IS SHE OR ISN'T SHE: ALLAN HEINBERG Q&A

[MattBrady]

Last week Newsarama speculated the cover to July’s Young Avengers #6 would cause a bit of a stir with Marvel fans. And well … it did… So we took a few minutes to get writer Allan Heinberg’s response to the response. And while he couldn’t talk in too much detail so as not to ruin the surprises for readers of the series (though issue #3 on sale today may hold some answers) he did have a few thoughts to share with us in this quick Q&A.

Newsarama: Allan, first of all - the cover strongly suggests a couple of things. The fatality promised in the solicitation for issue #5, and the reasonanle (?) assumption of Kate Bishop becoming a new Hawkeye, or perhaps “Hawkette”? Would these be fair assumptions or have you got something else up your sleeve?

Allan Heinberg: These would, indeed, be fair assumptions based on the solicitations. But there's definitely more to the story.

NRAMA: Sharp-eyed readers also noticed a sword (Swordsman?), a baton (Mockingbird?) and what looks like Black Widow's belt, all characters that had ties to Hawkeye. Can you comment on the connection or lack thereof and what it means? Are fans on the right track?

AH: I can't comment on Kate's superhero identity as yet because it's actually something SHE'S going to be struggling with in issues #7 and 8.

NRAMA: Speaking of Kate’s apparent costume, again, speculating on your intent, any thoughts on the passion ‘Old School’ Avengers fans have regarding Clint Barton’s death in Avengers Disassembled?

AH: As an old-school Avengers fan myself, I completely understand and share the fans' passion for the character. And, since the Young Avengers are fanboys (and fangirls) themselves, it's a passion they'll share, as well.

NRAMA: How do you think these fans will react to another character possibly taking up the mantle while the wounds are still raw? Think fandom will accept it? Have a strong adverse reaction?

AH: If the fans are anything like me, they'll probably be extremely resistant to the idea of ANYONE assuming the mantle of such a beloved hero.

NRAMA: Does the possible latter reaction concern you at all?

AH: Absolutely. And it'll be a concern for Kate, as well.

NRAMA: Before moving on to a couple of general questions, another element to the series that fans have discussing on the Internet is the perceived nature of the relationship between Hulkling and Asgardian.

Any thoughts on that? Are fans even reading your intentions correctly?

AH: I've been very surprised - and frankly heartened - by readers' speculation about the nature of their relationship. Most of the mail we've received has been incredibly positive, with readers hoping the two will turn out to be boyfriends.

As for my intention, I simply wanted to introduce the characters and their inter-relationships as organically as I'm able to within the context of the Kang story. So all I can say is, keep reading...

NRAMA: Okay, from your end and overall, how's reaction been to the series so far ? What you expected? Surprising?

AH: I've been overwhelmed and humbled by the positive response the book seems to be getting. I'm grateful to readers for keeping an open mind about the book and for giving a new writer a chance.

And I credit most of the book's success to my extraordinary collaborators, Jim Cheung, John Dell, Justin Ponsor, and Cory Petit.

NRAMA: Are you pleased with the reception so far?

AH: So far, the response has been beyond my wildest expectations. After months of hype and speculation, readers actually seem to be accepting the book on its own terms and, by and large, enjoying it. You can't ask for more than that.

NRAMA: So we can’t let you go without asking for any more hints as to what's coming up with the remaining issue of “Sidekicks” (the first 6-issue story arc) and into the future?

AH: Big action, big romance, big changes.

Oh, and someone dies.

[Goldenboy]

Cool.

[rodolfo leon]

the more i read the more i like.

damn!

[samnoir]

With Wolverine and Spider-Man in the ranks of The Avengers, I'm surprised that X-23 and Arana aren't candidates to join the Young Avengers. They seem natural fits for female members.

___________________________________

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[GOSD]

Me too.

This book has surprised me. I intended to not like it but it's pretty good.

If you're on the fence about getting it, jump off.

It's quite an interesting read..

[theprimedreamer]

I love the art and the story has captivated me. But everytime I hear the name "Kate Warner" I can't help think of Jack Bauer's girlfriend on 24, oh well...

[algertman]

sorry but teen Titans gocha upped by one cause they have someone with HIV

so you gonna have to better than a gay Hulk and Thor dating

[WookieLove]

Let's see, over in Ultimate X-Men, Colossus has a crush on Longshot and comments on how nice his boots are. In Runaways, there was an old-fashioned love triangle, except the one girl wasn't pissed that a boy liked another girl, but that another girl liked a boy. And now hulking and thorling (or whatever) are boyfriends? Christ.

It's a good thing the 616 amazing spider-man wasn't rebooted a few years ago, or else Peter Parker would be traumatized for life over Flash Thompson being thrown off a bridge by the Green Goblin

[AreJaye]

Originally posted by samnoir
[b]With Wolverine and Spider-Man in the ranks of The Avengers, I'm surprised that X-23 and Arana aren't candidates to join the Young Avengers. They seem natural fits for female members.

SHUT. UP.

[AreJaye]

Originally posted by WookieLove
Let's see, over in Ultimate X-Men, Colossus has a crush on Longshot and comments on how nice his boots are. In Runaways, there was an old-fashioned love triangle, except the one girl wasn't pissed that a boy liked another girl, but that another girl liked a boy. And now hulking and thorling (or whatever) are boyfriends? Christ.

It's a good thing the 616 amazing spider-man wasn't rebooted a few years ago, or else Peter Parker would be traumatized for life over Flash Thompson being thrown off a bridge by the Green Goblin

Gee. . .That's 2 books with Gay characters. TWO. Out of how many? How many gay characters are there in Astonishing X-Men? New X-Men? New Avengers? Did I miss the gay characters in New Thunderbolts? Phoenix: Endsong? X23? Fantastic Four? ANY of the Spider Man titles? How about Daredevil? The Pulse? Strange? She Hulk?

