Windsor-Smith later said that he was talked into illustrating Wildstorm Rising, and regretted participating it. He related that in reading the story and illustrating it, he could not understand the motivations of any of the characters, even when he read earlier Wildstorm books featuring the characters. He says he "mucked with the plot awfully" in order to improve it and his enthusiasm for it, saying, "After intense thinking, I realized what I was doing wrong: I was looking for characters!
Windsor-Smith later stated that he was persuaded to illustrate Wildstorm Rising, and expressed regret over participating in it. He explained that while reading the story and illustrating it, he found it difficult to comprehend the motivations of any of the characters, even when reviewing earlier Wildstorm books featuring those characters. He admitted to altering the plot significantly in an attempt to improve it and his enthusiasm for it.