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Greg Rucka On Leaving Marvel And DC Behind
Greg Rucka ( Action Comics, Batwoman, Detective Comics, Punisher) was recently interviewed about his current relationship with the Big Two, Marvel Comics and DC Comics. Here’s a clip.
When asked about creator ownership, he replies:
“The dirty little secret is that those Image guys made all these deals and almost to a man failed to deliver. They burnt Hollywood horribly on letting comics talent actually be a part of the production of the material they sold.
I’ve reached the end of my Work For Hire rope. I’m enjoying The Punisher, but that’s not mine, it’s Marvel’s, and l knew that going in. I have spent a lot of my comics career in service of other masters, – and I’ve had enough of that for now. I’m sick to death of the way the Big Two treat people.
I gave seven very good years to DC and they took gross advantage of me. That’s partially my fault, but not entirely. At this point, I see no reason why I should have to put up with that, I can sink or swim on my own.
You are seeing a grotesque Hollywoodisation of the two main companies. There was at least a period where I felt that the way they wanted to make money was by telling the best story they could; now the quality of the work matters less than that the book comes out. There is far less a desire to see good work be done.
Dan DiDio has gone on record, and this is the same man that said Gotham Central would never be cancelled as long as he was there, telling people what a great book Gotham Central was, but it never made any money.
Well, take a look at your trade sales! That book has made nothing but money as a trade. What I’m now being told is, ”lt was never worth anything to us anyway.”So, you know what? They can stop selling the Batwoman: Elegy trade and stop selling the Wonder Woman trades and everything else I’ve done, because clearly I’ve not done anything of service and those guys aren’t making any money off me.
Right now, where the market is, I have no patience for it.
My run on Punisher ends on #16, and we are then doing a five-issue mini called War Zone and then I’m done. That’s it! The Powers-That-Be at Marvel, without talking to me, decreed that he’s going to join a team on another book.
That’s their choice, they own him, but I don’t have to be happy about it. I am glad I had the opportunity to work on the character and I’m proud of the work I’ve done.
Despite what the publishers say, their interest in the talent is minimal now, the interest is only in promoting the financial worth of their properties. That was not the case as of two or three years ago, when there was an ‘Exclusives war’, but that’s all gone by the wayside now. Ultimately, they are saying, “We don’t need you,’ because they can get a million more just like you.
For every person who passes on the opportunity to write Spider-Man or Superman, I guarantee there are 5000 hungry writers who would give their eye-teeth to do it. But just because they want to do it, it doesn’t mean they are capable of doing it. It comes down entirely to Warner Bros. realising what they owned but had not exploited. At the end of the Harry Potter franchise, they went “Oh, crap, we need something else fast’, looked over at Marvel’s very very successful film program.
DC are playing catch up with Marvel, because of things like The Avengers breaking six hundred million domestic. That’s a lot of money, I don’t begrudge Warner Bros wanting to make bank it would be like blaming a shark for eating, but l do think that the pursuit of that financial windfall bears a detrimental effect on the creative and artistic side.”
More Pictures from the Set of Kick Ass 2
More pictures from the set of Kick Ass 2, including Hit Girl and Red Mist.
Captain America For President
One of Marvel Entertainment’s best-known heroes will trade his New York City apartment for the White House in the pages of Marvel Comics’ “The Ultimates,” a series set in the Ultimate Comics universe where the U.S. has been torn apart by factionalism, out-of-control anti-mutant hysteria and outright secession.
Steve Rogers is seen as the last hope for the country and wins election as a write-in candidate in issue No. 15, due out Wednesday, said Sam Humphries, who is writing the story line.
“Cap is answering the call of the people. This is not the first time he’s stood up for an America in crisis. This is a further evolution in his role as America’s defender, from soldier to superhero to president,” Humphries said. “He didn’t ask for this position, but if it helps him reunite America, then he’ll take on the job.”
Mark Paniccia, who edits the title, called it a challenge unlike any other.
“Cap has been elected to do a job, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to reunite America. He doesn’t see his place as having press conferences in rose gardens, he sees his place as out in the field,” Humphries said. “This will result in a unique and thrilling presidency we’ve never seen before, in history or in fiction.”
Rogers will take the oath of office in issue No. 16, due out Sept. 26.
