HITTING THE JACKPOT: TAKESHI MIYAZAWA ON MARY JANE

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

“Face it, Takeshi, you just hit the jackpot!”

Artist Takeshi Miyazawa has certainly hit the jackpot with Mary Jane, a new Marvel Age series written by Sean McKeever that he’ll be penciling. Since making her first full comic appearance and uttering the now famous phrase in Amazing Spider-Man #42, Mary Jane Watson has since become Mrs. Peter Parker.

This June, Marvel brings readers back to a time when MJ, Harry Osborn, Liz Allen, Flash Thompson and Harry’s nerdy friend, Peter Parker were in their teens as they experience the thrilling highs and the crushing lows of high-school existence in this new, ongoing teen drama.

Miyazawa has most recently drawn a Runaways two-part story that brought Cloak and Dagger back to the active side of the Marvel Universe. Prior to that, he’s worked on Sidekicks, the cult-hit superhero teen soap opera from Oni Press and an issue of Uncanny X-Men and X-Men Unlimited.

We got in touch with artist Takeshi Miyazawa on being Mary Jane’s new beau.

Newsarama: Mary Jane’s already an icon the world over, thanks to the work of John Romita initially, the Spider-Man movie, its upcoming sequel, as well as the animated series. What's it like to be working on such a pop culture icon?

Takeshi Miyazawa: It's pretty cool. It reminds me of the days when I was working on Sidekicks and more teen/high school related work. It's also nice being able to work with great creators like Sean and Christina Strain. I think we all have fresh ideas and new perspectives on comics and it all combines for great energy on this exciting new title.

Christina is currently coloring Runaways. She’s a big fan of manga and a perfect match for my work. I’m happy to be working with her.

NRAMA: How did you land this gig, anyway?

TM: Marvel Editor C.B. Cebulski contacted me a while ago about doing something new for kids and girls. I felt it was where Marvel really needed to branch out and jumped on the opportunity. C.B. is my hero.

NRAMA: So, are you a fan of Spidey?

TM: Of course! I think he's definitely a more "human" superhero than most out there. It's a great appealing quality about the character and the property. Readers should be able to relate to the characters in order to get into them and care about them, y'know? Forget being able to fly or breathe underwater. Let’s see you try and ask a girl out! So, yeah. Basically, seeing things that parallel our own lives is good material. That's one of the factors I think make a good comic and Peter most definitely has that down-to-earth air.

NRAMA: So - are you ever a fan of Mary Jane?

TM: I only know her as Peter's girlfriend and I'm assuming that's what most readers and fans think as well. This book will help outline her life and reveal those untold stories of her misadventures leading up to Spidey. It will be as much of a revelation for me as well as the fans.

NRAMA: What's so special or appealing about Mary Jane?

TM: She's a hot redhead – isn’t that enough? Seriously, though. I think the fact that she doesn't possess any powers and abilities is the best thing about her. No gimmicks. She deals with problems by thinking about them, talking to her friends and asking for advice. It's what anybody else would do and it's real. This all goes back to being able to relate to and she most definitely is easy to relate with.

NRAMA: What’s she like in this series? What kind of a girl is she?

TM: From what I’ve seen she’s an outgoing popular girl with an equally fragile and insecure side to her. I think she embodies a lot of what girls and guys worry about nowadays. Especially since it takes place during high school the most awkward and clique-y time in ones life it’s difficult to do anything without being judged. She’s just trying to fit in and be accepted like everyone else.

NRAMA: How old is she in the series?

TM: I’m not quite sure. From my guess she’s probably a sophomore in high school so, what is that, about 14 or 15?

NRAMA: From the previews that we've seen so far, you are definitely using your manga touch on this project. What makes Mary Jane and her cast of characters real to the readers? In other words, how would fans of all the mediums, i.e. comics, movies, animated series, novels, etc. relate to her and her gang, from your illustrations and art?

