STILL MASTER OF HIS UNIVERSE: TOM DeFALCO ON SPIDER-GIRL & LAST HERO STANDING
 

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz first introduced the world of MC2 back in What If? #105 in 1997. In her first appearance as Spider-Girl, May “Mayday” Parker, the daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane, captivated the hearts of comics fans and eventually led to her starring in her own ongoing series. Despite several cancellation threats, fans have rallied behind the series and supported Spider-Girl.

The success of Spider-Girl led to the introduction of several MC2 titles such as J2 (12 issues, 1998 - a younger version/son of the current X-Men baddie/former member, Juggernaut), A-Next (12 issues, 1998 - the next generation of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: Jubilee, Stinger, J2, Speedball, Thunderstrike, Mainframe), Fantastic Five (5 issues, The Millennium’s Greatest Comic Magazine featuring the adventures of Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, Lyja Storm, Ms. Fantastic, Ben Grimm the Thing, Franklin Richards, Psi-Lord, Reed Richards, Big Brain), Wild Thing (#0-5 in 1999, Wolverine’s daughter), The Buzz (3 issues in 2000, Jack Jameson, grandson of The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson) and Darkdevil (3 issues, 2000). All other MC2 titles eventually fell by the wayside, but Spider-Girl continued, and is currently Marvel’s longest-running series featuring a female lead.

And she gets some company this summer.

In June, DeFalco and artist Pat Olliffe pit the heroes of the MC2 Universe against a dangerous threat in the five-part Last Hero Standing mini.

We swung into DeFalco’s world for a peek at the past, present and future of the MC2-verse.

Newsarama: For those who missed out on the earlier adventures as well as to bring new and returning readers up to speed, what is the MC2 universe?

Tom DeFalco: It is one possible future reality of the current Marvel Universe that is set about sixteen years ahead of current continuity. Or, if you want to get technical, it's set sixteen years ahead of the continuity that was current in 1997.

NRAMA: What led you to create the MC2 universe in the first place?

TD: It was a big accident and I blame it all on Ron Frenz. When he and I produced the first Spider-Girl story, we thought it would be the only Spider-Girl. It never occurred to us that Marvel would want another. But Ron drew such an exciting story that the fans demanded to see more of Spider-Girl. Bob Harras, who was Marvel's editor-in-chief at the time asked me if we would like to do more Spider-Girl stories and he also liked the future Avengers -- and especially the little Juggernaut character -- that we should in the What If?. And away we went...

NRAMA: How much has happened in the possible future of the Marvel Universe?

TD: Hey, there are 85 issues of Spider-Girl and most of them have been single issue stories... so a lot has happened!

NRAMA: Looking back, what’re some of your fondest moments?

TD: There was this time with four cheerleaders and... ummmm... I've like so many of the individual issues of Spider-Girl, A-Next, J2, Fantastic Five, Wild Thing, The Buzz and Darkdevil that I wouldn't know where to begin! (Although Spider-Girl #8, which featured Electro's daughter, was a very special issue!)

NRAMA: Other than those mentioned, you’ve also created and introduced numerous off-springs and familiar yet newer versions of iconic and regular Marvel characters such as the X-People (led by Jubilee), Lady Octopus (Carolyn Trainer), Gerald Drew (son of Jessica Drew, the first Spider-Woman), the new Scarlet Spider/Felicity Hardy (daughter of Felicia Hardy, also known as Black Cat), the new Green Goblin (Elan DeJunae), Aftershock/Electra (Electro/Max Dillon’s daughter), Torus Storm (the son of the Human Torch and Ms. Fantastic), Earth Sentry, Doc Magus, American Dream and her Astounding Dream Team, Argo the Mighty (the son of Hercules), The Revengers (Big Man, Ion Man, Sabreclaw, Killerwatt, Red Queen), Magneta (the all-new Mistress of Magnetism). Were there any characters that you thought of, created or envisioned but didn’t get the chance to use him/her in your stories?

TD: Yep, but Spider-Girl is still being published -- thanks to the loyalty and support of the greatest fans of all -- so there's still a chance that these characters will see print someday.

NRAMA: How did you first come up with Spider-Girl?

