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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
the first one -- the previous one -- the next one -- the most recent one
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
Opens the floor to questions.
Marvel West does movies and video games might not have answers to those questions.
What comic should people be reading but aren't reading for Secret Invasion?
8 month story. New and Mighty Avengers. Might do tie-in miniseries. Creator summit in December.
Would guess there will be a Frontline. Strong possibility.
There are plans for more New Universal. No Larocca, new penciller. Ellis has two scripts in. April/May-ish 2008.
Invaders April/May. Will run concurrently with Secret Invasion.
Weekly comics? Bagley doing it at DC post latest crisis? Spider-Man thrice monthly. There were talks about a weekly book like a Marvel Comics Presents. Big undertaking, many variables. Probably not at Marvel, though.
More new characters? Don't seem to sell well in superhero books. Particularly with solo titles. Runaways has worked. Difficult to launch new characters.
Lateness of comics? Professionalism? Worth waiting for? Doesn't seem to be getting better. As a fan, can't stand it. Are lessons being learned? Marketing gets overzealous. News leaks, and ccompanies jump the gun. Hitch has six issues of F4 done so that book will run straight through. With One More Day, they thought they were far enough ahead but it didn't work out. Not making excuses but sometimes life gets in the way.
Not sure what happened to the lost Kirby/Lee F4 issue. Coming out soon. But doesn't know the annswer to that.
Rich Johnston said Marvel might pursue publishing ROM now that license ran out? Yes. Marvel (and Bendis) are interested. Hasbro even put G.I. Joe license up recently.
Next films? Iron Man, Hulk, Punisher 2 with Newman from Seinfeld as Microchip, Wolverine, rumors of Edgar Wright doing Antman. Rumor of Black Widow with Rebecca Romijn.
Is New Warriors ongoing now? Not sure. Thinks so. Outlining issues up to 18, he thinks.
Trying to get some older guys to come back for some things. No definite plans right now.
Bendis is doing Daredevil: The End. With some of the past artists returning.
Announcements: Two first time announcements. Including a new project from an Irish writer.
Sequel to Marvels? Three issues ready or so. Want it all done before soliciting.
X-Factor continuing, some roster changes post-Messiah Complex.
Variant cover to Messiah Complex. X-Men 205. Cyclops and glowing guy. Nezno?
Finch's cover to New X-Men 44. Finch covers link up.
Variant Cassiday cover to Astonishing 24, Kitty and Lockheed.
Last regular issue then Giant Sized.
Astonishing will be more closely tied to other titles post Messiah Complex.
Adj-less X-Men ending. X-Men Legacy launching. Scott Eaton main artist. Flashbacks iin each issue by a different artist. First one John Romita Jr.
Garth Ennis project for Marvel. War is Hell. Cassiday doing covers. Chayakin doing art. Sketch shown of cover. Phantom Eagle in first arc. Hardcore. MAX title, possibly.
Loners in Marvel X-Mas Special. Loners doing Secret Santa.
Avengers Fairy tales #1 in Spring. Captain America as Peter Pan, frozen in ice, Scarlet Witch as Wendy, Wasp as Tinkerbell. Four issue miniseries. Issue 2 is Wizard of Oz with She-Hulk, then Alice in Wonderland. Issue four, Tony Stark as Gephetto and Vision as Pinocchio.
Punisher Fairy Tales?
New NYX series, female creative team, writer from outside of comics.
Messiah Complex no delays. All planned out meticulously.
Next big event? Planning to focus on title books. But editorial can get pressured to create another event to increase sales.
Variant covers back? Weren't those supposed to stop? Marvel's gotten worse recently 1 in 25, DC 1 in 10. CB loves Variant covers so he's the wrong person to ask. But maybe marketing won out in the argument.
Had idea to do glow in the dark cover that would reveal skrulls for Secret Invasion.
2 fill in art issues for Thor, main artist's staying on it.
One More Day late due to artwork was ahead for issues one and two. Issue three is done. Cranking along on issue 4.
Halo licensing keeps requesting art changes. Patterns on boots, gun details.
After Marvel Zombies 2, probably going on hiatus.
Marvel Apes, Marvel pirates, Marvel vampires all been discussed.
