KIRKMAN ON MTU, INVINCIBLE & INVINCIBLE IN MTU

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

There’s no stopping writer Robert Kirkman these days.

His creator-owned Image Comic series, Invincible, co-created with artist Cory Walker and now drawn by Ryan Ottley, just hit the 25th issue Wednesday.

Marvel Team-Up, on the other hand, has been extended to 24 issues and November’s issue #14 will feature a team-up between Spider-Man and Invincible. According to the official solicitation copy, “The team-up you thought you'd never see! Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's Invincible bounces over to the Marvel Universe for a visit! Doctor Octopus is on the loose and Spider-Man is on the job with the help of Invincible. Also, the New Avengers make an appearance- so don't miss this one-of-a-kind crossover event!”

We caught up with the invincibly marvelous team-up guy for a chat about his “love letter to D-list Marvel characters,” Invincible’s first space adventure, Sleepwalker and… Tom Brevoort, the comic character?

Newsarama: You had recently confirmed that Marvel Team-Up had been extended to 24 issues. Other than the already announced Spidey team-up with Invincible in issue #14, what else could fans look forward to in the coming months?

Robert Kirkman: Our next big arc is called "League of Losers" and it's going to run from issue #15 to issue #18. It'll be a little different from the other arcs which included a central villain and rotating casts interlinked, but mostly separately engaging them. This is going to be a full-on story arc, with the same characters featured for four issues. It deals with villains from the future coming back in time with knowledge of current Marvel heroes--more or less taking them all out and taking over the world. So it's up to the superheroes who aren't popular enough to be well known in the future to rise to the challenge and save the world. It's really my love letter to D-list Marvel characters. I think all these guys have merit and should be given the limelight from time to time. Who am I talking about? Well, Darkhawk, Sleepwalker, Terror Inc, and SuperPro for starters--there will be many others who participate through the course of the book as well, but I'll keep them under wraps for the time being.

NRAMA: Speaking of the Invincible dude, how did you, Marvel and Image reach a deal to have your creation appear in a Marvel comic?

RK: Well, Cory Walker and I own Invincible outright. So, one day I was joking with [Marvel Senior Editor] Tom Brevoort and I said, "Y'know--if you ever wanted to use Invincible in an issue of Marvel Team-Up, I know the guys who own that." And to my surprise a few days later he said, "I mentioned the Invincible thing to Joe Quesada and they think it's a good idea." I was joking--I never thought in a million years that Marvel would be cool enough to allow something like this to happen. Apparently, I was wrong--Marvel is that cool.

NRAMA: How does Invincible end up in the Marvel Universe anyway?

RK: That would be telling. I will say it has something to do with the Invincible villain Angstrom Levy whom Invincible just met recently in issue #24.

NRAMA: Will we see any of the other Invincible supporting characters in the said issue as well?

RK: No, I wanted it to more or less be Invincible's adventure in the Marvel U--so no other Invincible characters are used. We do get to see the New Avengers, though. I hear those guys are pretty popular these days.

NRAMA: If given the chance to bring another creation of yours into the Marvel Universe, be it a team-up or a cameo, who would you like to see appear in a Marvel comic, and which Marvel character(s) would you like to include in the story?

RK: I'd be much more interested in say, bringing a character like Spider-Man over to the Image universe. That way he could interact with all of my superheroes. I mean, The Walking Dead going to the Marvel Universe would just be looney.

NRAMA: Character-wise, what differentiates everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man from Invincible? Critics have said that Invincible's the best new super-hero character created since Spidey, and that he's Image's answer to Marvel's Spidey in the sense that both of these characters are similar, yet different?

RK: Well, I like to think of Mark (Invincible) as more of an every man than Peter Parker. Peter's out there making webbing and doing all kinds of science stuff where as Mark more often than not is just stumbling along counting on his powers. I think people sometimes forget just how intelligent Peter is. Mark is not that guy. Otherwise they're both wise-cracking fun-loving guys, so I can see the comparison... and they've both been through some heavy, family related trauma.

NRAMA: Tom Brevoort wrote the foreword for the third Invincible trade, right? Was the deal already decided on around that time? Was it agreed upon then that Tom would write the foreword for the trade as part of the deal to feature Invincible in MTU?

RK: Have you read Tom's intro? It was really nothing special. Certainly not a bargaining chip put on the table. No, that introduction was written almost a year before I even asked about the Invincible appearance in Team-Up. I asked Tom to do the intro because I really value the fellow’s opinion and he had expressed to me how much he liked the book. I'm still to this day figuring out what incentive he had for writing the thing.

NRAMA: So, is Tom making a guest appearance in an upcoming issue of Invincible then?

RK: Tom has already made cameo appearances in Invincible three times. As eagle-eyed readers are already aware.

NRAMA: You'd written the Sleepwalker character in the one and only issue of the Epic Anthology. For those who missed it, what's his back story like? And what's it like to be writing him again in “League of Losers”?

RK: Well, my Sleepwalker story in Epic Illustrated is more or less out of continuity. It would have been in continuity had it continued. I had planned to bring in Rick Sheridan (Sleepy's alter ego) and explain in later issues how this new guy became Sleepwalker's host--but since that book ended so abruptly (i.e. before the first issue came out) I'm just going to play like it never existed. So the Sleepwalker that will be appearing in Marvel Team-Up (and has already appeared in issues #9 and #10) will be the old school Rick Sheridan guy.

NRAMA: Darkhawk is currently appearing in Runaways. Will his Excelsior team members be appearing in your arc as well?

RK: Darkhawk's appearance in Marvel Team-Up will tie-in with his appearance in Runaways. So fans of that book will see the connection. I won't be ignoring anything set up there, I'm a fan of that book, I'm just not a fan of Brian K. Vaughan as a person.

NRAMA: You mentioned that Invincible's appearance in the MTU issue has something to do with the new villain known as Angstrom Levy from Invincible #24. Again, for the uninitiated, what kind of a guy is Angstrom Levy? And what's happened in #24?

RK: Angstrom Levy is a character that was introduced in Invincible #16. He's got the power to hop from dimension to dimension and there was a subplot that ran from issue #16 to issue #24 in Invincible that involved him trying to drain information out of his counterparts from other dimensions so that he would know everything they knew about all their home dimensions. That way he could travel from dimension to dimension and know where he was going and what the places were like. Without giving anything way, his plan kinda worked and in issue #24 he found a reason to totally hate Invincible. So things are going to be followed up on that front in issue #33, which will ship after Marvel Team-Up #14... but will tie in heavily. Once the two books are out, people will have a better understanding of what happened in Team-Up #14 and Invincible #33, but you don't have to read both stories. I'd just prefer you did.

NRAMA: Speaking of your ongoing Invincible series, what's the current arc about, and what's coming up in the near future?

RK: The current arc, "A Different World" just started in issue #25 and runs until issue #30. It features Invincible's first space adventure. It's going to have very long-lasting repercussions that will affect Invincible for years to come in his series. Mark is brought to an alien planet to defend it from an impending attack--but there are other things going on as well. I don't want to give anything away. Then, as I said before, there's a big fight with Angstrom Levy coming up in issue #33--and Atom Eve returns in a big way in issues #31 and #32. Lots of big stuff is on the way.

NRAMA: Back to MTU, what comes after “League of Losers”?

RK: There's something very special planned for issue #19 and Marvel would probably kill me (or at least hurt me) if I were to give it away. Let's just say it involves two characters... teaming up... I'm afraid I've already said too much.

Marvel Team-Up #14 is scheduled to be in stores on November 2.

Invincible #25 just hit stores Wednesday.

Kirkman is also writing The Walking Dead for Image.

For earlier interviews with the writer, click here and here.

[Ace]

Given who he's using in the next story arc, I always find it sort of interesting to note when Kirkman must have started to read comics, namely the same time I did, the early 90s. That's the only possible way you'd get a strong affinity for Sleepwalker, Darkhawk, Terror, Inc., and yes, Superpro. I remember buying Superpro 1 off the shelves as a young lad because I was a dumb kid buying every #1 there was. You could see it in his Cap run too, which was very much inspired by the Gruenwald run, and what Gruenwald was doing at that point in his run.

It'll be interesting when more creators from my generation start doing work for the big two. If they're half as good as Kirkman, then things should be ok.

[saiyanspider]

Love Spidey, Love Invincible! Will love this cross-over!

I can't wait to see Sleepwalker, and Darkhawk back in action!!!

[NightRiver]

Originally posted by MattBrady


It deals with villains from the future coming back in time with knowledge of current Marvel heroes--more or less taking them all out and taking over the world. So it's up to the superheroes who aren't popular enough to be well known in the future to rise to the challenge and save the world. It's really my love letter to D-list Marvel characters. I think all these guys have merit and should be given the limelight from time to time. Who am I talking about? Well, Darkhawk, Sleepwalker, Terror Inc, and SuperPro for starters--there will be many others who participate through the course of the book as well, but I'll keep them under wraps for the time being.

This is a great idea to showcase the lower tier heroes. I like Darkhawk and hope he becomes the next Moon Knight. In the sense that ppl will clamor and talk about wanting a new series for Darkhawk, until Marvel makes one.

I just got on the Invincible bandwagon recently, and im loving this universe that Kirkman created. So im really looking forward to MTU #14. I think its cool of him to tie MTU 14 to Invincible 33.

[saiyanspider]

Originally posted by NightRiver
This is a great idea to showcase the lower tier heroes. I like Darkhawk and hope he becomes the next Moon Knight. In the sense that ppl will clamor and talk about wanting a new series for Darkhawk, until Marvel makes one.

I just got on the Invincible bandwagon recently, and im loving this universe that Kirkman created. So im really looking forward to MTU #14. I think its cool of him to tie MTU 14 to Invincible 33.

I just hope they keep the original costume, it was so good I don't see a reason to tweak it.

"I won't be ignoring anything set up there, I'm a fan of that book, I'm just not a fan of Brian K. Vaughan as a person."

What beef does Robert Kirkman have with Vaughan???

[WizendSage]

I didn't know Kirkman had issues with Vaughn. Anyone care to enlighten me?

[adamcasey]

I really can't wait!

[Murphix]

Originally posted by Lucifugeny
"I won't be ignoring anything set up there, I'm a fan of that book, I'm just not a fan of Brian K. Vaughan as a person."

What beef does Robert Kirkman have with Vaughan???

That's just what I thought! Kinda sketchy, I say. Hopefully it was just a playful jest. I've heard there's been too much of this writer-on-writer hate going around.

[NightRiver]

Originally posted by saiyanspider
I just hope they keep the original costume, it was so good I don't see a reason to tweak it.

Who Darkhawk? His costume in Runaways is pretty consistent from his series in the 90s.

[maybeitsteve]

He's being facetious. All those Marvel writers like to make jokes that they hate each other. Vaughn picks on Millar's height. Bendis prints Kirkman's phone number in a letter column. Everyone picks on Bendis and Vaughns lack of hair. Etc.

[Punchy]

This looks awesome!

I knew it had something to do with Angstrom Levy.

League Of Losers? Sounds cool, giving some spotlight to lesser known heroes.

[saiyanspider]

Originally posted by NightRiver
Who Darkhawk? His costume in Runaways is pretty consistent from his series in the 90s.

I mean if they do give him a new series, be it limited or ongoing.

[Peagle8]

NRAMA: Back to MTU, what comes after “League of Losers”?

RK: There's something very special planned for issue #19 and Marvel would probably kill me (or at least hurt me) if I were to give it away. Let's just say it involves two characters... teaming up... I'm afraid I've already said too much.

LOL!

Looking forward to MTU #14. Hopefully we get to see Invincible kicking the crap out of some classic Marvel villains.

Originally posted by maybeitsteve
He's being facetious. All those Marvel writers like to make jokes that they hate each other. Vaughn picks on Millar's height. Bendis prints Kirkman's phone number in a letter column. Everyone picks on Bendis and Vaughns lack of hair. Etc.

Well that did not sound facetious,because it did not have a punchline........i mean to say i do not like someone as a person is pretty upfront and no veiled humor in that.

[Agent69]

Personally, I want to know how copyrights works with this crossover. For example, does Kirkman and Marvel both share reprint rights, just Marvel, or no one?

[Mr Wesley]

I wonder what the chances will be of having Invincible appear in an upcoming trade of MTU. Trades are a different animal than regular issues.

For the speculators, that might make it worth it to pick the issue up right there.

[MarkG72]

I am all over this.

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by Agent69
Personally, I want to know how copyrights works with this crossover. For example, does Kirkman and Marvel both share reprint rights, just Marvel, or no one?

Well, Marvel will technically 'own' this issue. It's been released by them, the master films are theirs. Given Kirkman's current cheery relationship with Marvel, I'd say there has been some arrangement for Kirkman to reprint it possibly.

But who knows? He may have taken a bigger chunk of money or opted for some royalties for any trade paperback in lieu of reprint rights.

[Gordon McAlpin]

Originally posted by Agent69
Personally, I want to know how copyrights works with this crossover. For example, does Kirkman and Marvel both share reprint rights, just Marvel, or no one?

Probably Marvel owns the copyright outright, since I can't imagine them drafting any agreement that would make them have to renegotiate any time they wanted to go back to press on the (inevitable) trade, but Kirkman (& co) will undoubtedly get an already agreed-to royalty from any and all reprints.

Just a guess though. It's what I'd have suggested if I was the editor (or writer or artist) involved.

P.S. Why would Robert Kirkman be a member of BKV.TV's forums if he and Brian Vaughan had some big beef? Guys, it was a joke.

[Trachman]

I Love the idea of this crossover. I really enjoy both comics that why they're at the top of pull list. can wait to see the relationship between Spidy and INVINCIBLE, and the New Avengers are making a appearance thats awesome!

[Supreme Convoy]

Originally posted by Lucifugeny
Well that did not sound facetious,because it did not have a punchline........i mean to say i do not like someone as a person is pretty upfront and no veiled humor in that.

Yeah, I knew he was joking... but at the same time it did seem blunt. That or it must be early in the morning for me.

Nonetheless, I'm excited about this issue of Marvel Team-Up. I really have to get my ass in gear to pick up the Invincible hardcover.

[Fazhoul]

I've been enjnoying MTU so far and I hope that Marvel keeps it going past issue #24.

[Peagle8]

Originally posted by Supreme Convoy
Yeah, I knew he was joking... but at the same time it did seem blunt. That or it must be early in the morning for me.

Nonetheless, I'm excited about this issue of Marvel Team-Up. I really have to get my ass in gear to pick up the Invincible hardcover.

If you read The Walking Dead letters page (and you should be reading this book ), there's a lot of that kind of humor from Kirkman.

And good luck finding the Invincible HC.

[Michael P]

I'm definitely there for the Invincible issue, and I might stick around for the "Legion of Losers" story, seeing as how the Sleepwalker, Darkhawk, and Superpro era was my formative time in comics as well.

Bonus points to Kirkman if he can somehow work in that "Sandman done right" tagline DeFalco came up with for Sleepwalker.