BRIAN K. VAUGHAN RELOADED

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

It’s not like he’s pulling back in regards to his workload at all. While Sean McKeever will be taking over Mystique in May (check out our earlier feature for the lowdown on this), lessening the writer's workload, he’s got another waiting in the wings – what many fans of his writing, as well as insiders see as his well-deserved chance at the big show: Ultimate X-Men.

“My four-part arc is called “Tempest.” I don't want to reveal too much, as my story deals in part with the fallout of some pretty spectacular stuff that happens at the end of Bendis' arc, but I can say that [artist] Brandon Peterson and I will be introducing the Ultimate version of at least one major X-villain,” Brian K. Vaughan told Newsarama.

Said bad guy’s name rhyming with “Sister Minister.”

This time out, rather than a megalomaniacal mutant overlord with an eye on genetic manipulation and control of the world’s mutant population, Mr. Sinister is a serial killer targeting mutants in Manhattan – some of his targets, in fact, may be characters who’ve already taken the stage in UXM or elsewhere in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. Vaughan has said previously that the Ultimate Sinister’s powers will be unique from his Marvel Universe counterpart’s – different from anything seen before – and that he just may be working for someone else, with hints at a larger anti-mutant conspiracy afoot.

X-fans are going to be pleased to find out which of the X-Men that he intends to use in the story…except if you’re a Wolverine fan. “All of them! I love ensemble dramas, so I try to give a good amount of screentime to everyone on the team, though I do use Wolverine sparingly, since he gets plenty of exposure in every other comic on the stands.”

Vaughan admitted that his favorite X-Men is one Russian who is currently with the dodos in the regular Marvel Universe. “I really like Colossus, actually, especially because only Ultimate writers get to use him. Eat it, Whedon!”

Vaughan was once rumored to be taking over UXM from original writer Mark Millar when the latter announced that he was ending his run after the “Return of the King” arc in issue #33. Instead, Brian Bendis started his run with the “Blockbuster” arc and continued with the current “New Mutants” that has so far introduced the Ultimate versions of Angel, Dazzler and Emma Frost.

Stories of the rug being pulled out from under Vaughan are completely untrue, the writer said.

“Joe Quesada and [editor] Ralph Macchio were nice enough to invite me to play in the Ultimate sandbox, and I signed on the second I had a story that I thought deserved telling,” Vaughan said. “It’s as simple as that. Brian Bendis and Mark Millar have been hugely supportive of my career almost since the day I broke in, so I'm just trying not to screw up the universe they helped create.”

As for more UXM stories from Vaughan, he said that “well, I'm only committed to four issues right now, but we'll see what happens...”

As mentioned previously, Vaughan will, at the same time, be giving up Mystique, a book he helped launch under the Tsunami line, and is now one of the few survivors of the publishing initiative. How does he feel about passing the torch to new writer Sean McKeever? “I've started working on a few incredible new projects - Ultimate X-Men, the upcoming Ex Machina ongoing with Tony Harris for Wildstorm, a 128-page creator-owned original graphic novel for Vertigo, and some other secret stuff, and unfortunately, something had to give from my schedule.

”I was extremely reluctant to leave Mystique, but when I heard that Marvel wanted Sean McKeever to take my place, I knew that I would at least be leaving the series in great hands. As everyone who read Sentinel knows, Sean's one of the best writers working today, and having spoken with him briefly about his plans for Mystique, I can tell you that his run is going to destroy mine.”

Mystique is not the only one that he’ll miss. “I'll really miss the artists, especially the great Michael Ryan, who I immediately clicked with. He's a giant,” he said.

Looking back, he is satisfied with the way he has redefined Mystique in an era where longtime X-fans and the general public are loving the X-Men movies revolution. “I always want the books I write to feel completely different from each other, so hopefully, Mystique didn't read like a typical "Brian K. Vaughan book," whatever the hell that is. I just tried to stay true to what's made this terrific character so enduring in comics, cartoons and movies, and maybe help her evolve just a bit, like all mutants should.

”Plus, that motorcycle chase in #9 was awesome.”

Vaughan also revealed his upcoming plans for fans of his and Adrian Alphona’s Runaways series, after the recently-concluded arc that brought back original runaway vigilantes Cloak and Dagger, drawn by Takeshi Miyazawa. “Trouble! Readers really seemed to dig our Cloak and Dagger two-parter, and I can promise that the book just gets bigger and better from there. Regular artist Adrian Alphona returns for March’s issue #13, the first chapter of "The Good Die Young," an epic story where the fate of the entire Marvel Universe rests in the hands of our six kids. The Runaways will finally confront all of their evil parents in battle, and we'll at long last reveal which of the kids is The Pride's mole, loyal to his or her - or its? - parents.

“There's [also] been talk of doing more with Cloak and Dagger, actually. I don’t know, do readers want that? I'll let the Talkbackers decide…and I promise not to make fun of you if you hate Dagger's new outfit... this time.

“Our numbers have been going up, and support for the series and the upcoming trade has been great, so as long as people keep buying the book, I promise to keep writing it. This comic means the world to me, and I think it's so cool that Runaways fansites run by young women new to comics have started popping up on the web. Y: The Last Man doesn't even have a readership that voraciously loyal, and I want to keep writing the kind of book that these readers are proud to share with their friends. New concepts always take a little time to catch on, but they're the only shot we've got at building a future for this medium.”

While being part of the Tsunami line of titles that also included New Mutants, which is getting the Reload treatment and going to be relaunched as New X-Men: Academy X, Runaways seems to be the only surviving title under the imprint. Did the thought ever arise to Reload this title as well?

“Well, only one of our members is a mutant (Molly), so turning Runaways into a Reload title feels like cheating. I want the book to succeed or fail on its own merits, not on Wolverine guest appearances, you know?”

While Marvel’s Manager of Sales David Gabriel has confirmed the publisher’s plans for Runaways and other titles aimed at the younger readers to be grouped under the Marvel Age banner, Vaughan’s only concern is that the House of Ideas let the creative team continue to provide them with the freedom to tell the adventures of Alex Wilder, Gertrude Yorkes, Karolina Dean, Chase Stein, Molly Hayes, and Nico Minoru. “I have no idea! Has that happened? Labels and imprints never mean much to me, to be honest. I don't care if Marvel turns Runaways into a Star Comic (remember Spider-Ham?), as long as they let us tell our stories.”

Oh, and if you’re still wondering if Mystique might be appearing in the writer’s UXM run, Vaughan had two words: “No comment!”

[cactusmaac]

the upcoming Ex Machina ongoing with Tony Harris for Wildstorm,

AgentBrady:

Your next mission is to obtain information on this title by any means necessary.

[DilithiumDragon]

Brian, if I may ask a rude question, and if you are reading these boards:

We aren't going to start seeing the Ultimate character of the month, are we? I'd rather see new characters and situations than yet another new 616 character ultimized. "See what we do when we ultimize THIS character!" does not interest me.

Just my thoughts, and rest assured that I would voice these concerns to your face. Not hiding behind a pseudonym.

[BrianKVaughan]

Dragon said:

"We aren't going to start seeing the Ultimate character of the month, are we? I'd rather see new characters and situations than yet another new 616 character ultimized. "See what we do when we ultimize THIS character!" does not interest me."

Hey, Dragon! Thanks for the question. No worries, that's not rude at all.

There will definitely be new concepts in my Ultimate X-Men issues, but if you're hungry for new characters and situations from me before then, I'd encourage you to check out Y: THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, THE HOOD, the upcoming EX MACHINA, etc.

Thanks for reading, everybody!

Off to bed,
BKV

[DilithiumDragon]

Thanks Brian. I have YTLM as trade, and love it. I didn't have the cash to pick up Runaways, so never did check it out. Will have to check it out sometime.

[Charles RB]

If Mister Sinister's MO, character and powers are different... then he's not really Mister Sinister, is he? Why not use a character who's better suited for serial killing (Ultimate Old Lace!) or a new one?

[DarkCrisis]

Yea what Chares said.

How is it Mr. Sinister is he is completely different except by name only? Like saying Angel is dirt poor, ugly, and flies with a jet pack... but it's the same character....

Sounds a lot like the Catwoman movie.... bleh.

[orpheus]

Originally posted by Charles RB
If Mister Sinister's MO, character and powers are different... then he's not really Mister Sinister, is he? Why not use a character who's better suited for serial killing (Ultimate Old Lace!) or a new one?

Couldn't agree more.

Personally, I always rather liked Sinister. His MO was interesting and pretty unique among supervillains. The whole thing of not wanting to conquer the world, but just wanting to study it made perfect sense as an x-villain.

I'm only annoyed that now we won't get to see a 'real' Ultimate Sinister. That could have been awesome.

[DerekSykes]

Originally posted by BrianKVaughan
There will definitely be new concepts in my Ultimate X-Men issues, but if you're hungry for new characters and situations from me before then, I'd encourage you to check out Y: THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, THE HOOD, the upcoming EX MACHINA, etc.

Brian,

Since you mentioned it, is there any chance we will see some more of the Hood at any stage? That was a great series, and I would love to see what comes next for the character. It certainly appeared like he had some issues in his future.

Derek

[pmpknface]

SWEET!!!!

I was wondering when we'd get to see Sinister in the Ultimate Universe!

I'm looking forward to this arc a LOT!!!!!

[gredenko]

More Cloak & Dagger? Yes please! The Runaways issues with Cloak & Dagger have been my favorite yet, and the art is fantastic.

[gustavolb]

Originally posted by BrianKVaughan

There will definitely be new concepts in my Ultimate X-Men issues, but if you're hungry for new characters and situations from me before then, I'd encourage you to check out Y: THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, THE HOOD, the upcoming EX MACHINA, etc.

Thanks for reading, everybody!

Off to bed,
BKV [/b]

Gotta say that I'm hyped for the Ex Machina series. Tony Harris is an excellent artist. Been a fan since his Starman run (one of the top five comic series of all time IMO) and I can't wait to see his art with your writing.

[Kurt Avery]

RUNAWAYS is one of the first truly great, original super-hero concepts to come along in a few years, and Brian K.V. follows through on it beautifully. The setup is great, the characters are all well-rounded and believable, a hard task for super-hero characters. Brian really knows how to make you care about the characters (whether you like them or not), which is of course rule #1.
I *loved* THE HOOD. It was another of my favorite books of the last several years. Another great, as-original-as-can-be concept that Brian did really well. Okay, I'll be honest: I just thought it was cool hearing Jack O'Lantern curse. Is there a chance we might see another HOOD mini-series?
I haven't read Y: THE LAST MAN yet, but I've heard great things about it, and of course Mr. Vaughn has an impeccable track record. I might have to pick up the first trade at my local Waldenbooks very, very soon.
Kudos to you, Mr. Vaughn. I look forward to seeing all your new books, most especially your creator-owned ideas.

Kurt A.

[deadjacket]

I quote from the solcitation of the cloak and dagger bust from issue seven of Marvel Previews:-

"A Diamond Select Release! Two runaways experimented on by ruthless criminals end up with super powers, one based on light and the other’s rooted in darkness. Cloak & Dagger were major players in the Marvel Universe of the 80’s, and will be returning in their own series in 2004. "

will mr Vaghan be writing it, I ask.......

[mc (_(\/)_)achete]

Originally posted by MattBrady
“There's [also] been talk of doing more with Cloak and Dagger, actually. I don’t know, do readers want that?

If you're doing it, Vaughn: yes!

vaughn is among my top 3 writers today, along with bendis and jms. i've pretty much decided that anything written by those guys is at LEAST worth getting the first few issues. They've earned my trust.

[Christian Otte]

I'm very much looking forward to this run. Brian K. Vaughan has yet to disappoint me, so there's now I'll be missing this.

I'd have liked some previews of Brandon Peterson's artwork, though. The covers that have been shown look amazing, but I would like to have a sneek peek at the interiors, too.