Hit Girl In Action: Kick-Ass 2 Set Pictures
Kick-Ass 2 is on the way. Here are some pictures from the set:
Dark Horse Introduces Gay Male Vampire Slayer in Buffy Comic
As first announced in Out Magazine, Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book series is marking a first for the Buffyverse as of October’s issue #14: A gay, male slayer named Billy.
Billy will be introduced in a two-part storyline co-written by Buffy TV vets Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg.
Since only females can be imbued with the Slayer powers in the Buffyverse, Billy will “take the Batman route,” Espenson tells Out, and “earn” the mantle without the standard supernatural abilities.
“It suddenly struck me: If being feminine doesn’t mean that you’re lesser, then liking guys also doesn’t mean you’re lesser,” Espenson told Out. “For very good reason, we’ve focused on the female empowerment part of Buffy, but I wondered, Did we leave something out? What if someone in high school is looking up to Buffy as a role model, and we’re saying: You can’t be a Slayer.”
New Wonder Woman TV Series Reportedly in Development at CW
It looks like Wonder Woman might be making a return to prime-time network television — again.
More than a year after NBC passed on a Wonder Woman pilot, Vulture reports that a new series starring the DC icon is in very early development at The CW, with the working title of “Amazon.” It’s said to be at the script development stage at this point, written by Allan Heinberg — a TV and comic book veteran, whose credits include The O.C. and Marvel’s Young Avengers, plus a 2006 run on the Wonder Woman comic book.
The series is said to be a Smallville-esque take on the character, depicting Wonder Woman’s early days.
Wonder Womanbecame a household name with the Lynda Carter-starred series that ran on ABC and later CBS for three seasons, from 1976 to 1979; Ally McBeal creator David E. Kelley’s 2011 Wonder Woman pilot starring Adrianne Palicki received a mix of abundant pre-release hype and persistent bad buzz, and was ultimately not picked up as a series.
Jim Carrey Joins KICK-ASS 2 as Colonel Stars
Deadline.com reports that Jim Carrey has indeed agreed to join the cast of Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall in the role of the Colonel (presumably Colonel Stars), “who helps galvanize the team of misfit super heroes assembled to fight evil.”
The sequel, directed by Jeff Wadlow, reunites original cast members Chloe Moretz, Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Nicolas Cage.
Carrey is reportedly a big fan of the original film and its director Matthew Vaughn.
Lois & Clark ‘Never Likely to Date in New 52,’ Says AP
In an interview with the Associated Press, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee hinted that the other elephant in the room, Lois Lane’s previously-thought destined relationship with Clark, simply doesn’t exist. AP writer Matt Moore even went so far as to say “She’s still around, but the two have never dated, nor are they likely to.”
Lee added to the assumption, and noted that this relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman will reach far beyond just the pages of Justice League or just the reactions of other superheroes.
“The way Geoff unfolds the story and the implications of 2 of the most powerful characters in the DCU becoming a team is something that goes beyond the question of ‘What about Lois and Clark? This is a statement to every nation and geopolitical organization in the entire DC Universe giving creative teams ample material to explore this relationship on so many different levels.”
Meanwhile, at the New York Daily News, Lee says he likes that this will get people talking.
“If you change anything from the length of a cape to the shape of a belt buckle, there’s always some fan that notices and is appalled. We’re very lucky to have a very passionate fan base.”
Kick-Ass 2 Gets Releae Date, Co-Stars
Kick-Ass 2 has an official release date from Universal Pictures, Deadline.com reports.
Heading to theaters June 28, 2013, the movie will feature much of the same cast from the first film featuring teenagers turned superheroes, but will also include some new additions.
The latest casting announcements flesh out the cast with Insect Man, played by Robert Emms, and Morris Chestnut as Hit-Girl’s new legal guardian, after her father had an unfortunate incident in the first story.
These announcements join last week’s news that the sequel, subtitled Balls to the Wall, has cast Donald Faison as Dr. Gravity.
New Details on NEW Justice League of America Book
DC Comics announced at their DC Entertainment-All Accesspanel Sunday at Fan Expo Toronto that a new Justice League will be forming in 2013.
Justice League of America will be an ongoing series written by Geoff Johns and drawn by David Finch.
“This is a very different kind of team book,” said Geoff Johns in a press release. “On first glance, people might think the heroes of the Justice League of America stand in the shadows of Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League, but Green Arrow, Katana, Martian Manhunter, the new Green Lantern, Stargirl, Vibe, Hawkman and Catwoman thrive in the shadows.
