Why I Love Comics

Eric Ratcliffe Sits Down With Fred Van Lente

Fred Van Lente co-writes Incredible Hercules monthly from Marvel Comics with Greg Pak. He also writes Wolverine: First Class. In October, he will be the pen charting the course for Marvel Zombies 3 and, in December, X-Men: Noir will launch for 4 issues. He also co-writes the "inspiring, infuriating, and utterly insane story of the American comic book industry", Comic Book Comics with Ryan Dunlavey.

Eric: How did you get your start in the industry?

Fred Van Lente: Three ways: Very quickly, then very slowly, then very quickly again.

Right out of college, where I was buddies with a great artist named Steve Ellis (he now co-creates High Moon for D.C.'s Zuda), he helped me get a foot in the door at Malibu Comics. This would be about 1995. This was in their twilight so the only thing I did that got published was one issue of "Prime".

I moved to New York City and in with Steve to become a comics pro only to find out Marvel shut down Malibu. So, my career took kind of a left turn for a while. A loooooong while.

I still did some independent comics here and there, mostly with Steve. One title we created in 2003 was The Silencers for Moonstone which was about a team of super-powered mob enforcers who become freelance operators once the Mafia family they work for gets whacked. It was very well-received critically, even if it hardly made a dent in the sales charts.

Fortunately, one of the people who read it and liked it was Mark Paniccia, who was an editor at Tokyopop, then Marvel. He asked me to pitch for the new Scorpion strip they were developing for the Amazing Fantasy title (where, ironically enough, Incredible Hercules co-star Amadeus Cho would later see his premiere). Unfortunately, though they liked my pitch, Marvel passed on it.

But...

A few weeks later, Mark called me again! The original writer they chose didn't work out for one reason or another, so they picked my story instead. The new Scorpion premiered in April 2005 and the rest, for the most part, is history. Marvel has been giving more and more work and I keep trying to reward their confidence with the best scripts I can.

Eric: So the Marvel break was Amazing Fantasy? How long did you work on the title?

FVL: I did the six-issue arc that introduced the character, which was collected into the handsome "Scorpion: Poison Tomorrow" digest GN.

Eric: And how did things eventually evolve into currently working on Incredible Hercules?

FVL: In early 2007, editor Nate Cosby approached me about co-writing a "Renegades" series with Greg Pak who was swamped in World War Hulk-related work at the time. (The Renegades, of course, being the pro-Hulk team of heroes that gathered during WWH.) That got whittled down to just Hercules and Amadeus, and Greg and I have been having a blast doing it ever since.

Eric: And any idea why we really haven't seen the new Scorpion since WWH?

FVL: An opportunity hasn't really arisen. She's been talked about as a team member or a supporting cast member for a couple series that haven't quite panned out for one reason or another. However, that will change shortly. She's appearing in the "Hulk Family" one-shot in November written by me, and in a series this spring that I'm doing (but too top-secret for me to tell you about at this juncture, alas), as well as in another Hulk-related one-shot in 2009. So your long drought is over,
Scorpion fans!

Eric: When the series was originally thought up as the Renegades was the plan any different then what we are seeing now?

FVL: Yeah, the Renegades were going to be persona non grata in America because they'd be branded as traitors, so they would become globetrotting troubleshooters, rescuing people in areas not under SHIELD's control. Ironically enough, what was going to be their first story arc became the plot to the Eternals Annual I'm doing, which should be out in November. Fortunately, it works a lot better as an Eternals story... (laughs)

Eric: And coming back to one of your renegade characters again, how is it to write for Namora again?

FVL: Actually, I've never really written for Namora before. The Renegades project never got off the ground for us to go beyond the early plotting stage.

Eric: And how do you and Greg break down the writing for the series being co-writers? Would you say its easier or harder to have someone else to write with?

FVL: It's different. I can't say it's harder or easier because I doubt Greg or I couldn't handle doing it by ourselves, but it would be a very different book I imagine. Both he and I have unique sensibilities, both of which are represented within the book. For the first few arcs, one of us wrote half, the other the other half, and then by passing the drafts back and forth among us the unified script was finalized.

Now we seem to be doing more often a thing where we're co-developing multiple arcs at once, requiring one of us to write the initial draft of one issue of one arc and the other another draft, but still with that passing back and forth for integration. I won't tell you which ones. Whichever issues you didn't like -- those were Greg's. (laughs evilly)

Eric: So who's your favorite character to write for in the title?

FVL: I really like Athena. There's a deadpan doesn't-take-fools-lightly attitude to her that's great to bilk for dry humor. Although Hercules can be fun to be around, and ditto for Amadeus when he's not being completely insufferable -- or when we can be insufferable for comedic effect.

Eric: Can you tell me a little about the just announced X-men Noir?