Online subscription service. Doesn't know if you will be able to download it ever. Comics still feeling out online distribution. Royalties?
Bryan Singer and Ultimate X-Men? Larocca and Kirkman are team for the foreseeable future. Michael Turner still slated for an Ultimate project after Soulfire.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 11:57 AM
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
AMERICA'S NEXT CAPTAIN AMERICA!
After his stunning death in Captain America #25 (until they retcon it), the minds of fandom immediately turned to wondering when and how his replacement would come. Like Azrael to Batman, like Kyle Rayner to Hal Jordan, like those other four dudes to Superman, like Ben Reilly to Peter...er... Comic book fanboys knew it would just be a matter of time before someone new picked up the shield. (until they retcon it)
It was no foregone conclusion as to who would next wear the mantle of Captain America. Thousands of characters applied, both comic and otherwise. We here at Your Mom's Basement managed to get an inside look at the top ten of the many, many contenders to pick up the shield, and we bring you excerpts from their interviews.
NUMBER 10: RICK JONES! (circa 1963)
Con: poor dental care.
Why I should be the Next Captain America, by Rick Jones. Whoa, sorry! I felt like I was back in high school again for a second there. Or grade school, maybe. This is squaresville, dad. Hey, I don't think I'm the cat for this canary, if you dig where I'm coming from. Sure, I was Bucky for a little bit. That was just because ol' Cap needed me to help him shake the cobwebs up a little bit. Yeah, he had me sling the shield once or twice, but that was just for kicks! I killed a squirrel by accident. Boy, was Cap ever sore!
Listen buddy, Cap was Cap. You're not replacing him anytime soon, not unless the real Bucky comes back with a metal arm or something. And like that's gonna happen. I'll DIE before I even think about replacing Cap! So I gotta go splitsville, the Hulk is calling.
NUMBER 9: Georges Batroc!
Con: Is America ready for a Captain America with a mustache?
Batroc ze Lepair! Oui oui? Non? Non?! Zut alors! Pourquoi Batroc ze Lepair est non le new Capitain Les Estats-Unis? C'est possible Batroc, he would make, how you say...ze most formidable new Capitain Les Estats-Unis! Il est tres beau! Il est tres skeeled wit' ze savate, ze French form of les kickboxing! Batroc's moustache est magnifique! Who is you to say zat hees moustache is not the moustache of a Capitain of America? You Americans, so close-minded non? I weep at your pathetic...je ne sais quoi.
NUMBER 8: MATT SALINGER! (star of the Captain America made-for-TV movie)
Con: NERRRRRDS
Hi! I'm Matt Salinger, you might remember me as Burke from Revenge of the Nerds or from my many appearances on television or when I played the role... of Steve Rogers, Captain America.
And you might remember my dad, reclusive author JD Salinger, who penned us up the classic novel The Catcher in the Rye. So I think I'm uniquely qualified to understand American legends who disappear when their country needs them most.
When Captain America threw his mighty shield, I was there. When Cap stood firm against totalitarians, facists and phonies, I was there. When Captain America got drunk and cheated on mom, who was there to pick up the pieces?
No, it wasn't Reb Brown.
Remember, when you think about America, Salinger is as American as it gets.
NUMBER 7: PETER FONDA! (as 'Captain America' from the film Easy Rider)
Con: The drug test.
Oh wow. The colors. The colors man. The red and the white and the big blue, blue. You gotta love the colors man. I'm not really digging the chainlink...chain...aww, what's it called? Chainmail? Yeah, the chainmail. I'm not digging the chainmail, man. It feels like...heavy. It's constricting me. I'm gonna take this off, man. Live free or die, man!
Whoa, sorry I...I'm not ready for this. But see, I got the helmet! All painted up in that red, blue and blue. And blue...man, I should be Captain America because I AM Captain America! Not just because of that movie I did. I've seen this country far and wide man, I've seen every facet of this big bluetiful American Diamond we call Earth America. I'll fight injustice on my hog, just cruising through the backroads of this big nation of ours with me and my helmet and a whole lot of really good acid. What do you mean Cap doesn't do drugs, man? I am Captain America, and I'm ON a whole lotta drugs.
Blue. Aw man, wow.
NUMBER 6: MODOK!