“Why they’re formed, why each member joins, what they’re after and who the society of villains is they’re trying to take apart will all be clear in the first issue when it hits early 2013. David and I are really focused on delving deep into what it’s like to not be a member of the big seven and why, sometimes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
Although Johns is writing two Justice League comics now, he implied that they would have different tones, comparing the new Justice League of America comic to JSA, a book Johns wrote for more than 100 issues. Both books feature characters who aren’t considered “A-List,” he said.
Johns had already hinted about there being the possibility of another team in Justice League #8, when Steve Trevor approached Green Arrow about “another team” he could join. Johns said Steve Trevor would be the leader of the new JLA, and A.R.G.U.S. would be attempting to control the team.
“You’ll see why they’re selected, and why this team is going to give the real Justice League a run for its money, because the relationships in this team are going to be incredibly significant,” Johns said. “There’s going to be a real learning curve with all the teams, but has the benefit of a true leader in Steve Trevor. Steve Trevor has a heart and soul that’s going to bring these characters that, on first glance, might not ever gel — what does Stargirl ever have in common with Catwoman? How’s that going to work?”
Johns said Catwoman, who has already been established as a thief in her own ongoing, only joins the team because she “wants” something. Vibe joins when his older brother recruits him, although neither thing he’s not worthy, according to Johns. Vibe had already been hinted as a character Johns would write because he showed up his Trinity War teaser image in DC’s Free Comic Book Day issue.
Most notably for fans of Justice Society of America, the new JLA team written by Johns will include Stargirl, a character Johns created for his first DC title and included in his acclaimed run on JSA. The writer said the character is around 17 or 18 years old and is very “exuberant, positive and optimistic.”
“She’s slightly different,” Johns said of the New 52 version of the character. He said the new Stargirl got her start on Hollywood Boulevard, but she goes against everything that young Hollywood stands for, because she’s a true hero. Johns said readers will also see how she’s connected to Starman and Pat Duggan, who was her stepfather and served as “S.T.R.I.P.E.” in the pre-New 52 continuity.
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy to Air Saturday Mornings on CW
It had been rumor for quite some time but Vortexx revealed via their Facebook page that it’s official!
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy will air on Vortexx, via the CW Network, on Saturday mornings beginning August 25th! No word yet on the time slot but now Power Ranger Lost Galaxy reruns are in your near future!
Power Rangers MegaForce Confirmed
Power Rangers Megaforce is the 20th season of Power Rangers coinciding with the series 20th anniversary. The series is based on Tensou Sentai Goseiger.
Megaforce features Gosei, a supernatural being who has protected the earth for centuries with his robotic assistant,Tensou. But when the evil Warstar aliens begin their massive invasion, Gosei calls upon five teenagers with attitude to form the ultimate team…the Power Rangers Megaforce!
When the teens morph into Power Rangers, they gain superhuman strength, agility, and mastery over martial arts. In addition to defending earth against the Warstar aliens, other monstrous factions emerge to challenge the Megaforce Rangers. Under the leadership of a malevolent alien, toxic beasts rise from their slimy underground lair to attack the Earth and a ruthless robot army launches an offensive from their deep sea compound. In order to face these new threats, the Power Rangers Megaforce unlock powerful battle modes to fight their adversaries.
To date Blue and Pink MegaForce Rangers have been confirmed. Christina Masterson has been cast as the newest Pink Ranger with John Mark Loudermilk playing MegaForce Blue Ranger. More casting information will be posted as it becomes available.
Warner Bros. Eyes Ben Affleck to Direct Justice League
Ben Affleck could be the leader of the Justice League, if Warner Bros. has their way. The actor and director is being called upon for his latter skill, Variety reports, and is expected to speak to studio executives this week.
Affleck, who directed The Town for the studio is reportedly the only potential director who has received the script to Justice League, written by Will Beall. The script was commissioned in the summer of 2011.
Warner Bros. wants to get the assemblage of DC superheroes, traditionally including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and more, on the big screen sooner rather than later, following the success of The Avengers, Marvel’s superteam.
If a Justice League film does hit the fast track, with or without Affleck, it likely still wouldn’t premiere until 2015 — the same year the just-confirmed Avengers 2, written and directed by Joss Whedon, looks to be hitting theaters.
Fantastic Four and Daredevil Reboots on the Horizon
A Daredevil reboot at Fox could mean Marvel Studios gaining the rights to a few Fantastic Four characters, Variety reports.
