Tom DeFalco is a name recognized by Marvel readers. He has been a writer, an
editor, and had a long run as Editor in Chief. Today he is the writer/editor
of a new line of comics, better known as MC2 or Marvel Comics Two. This
month he answers a slew of questions about the MC2 books and the characters
in them. He also tells us what he looks for in an artist, and how to save
our favorite comic title from cancellation.
Coville:
Tell us how and when you got your start writing comic books.
DeFalco:
I began my career working for ARCHIE COMICS in 1972. I started as gofer, and
eventually started selling stories to them.
Coville:
Judging by the first issues, you created a lot of characters. Why did you
choose to give Spider-Girl, J2, and A-Next their own books?
DeFalco:
The readers demanded that Spider-Girl get her own title. They also wanted to
see a future Avengers book and the Fantastic Five...but I figured I could have
more fun with Juggie. (Read the title, and you'll see why!)
Coville:
Why was there a #0 book for Spider-Girl, but none for A-Next or J2?
DeFalco:
Spider-Girl #0 was a reprint of What If #105...which first introduced Mayday
to the world.
Coville:
Exactly how many years in the future is the MC2 line?
DeFalco:
Somewhere between 15 and infinity.
Coville:
I understand there will be another MC2 title. Will Marvel have an official
vote for the hero or team to get their own title?
DeFalco:
In our January issues (Spider-Girl #6), we'll ask the readers to vote on who
should star in the next title. It could be Stinger, Darkdevil, the F5 or
whomever they choose.
Coville:
Is there any chance that MC2 will be a part of the same alternative future
laid out in Gardians of the Galaxy or the 2099 line?
DeFalco:
All alternative futures have the possibilities of intersecting...or not.
Coville:
Will we be seeing other long lived current Marvel characters pop up in
MC2? Characters like Hercules, Hulk, Mr. Immortal, Wolverine and so on?
DeFalco:
Yep!
Coville:
I know this is a gruesome question, but did all of Peter Parkers leg get
blown off or just a part of it?
DeFalco:
Errr...let's move on, shall we?
Coville:
Hey, where did the Green Goblin's glider go?
DeFalco:
Your guess is as good as mine.
Coville:
Is there any relation between the Jimmy Yama in Spider-Girl and Zane
Yama in J2?
DeFalco:
They're cousins...as we'll see in the future.
Coville:
Will we see the Juggernaut return in J2?
DeFalco:
Probably.
Coville:
When will we see the full X-People team?
DeFalco:
J2 #1 for a cameo...and #2 for an actual story.
Coville:
Is the future X-men called X-People for politically correct reasons?
DeFalco:
Nope! I just wanted something to distinguish them from the current X-titles,
and the pickings are very slim.
Coville:
The A-Next team only had 4 memebers! Will you be adding more later on?
DeFalco:
Check out A-Next #4!
Coville:
In other Alternative futures, those with the name "Mainframe" always
ended up being the Vision. Is the A-Next Mainframe the Vision also?
DeFalco:
We'll learn Mainframe's story...when the time is right.
Coville:
Will Stinger be able to shrink like the Wasp?
DeFalco:
Yes.
Coville:
In A-Next, why did Loki get the Rock Trolls to steal the mace from Kevin
when he could have teleported it away (as he did along with the heroes)?
DeFalco:
He was busy conjuring, and sent his errand boys to do the dirty work.
Coville:
What old Marvel title(s) would you like to see re-launched?
DeFalco:
New Warriors, Darkhawk and Silver Sable...all with the original creative teams!
Coville:
When hiring a penciler for a book, what in particular do you look for?
DeFalco:
Someone who can draw real people with real facical expressions and body
languague in a real world. And someone who can tell a visual story!
Coville:
There are a lot of fans out there trying to prevent or reverse the
cancelation of their favorite titles. As a former Editor in Chief, what
advice could you give these die hard fans?
DeFalco:
Buy copies of your favorite titles, convince your friends to buy copies, make
sure your local retailer supports the title by displaying copies on his racks
for an entire month, and write to the President of the company.