Con: that ain't smoke
I, MODOK am best suited to become America's Next Captain America because I have changed my name to MODOC! As in 'Modified Organism Designed Only for to be Captain America!' APPROVE me or suffer my wrath!
The question of whether or not I can sling his mighty shield is moot! MOOT! My supreme mental powers is what shall cause criminals to yield, not this red white and blue discus! My stubby arms are irrelevant!
...and I shall need larger wings for my cowl! LARGER! Like unto the wings of an American Bald Eagle! I shall sever them myself, to show how TRULY I long to be the next Captain America!
NUMBER 5: AXEL "ACCESS" ASHER!
Con: complicated publication rights sue to the shared ownership with DC, complications due to his unabashed sucking
Why I should be the next Captain America: well, guess where I've been for the past ten years since my last appearance in the classic DC Vs. Marvel: All Access. You'll never guess. Go on. Guess. Why aren't you guessing?
Hey, screw you! I've been practicing for days with my very own training shield! Nobody can sling a shield like me! Except for the original Cap and maybe USAgent...oh, he is applying too. I didn't know that. I thought he was in Canada? Well listen, I get that maybe I'm not qualified to be the next Captain America. But with my contacts in the Distinguished Competition I can make all sorts of crossovers happen for you guys at the House of Ideas. BIG crossovers. If you want a slice of that big inter-company crossover cheddar, you come and talk to Access.
NUMBER 4: WOLVERIIIIINE!
Pro: he's the best there is at what he does
You wanna sell comics? Well I'm the best there is at what I do, and what I do is sell comic books. I'm in three or four monthly comics as is, what's another one? Alright scrubs, listen up, 'cause I don't want to have to waste more time jawin' with you than I have to. The ol' Canucklehead is going to be the new Captain America 'cause I'm the best there is at what I do. And what I do...isn't very pretty. If you need anymore reason than that, I got six adamantium ones for you right here. What? Come on now. I'm barely Canadian anyway.
NUMBER 3: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS!
Con: is not a fictional character like Batroc or Matt Salinger are
Yeah, I think I should be Cap.
Really.
(No, really.)
Why?
I have always - always - believed in what this country stands for.
YOU KNOW THAT!
And I have intimate knowledge and respect for the Avengers, and the great teams that have defended this country (except Tigra. I guess there's always Tigra. Fleabag.).
In short --
(too late)
-- I'm your number one candidate for Cap.
NUMBER 2: USAGENT!
Pro: ..............has good teeth.
Yeah, so I think my prior job experience speaks for itself. So you know the suit will fit me at least! A ha...ha. So I've been Captain America twice now (I am counting my time as a New Invader, thank you) and served with distinction. What? ...well yes, I suppose I do define 'distinction' with wholesale manslaughter and abuse of force. What are you getting at?
Listen buddy, my parents were killed! Right before my eyes! Wouldn't you go a little...I will NOT calm down! Do you wanna GO? What, are you gonna cry? Do you want me to make you cry? All right, let's finish this thing. I said shut up! ...well I meant to say it. So I can throw the shield just about as well as Rogers did, but I have a lot of trouble getting it to actually, y'know. Bounce back to me. All the time. Sometimes it does, then it ends up...what? Do you want me to snap your clavicle?
NUMBER 1: THE WINTER SOLDIER!
Pro: has been handled for the most part entirely by Ed Brubaker, Brubaker being entirely awesome
Maybe I don't even wanna be the next Captain America. Ever think about that?
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 08:34 AM
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
Empyre is your second novel. How did the process work for you the second time around? Were there any changes to the way you worked?
As far as the actual act of writing, I try to keep it the same. I get up early, brew up about a gallon of coffee and start writing before self-doubt can creep in. My office is just big enough for a chair, desk, computer and me. I settle in, pump up the music on my headphones and write for at least three hours.
I don’t know about other writers, but my choice of music really impacts the tone of what I’m writing. Here were some of my favorites while writing EMPYRE. As you’ll see, it’s pretty eclectic: Massive Attack – Mezzanine, Zero 7 – Simple Things, David Gilmour – On an Island, Philip Glass’s Violin Concertos, Vartina – a band from Finland, The Duhks, DJ Z-Trip. There’s also a DJ named Michael Smith in LA whose tracks are great.