Fox currently has until Oct. 10 to start production on a new Daredevil film before rights revert to Marvel Studios, and are, Variety says, attempting to negotiate an extension through returning the rights to Silver Surfer and Galactus to Marvel. Both characters are currently under Fox control as part of its Fantastic Four deal, and both appeared in Fox’s 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
According to Variety’s report, Galactus is “rumored to play a key role in future Marvel pics,” a not entirely surprising notion given the cosmic series Guardians of the Galaxy getting its own live-action film in 2014. A Fantastic Four reboot is also in early development at Fox, with Chronicle‘s Josh Trank attached.
The Grey‘s Joe Carnahan, who has been linked to an adaptation of Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s Nemesis, is reportedly Fox’s choice to direct a “Frank Miller-esque, hardcore ’70s thriller” take on Daredevil, though the article states that he hasn’t yet received an official offer. Such a version would seemingly deviate from the family friendly track record established by the Disney-owned Marvel Studios.
The Michael Show Invades the Power Morphicon August 17th – 19th, 2012
Come hang out with me at the Power Morphicon being held in Pasadena on August 17th – 19th, 2012. I will be there interviewing past and present Power Ranger stars and Power Ranger fans, too.
I won’t be hanging out all day but look for me:
- Friday, August 17th from noon-4pm
- Saturday, August 18th will not be appearing
- Sunday, August 19th 10am-4pm
Click HERE to register for the event and HERE to view the guest list.
Avengers Movie Universe Project Coming to Television
According to Deadline.com, Marvel Entertainment’s TV division and ABC Studios is considering ideas to “explore the mythology” of the Avengers movie universe on the small screen. The online Hollywood trade reports conversations between Marvel and ABC are in the “nascent stage” and a number of scenarios are being discussed about a drama series – perhaps a “high concept cop show” – set in the Avengers world.
According to Deadline, “the connection to the Avengers franchise would be light as the project is expected to be set in the universe and feature some of its themes and feel, but may not include any characters from Joss Whedon’s blockbuster.”
Establishing a primetime foothold is said to be a priority for Disney-owned Marvel. The company already has a Hulk TV series in some stage of development and a writer for the Avengers-verse project is reportedly being sought.
Nolan-Free ‘Justice League’ Raises Questions for Warner DC Films
Home to such superheroes as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, DC has struggled to find the same success on the big screen as its Walt Disney Co.-owned rival Marvel Entertainment — despite having a better known collection of characters.
Nolan’s Batman movies have been its only hits of the past decade, surrounded by modest flops such as 2006′s “Superman Returns” and 2009′s ”Watchmen” and such major money-losers as 2010′s”Jonah Hex” and last year’s ”Green Lantern.”
As a result, top Warner executives had hoped that Nolan, who is producing next summer’s Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” would agree to serve the same role on the studio’s “Justice League,” which may hit theaters in 2015. ”It was a conversation we had,” Warner Bros. film group President Jeff Robinov said. “Obviously anything you can get Chris involved in is great.”
However, Nolan has declined the studio’s overtures, the filmmaker confirmed last weekend in interviews promoting the release of his final Batman installment.
Like all the Hollywood studios, Warner craves new film franchises, which tend to perform best overseas, generate sequels and drive sales of DVDs, toys and other ancillary products. But none of the DC movies currently in the works has a producer, director or cast, save for Zack Snyder’s $200-million-plus “Man of Steel.”
As a result, it will likely be at least three years before a new DC title hits the big screen, according to several knowledgeable people close to Warner Bros. who were not authorized to speak publicly.
First Man of Steel Teaser Trailers Released
Debuting in front of The Dark Knight Rises, not one but two teaser trailers for 2013′s Man of Steel are now out, a domestic and an international clip. Each has a different voiceover, but otherwise the same shots of a young Superman, fishing, hitchhiking and taking flight.
Domestic, with narration by Kevin Costner’s Jonathan Kent:
The Biggest Comic-Con 2012 Announcements
Comic-Con 2012 is now history and it’s easy for things to get lost in the shuffle because a lot of stuff happens at that show. Below is compiled the biggest announcements of the convention. The news stretches from comics, to movies, to TV, to video games; from Marvel, DC, Image and more.
DEADPOOL’S GOT (A) GAME
It started with posters for other Activision games, like the recent Amazing Spider-Man, scratched out with Deadpool graffiti. Wolverine found himself a victim of this advertising defacement as well. Then, at the Marvel Games panel, Deadpool himself crashed, demanding his new trailer be seen immediately.
