imdaly
- Part 12
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Source: IGNSpider-Man: Web Lines Round Three
October 6, 2008
Since we last chatted with Marvel editor Steve Wacker, Spider-Man has had a really, really bad day. As an election looms on the horizon, Norman Osborn swoops in to "save" New York City from the Web Head. With Osborn comes his Thunderbolts, and soon our hero found himself surrounded by the likes of Bullseye and Mac Gargan's Venom. Making matters worse? The appearance of Eddie Brock, who manages to complicate things by becoming an "Anti-Venom". Things only go downhill from there.
With the final "New Ways to Die" chapter due out next week, we kept Wacker up late one night to answer our e-mail questions. We also gathered a new batch of reader questions to fire at the Spider-Editor.
Have a question for Wacker? Think you can be polite? Click here to send an e-mail our way. We'll pick the best of them in just a couple weeks and send 'em over!
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IGN Comics: "New Ways to Die" is particularly noteworthy as it really starts to bring Spider-Man into the larger Marvel Universe picture. Is this more the exception than the rule or can we expect to see more and more of this?
Steve Wacker: You'll see as much interaction as you'd generally get in the solo character books. The idea that Spidey was somehow out of the regular Marvel U. was always just a guess from many readers. Ever since January we've had nods to the rest of the Universe both in our book and in other titles.
All of that aside though, if you liked "New Ways to Die", you'll love what's comin' up over the next few weeks.
IGN Comics: You mentioned in the past that upcoming arcs would begin exploring Peter's love life. The last issue of Amazing strongly hints that Lily has feelings for Peter can we start to expect a love triangle between Peter, Harry and Lily?
Wacker: I'd expect you can expect that and given their history with this type of situation, Harry's probably going to take it really well.
IGN Comics: Last month you mentioned one "Glen Stacy." Um is this Mephisto trickery at play? We know when Loki was revived "he" became a "she." Is something similar going on here?
Wacker: Did I really say "Glen Stacy"? I meant Barry Jane Watson. I get them confused. I do the same thing with Pam Slott.
IGN Comics: Ordinarily we'd overlook something like this but what the heck is up with Norman Osborn's hair in New Ways to Die? One panel he seems to have the sides of his head shaved, the next not what happened?
Wacker: Simple art snafu. I should have caught it earlier, but by time I did it was either fix it or get the book out on time. I chose the latter. We're going to try and fix that for the collection.
I know, I know "What do they even pay editors to do?! You suck! This never happened back ___________
(Pick One: )
-in the 60s.
-in the 70s.
-in the 80s.
-in the 90z, dude!
-when I was editing Spider-Man (That's for Salicrup only).
-when Stan was in charge.
-when Roy was in charge.
-at DC.
-on creator owned books that really are the only viable options for today's creators.
-when I was running Marvel Knights. Did I tell you I ran Marvel Knights? You suck!
In the meantime, perhaps an industrious fan can create jpegs of the corrected sides of Norman's head for readers to print out and place in their comics.
IGN Comics: One thing we've been wondering about is the logic and intellect of everyone around Peter Parker. No one seems to be able to figure out Spidey and Parker are the same person, even when the evidence is overwhelming. Is this supposed to be a bit of a Clark Kent/Superman disbelief situation or did Mephisto's magic play with how people perceive our hero?
Wacker: If you wanted to ask something specific I could probably respond better because I think there's been a justifiable reasoning for people around Peter not to connect the dots.
To the larger point though, buying into the idea that even a mere pair of glasses can be enough to hide the secret inside you is at the core of the genre. If you've gotten to the point where that really troubles you, that's fine, but it might say more about you and your expectations than it does about super-hero comics.
IGN Comics: Let's talk some of the solicits that were released since last we spoke. Amazing Spider-Man #580 will see Roger Stern stepping in for a one-issue story. What brought Roger in to the fold and can we expect to see him on a regular basis? Can fans hope for a Hobgoblin return in the near future?
Wacker: Getting Roger was as easy as calling him. Really, it's that easy any editor can do it. He's soon going to be working on another story, but it won't feature Hobgoblin. I consider that story pretty much told and I wouldn't want to pick at it again unless we had a solid reason and plan.
IGN Comics: You teased us last month about Amazing Spider-Man #581. Written by Dan Slott, this one is looking at how Harry came back from the dead. When the character was brought back earlier this year, did you know it would be through non-magical means? Is there anything else you can reveal about that storyline?
Wacker: We always knew Harry's return was not a direct result of anything magical. I can't really say much more about it other than wouldn't little Normie make the cutest little Baby Goblin?
IGN Comics: All signs are heavily pointing towards Harry once again adopting a goblin persona. Can we expect some clarification of this situation in the December/January books which dive into Harry's past?
Wacker: I think you'll see some advancement of this storyline over the next few months. Much of the recent retreat was spent discussing Harry and his shenanigans.
