CB CEBUKSLI ON THE UNTOLD TALES OF DP 7

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Meet the “X-Men of the New Universe.”

Along with Justice and Psi-Force, DP7 lasted 32 issues from 1986 to 1989. DP7 refers to seven Displaced Paranormals, Randy O'Brien (Antibody), David Landers (Mastodon), Jeff Walters (Blur), Dennis Kazinski (Scuzz), Stephanie Harrington (Glitter), Lenore Fenzi (Twilight), and Charlotte Beck (Friction).

“They're a diverse group of individuals who all wake up after the mysterious White Event to find themselves blessed, or maybe cursed depending on how you look at it, with powers they now need to learn how to control,” writer C.B. Cebulski explained. “After meeting in The Clinic, where they thought they were being treated and trained to use these strange powers, the seven wind up escaping after discovering The Clinic and their doctors have more devious plans in mind for them.

“The original White Event back in 1986 started it all... and then [Senior Editor] Mark Paniccia's desire to resurrect these characters 20 years later in 2006 got us where we are today.”

“I think you could argue that none of the New Universe books really achieved the same level of success and popularity when compared to the other books in the Marvel line at that time,” Cebulski said. “With DP7 in particular, it was going up against a strong line of X-Men titles telling some great stories. For a kid walking into a store with 75 cents in his pocket back then, with the choice at that time being DP7 or Uncanny X-Men (at the time of “Mutant Massacre” no less!), I think I know where most readers dropped their three quarters.

For a guy who've been Marvel's talent liaison and editor, and having written the X-Men in X-Men Unlimited, Marvel Mangaverse: X-Men and New Mangaverse, in what way is D.P.7 compared to the X-Men, other than the fact that both series essentially starred/star characters set in a similar setting? “I always cringe when I see the phrase "hated and feared by a world they've sworn to protect", so I'll stay away from making that comparison.

”To be honest, I don't see their settings as all that similar really,” Cebulski admitted. “The X-Men are a team with a leader and dream who fight for what they believe in. DP7 are a group of scared and confused men and women who have been thrown together by circumstances beyond their control who are looking for a purpose and place in the world. I think what makes the two groups similar is the fact they're both comprised of a diverse mix of individuals from all walks of life who are learning how to use their powers while also trying to overcome personal differences. There's an air of mystery, of danger, and of uncertainty that surrounds both teams. You never know what is going to happen next as there's just as much a chance of a threat coming from within the group as from without.”

From the solicits already released, March’s Untold Tales of the New Universe: DP7 by Cebulski, interior artist M.D. Bright and cover artist Doug Alexander sees the Displaced Paranormals taking shelter and hope to find peace they so rightfully deserve on an Indian reservation. However, they soon discover persecution extends beyond those with enhanced genetic abilities and they must side with their Native American brethren to overcome an evil that threatens to engulf them all.

While Cebulski preferred not to reveal more than what’s already been revealed in the solicits, one aspect that stands out in Cebulski’s mind is the artwork by M.D. Bright and Doug Alexander. “I could give you that standard answer about it being an entertaining self-contained story and the reader not needing to know anything about the characters before going into it because it will all be explained, and that would all be true. But the real reason I'd recommend this DP7 one-shot is for the art. Doug Gregory did an absolutely gorgeous cover, and Mark Bright turned in some simply amazing pencils for the interiors! They're definitely worth checking out!

He also has original series editor Ralph Macchio around to make sure that this story would not be just another imitation of an X-Men tale. “I had a valuable resource in my corner while researching and writing DP7 in the form of Ralph Macchio,” he said. “After I reread the entire original run, I sat down and had a long conversation with Ralph about the comic and the way original writer Mark Gruenwald approached writing it. Anyone who knows Ralph knows he has an encyclopedic memory of all things Marvel, and he and I spoke for hours about what Mark thought about the book, how he came up with his ideas, how he handled the characters, where he got all his 80s pop culture references from, and he basically gave me the inside scoop I needed to tackle this assignment. For example, Mark was meticulous with the way he wrote DP7 paying particular attention to the dates, times and locations of their adventures, all of which happened in his beloved home state of Wisconsin. So when I decided to set my untold tale between issues #4 and #5 of the original series, I got out my maps and figured out where and when the story could take place based on the time that's past and the locations they were in in the issues. Yeah, kind of anal, I know, but I'm a continuity buff and wanted this story to be as authentic as possible. Ralph drove home the point it was the attention to detail that made Mark the writer he was, and I was doing my best to channel him here. I hope it shows.”



Related articles:
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UNTOLD TALES OF THE NEW UNIVERSE: JEFF PARKER ON STAR BRAND

UNTOLD TALES OF THE NEW UNIVERSE: FRED VAN LENTE ON NIGHTMASK

KICKERS INC. PREVIEW

WHAT’S A NEW UNIVERSE?: A BRIEF NEW UNIVERSE OVERVIEW

WARREN ELLIS ON NEWUNIVERSAL

[BlueThunderArmy]

MD's artwork looks pretty good. Might be up for some of this event.