With Deadpool’s signature multiple-voiced interior monologue, his truly insane way of processing situations, and of course the way he broke the fourth wall to speak directly to his fans, it’s clear that the folks at High Moon Studios aren’t just making a video game starring Deadpool, they’re making a Deadpool Game.
AVENGERS VS X-MEN WILL HAVE ‘CONSEQUENCES’
It happens at the end of pretty much every major Marvel story — Avengers vs. X-Men is no exception, and Marvel made that clear at Comic-Con.
Though we already know that the end of AvX brings the dawn of the “Marvel NOW!” era, Marvel announced two series at Comic-Con that tie even closer to the end of the 12-part event: the Kieron Gillen-written five-part AvX: Consequences, with an ominous cover (seen above) that sure seems to point to the death of a major character who may or may not be Cyclops; and A Plus X, a team-up series that’s essentially the reverse of “fight book” AvX: VS.
That’s not all Marvel’s comic side offered this Comic-Con, with announcements including the Jeff Parker-written Hulk becoming Red She-Hulk, and a new Ultimate Comics Iron Manminiseries from Nathan Edmondson and artist Matteo Buffagini.(Albert Ching.)
TIM DRAKE WAS NEVER ROBIN
Scott Lobdell first said at the Young Justice panel at SDCC 2012 that Tim Drake was never a “Robin” and had simply adopted the guise of “Red Robin” upon first becoming Batman’s sidekick, that objectivity was bound to be tested in a big way. Add in that he “was one of the few people to get really close to tracking down who Bruce is” and it seems we’re dealing with an almost entirely new character.
This is some major revisionist history whether you’re for or against it, and appears to hurt what made Tim Drake fundamentally different from the other Robins: he and he alone recognized that Batman needed a Robin, he alone figured out that Batman was Bruce Wayne and he gave up everything by being Robin: his parents, his best friends, and his girlfriend all died along the way.
Taking away Tim Drake’s time as no-adjective Robin, or reducing his initial, natural detective skills, quite simply makes the character a different one from the sidekick, and from the hero that readers grew with for the last nearly 25 years. This may all lead to great stories — everything has potential — but it will need to do it fast to avoid giving long-time DC fans one more thing to be upset about.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY & WINTER SOLDIER — ON FILM
The Guardians of the Galaxy movie was the worst kept secret from Marvel Studios this year, but it’s still safe to say it surprised even those who pretty much knew it was coming. After successfully building an Avengers franchise, the studio is showing some real guts by taking the Marvel Universe into the far reaches of space, and headlining a movie with a talking raccoon and a walking tree who can only say “I AM GROOT!”
Read more about the Guardians of the Galaxy and other Marvel Films HERE.
KRISTEN STEWARD SMILED (FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER)…
…and looked pretty hot (also for the first time ever).
Comic Con: Marvel Movie News Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America
The long-rumored Guardians of the Galaxy movie is official, and was announced at the Marvel Studios panel during Comic-Con in San Diego.
Images of Drax, Groot, Star-Lord, Gamora and Rocket Raccoon were shown during the presentation, giving an idea of the main cast. The film is scheduled for release on Aug. 1, 2014.
Additionally, the full titles for the Captain America and Thor sequels were announced: Captain America: Winter Soldier (scheduled for April 4, 2014) and Thor: The Dark World (Nov. 8, 2013).
The subtitle “Winter Soldier” appears to confirm that it’s an adaptation of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s Captain America acclaimed story where Bucky was found to be alive, and operating as a brainwashed Soviet assassin. In 2011′s Captain America: The First Avenger, Bucky was played by Sebastian Stan. Sitcom veterans Anthony and Joe Russo were confirmed as directing the film.
Director/screenwriter Edgar Wright joined the panel to discuss his long in-development Ant-Man film, and showed the recently shot test footage that was reported on late last month.
A clip from Iron Man 3 showed Tony Stark controlling his armor with his mind and it assembling around him, which speaks to the “Extremis” storyline reported to be a major influence on the plot of the film. Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau and director Shane Black are all appearing live at the panel.
As long expected, Black confirmed that the role played by Ben Kingsley in the film is indeed Iron Man archenemy The Mandarin. Rebecca Hall’s role was confirmed as Maya Hansen, a key player in the “Extremis” story. According to Marvel.com’s live blog of the event, it’s actually War Machine in the Iron Patriot armor, images of which leaked in May.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige commented that Iron Man 3 is Tony Stark-centric story, as opposed to the larger scope of Avengers.