TD: While I was writing one of the regular Spider-Man books in the ‘90s, we learned that Mary Jane was pregnant. I started to think about what that might mean to Peter someday. He would have an heir who would eventually take over the family business. I figured Pete would react like most parents. He would forbid his child to do all the things that he had once done. The first Spider-Girl story kind of grew out of that thought process.

NRAMA: Critics have called her "the female version of Stan Lee/Steve Ditko's Spider-Man." Was it your plan all along to later use her in an ongoing series after the solo What If? issue?

TD: Nope. I thought the What If? story would be the only time we were saw Mayday Parker.

NRAMA: Who is Mayday? In the regular continuity, i.e. the regular Marvel Universe, May was last seen during the end of the Clone saga where she was abducted by Norman Osborn? Issue #75 of Peter Parker, Spider-Man, I believe?

TD: May "Mayday" Parker is the daughter of Peter and Mary Jane and she is her mother's daughter with her dad's powers. May is also her own person with her own ideas and her dad has trouble accepting the fact that he raised an independent young woman.

NRAMA: How do you create a character from scratch (or rather, expand on what's come before this) and make her a force to be reckoned with in the Spidey universe and the MC2-verse in general?

TD: The fake answer is... you craft a character who seems to be a real person and surround her with other lifelike characters. The real answer is... you and your entire creative team pour your hearts into your work and hope that the readers like it enough to keep buying it month after month.

NRAMA: She's gone from donning the Scarlet Spider’s costume in the earlier issues to a black version similar to what Peter Parker wore before the Venom episodes in recent months. She is now back in her original garb, right? What really defines a super-hero, in this case, the next generation of one of today's super-hero icons? Does the costume make the super-hero or vice versa or both?

TD: The costume doesn't really matter. They're just clothes and we all change our clothes on occasion. This series is about Mayday Parker... who is someone we'd all like to know and spend time. She also has an incredible sense of responsibility and calls herself Spider-Girl.

NRAMA: Is she defined by the villains that she's encountered? After all, Peter Parker's Spider-Man has a vast gallery of super-villains the likes of the Green Goblin, Doc Octopus, the Lizard, the Vulture, Sandman, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Hobgoblin, the Chameleon, Venom, Carnage, Electro, etc?

TD: Like every hero, Mayday is defined by the menaces she's fought and the decisions she's made.

NRAMA: She's trained under Phil Urich, the former (good) Green Goblin. She has the original Spider-Man to guide her as well. How different is she from Peter Parker in terms of personality and personal super-hero mission in life?

TD: Peter learned that when he fails, people die. Mayday learned that when she succeeds, people live. It is a subtle, but profound difference and affects the way they both see the web biz.

NRAMA: Will we see a potential love in the life of Mayday? Are there plans to develop her love life more after Normie Osborn, Franklin Richards, etc?

TD: Of course! She's a normal, sixteen year old woman and girls just want to have fun!

NRAMA: There were even appearances by the old-timers such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Dr. Doom, the Defenders, The Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange, Venom and Sub-Mariner. Back then, Spider-Girl traveled to the original Marvel Universe and met up with Spidey, Aunt May and Mary Jane. With Last Hero Standing, the younger generation once again teams up with the original super-heroes. How did this mini-series come?

TD: The sales of the Spider-Girl trade paperbacks have been so good to the mass market and to the grade schools that Marvel wanted a limited series that would introduce the other members of the MC-2 Universe to the mass market. Since we assume that this series will reach new readers, we are taking special pains to make sure it is accessible... even if you never heard of Spider-Girl or the MC-2 Universe!

NRAMA: In a nutshell, what is Last Hero Standing about?

TD: An old enemy of the Avengers comes up with a new way to destroy them -- and every other superhero -- and the good guys try to stop him.

NRAMA: Why Last Hero Standing?

TD: Mainly because this story isn't just about Spider-Girl. She's just one of the players, but she isn't our main focus.

NRAMA: Which characters will be making an appearance in the weekly five-parter in June?

TD: Captain America, the Vision, Hawkeye, Thunderstrike, the Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Nova, Darkdevil, the Fantastic Five, Spider-Girl, J2, Stinger, American Dream and many, many others.