TM: This is a tough question. I've always based my work on reality and MJ will be no different. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'll be concentrating on drawing the kids and the world around them. I've been focusing on portraying subtleties in my work for a while now and this will be the book I try and show the fruits of my labor. So, basically, trying to express scenes and emotions with everything the medium offers. It's kind of hard to explain in words. As an example, I've been looking at a lot of Samura (Blade of the Immortal, Ohi-koshi) as well as Mochizuki (Dragonhead) and they do it best. As an aside, I think the biggest challenge for the book in general would be to have people of all mediums give it a try and not go on first impressions. By that I mean getting over the doubt and scrutiny that comes with a new title. Especially a title aimed at a female teen audience.

NRAMA: Do you base your Mary Jane on Kirsten Dunst or anyone else when you draw her?

TM: I've looked at the movie for ideas and a lot of magazines for inspiration. I think the final design is just a mish-mash of faces, limbs and clothes from all the above. There's no one point of reference for her.

NRAMA: Without spoiling it too much for the readers, what's in store for Mary Jane and gang in the series?

TM: You'll see her life from all perspectives. Whom she hangs out with, how she deals with issues and what sort of emotional ride she goes through when deciding on a prom date. Imagine going back to high school and seeing MJ roaming the halls. It's kinda like that.

NRAMA: Who's her gang, anyway?

TM: So far her group consists of Flash, Liz and Harry. I know Sean has plans for more characters and guest appearances as the series continues.

NRAMA: Expanding on the cast, what more can you tell us about Flash, Liz and Harry?

TM: Well, Liz is Mary Jane’s best friend and Flash’s girlfriend. Flash is the school jock and Harry is the nice down-to-earth rich dude. They sound like archetypal characters but I guarantee that they all have strong personalities and great depth. You’ll instantly be caught up with them and their lives.

NRAMA: Upcoming Amazing Spider-Man artist Mike Deodato Jr. says Peter Parker reminds him of Jason Priestley, and that he models Mary Jane a little bit after Liv Tyler, though according to him John Romita based her on Ann Margret. We're clear on your influences for Mary Jane, but what about the other cast members? How'd you come up with the designs for Peter, Flash, Liz and Harry?

TM: I’m not familiar with the rest of the cast so when I was given an outline of each character I just went with my gut and hammered out drawings. Whatever looked the best and fit the character’s personality I finalized and went with. To me it’s more about body language and the little quirks that define the character over how they look physically. That can only be conveyed on the page. Of course, their senses of fashion come into play and I’ve been careful about all of that as well.

NRAMA: Is Harry's father in the series?

TM: I shouldn’t say.

NRAMA: Spidey fans must be eager to know this - what about Gwen Stacy? Is she appearing in the book?

TM: I can’t say.

NRAMA: What about Peter - is he already her boyfriend when the series starts?

TM: Peter will be Peter and come and go throughout the book. He's just a background character and reflects how MJ sees him - or should I say not see him. They're totally hookin' up. Everyone knows that. The adventure lies in following how it happens and seeing MJ melt for this poindexter.

NRAMA: Is Spider-Man in this series?

TM: Yup.

NRAMA: So, Spidey's in the series. Will we ever see him take on rogues like the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and the like?

TM: Hopefully. I mean it would be great to be able to mix action with drama. I love drawing a fleeting look or thoughtful gaze just as much as choreographing action sequences with explosions and stuff breaking. Everything is about balance, right?

Mary Jane #1, 32 pages with a $2.25 cover price, hits June 16th.

[Chris1]

Isn't it interesting how Mary Jane looks more and more like Kirsten Dunst in the stuff Marvel puts out?

I wonder how well that Mary Jane novel did.

[tralfaz]

por que?

[D. Morris]

Can someone explain to me this recent trend where Marvel thinks that they can do non-superhero stories with superhero supporting cast members is going to pay off? When is Marvel going to start realizing that stories geared towards superhero readers that aren't about superhero readers aren't going to bring in the audience that they're looking for?

By the way, why on earth is Flash Thompson wearing a cowboy hat?