Mentally, writing EMPYRE was a new experience. With ECHELON, there was no pressure; I just wanted to see if I could write a novel. With EMPYRE, there were more expectations. But I hope those expectations made EMPYRE a better book.
When Empyre opens it's been five years since the conclusion of Echelon. What's happened to Ryan and Sarah's world in that time?
EMPYRE starts where most sci-fi ends: Big Brother is dead and freedom reigns. The question that drives EMPYRE is – what happens the next day? How would society react to its newfound freedom? And how about Ryan and Sarah – the two responsible for this massive shift in world affairs? What happens to them?
At the end of ECHELON, Ryan and Sarah took down a system of total information control. Now, five years later the world is reeling from the loss. EMPYRE opens on a reality that looks much like ours. There’s a lot of fear, confusion and chaos. As for Ryan and Sarah, neither has reacted well to the world they created.
So, to answer your question, EMPYRE starts with the chaotic reality behind Echelon’s “happily-ever-after” finale. From there, I tried to create a mile-a-minute thrill ride, incorporating the best of sci-fi and spy thrillers. EMPYRE’s got wild technology, a behind the scenes peek into the future of espionage, and a plot that, hopefully, will keep you guessing.
I should also say that EMPYRE is a stand alone novel. No need to read ECHELON to enjoy EMPYRE. The two books compliment, but don’t depend on, each other.
Both transhumanism and singularity factor into Empyre as themes. For people unfamiliar with those terms could you explain them and how they fit into your story?
Both concepts lie at the basis of EMPYRE. But, before I get into them, I should say that EMPYRE is written to be fast and fun. The “deeper” themes serve as a backdrop for the story.
Now, into those themes… Transhumanism deals with the ever-increasing integration between man and machine. It looks at the consequences of our interaction with technology. Many feel that this integration will be a boon for humanity, and many feel that it will lead to disaster.
The Singularity is related to this integration, and to the general progress of technology. There are many definitions for the Singularity, but I think of it as the point where we can no longer predict the future based on the past. Due to advances in technology, our existence shifts to the point where it becomes something completely new.
How does all this relate to my books? ECHELON deals with a world on the edge of the Singularity. The Singularity has been held back by a system of total information control. Once that restraint is gone, the rate of progress goes exponential, driving the world to the Singularity’s tipping point. EMPYRE looks at what may happen as the world teeters over that point.
As to transhumanism, Ryan is the first true cyborg – a total integration of man and machine. There’s a lot in sci-fi about cyborgs, but usually from the perspective of a far future where the character is totally comfortable with such a situation. Ryan isn’t that guy. He’s the test case, the guinea pig. As such, his experience and evolution are rocky to say the least. The technology within him offers power, but comes at a price.
All of this lies underneath EMPYRE’s story, creating the world in which my characters operate. And while it may seem like a far future scenario, I think we’ll deal with many of these issues in our lifetime. The rate of progress continues to increase. As such, EMPYRE looks at a future that may not be that far off.
Sarah Peters takes on a much more direct role in Empyre. She has become a biomechanical junkie in a sense in that she continues to upgrade herself. Why did you decide to alter her character so drastically?
I’m not sure her character is altered; EMPYRE just continues her story. Sarah has tremendous inner strength. In ECHELON, she was a far stronger person than Ryan. She buoyed him. Events in EMPYRE test her strength and push her right up to the breaking point.
Neither Ryan nor Sarah begin EMPYRE in the best of conditions. Both are traumatized by the chaos around them – chaos they caused. How each deals with that trauma differs.
Ryan removes himself from the world. Sarah plunges back into it. Her interaction with technology gets wrapped up in the psychological issues she’s dealing with. I think that as we internalize technology, such a condition will become more and more common. The way we see ourselves will shift with the technology we develop – a fact that’s both exciting and terrifying.
Glad you mention him; he’s a favorite of mine. Frank was inspired by a couple real people from the world of espionage. In Frank, I was trying to create a counterpoint to Ryan – a guy who is boisterous and crude, but also a true believer. While Ryan has lost the faith that drove him through most of his life, Frank hasn’t. He’s fully committed to his country and to what the CIA is doing in EMPYRE. That clarity of purpose both makes him powerful and narrows his vision. For much of the story, Ryan envies Frank’s faith.