NRAMA: While Ron Frenz draws the monthly Spider-Girl series, Pat Olliffe returns to the MC2 universe with Last Hero Standing. How has the experience of working with both Ron and Pat after all these years?

TD: I don't think either of these artists fully appreciate the true wonder that is me. On the other hand, I've been able to ride their coat tails for many years and I hope to continue on that path for many more.

NRAMA: Is this a stand-alone mini, or does it tie in to the only surviving MC2 series, Spider-Girl?

TD: It is stand-alone. You can still read and enjoy Last Hero Standing if you've never read an issue of Spider-Girl -- and don't ever to do so.

NRAMA: How will this crossover event impact the regular universe as well as the future timeline?

TD: At least one very pivotal Marvel Universe superhero will not survive this series.

NRAMA: Are you introducing new characters?

TD: Nope, not when I have hundreds of preexisting characters to choose from!

NRAMA: Will there be new titles created as a result of the mini?

TD: Nope. When I say it's a stand-alone series, I mean it stands alone.

NRAMA: Anything else that you’d like to add with regards to the future exploits of Spider-Girl and the fate of the MC2 universe as a whole?

TD: I hope everyone picks up Last Hero Standing and at least one issue (any issue) of Spider-Girl... because these comics will remind you why you first fell in love with superhero comics!

Spider Girl is always a great read. It's good to see the digests doing so well and (apparently) helping keep the monthly series alive. If you're a long time fan or a looking for a book for younger reader- you can't go wrong with Spider-Girl. MayDay Parker is really a great character. Here's to issue #100!

I wish they were still publishing A-Next... it was great fun as well!

I really like spider-girl, I also think it is one of the few non-just-for-kids comics that could really get kids into reading comics, especially younger girls

MC2. Ahh, those were the times... *sighs*:) Oh well, keep going girl! :D

Who is inking for this?

The pages for Last Hero look like some of Oliffe's best stuff!

Thanks,
Fan4Fan

I'm actualy kinda excited for Last Hero Standing, I don't read Spider-Girl, but A-Next and J2 got me back into comics after a long dry period, showed me comics could be fun as hell.

Last Hero Standing seems to bring me back to alot of the characters I actualy care about from the MC2 Universe. So I'll definitly be picking it up, and hell, maybe I'll start picking up Spider-Girl after words.

Speaking of Spider-Girl, it's on Hiatus until Last Hero Standing is over right? And we're sure it's coming back after Last Hero Standing finished right? This isn't trickery on marvel's part of finaly kill the beast is it? Cause you know how hard they try.

The Buzz (3 issues in 2000, Jack Jameson, son of The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson)

The Buzz was actually J. Jonah Jameson's grandson. He was the son of John Jameson, who used to be the Man-Wolf and who, in "Spider-Man 2" got left at the altar by Mary-Jane Watson. (Don't get me started....)
Just wanted to be the first geek anal enough to point that out....

No. Last Hero Standing 1-5 comes out in one month, and so does that month's issue of Spider-Girl (IIRC).

No, Spider-Girl will actually keep coming out during LHS. And LHS is only a month long 5 issue weekly series, so even if SG "went on hiatus" it would only be for a month. But Spider-Girl still ships in June, too.

Thought I just had: What if Mayday met up with some of the young heroes being introduced today? The Runaways, Arana, The Young Avengers, this new kid Gravity... Some possibilities there, from both a creative and a marketing standpoint.

I seem to be the only one who dug the Wild Thing series... that and Spider-Girl were the only M2 books I liked.

Speaking of alternate universes, what ever happened to the one where Havok lead the X-Men with the reptile Beast and the vampire Storm? Now that book was cool...

just want to throw in my 2 cents here about how much i love Spider-Girl. I have been reading comics for going on 26 years now, and for the last 8 or so, this has been one of the few Marvel titles that has consistently reminded me why I fell in love with them so much as a kid. Great characterization, interpersonal relationships, art (I have always loved Frenz and Olliffe both), action-packed stories, no boring talky padded-for-the-trade decompression nonsense, and genuinely likeable heroes who are worthy of the title. Most of all, it's a titl that's packed with fun. If you're into grim-&-gritty, "realistic" stories that drag on and on and attempt to deconstruct the genre that most of us grew up loving, this book may not be for you. But if you enjoy a quick, action-packed comic that's filled with heart and a true love of super-heroes and the genre itself, or if you know a younger reader who you think might enjoy that kind of comic, then I highly recommend this comic. One of the true joys of my month. Every month.