Seriously. Your agenda is showing. You can start complaining when we get Gay scenes in comics on par with the stuff seen in Alias and Avengers #71. Ok?

[Marxist 64]

Originally posted by WookieLove
Let's see, over in Ultimate X-Men, Colossus has a crush on Longshot and comments on how nice his boots are. In Runaways, there was an old-fashioned love triangle, except the one girl wasn't pissed that a boy liked another girl, but that another girl liked a boy. And now hulking and thorling (or whatever) are boyfriends? Christ.

So you're against young people in comics be presented as homo-sexuals?

Or that's there's too many?

[Raphe Cheli]

Has issue #3 come out yet (I just have the first 2 -- haven't read them yet, however)? It's odd that everyone is speculating on an issue 4 months away.

Oh, wait... it's comics! It's what we do!

[Lex]

Originally posted by samnoir
With Wolverine and Spider-Man in the ranks of The Avengers, I'm surprised that X-23 and Arana aren't candidates to join the Young Avengers. They seem natural fits for female members.

No offense but yuck, no. Young Avengers seems to be more about the fun of the old Avengers. This isn't Young New Avengers.

[MattBrady]

Folks, this thread is barely a half-hour old and it's already threathening to spiral downward.

Lighten up and be RESPECTFUL to one another and people in general, or it and you will be dealt with.

[Marxist 64]

I like the idea of one of the YAs carrying on the Hawkeye legacy, but I hate the name "Hawkette". Hopefully she'll have another name, cause that's as bad as Hulkling (though that is growing on me..).

[HeX111]

As for X-23 and Arana being part of this team, your logic just makes no sense. Think about it. The only "Side-kick" versions on this team that actually have a counterpart in New Avengers are Patriot and Iron Lad. There is no Thor on New Avengers, nor is there a Hulk on New Avengers. And if you have Ant-Girl and "Hawkette" or whatever she is going to be called, those are 2 more "Side-kicks" without a counterpart on the "Big Team".

It's not like I care one way or another if they are on the team, but I'm just commenting that I can't follow how you would think that they would make a "natural fit" on a team like this. This is more like Young Old-Skool Avengers than Young New Avengers.

*edit* Sorry Matt. Don't mean to be rude and hope this isn't taken that way. Not meant to be.

[MicroZone]

Originally posted by samnoir
With Wolverine and Spider-Man in the ranks of The Avengers, I'm surprised that X-23 and Arana aren't candidates to join the Young Avengers. They seem natural fits for female members.

ugh. don't give Joe any ideas.

[twoarmman]

sorry but teen Titans gocha upped by one cause they have someone with HIV

so you gonna have to better than a gay Hulk and Thor dating

My GOD I hope this is a joke.

Write stories that are good not ones that shock more than the other. The HIV in TT is one of the lamest and worst handled things in comics anyways.

Personally I'm hoping Hulkling is either a girl or everyone is wrong and read into their relationship because it's so predictable these days in all forms of entertainment. The fact that so many people were thinking this even though he Heinberg didn't intentionally mean to put that out there proves my point about it being predictable.

[KingPagla]

Originally posted by Marxist 64
I like the idea of one of the YAs carrying on the Hawkeye legacy, but I hate the name "Hawkette". Hopefully she'll have another name, cause that's as bad as Hulkling (though that is growing on me..).

How 'bout "Arrowette"?

[Marxist 64]

Originally posted by KingPagla
How 'bout "Arrowette"?

I'd prefer someting without "ette" on the end.

Maybe just plain ole' Hawkeye, it's uni-sex.

[rochvail]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Folks, this thread is barely a half-hour old and it's already threathening to spiral downward.

Lighten up and be RESPECTFUL to one another and people in general, or it and you will be dealt with.

You tell 'em Matt! Who cares what sexual orientation the characters are? If it makes for a good, compelling story, I'm all for it. So far, I've been loving the book. Can't wait to get #3.

[KingPagla]

Originally posted by Marxist 64
I'd prefer someting without "ette" on the end.

Maybe just plain ole' Hawkeye, it's uni-sex.

Um... that was a joke.

(I'll go back and edit in a smiley for ya)

[Rabid Monkey]

Too bad DC already owns Arrowette, huh?

[Marxist 64]

Originally posted by KingPagla
Um... that was a joke.

Curse my lack of knowledge about B-list DC teen superhero teenage sidekicks who use bow and arrows.

That has cost me too many jobs to list.

[twoarmman]

Originally posted by AreJaye
Gee. . .That's 2 books with Gay characters. TWO. Out of how many? How many gay characters are there in Astonishing X-Men? New X-Men? New Avengers? Did I miss the gay characters in New Thunderbolts? Phoenix: Endsong? X23? Fantastic Four? ANY of the Spider Man titles? How about Daredevil? The Pulse? Strange? She Hulk?

Seriously. Your agenda is showing. You can start complaining when we get Gay scenes in comics on par with the stuff seen in Alias and Avengers #71. Ok?

OK. I know it makes it easier to sleep at night to think that everyone who doesn’t think the way you do has an “agenda” but it makes you seem pretty childish to use such 3rd grade arguing tactics.

I can’t stand how gays are used in the media. I hope Hulkling isn’t gay. To me it’s used way to often for cheap shock value or they are presented as cartoony stereotypes (except Apollo and Midnighter. I love their relationship). You can bash me for my opinion and say I have an agenda or that I’m homophobic even though you know NOTHING about me or my life other than this one opinion, or we can be adults who disagree.