[Dr Manolis Dooplove]

hey-ho Brian!

Let my voice beheard for a cloak & Dagger new series!!! These two kids are just too cool!

p.s. yeah, go back to the original costume If Emma can pull the inverse costume and have those Janet-Jackson pstis sticking on her boobs, then Dagger can show some extra cleavage!

[xpositive]

Maybe I'm the only one annoyed at these Ultimate titles. It's like saying the old titles are just that - old and appaerently hard to follow. It used to be fun to come in on issue 200+ and figure out what's going on (with the help of the nice little "*" that references back issues and info).

How many X universes do we have? We got the X-Men movies, Evolution series, regular series, Chuck Austen's crap (which I consider seperate), Ultimate line, the still airing original cartoon form the 90's, and .... did I forget something? Maybe the alternative Exiles worlds. Point is, how many do we need? Obviously the true world has it's problems - hence Reload. But does adding worlds really do any good?

[gwangung]

Originally posted by xpositive
Maybe I'm the only one annoyed at these Ultimate titles. It's like saying the old titles are just that - old and appaerently hard to follow. It used to be fun to come in on issue 200+ and figure out what's going on (with the help of the nice little "*" that references back issues and info).

How many X universes do we have? We got the X-Men movies, Evolution series, regular series, Chuck Austen's crap (which I consider seperate), Ultimate line, the still airing original cartoon form the 90's, and .... did I forget something? Maybe the alternative Exiles worlds. Point is, how many do we need? Obviously the true world has it's problems - hence Reload. But does adding worlds really do any good?

Ask DC fans if they'd like to have Earth One back.

[IanZL]

Originally posted by xpositive
It used to be fun to come in on issue 200+ and figure out what's going on (with the help of the nice little "*" that references back issues and info).

Whats fun for you isn't neccesarily fun for everyone else. Thats the first step to being a real comic-fan and not a fanboy, realizing you're not the center of the universe.


As I was reading the article, I kept hoping for RUNAWAYS GOING TO ISSUE 100 or something along those lines. I didn't, but still some great info.
I rolled my eyes when I first read it would be Mr. Sinister, however the idea of what to do with him sounds pretty interesting. And no, I don't care if he is the same at all. We've already got one crappy version, lets try to get a good one.

[Charles RB]

Originally posted by IanZL
I don't care if he is the same at all.

I do- I like me a good megalomaniacal genetic experimenter. What I don't like is false advertising and getting a character completely altered for the sake of using the name, especially when you can Ultimatise other X-Villains who'd make more sense as a serial killer like Sauron.

Or hell, just make a new one up. Vaughan is good at making new characters up, which is what made Runaways gets critically acclaimed.

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by xpositive
How many X universes do we have? Chuck Austen's crap (which I consider seperate),

Lycky for you that Xorn lost his marbles in "both" universes.

Originally posted by MattBrady
“There's [also] been talk of doing more with Cloak and Dagger, actually. I don’t know, do readers want that? I'll let the Talkbackers decide…and I promise not to make fun of you if you hate Dagger's new outfit... this time.

Hehe, priceless.

[gOgIver]

Mystique is Prof. X's cat in UXM. (hint)

If BKV's run on UXM is as good as his Batman stories well then, we are all in for a real treat

[G Dog]

Originally posted by Charles RB
I do- I like me a good megalomaniacal genetic experimenter. What I don't like is false advertising and getting a character completely altered for the sake of using the name, especially when you can Ultimatise other X-Villains who'd make more sense as a serial killer like Sauron.

It's not false advertising. It is the Ultimate Universe, not the regular marvel universe. If you want the megalomaniacal genetic experimenter, read the Marvel Universe. The point of the Ultimate Universe is that they don't have to adhere to the Marvel Universe.

[OM]

Originally posted by BrianKVaughan
I'd encourage you to check out Y: THE LAST MAN...

...Hell, I'm waiting for you to do an X: The Last Mutant twist. Same plot, only it's the Toad or the Beak who's the last man alive :-)