[MicroZone]

I really hope that this book gets some serious push at the newsstands. This book will live & die by the whims of 12 year old girls and there's little to no chance of them venturing in comic shops to check this book out. Even Joe Q has refered to how some comic shops looks like porno stores.

One comic shop manager has already said on this forum that he will not carry this book, apparently fearing his geekish customers would react to a comic about a girl with her clothes on like a five year old reacts to spinach. Ewwww. get it away. get it away.

My local grocery store has a great selection of all-ages comics from DC, Dark Horse & Archie. The Marvel stuff included MK Captain America, Daredevil, MK Punisher & Elektra. Which is just about the most retarded selection of comics that they could have chosen to push onto newsstands. Runaways. Spider-girl. the other new Marvel Age books. Ultimate Spidey. From the looks of the previews, Claremont's Uncanny X-Men. And now Mary Jane. All great examples of all-ages material that they should concentrate on getting out to the public.

I would also go a step further & give away a preview of the first issue as a suppliment to some teenie magazines that girls read. Give 'em that first sample and watch them come back for more.


Just wanted to add that this is a GREAT first step on Marvel's part. I really want them to succeed here.

[Device]

Originally posted by Chris1
Isn't interesting how Mary Jane looks more and more like Kirsten Dunst in the stuff Marvel puts out?

It's not just MJ. It's everything. Scott Summers looked exactly like the movie version the last time I saw him drawn by Jiminez. Same with Maleev on Bullseye. Bendis even wrote some lame scene to get him the scar in his forhead.

It's like you are looking at movie adaptation comics. And I always hated when the characters look like the actors. In my comics I want to see Bullseye, not a bald Colin Farell.

It's all upside down backwards at Marvel now.

But don't worry, whenever they feel like it they just go back to how it was 10 years ago and actually get cheered for it.

Anyway, here's hoping this series will survive, since it's actually something different than what we're used to from Marvel.

[Device]

Originally posted by D. Morris
By the way, why on earth is Flash Thompson wearing a cowboy hat?

American jock drawn by an Asian artist.

[Vyper]

Originally posted by Device
American jock drawn by an Asian artist.

Bwa-ha-hah!!!! Oh, that's priceless!

[cyclopsfan]

Cool interview. I really like his art. I will be buying this series!

[beetle]

Originally posted by Device
American jock drawn by an Asian artist.

He looks a little like Matt Fraction from AiT with the hat on to me.

[OM]

Originally posted by D. Morris
Can someone explain to me this recent trend where Marvel thinks that they can do non-superhero stories with superhero supporting cast members is going to pay off?

...Hell, I'm expecting DC to countermarket by bringing back Binky's Buddies and Swing with Scooter any day now.

[Nick Wyche]

I've been reading the coverage of this title on this site and over at Comicon with growing interest. It finally seems that Marvel has hit upon the right combination of material and creators to reach a new audience and they've managed to do it with one of their premiere properties.
Based on my familiarity with McKeever and Miazawa's work I think they will do this extremely well.
My only concern is that Marvel markets this title correctly. It doesn't seem like the type of title that will do too well in the direct market. Nothing wrong with that at all, but I do think it will be a hard sell in the bookstore market as a monthly pamphlet. This is the type of title/material best served, marketing-wise, by the manga digest format. It would fit better in the shelving patterns of bookstores, it would be a familiar-feeling item for manga buyers, and it already promises to have the look and feel those buyers are comfortable with.
I have cautious high hopes for this, I just hope that Marvel doesn't botch it up on the marketing.

[Blind Assassin]

As much as you all are complaining, you have to realise that WE aren't the target audience of this book.

Someone above asked how the Mary Jane novel went. It apperently went good enough that they are doing one, possible two more.

My 11 year old goddaughter likes comics, but she doesn't really care for violent super heroes that are all men. The only title she feels is for her is 'spider-girl'.

I bought her the Mary Jane novel, and she loved it! I bought her Spider-Girl and she LOVED IT!