Justice League Pre-Movie Push Begins in Arkham City Prequel
Rocksteady Studios is developing a new Batman video game for 2014, Variety reports, one that would take place before Arkham City and Arkham Asylum and also feature members of the Justice League.
This is just one of the series of projects that Warner Bros. is developing reportedly in a coordinated branding effort to maximize the Justice League intellectual property and whet audience appetites for an eventual Justice League film.
Varity ties the game it to one of several recent projects — citing efforts including last year’s New 52 relaunch; CW’s fall-debuting Arrow TV series and the Lego: The Piece of Resistance movie, featuring animated Batman and Superman. The Hollywood trade also cites the projects as efforts to prepare the market for what’s next in a world with no more Christopher Nolan Batman movies. Variety calls it Time Warner’s “mandate to monetize its stable of iconic superheroes.”
In addition to a Justice League movie, which Warner hopes will be ready for 2015 (a script by Will Beall is in the “polish” stage), Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green are writingThe Flash, and Michael Goldenberg has been hired to write Wonder Woman. All three worked on 2011′s Green Lantern film.
Though WB execs declined to comment on the article, Variety reports that the studio plans to reveal their upcoming film plans for DC’s characters within the next several months.
Beware the Batman Cartoon Network Teaser
Sneak peek at Cartoon Network’s Beware the Batman animation series. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and featuring cutting edge CGI visuals.
Marvel Reveals Spider-Man’s Alpha is a Teenage Sidekick
Just a few years removed from ending Spider-Man’s marriage in an effort to make him seem younger, Marvel is taking the unprecedented step of giving their 50-year old wall-crawler a teenage sidekick.
That’s right, Spider-Man will now have his Robin.
Wednesday morning on Fox Nation, Marvel Comics revealed that Alpha, the mysterious new character debuting in August’s Amazing Spider-Man #692, is a 15-year-old teenager named Andy Maguire who becomes the Spidey’s protégé in an anniversary issue that pays homage to Spidey’s 1962 origin.
According to Fox Nation, “In this story, we find that Peter Parker’s days as photographer for the Daily Bugle are behind him and he’s now a scientist at a research firm. Andy is part of a student field trip that visits Parker’s lab. He’s in the wrong place (or perhaps the right place) at the wrong time when Parker’s invention malfunctions and zaps him with great power. Parker — haunted by the way he got his own super abilities and how his failure to use them led to the murder of his beloved Uncle Ben so many years ago — feels an even greater responsibility to help young Andy. He feels he must help him discover his powers and teach him how to use them responsibly.”
“Part of it is that Spider-Man is grown up,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel editor-in-chief, explaining the development. “He’s older, more seasoned, but young at heart. He’s still a young man, but he’s been around. It’s interesting because it flips the paradigm. Teen hero Spider-Man is now responsible for this teen hero sidekick. He’s responsible because one of his inventions caused this kid to get his powers. He’s directly responsible for the responsibility this kid now has with his new powers. He feels he has a responsibility to make sure this kid walks the right path, which won’t prove easy.”
Marvel says the Alpha/Andy story is not just a modern day retelling of the Spider-Man origin. “It is déjà vu with a twist.”
According to the publisher, while Peter Parker was an unconfident nerd and outcast during this high school years. While Andy Maguire (homage to Toby?) is an outcast as well, he does not have any confidence problems. “Andy has a brashness, an edge, that Parker will find challenging, especially as he molds a potentially unpredictable teen who’s more powerful than he is,” read the article. “This may make Spider-Man and Alpha seem less Batman and Robin and more Odd Couple.”
“If you put Spider-Man and Batman in the same situation, you’re going to have way more fun with Spider-Man,” said Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott. “With Batman, he never really screws up the way Spider-Man does; he always seems to make the right decision. But with Spider-Man, he always screws up. He’s us as a superhero. Batman is a paragon of what we’d like to be, but in reality, we’re more like Spider-Man. He makes all the mistakes we make.”
“What we try to do with the 50th anniversary of Spider-Man is we try to play with the original clay of the book,” said Amazing Spider-Man. editor Steve Wacker. “When Spider-Man was first created in the 1960s, there was no other superhero like him. Pop culture had never really taken teenagers into account. What Stan and Steve did was sing to their angst, and we’re trying to sort of modernize that.”
D5 Creation