IGN Comics: It looks like two of the most significant storylines this year Harry and New Ways to Die will come from Dan Slott. How are arcs assigned when being developed by the Brain Trust? Is it simply who pitches the idea? Who's available? Who has the best grasp of the story?
Wacker: Little bit of everything. Stories tend to fall rather naturally as we plan them out. "New Ways to Die" broke that rule a little bit because originally it was just Dan's turn at the plate to come up with a 2-3 part story. We knew JR Jr would coming onto the book around this time, so the pressure was on him to come up with something that felt significant.
He went away to think on some things and it was at the 2007 San Diego con where over dinner he pitched to the crew pretty much the story you're reading currently. The Harry two-parter is something Dan's wanted to do going back to the first retreat, so that was something he came in with.
IGN Comics: In our first round of Web Lines, you seemed to indicate Spider-Man's "Other" powers, such as the spikes, would be making a return. The exact quote is: "We haven't seen them yet." Three questions on this Will all of the powers return? When can we expect that particular storyline? Why alter his web-shooter powers but not the "Other" ones?
Wacker: Sorry, but I stand by my original answer. Any clarifications or additional information will have to come from the book itself.
It's funny though that those Other powers have been written about more in these interviews than they ever were in Amazing Spider-Man.
IGN Comics: One last question for ya, which actually feeds into a couple reader questions we were planning to ask - Will Amazing Spider-Man tie into the Dark Reign direction at all? Do you find it difficult to tie into events like that given the advance planning that the thrice-monthly direction requires?
Wacker: Yes and yes. It's very difficult since we tend to work so far ahead. Tom Brevoort is a big help finding the connective tissue though since he oversees both parts of the universe. As it turns out, much of Spidey's 2009 plans play a significant role in Dark Reign because it was ground we were already planning to walk on.
Time for some good ol' fashioned reader Q&A!
Taimur asks: "When Spidey guest stars in other books such as Iron Man or Ms. Marvel, do the scripts go through you to make sure it's consistent with ASM?"
Wacker: Yep. Ms. Marvel is easy since I edit it. Invincible Iron Man editor Warren Simons was kind enough to run the script by me for his issue and I can promise you that you won't be disappointed by Tony and Peter meeting again.
Warren asks: "How is it that the symbiote knows for certain that Eddie Brock was his former host but only knows that "Spider-Man" was his host and not "Peter Parker"? Isn't that just a bit beyond suspension of disbelief? He was part of Parker for so long and yet he has no idea who Spider-Man truly is?"
Wacker: Warren, I was walking out of jamba Juice and ran into your favorite writer, Dan Slott, and threw this one at him:
Dan Slott: Actually Warren, it looks more like a pattern is emerging. Ana Kravinoff finds a Spider-Man costume in Peter and Vin's apartment and assumes that it belongs to Vin. Venom can't detect any traces of the symbiote when he's right in front of Peter, but Anti-Venom can detect them when he's in front of Spider-Man. Norman Osborn discovers Peter Parker's camera, and concludes that Spider-Man takes pictures of himself and gives them to Peter. It almost feels like there's some force at work here, doesn't it?
Wacker: Thanks, Dan. Now go enjoy your Mango Peach Topper.
Mike asks: "Are there any plans for when Pete is ready to date to have him take on a more...super girlfriend? Maybe a certain tall, green ex-lawyer?"
Wacker: She-Hulk would never date Spider-Man, though I always thought Ms. Marvel would see something in him but that's probably just wishful thinking
And yes, Peter will soon be dating. Check out January's solicits
Scott asks: "ASM #600 sounds like it will have a rather large focus on Mary Jane and her relationship to Peter Parker in general. Should fans who have enjoyed the post OMD world and embraced Peter's new opportunities be worried that this will end in an attempt to please those who want to see them pushed back together or even worse..ugh..married?"
Wacker: Scott, if you aren't worried about what could happen to Spidey, then we're doing something wrong.
Tyler asks: "Can you get Mr. Romita chained to a desk and producing Spidey issues for the next 4 years or so? Also, are we going to see the return of more supporting super characters that have worked with Spidey in the past (Prowler, Daredevil, Puma, Black Cat, etc.)?"
Wacker: I found out the hard way that you aren't supposed to chain artists to desks (Sorry, Phil).
You can expect a good deal of what youask for here, though not right away. And more John in Janu errr JOHNuary. It'll be Romiteriffic!
..ugghh it's late.
John asks: "You said that they're plans on seeing the Black Cat again but are there plans on seeing her as the main romantic interest in Spidey life again?"
Wacker: Sorry, You'll have to wait and find out.
Our last question comes from Tom Brevoort: "Steve, how do you sleep at night?"
Wacker: I don't. It's 12:58 AM on Thursday and I have a sick cat, two attention-starved kids and three books to get out tomorrow. If you would stop distracting me with old '70s TV show themes in the office maybe I could get some work done there!
That's it for me. Thanks for the questions everyone.
And the fresh hate starts in
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Some interesting teases here, especially the tease about the pattern in people assuming anyone BUT Peter Parker being Spidey...
Thoughts?