FVL: It is the X-Men franchise completely reimagined as a gritty crime series instead of a super hero book.

Dennis Calero, my co-creator, has completely knocked the artistic ball out of the park on this one. His art makes this book look completely unlike anything else Marvel is publishing at the time. There's a certain degree of negativity on-line since the project was announced, a bit of "Oh, this is just another Elseworlds story", but those incredible teaser images Dennis created are just the tip of the iceberg-- Once the actual story pages start coming out, the skeptics' socks will be just as knocked off as mine were, of that I have no doubt. It's a hard boiled crime story that will let you see this franchise in a completely different and compelling light.

Eric: Yeah I'm curious if that last teaser image was a Morrison New X-Men character who liked to fake a french accent (Phantomex). But I'm probably not going to get that out of you am I?

FVL: No, that's SPIDER-MAN NOIR. That's a whole other creative team, but Dennis did that teaser image too. The X-Men images were such a hit that he's been asked to do alternative covers for every issue of the entire line, which is a pretty awesome vote of confidence...

Eric: And something I really wanted to get into talking about was Wolverine: First Class. You can always tell when a writer gets to play around with someone he loves. Is it fair to say your a fan of Kitty/Wolverine team up?

FVL: No, believe it or not. I had almost no background in it. But Marvel asked me to pitch for a Wolverine All-Ages book and once I got over my initial reaction, which was, "Really? Are you nuts...?" (laughs) I realized that this was the best, in-continuity way to do it. The all-ages books work best with a heavy dose of humor and I like writing female characters. I think the injection of a girl's point of view brings a fresh perspective on Logan, who left to his own devices can be this real bummer, brooding kind of character that bores me to tears, honestly. But with Kitty tagging along we can do new and interesting stories with him.

Eric: And how would you react to a certain Image creator saying that the First Class books seem to be dumbed down? Being a reader of all 6 issues so far, I definitely disagree.

FVL: Thanks. Yeah, Jeff Parker and I actually addressed that over on CBR. As I said there, I have a feeling that Robert made that as kind of a throwaway statement. So I don't put a whole lot of stock in it. It's become conventional wisdom for a while to knock Marvel and DC for not appealing to kids. But the average comics fan has zero interest in the mainstream companies' kids output so they rarely have any clue what they're talking about. I've been involved with the Adventures and First Class lines since my first days at Marvel. The masterminds behind that line, editors Mark Paniccia and Nate Cosby, bust their humps to bring the best comics to readers of all ages and anyone who puts down their efforts, or the efforts of the creators involved... Well, they just don't know what they're talking about. That's the politest way I can phrase it.

Eric: I guess it just not only shocked me but left kind of a bad taste in my mouth, almost as if he was insulting you and Jeff. Though I don't think Robert would do that intentionally.

FVL: No, I don't think so, either.

Eric: But I have to compliment you on the book completely, I'd say this is one of those comics that everyone from kids to 20-somethings and older can truly enjoy. The two parter with the high evolutionary, wolverine enjoying a beer trying to watch some hockey or just Kitty trying to prove herself to the toughest member of the team. It makes for a really enjoyable read.

FVL: Thank you kindly!

Eric: I almost forgot to add my question here, how long do you have the book scripted for? And are you on it for the long run?

FVL: Pretty long -- at least the first sixteen issues. I'm currently plotting out #10-11 now, a two-parter, guest-starring yet another of our you-don't-see-'em-with-Wolverine-that-much characters, Jack Russell, Werewolf-by-Night.

Query: Does Wolverine's healing factor work on mystical-based wounds, like a lycanthrope bite? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Eric: An answer to your query, Wolverine doesn't seem to be like Superman where magic affects him majorly. I think as long as he's mostly still together depending on the bite he'd heal.

FVL: Dude. It was a rhetorical question. (grin)

Eric: Are you thinking his healing factor is weakened for mystical attacks against him?

FVL: Why not? Unless his healing factor is, itself, magic... (Which is how many writers have portrayed it, har, har.)

It would depend on the attack, obviously. But I don't see any reason why magic wouldn't affect mutant powers as it would affect any other part of the human (or mutant) physiognomy.

Eric: And I knew it was a rhetorical question but figured it would make for a fun bit of the conversation. (Smiles) And come on! I think we all read the same Civil War issues of the title where Wolvie was healing from just his bone structure alone.

FVL: I hear Red Kryptonite is the only thing that disables his healing factor.

Eric: And the last thing I really wanted to get into with you was Marvel Zombies 3, hitting the stands next month. How were you approached to write the series?

FVL: The folks at Marvel wanted to explore zombies beyond the usual headliners, like Spider-Man and Wolverine, and I've sort of become known as the guy who loves the obscure characters -- which thrills me to no end, by the way. So editor Bill Rosemann kindly called me up and asked me if I was interested.

Eric: And did you jump on it as fast as you could or were you intimidated to work on something this big after the first two mini series?

FVL: I jumped on it. Bill originally had the idea to see what the robot characters would be up to in the Zombieverse, and I suggested using Machine Man. Then I thought, well, let's make it in-continuity, have the zombies invade the regular Marvel U. Those were the two real hooks for me. It's just been oodles of fun to write. No wonder it sells so well! (laughs) Good, unclean fun.

Eric: And when you say you love obscure characters how obscure are we talking here?

FVL: Jocasta, Morbius, Jennifer Kale, Aquarian, Ursa Major, Siege, Portal (look him up), Jackal... Although there are plenty that aren't so obscure, like Deadpool, Kingpin, Absorbing Man, and, of course, Aaron Stack himself.

Eric: And The machine man your using, nextwave crazy? Or x-51 aaron stack? And I saw a zombie deadpool in the preview way to draw me in no matter what.

FVL: Excellent! Well, in a lot of ways this arc starts Aaron where his head is around Nextwave and we're going to move him to... Well, to the next level. Extended time in the Zombie Universe can screw with anybody's head, even if that head has got a computer inside of it...

Eric: Its easy to love Deadpool though, Wade is a charmer always breaking the fourth wall. Is your zombie version any different or crazier because he wants the flesh of humans?

FVL: I'll let you be the judge when you read it, but I would definitely say he's on the crazy side. And the hilarious side. And the flesh-eating side.

Eric: And being a fan of Deadpool, does that mean you have a place in your heart for the GLI and Squirrel Girl? Any possible chance of seeing you writing for them one day?

FVL: You know, I don't actually know anything about those characters, but I am always up for learning about bizarre super heroes...

Eric: I know you mentioned that your career really started with Prime. If the rights ever get freed up again, would you ever like to take a stab at that universe again?

FVL: My understanding is that the Ultraverse characters are tied up in so much legal weirdness that it will be a cold day in Hades before they ever see the light of day again.

Eric: Do you ever see yourself writing for the distinguished competition? Any favorite characters over there that you'd really like to get your hands on?

FVL: Sure, I think Martian Manhunter could be a huge hit in the right hands. (Cough - mine.)

Eric: So being a Martian Manhunter fan...your reaction to the first issue of final crisis?

FVL: I trust Morrison and am certain he knows what he's doing. God knows I have enough issues with my own comics to go criticizing other creator's...

Eric: Have you considered any creator owned work for an indie company or are you currently Marvel exclusive?

FVL: I'm not Exclusive. I still do a lot of creator-owned work, though right now most of it is non-fiction. Right now, my Action Philosophers collaborator Ryan Dunlavey and I have embarked on an ambitious and irreverent history of the American comic book industry called Comic Book Comics.

The third issue will be coming out in October, so look for it, and you can read a bunch of preview stories for free on our web site: www.comicbookcomics.com Enjoy!

Eric: And I hate to admit this but I've only heard about comic book comics in passing, can you elaborate on the title a little more?

FVL: Each issue of COMIC BOOK COMICS takes a zany but historically accurate look at subjects from our medium's past -- as you can tell from the attached cover, the #4 issue (on sale in January) takes on the rise of Marvel Comics, Franco-Belgian Comics, and the underground revolution. By the time we're done, it will be a comprehensive history of comics in America from the 19th to the 21st centuries and something both Ryan and I will be quite proud of. But like I said, you can check it out for yourself at www.comicbookcomics.com

Eric: Anything else coming up on your plate Fred? Please feel free to plug away so my readers know what else to pick up from you?

FVL: Well, I love all things Kirby, so it was a real treat to write this November's Eternals Annual. I hope people check it out: The Eternals battle the Young Gods as the fate of the world hangs in the balance!

Eric: And yeah looks like I have something new to add to the pull list in comic book comics. I really wanted to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule with so much on your plate now for this interview. Its been a blast talking to you. And I can't wait to read everything that your writing actually.

FVL: Thank you kindly sir! It was my pleasure, and a lot of fun.

Eric: Any final plugs you want to add? Like in a future issue of Wolverine First Class can we expect Wolvie to be dealing with a new addiction to red kryptonite? ;)

FVL: Yes, and he has to fight Weapon G -- the giant gorilla with the green kryptonite vision and wicked adamantium toenails!

Eric Ratcliffe is a young writer/pop culture journalist/interviewer currently working on pitching a project named the Hunter chronicles. When not reading his weekly stack Eric can be found watching dvd's, playing on his 360 (gamertag: Zack Hunter) or just surfing online trying to find a scoop or two. Brand new to the Comic Related family, Eric is a fun new voice.