Dan Jurgens is best known for his work on Superman, but today he is working
on other books like Thor, and has just been announced as the new writer for
Aquaman. He, along with Jerry Ordway, will also be doing a Fantastic
Four/Avengers mini-series. Dan answers questions on all three projects and
more!
Coville:
When will the Fantastic Four/Avengers mini series be out?
Jurgens:
Plans call for us to ship the book in September.
Coville:
I'm assuming we'll see the traditional FF line up, but what will the
Avengers line-up be?
Jurgens:
Jerry Ordway will be writing and drawing the Avengers book and the line-up
will primarily consist of the traditional core group.
Coville:
What will the story be about and is it in current continuity?
Jurgens:
The story places the FF and Avengers together in an epic adventure featuring
a new villain and a fun trip through Marvel's past.
Coville:
Both you and Jerry Ordway are writer/artists. Who will be writing and
who will be drawing, and how did you guys decide to divide the
responsibilities?
Jurgens:
I'll be writing and drawing a 4 issue mini-series called Fantastic Four: The
Domination Factor. Jerry will write and draw a companion series called
Avengers: The Domination Factor and the books will intertwine to tell the
whole story.
Coville:
Erik Larsen and other former Aquaman writers have complained about
"creative difficulties" with editor Kevin Dooley, even saying Dooley
asked them to rip off other stories. How will you respond if you have similar
problems?
Jurgens:
I'll leave the book. Fortunately, I don't anticipate those problems coming up.
Coville:
Will there be any changes to Aquaman's appearance or his powers?
Jurgens:
Not his powers, though I would like to change his hair and costume. Stay tuned.
Coville:
You mentioned that you would be creating new villains for Aquaman, can
you tell us about them?
Jurgens:
Coville:
What do you plan on doing with Tempest and other Aquaman supporting characters?
Jurgens:
Turn them from supporting characters into core characters. Aquaman will be
a book about a majestic, royal family. That family happens to be Aquaman,
Mera, Tempest and Dolphin.
Coville:
Is there a new artist for Aquaman yet? If so, who, and can you describe
their work for us?
Jurgens:
There will be a new artist but I can't announce who it is yet.
Coville:
Erik Larsen said he's leaving Dolphin's pregnancy to the next writer.
How do feel about it and what do you intend to do with it?
Jurgens:
I don't think Garth should have slept with someone who is essentially his
step mother. His relationship with Arthur would never allow that to happen.
But I have no say in that now, it's done, and I'll deal with it
appropriately.
Unfortunately, it symbolizes the continued erosion of the heroic qualities
of DC's heroes.
Coville:
Is there any chance you will draw a fill in for either Aquaman or Thor?
Jurgens:
Nothing's planned but it's always possible.
Coville:
Roger Stern and Peter David reportedly both sent in proposals to become
Thor's writer, how did you beat them for the coveted job?
Jurgens:
I honestly have no idea. I don't know what they wrote and have no concept
about how any of their thoughts compared with my own. I consider them
friends and talented writers and would have looked forward to reading their
work on Thor.
Coville:
When preparing for Thor, what kind of research did you do?
Jurgens:
Jumped into Norse mythology big time!
Coville:
What was the inspiration of the Dark Gods?
Jurgens:
Tough question. It started with trying to create a pantheon of gods based
on today's thoughts and values, or lack of them.
Coville:
What is it like working with John Romita Jr.?
Jurgens:
John's absolutely brilliant and incredibly well suited to this book. It's a
treat to see what he does each and every month.
Coville:
Do you have any plans on drawing a regular series again?
Jurgens:
I'd like to at some point. I'm not avoiding it at all. Just seems to have
developed into a situation where I'm writing the monthly stuff and drawing
special projects.
Coville:
What tools do you use when penciling?
Jurgens:
I draw on the board Marvel and DC supply me with, using a .05 mm mechanical
pencil, HB lead.
Coville:
After the Fantastic Four/Superman crossover will you try to get any more
comics published in the Treasury Sized format?
Jurgens:
I'd love to do a Superman/Thor book in that format.
Coville:
Who is the easiest editor you have worked for?
Jurgens:
Hard to say, though it should be noted the easiest editors aren't
necessarily the best. I like working with editors with whom I share a vision of what
the book should be.
Coville:
What caused you to leave the Spectacular Spider-Man book?
Jurgens:
Mostly the fact that the editor and I had profound differences on what a
good Spider-Man story was.
Coville:
What other projects will you be doing in the future?
Jurgens:
