumb. I fight the monsters and robots, because honestly, it's usually my fault it's here in the first place. Grandpa keeps sending that stuff over. My dad always made sure I cleaned my own room, so maybe that's why I fight the forces of evil. My mess, my responsibility.

PAUL: Ignoring how obviously complicated it has made your life, what are the biggest advantages to having a mother from another dimension?

EMILY: Haha. She has no clue about curfews or any other teen rules. I can get away with murder over there! Not literally. I mean, yeah, I probably could literally get away with murder -- but I wouldn't ever do that. That'd be wrong. You don't kill people. No matter what Grandpa says. I'll shut up now.

PAUL: When you were younger did you and your half-sister, Koo ever get along or were you always butting heads?

EMILY: I think David and Brock misrepresent us. We weren't always fighting. Okay, maybe we were, but sometimes the fighting was playful.

PAUL: Your grandfather is obviously intent on seeing you live in his dimension permanently. Is it just out of love or do you think it’s something else entirely?

EMILY: Sometimes I think he does it because he's bored. He wasn't this evil before he retired. Now he's got all this spare time, and it's either sitting around doing nothing or building a bigger and badder badbot. Like a hobby. Also, grandpa was an inventor. My dad is an inventor. Big competition thing going on there.

PAUL: Okay, your dad is a genius inventor but has he ever invented anything that you thought was useful or cool?

EMILY: He invented the large fans that power the city. That's kinda cool. Actually, every time I fight a monster that destroys half the city. He invents something as a peace offering, so people don't get mad at us. "The fuzzy sloth monster may have destroyed your house, but now you get a spiffy toaster oven! Ta-da!" It all evens out. (I hope.)

PAUL: Do you plan to always use your powers to fight evil robots or is there something else you want to do with your life?

EMILY: No idea. Maybe be an astronaut or an accountant?

PAUL: Do you hope David and Brock will do more comics about your adventures?

EMILY: Heck yeah! Lots of crazy stuff has happened since this book came out. I mean, you wouldn't believe it if I told you. So of course, we need a second book.

PAUL: Okay, Emily, it’s time for the lightning round. Are you ready?

EMILY: Ready. No. Wait, hold on. (Putting on my aviator's cap). Okay, now, I'm ready.

PAUL: What’s your favorite school subject? (No… lunch doesn’t count. Believe me, I’ve tried using that one before)

EMILY: Science.

PAUL: What’s your favorite movie?

EMILY: Princess Diaries

PAUL: Who are your heroes?

EMILY: My mom and my dad.

PAUL: Exactly how strong are you?

EMILY: I have no idea. Honest. Nothing has stopped me yet, except my sister.

PAUL: What’s your favorite food?

EMILY: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with bananas.

PAUL: What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at school or beating up giant monsters?

EMILY: Hanging out with friends.

PAUL: Who would play you in an Emily Edison movie?

EMILY: Ugh! I don't know many Hollywood names. That one chick from that one movie?

PAUL: What’s your worst habit?

EMILY: Sometimes I bit my nails.

PAUL: Would you give up your powers to “fit in”?

EMILY: Nah. Not really.

PAUL: Puppies?

EMILY: Yes. Puppies are cute! Have you ever heard a little puppy make those cute whimper noises? OMG! And they even smell cute!

PAUL: Thanks a lot for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview, Emily. I’m sure there’s probably a whole cluster of badbots beating down your door as we speak. Good luck!

EMILY: You just had to mention the badbots, didn't you? Just kidding. I've gotta help my dad pick up some power converters. Talk to you later. Everyone else? Buy my book!

You can find out all about Emily at her website and if you’re real nice maybe she’ll add you to her friends list on her MySpace page.