I told her about this comic and she asked me if I could pick it up for her (she lives in the western part of the state, and has no comic shop nearby).

So, instead of complaining about how YOU don't think its gonna sell, or how foolish YOU think Flash looks--realise that not every book is geared towards YOU.

This is a great move for Marvel. When Joe started his stint as EIC, he said he would like to get more 'younger reader' titles going. Up until recently, I would say that that was the only failure of his tenure, not being able to fullfill that promise.

But, with the MARVEL AGE imprint, their contract with Scholastic to get their characters in schools on book covers, and the recent announcement just a few weeks ago that Marvel is licensing their characters for use with the LeapFrog learning system for kids, I think this is a great move forward for younger readers.

Congrats to Marvel, and to Takeshi Miyazawa , and Sean McKeever for trying something geared to a new generation.

(I apologise for getting heated, its just that so many people ask 'what can we do to get new readers into the fold', and then when titles come out to do just that, people crap all over it.)

[MicroZone]

Originally posted by OM
...Hell, I'm expecting DC to countermarket by bringing back Binky's Buddies and Swing with Scooter any day now.

I'd prefer to see Sugar & Spike myself.

[Blind Assassin]

Originally posted by Chris1
Isn't interesting how Mary Jane looks more and more like Kirsten Dunst in the stuff Marvel puts out?

maybe its because that's how it was intended...from the interview:

NRAMA: From the previews that we've seen so far, you are definitely using your manga touch on this project. What makes Mary Jane and her cast of characters real to the readers? In other words, how would fans of all the mediums, i.e. comics, movies, animated series, novels, etc. relate to her and her gang, from your illustrations and art?

TM: This is a tough question. I've always based my work on reality and MJ will be no different.

NRAMA: Do you base your Mary Jane on Kirsten Dunst or anyone else when you draw her?

TM: I've looked at the movie for ideas and a lot of magazines for inspiration. I think the final design is just a mish-mash of faces, limbs and clothes from all the above. There's no one point of reference for her.

[zona_rosa]

I like the idea of the comic.
But mmm... spiderman is supposed to be about growing up angst on itself... I went to a lecture the other day on comic book evolution and thay said that Spiderman was actually the first american comic book with a character that depicted neurosis.
I just think it is a great concept to see spideys history trough the eyes of a third person, "not knowing" that he is spiderman... It would be hell to write though... I just hope they can pull it off.

[Charles RB]

Originally posted by MicroZone

I would also go a step further & give away a preview of the first issue as a suppliment to some teenie magazines that girls read.

Indeed- at the very least, they should send preview copies for said mags to review. This is basic marketing stuff here, really, yet does it ever get done?

I bought her the Mary Jane novel, and she loved it! I bought her Spider-Girl and she LOVED IT!

Bought her Runaways?

So, instead of complaining about how YOU don't think its gonna sell, or how foolish YOU think Flash looks

I thought he was meant to look foolish. He is Flash, after all.

[Blind Assassin]

Originally posted by Charles RB
Indeed- at the very least, they should send preview copies for said mags to review. This is basic marketing stuff here, really, yet does it ever get done?

Maybe we could help out here.

If anyone knows of a teen magazine, how about zipping an email to them with a link to this article...letting them know its out there.

Perhaps they could contact Marvel on doing a story. Technically, this is something Marvel should be doing, (and we don't know that they aren't), but sometimes a little proactiveness can go a long way.

[gwangung]

Originally posted by Blind Assassin
Maybe we could help out here.

If anyone knows of a teen magazine, how about zipping an email to them with a link to this article...letting them know its out there.

Perhaps they could contact Marvel on doing a story. Technically, this is something Marvel should be doing, (and we don't know that they aren't), but sometimes a little proactiveness can go a long way.

Well, Marvel may be doing it, but the magazines may not be interested because they think their readers wouldn't be interested. If folks could show them differently, well....that wouldn't be a bad thing....

And, yeah...it's hilarious how people are complaining about companies not reaching out to new audiences, and when they do, complain that the outreach stuff is "obviously unsellable."

[DaFalcon]

Perhaps they could contact Marvel on doing a story. Technically, this is something Marvel should be doing, (and we don't know that they aren't), but sometimes a little proactiveness can go a long way.

This is a cool idea. Merry Marvel Marketing Society, anyone?

I don't see why teen mags wouldn't be interested: there is a movie tie in, though it is perhaps too late to get a story together in time for the movie because of publishing deadlines.... Still, if someone has contacts (or a little time to make some contacts) I don't see why we couldn't try to be proactive to (hopefully) add to Marvel's own marketing efforts.

[Noam Choseed]

This book doesn't seem to hold anything for the the thirtysomething hardcore fanboy(that's me), but I sincerely hope that it reaches the teens and O.C. fans that Marvel and the industry so desperately need. We need to bring in the young ones especially the females to the mainstream, not just manga to ensure that the hobby can continue beyond the cholesteral soaked deaths of folks like myself. I think that there has to be product for all.

[Tenshi]

I wasn't really interested with this book. But I think I'll pick it. The artwork looks beautifull and anyway,McKeever is not known for being a lame writer.

[belgand]

Originally posted by D. Morris
Can someone explain to me this recent trend where Marvel thinks that they can do non-superhero stories with superhero supporting cast members is going to pay off? When is Marvel going to start realizing that stories geared towards superhero readers that aren't about superhero readers aren't going to bring in the audience that they're looking for?

I think it's just the way that they're handling it to be honest. Gotham Central is a great title and most of the time when Batman appears he tends to detract from it. I mean, if used with just the right touch it adds, but otherwise the setting and such is what really makes it work. Reading a comic about cops in Gotham City and the various problems both mundane and fantastic adds a lot more than a similar book set in NYC.

[Noah]

Originally posted by Blind Assassin
If anyone knows of a teen magazine, how about zipping an email to them with a link to this article...letting them know its out there.

Might be better to copy and paste the article, with the author's permission...having their editors take a peek at the ramblings after it isn't going to help anyone.

[Blind Assassin]

I just sent an email to teen people, teen, and young miss magazines with the link to the article.

I explained that my goddaughter likes comics and wants this, and I thought their readers may want to know about it too.

Will let you know if they write me back.

Here is the letter I sent:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I apologise if this is going to the wrong place, but frankly, I am not sure where to send it. I hope you can direct it to the proper place.

I am writing to let you know of something your younger readers may be interested in.

Please let me explain.

I have an 11 year old god-daughter. Through me, she has been exposed to comic books, which is traditionally considered a young boy's medium. (I have been reading comics since the age of 11, and still do, at the age of 32)

Lately, Marvel Comics (the makers of Spider-Man, X-Men, and The Hulk, among others) have been trying to reach out to younger readers--and girls, in particular.

I just read an article on a new comic under their 'Marvel Age' imprint (an imprint just started for younger readers).

The article is entitled 'Mary Jane', and is a comic told from the perspective of a young girl. But not just any young girl. You see, Mary Jane Watson, is the girl who
grows up to be Spider-Man's wife (in the comics of today).

These stories are going to be told of her as a teen-ager, and her crush on Peter Parker (who we all know as Spider-Man), and her life as a young high school student.

It is a radical departure for Marvel, which normally features, what some would consider, violent male heroes.

They also have a female counter-part to Spider-Man, entitled "Spider-Girl" which has a small fan following, and is close to its 75th issue.

The books are published monthly. I thought maybe you would like to see the article for yourselves, and maybe want to feature it, or mention it in one of your
upcoming issues.

http://newsarama.com/forums/showthre...threadid=11109 <---- That is the link to the article. The rest is up to you.

I do not work for Marvel, or any of its affiliates...I just thought that there may be other younger girls out there, like my god-daughter, who may be interested in this book,
or comics in general, and figured your magazine would be a great way for them to get exposed to the medium.

Thanks for your time and patience in reading this letter.

I then enclosed my name, address, and telephone number