Empyre continues the extremely visual setting from Echelon. Do you just let your imagination run wild or do you try to have basis in reality?
I loved the idea of Manhattan protected by a surge wall that doubles as a surveillance platform, a floating city/state and a hovering hospital airship.
I’d say EMPYRE is a combination of reality and imagination. I’m fascinated by the impact of technology on our lives. As such, everything I write has its basis in reality. I spend a lot of time researching what’s on the cutting edge to come up with my possible future. On my website (www.joshconviser.com) I outline some of the actual technology that inspired EMPYRE.
I really got into conceiving a possible future for Manhattan. I’ve spent a lot of time in the city and always find it slightly claustrophobic. Adding the surge wall you mention only heightens that sense. Then I amped even that by making Manhattan into a reverse Panopticon. I’m fascinated by the idea of living under an invisible, omniscient eye – of never knowing if you’re being watched – and thus having to assume that you’re under constant surveillance. How would such a state shift life in a city?
It’s something we’re all going to have to deal with as we move into the future. Like it or not, eavesdropping - be it by the government or the private sector - is only going to increase. I’m interested in how this will impact our experience of the world.
Ryan Laing continues to gain more control over his drones and he becomes something pretty amazing at the end of Empyre. Do you ever worry about creating a hero who might be too powerful?
Of course. In Ryan, I’m looking to create a bad ass – next century’s Bond or Bourne. But, he also needs to have the weaknesses and frailties (both physical and mental) that make him human. In EMPYRE, Ryan’s integration with the technology inside him becomes more complete, but new threats also come up that drastically impair his abilities. I made sure the threats in EMPYRE equaled Ryan’s abilities.
We learn that Empyre was created to be a more direct and violent method of controlling the world from Laing's mentor Christopher Turing. Empyre also created an opposite number to Laing in Alfred Krueger. When you began working on Ryan's story did you already have this planned out?
I had the general idea that Ryan would have an opposite with the same goal. That said, Krueger took a long time to develop. I’m a little hesitant to talk about him too much as I don’t want to ruin the suspense of the book. But suffice it to say that I’ve been pondering Krueger for years and I’m thrilled with how he turned out.
Ryan is forced with a horrific choice. He can either save the woman he loves or stop a madman who is planning to send the world down a path it might not recover from. Why not give him a little more to do?
That’s not enough?!
I love the intensity offered in both sci-fi and spy thrillers. The scope of decisions a character can be forced into within these genres can be monumental. My method is to create characters I understand personally, then throw them into situations far beyond any experience I’ll ever have and see how they react.
The ending of Empyre is powerful. Is it safe to assume that you are going to come back with a third book in the Ryan Laing series?
I always saw the Laing series in three parts. There’s a lot more to tell with Ryan. He’s not done yet…
You have coined the phrase "spy-fi" to describe your books. What can you say about this style?
EMPYRE is a near future spy thriller. It’s part Orwell, part William Gibson, part Robert Ludlum. I didn’t set out to write a genre buster; the ideas behind the series just led me down that path. That said, I think the sci-fi and spy thriller genres compliment each other in that they both offer a fresh angle from which to see our world. Sci-fi looks at our world through its possible future. Spy thrillers look at it through the filter of a clandestine reality lying underneath. Combining the two gave me a great foundation to develop a driving, exciting story with room for some deeper ideas.
Ryan and his world seem tailor made for comics. Have you given any thought to the possibility of exploring that medium?
I have. It’s in the works.
This summer you were part of a panel at the San Diego Comicon. What was that experience like?
It was great. I love Comicon. It’s a trip. And my panel included two of my heroes: David Morrell (Rambo) and Richard K. Morgan (Altered Carbon). One of the great parts of being writer is getting to meet other writers whose work I admire.
What else are you working on?
I’m working on two television series – one set in the world of espionage and one in my home town of Aspen, Colorado. I’m working on a feature called Inferno, which is a modern day adaptation of Dante’s poem set in Vegas. I’m producing a CGI Animation film for Fox. And, with EMPYRE on the shelves, I guess there’s no excuse not to get started on the next book!
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