[Kolimar]

I have a good feeling about this.

[Kavalier]

BEST SERIES EVER.

Really looking forward to this.

[Kolimar]

There's one thing I want to complain about:

Dave Landers is Mastodon, not "Mastadon".

[kingofcities]

Great to see some more Mark Bright art! When is this issue out again?

[Wormwood]

Originally posted by Kolimar
There's one thing I want to complain about

I would point out that Charly was certainly NOT in any sort of, "I'll kick ass using my powers" place between issues #4 and #5. She still found using her powers kind of gross until after the return to the clinic. Being second in the room to stop a bar fight? Not a chance.

And the art has the Antibody talking instead of Randy. That's just wrong.

[Dirtbagjeff]

I was wondering if any of the New universe stuff was out there in TPB.

[ghostly1]

There are some annoying glitches (both with art and characterization) in the preview, but the interview at least makes me more confident than the Star Brand one did.

[ghostly1]

Originally posted by Wormwood
I would point out that Charly was certainly NOT in any sort of, "I'll kick ass using my powers" place between issues #4 and #5. She still found using her powers kind of gross until after the return to the clinic. Being second in the room to stop a bar fight? Not a chance.

And the art has the Antibody talking instead of Randy. That's just wrong.

I'm assuming the antibody thing was just a glitch rather than a deliberate misunderstanding. On Charly, you're probably about half-right - she probably wouldn't be so ass-kicking, but she was fairly comfortable with her powers as early as issue #7 or 8, when she was talking to Jeff in the car about how they didn't have to all stay together and at least for _her_ it would be easy to blend in to normal society. I believe she even said she liked her powers, then. This was just before she was captured, of course, but presumably she felt like that for a while.

[Wormwood]

Originally posted by ghostly1
I'm assuming the antibody thing was just a glitch rather than a deliberate misunderstanding. On Charly, you're probably about half-right - she probably wouldn't be so ass-kicking, but she was fairly comfortable with her powers as early as issue #7 or 8, when she was talking to Jeff in the car about how they didn't have to all stay together and at least for _her_ it would be easy to blend in to normal society. I believe she even said she liked her powers, then. This was just before she was captured, of course, but presumably she felt like that for a while.

If memory serves (I'd have to double-check), but issue #5 was the one where they all (save Scuzz) went to an exorcist to see if that could make their powers go away. And Charly was one of the stronger advocates for doing it. She did reach a comfort level with her powers, even real acceptance, later in the series. But this is too soon.

I suppose, though, since this whole thing appears to have a framing device of being told 20 years after the fact, that details like that could be fudged. But after talking a good game about research and continuity, it seems a big misstep of her characterization in this period.

[ghostly1]

Originally posted by Wormwood
If memory serves (I'd have to double-check), but issue #5 was the one where they all (save Scuzz) went to an exorcist to see if that could make their powers go away. And Charly was one of the stronger advocates for doing it. She did reach a comfort level with her powers, even real acceptance, later in the series. But this is too soon.

Heh, I just went to my own issues to check... actually Charly was pretty silent on the issue. She was willing to go along, but the only thing she really said on the topic was worry a bit that Jeff was pinning a lot of hopes that this was going to work. (And to talk Randy out of going after Scuzz). She even smiled when she was demonstrating her powers to the Reverend. I figure she was probably neutral on keeping or losing her powers at this point, and skeptical the exorcism would do anything, but wanting to go along to support her friends (and probably figuring that if an Exorcism _did_ work, then her powers were obviously something she was better off without).

I suppose, though, since this whole thing appears to have a framing device of being told 20 years after the fact, that details like that could be fudged. But after talking a good game about research and continuity, it seems a big misstep of her characterization in this period.

Yeah, that's my worry. I read the interview before checking out the previews and I thought, 'hey, he's saying all the right things!' and then I check it out and... mistake here, mistake here, mistake here. (Granted, the biggest ones were ones that could be put on someone other than the writer). I'm willing to let the Charly one slide for now, anyway and not get overly concerned.

[samnoir]

DP7 was the best out of all the new universe titles.

Was it Mark Gruenwald writing this around the same time as Squadron Supreme?

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[Chris Hunter]

DP7 was my favorite New Universe title back in the day and that art looks like crap.

I hope Marvel didn't actually pay for that.

[C.B.Cebulski]

Hey, guys-

I appreciate you all checking out this DP7 preview and posting your thoughts here!

One thing I want to make abundantly clear though is that the files posted here are the unfinished colors and uncorrected lettering files. I don't know how these slipped out, but it's the first I am seeing of them too. And needless to say, I'm none to happy about it. Yes, the lettering is riddled with mistakes (MastOdon, the Anitbody speaking) that I guarantee you will be fixed by print time. I've already e-mailed the editors about it. Thanks for you patience and understanding. I'll keep you posted.

Take care,
C.B.

[The Chief]

I loved DP7 back in the day and Im glad Marvel is putting out this one shot for the fans.

CB is good writer too..i like his mangaverse stuff.

[ghostly1]

Originally posted by C.B.Cebulski
Hey, guys-

I appreciate you all checking out this DP7 preview and posting your thoughts here!

One thing I want to make abundantly clear though is that the files posted here are the unfinished colors and uncorrected lettering files. I don't know how these slipped out, but it's the first I am seeing of them too. And needless to say, I'm none to happy about it. Yes, the lettering is riddled with mistakes (MastOdon, the Anitbody speaking) that I guarantee you will be fixed by print time. I've already e-mailed the editors about it. Thanks for you patience and understanding. I'll keep you posted.

Take care,
C.B.

Good to hear.. forgive the nitpickiness, the New U and in particular DP7's got a very special place in my heart (and my comic shelf!), and this'll probably be the last look we get at them for a long while (not counting possibly in the Ellis revamp which, although it may be good, won't really be quite the same thing).

[Cray_ws]

I'm curious to know what the target age demographic of these New Universe books?

[Wormwood]

Originally posted by ghostly1
Heh, I just went to my own issues to check... actually Charly was pretty silent on the issue. She was willing to go along, but the only thing she really said on the topic was worry a bit that Jeff was pinning a lot of hopes that this was going to work. (And to talk Randy out of going after Scuzz). She even smiled when she was demonstrating her powers to the Reverend. I figure she was probably neutral on keeping or losing her powers at this point, and skeptical the exorcism would do anything, but wanting to go along to support her friends (and probably figuring that if an Exorcism _did_ work, then her powers were obviously something she was better off without).

Since you've got that issue out (saving me the trouble of digging mine own out of boxes)-- that's also the one that starts with them helping the people on the bus, right? Doesn't Charly refuse that?

[ghostly1]

Originally posted by Wormwood
Since you've got that issue out (saving me the trouble of digging mine own out of boxes)-- that's also the one that starts with them helping the people on the bus, right? Doesn't Charly refuse that?

She does, but not because of any stated desire not to use her powers - but because she's wearing her only decent outfit and doesn't want to ruin it. Yeah. (Although to be fair, at this point they had backed off some distance and were just sending people to scout out and make sure it wasn't staged as a trap, so it could have been some level of fear too). I think it's fair to say that in the Untold Tale she's a little bolder than she should be, but maybe she was just having an 'up' day.

[Wormwood]

Originally posted by C.B.Cebulski
Hey, guys-

I appreciate you all checking out this DP7 preview and posting your thoughts here!

One thing I want to make abundantly clear though is that the files posted here are the unfinished colors and uncorrected lettering files. I don't know how these slipped out, but it's the first I am seeing of them too. And needless to say, I'm none to happy about it. Yes, the lettering is riddled with mistakes (MastOdon, the Anitbody speaking) that I guarantee you will be fixed by print time. I've already e-mailed the editors about it. Thanks for you patience and understanding. I'll keep you posted.

Take care,
C.B.

C.B.-- I'm glad to hear that. I had noticed in the recent Exiles trip to the New U they had the Antibody speaking, so I was especially wary.

I really just want to say that I am thrilled you guys are doing this. I was just getting into comics in 1986, and I was probably one of the very few who really got into the New Universe, especially DP7. About a year ago I was telling people that it would be very cool if Marvel did some sort of NU tribute this year, and lo and behold. So if I poke the details, be well aware that I'm mostly just ecstatic to see some of my favorite characters returning, period.

[Julio Diaz]

I was going to pass on these, but I really loved the D.P. 7 and the story looks like a lot of fun. And of course, Mark Bright is one of the best and most underrated artists around - always a treat to see new work from him. So I just might pick this one up after all!

[SouthtownKid]

Originally posted by samnoir
DP7 was the best out of all the new universe titles.

Definitely. It's the only one (other than Star Brand) that I still have strong memories of, all these years later. It's cool to see that so many other people have fond memories of the series, too.

[Roninblade]

DP7 was a series I really enjoyed back in the day. Like the writer said in the interview, I liked that it was about normal people who were scared and confused and just struggled day by day. Which was about as far from the X-men as you could get. Even when the PiT stuff started I was more interested in how the DP7 gang was handling it than anyone else.

[innocentboy]

can't say i've ever read an issue of the previous DP7, but know what they are and have seen their covers and flipped through some of them.

will be keeping an eye out for this on the shelves