And really looking forward to Last Hero Standing, too.

Hawkeye! Ha! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Bendis!!:D ;) :p

yeah, for about 12 issues. did you actually read the end of that series (last 10 issues or so)? utter crap....

You mean, Mutant X? Ugh.

It had a good initial run but ended quite poorly..


Back to Spider-Girl,

As a collector from #1, I'm real happy that it's still around. I had some real concerns that it wouldn't hit #50 but glad that it's made it to #85. :)

Kudos to Tom for sticking in there and keeping this book alive and for Ron and Pat for making Mayday seem so real!

Let's swing to #100 and beyond! :D

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's back the truck up a little bit, here:

You're telling me that in current continuity, baby May is alive? I thought she died! Do the Parker's know this? That is a huge plot-thread to leave dangling, there, Strazynski et al.

Look at me! I'm so ticked off, that I'm molting!

Having said that, although I don't pick up Spider-Girl, I really appreciate the fact that this seems to be the little title that could. It's great to hear that it's doing well with larger bookstores and (OMG) Elementary schools! I think (and hope) the new 7/11 marketing push will really put this title over the top and cement it's future.

I enjoyed Mutant X quite a bit. Havoc should be more like the way he was in that series (attitude and look) than he's currently portrayed.

You beat me to it...

Interesting.... judging from the quote I would guess that it will be a Marvel Universe character... not a MC2. I am guessing either it will be future Captain America (pictured with the A-Next team) or how about Uatu, the Watcher. What if he dies?

Spider-Girl actually will be meeting up with Arana later this summer. Irony abounds, doesn't it?

Well, JMS had nothing to do with it, since he was still working on B5 at the time that the issue was published. :-)

Anyway, the Parkers do **not** know this. Osborn set it up so that they think May was stillborn. Meanwhile, Alison Mongrain delivered what we presume is May into Osborn's hands, never to be mentioned again.

The issue in question is also the one that revealed Norman was alive after all those years, and that he was behind the Clone Wars nonsense. It's also the issue they killed of Ben Reilly in.

At best, she is in comix limbo...it was never said that she was dead or alive, but towards the end of the clone saga there was a short segment illustrated and some implied off panel dealings that the baby was removed from MJ (as planned by Norman Osborn) and given to a female (can't remember her name) who "rides" off into the sunset...meanwhile the doctors tell the Parkers the baby has been miscarried...

Someone else with that encyclopedic mind can probably explain this better...but bottom line May is in limbo in the 616 verse and you'd have to have even bigger balls to bring that up and make it a story out of it today...bigger than the ones it took to say Gwen had twins with Norman...because I'm not sure how you could do it without slightly getting back into the whole clone thing again.

The plot thread is almost 10 years old now, so you can't even pin anyone at current Marvel for the fact that its hanging out there...I'm sure no one wants to touch it...besides Tom D in the MC2. ;)

I believe the directive at Marvel is to treat baby May as if she were dead, although to avoid saying she's dead (I think Mark Millar was the first to acknowledge the baby's existence since the Byrne relaunch). This fulls under the order to ignore everything that happened during the Clone Saga. But as someone in Comic Buyers' Guide pointed out six months or so ago, no parent ever gets over the death of a child and for Marvel to ignore this plot point damages the characterizations of Peter and Mary Jane. Not to mention it treats the readers like idiots.

We're taking it there, baby, and we ain't stopping!

I'm so glad to hear the trade paperbacks are selling well and that this is what inspired Marvel to do Last Hero Standing. It sounds like another terrific MC2 project.

Spider-Girl is ideal for any jaded Marvel fans who have trouble getting into the current "hot" books. DeFalco writes the best Spider-book on the market, hands down. The old school feel really makes me enjoy the book month after month. It's not meant to change the world or deconstruct anything. It's just hoo-haa fun, as Tom says.

Missed opportunity, though... I'm dying to know what DeFalco's new position with that other company (name escapes me) will mean for his future on Spider-Girl.

Aaron