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there's more to the interview, but X-Related....http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19625
When a comic book has been around for a good length of time, its characters can pick up some inconvenient baggage. Their stories accumulate quantities of troublesome minutiae, just by virtue of having existed for so long. For example, Spider-Man used to drive a Spider-buggy car – and it went up walls! And the X-Men had to work with a mutant who was a disco-dancing roller-skating singer (Dazzler fans – yeah, we’re looking at you, Jim McCann -- get your glowsticks!).
Some creators, in pursuit of new stories, wish to gloss over the past or even ignore it altogether. Other times, they take what’s there and use it to their advantage in a way that seems serendipitous. The latter scenario is what has occurred in “X-Men/Spider-Man,” the in-progress miniseries from Marvel Comics. Writer Christos Gage and illustrator Mario Alberti has picked apart moments in the histories of the X-Men and Spider-Man and crafted a story that deftly weaves in and out of the characters’ labyrinthian continuities.
Most auspiciously, Gage has tied together Mr. Sinister’s penchant for genetic manipulation with Spider-Man’s infamous Clone Saga storyline in a way that entertains and makes sense. Fans have been responding in kind to “X-Men/Spider-Man,” and of course with many questions for the creative team. Christos Gage returns to X-POSITION to answer them.
Story continues below
We begin today with Andre4000, who sent in a handful of thought-provoking queries about the events taking place in this title:
1) In issue #2, Sinister said of Kraven: "Perhaps you took comfort in the knowledge that, thanks to me, a part of you will live on...Your legacy is in good hands." What legacy is he referring to? It almost sounds as though Sinister has taken part of Kraven's DNA. Am I right? Or am I reading too much into Sinister's comment?
For the full answer, you'll have to check out issue #4, in which all is revealed. But I think it's become clear by now that Sinister is not exactly shy about using other people’s genetic material for his own purposes…
Marco Alberti artwork from "X-Men/Spider-Man" #4
2) Having Sinister contact Miles Warren was a stroke of genius and makes complete sense! Where did you come up with the idea to have Sinister “mess around” with clones and dip into that bit of Spider-Man lore?
Thanks, Andre! Sinister has always been portrayed as a master of cloning technology, going back to when he created the Goblin Queen (a.k.a. Madelyne Pryor) from Jean Grey's DNA. So when it was decided that we'd be covering the period of time in which the Clone Saga took place, I figured it made sense to tie things together. If you're gonna jump in, jump in with both feet, right?
3) When did you first learn about the Spider-Man clone saga? Did you read it when it originally came out? Or did someone at Marvel have to lay it all out for you when you were planning this story?
Oh, I had been reading “Amazing Spider-Man” for about fifteen years when the Clone Saga hit. And yes, I was one of those furious fanboys who seethed at the idea that the Spidey I'd been following all that time wasn't the real thing! It's a good thing for my dignity that the internet wasn't around then for me to vent my rage upon.
The funny thing is, now that Ben Reilly turned out to be the clone and met the fate he did, I find him an incredibly compelling character. He embodies all these great themes of nature vs. nurture, rising above one's origins, fighting destiny, questioning one's identity… really powerful, meaty stuff. And I found writing those last few pages of issue #3, where he begs Wolverine to tell him if he's the real thing or not, to be very moving, especially now that we know the answer and have the hindsight of history. Ben's a great, poignant character, and I'd be happy to write him again any time.
4) Were you afraid about jumping into the Spider-Man clone mythology? It's one that confuses many readers (while a good deal of them seem to wish it never occurred).
Marco Alberti artwork from "X-Men/Spider-Man" #4
That made me want to do it even more! (Although for the record, I believe it was Steve Wacker who first suggested using Ben, so all you Ben fans owe him a “thank you”. I love taking concepts and characters that are considered “radioactive” and seeing if I can buck the conventional wisdom and do something cool with them. I'm just naughty by nature, I guess.
Christos, in your response above you make it sound as though you have a pretty good grasp on the Clone Saga – so how about breaking it down for Zachary Wynn Nobles?
First off, I have to say that Mario Alberti's art for this miniseries is absolutely fantastic. Also, the writing in this is amazing. This is the first thing I've read by you and I'm already a solid fan. I am a little confused about Spider-Man, though, especially since I've never really followed his character. Would you mind explaining his clone situation between issues #1 and #3?
Zack, thanks for the very kind words, and I agree with you 100% about Mario Alberti! He is an amazing talent who combines a lush European style with the dynamic action and storytelling of American superhero comics, and he does it brilliantly. There's a double-page spread in our final issue that completely blew my mind. Working with Mario on this book has definitely been a highlight of my career!
As for Spidey's history, that's a pretty complicated question, but let's see if I can do the Wikipedia version (what used to be called the “Reader's Digest” version – every day I feel more like Clint Eastwood in “Gran Torino,” except a lame, geeky version):
In “X-Men/Spider-Man” #1, Spidey is Peter Parker, the young hero we all know and love. Between issues #1 and 2, circa “Amazing Spider-Man” #149, there was a storyline where a professor of Peter's, Miles Warren (also known as the villainous Jackal) had cloned Spider-Man, and the two clones fought each other, resulting in the apparent death of the clone Spidey. “Our” Spidey went on with his life, and “X-Men/Spider-Man” #2 took place.
"X-Men/Spider-Man" #3 on sale now
Some time after that, near “Amazing Spider-Man” #400, a second Spider-Man showed up, going by the name Ben Reilly. He claimed he was the real Peter Parker, and the Spidey we'd all been reading about for years was the clone! His story gained credence when Peter Parker's powers faded away and Ben took his place as Spider-Man. But even though the two got along and liked each other, there was always the question of who was the real deal and who was the clone. That's when “X-Men/Spider-Man” #3 takes place.
Some time after that, Ben turned out to be the clone and seemingly died fighting the Green Goblin. (No, I don't know any inside secrets, I'm just saying “seemingly” because this is comics and anything can happen.) Hope that made sense. I did it all off the top of my head! I can remember all that, but I can't remember when my mother-in-law's birthday is…
Don’t worry, we won’t tell her (although we can’t help it if she reads X-POSITION).
Caleb Warren is curious about the printing error that resulted in the contents of “X-Men/Spider-Man” #3 appearing within the covers of “X-Men: Manifest Destiny” #5. What was your reaction to that, Christos?
You know, Caleb, it's one of those things. I don't know the specifics of how and why it occurred, but comics are made by human beings and mistakes sometimes happen. As I understand it, Marvel is replacing the error copies, so if you got one and don't want it, you should be able to return it. I'll keep my error copy as an amusing novelty, like my “Marvel Team-Up” #109 with two covers!
This guy is freakin' awesome!!!!!
Thank you Steve Wacker!
Thank you Christos Gage!
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