MULTITASK MAN: MARC GUGGENHEIM

[MattBrady]

by Zack Smith

Marc Guggenheim is used to multi-tasking. He started off as an intern at Marvel…then became an attorney…then became a TV writer, scripting multiple episodes of such shows as The Practice, Law & Order, and CSI: Miami. Last year, he came back to comics as a writer, working on the likes of Wolverine and Squadron Supreme: Hyperion/Nighthawk.

Currently the writer of the recently canceled Blade and The Flash, Guggenheim has also recently worked as a writer and producer on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters...and now, it appears his life will get even more complicated. In addition to his increasing profile as a comic book writer, his new series Eli Stone, co-created with Brothers & Sisters’ Greg Berlanti (Everwood) was recently announced for ABC’s midseason schedule. It’s a legal drama with…a bit of a twist. The busy Guggenheim took some time out to tell us about the series and his upcoming projects…including a certain Flash cover that’s been attracting just a little bit of attention.

Newsarama Note: This interview was conducted prior to the official word that Blade was canceled was released.

Newsarama: First off, congratulations on the new series!

Marc Guggenheim: Thanks! I really appreciate it. Thanks for being interested.

NRAMA: This has got to be very exciting.

MG: It is. It's crazy exciting. And just plain crazy.

NRAMA: How'd you find out about the pick-up?

MG: It was a little surreal. These things never go as expected. I was placing a call to our line producer just to touch base with him as the call from the network with the official pick-up was coming into the office, so there was a moment of, "How did Marc know when to call?"

NRAMA: How long have you been developing this series?

MG: Greg and I have been working on it together since April of 2006. So... a long time.

NRAMA: What's your collaboration with Greg like?

MG: It's great. Greg and I worked together on Jack & Bobby (coincidentally enough, co-created by Brad Meltzer) and we have a very good sense of how each other likes to work. Greg is one of those once-in-a-generation TV geniuses but, fortunately, is also a once-every-other-generation genius who doesn't have an ego. He not only lets me do what I do, but he actually encourages it.

NRAMA: What’s Eli Stone about, and who's in it?

MG: It's about a high-powered lawyer who discovers that he might be a prophet. I say "might" because he's also suffering from an aneurysm which affects the part of the brain responsible for religious experience.

ABC has a scene from the pilot posted on their website: http://abc.go.com/fallpreview/elistone/index?u=0

Jonny Lee Miller (Smith) plays Eli -- and brilliantly so. Our regular cast also includes Victor Garber (Alias), Natasha Henstridge (Species), Loretta Devine (Gray’s Anatomy) and Broadway actors Laura Benanti and James Saito. Oh, and there's this up and coming musical talent named George Michael who is critical to the pilot.

NRAMA: So many jokes about why he might appear before a lawyer…I've seen plenty of shows and movies about corporate lawyers seeing the light...but never one where they thought they might be a prophet.

MG: I'm glad. Otherwise, the writers of those shows would probably sue me and Greg.

NRAMA: How did this idea come about, and how does your own experience as a lawyer play into it?

MG: Well, I have an aneurysm and Greg used to be a prophet... No. Waitaminute. That's not right. Basically, the idea started with Greg -- the whole prophet and aneurysm thing. It's his brainchild. And when it occurred to him to make the protagonist a lawyer, he brought me into the project.

NRAMA: What roles are you filling on the show, and now that it's picked up, what duties lie ahead in bringing this to series?

MG: As I write this, I'm twenty minutes away from our first meeting with our production designer. That's a big piece of the puzzle. We're also finalizing our writing staff. Just waiting on a couple of those deals to close. Then there's hiring directors, etc. Basically, we're building the infrastructure, both physical and personal, that we'll need to produce the show on a weekly basis. That's the next week or so. Then we'll start hammering out the next episode.

NRAMA: You have a killer cast...There's how many Tony and Emmy nominations among these people? How does it feel to have your words coming out of Victor Garber's mouth?

MG: It's pretty amazing. I'm a huge Alias fan and Victor was an incredible get for us. Plus, he's just about the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet. In fact, every single member of our cast, in addition to being crazy talented, are incredibly lovely people. Believe me, that's something you learn to value in television.

NRAMA: How do you plan to balance out your comic book writing with your obligations to the show? There have been several screenwriters/comic writers who…have had some problems staying on schedule.

MG: Who? Kidding. Seriously, I just spent yesterday with all my various editors in NY working out that very issue. Part of it involves reducing my workload -- which I'd already been planning on doing, because there've been big chunks of this past year where I was carrying five books and that's just too much – and the other part of it involves getting ahead on some stuff so that as the TV series really ramps up work-wise, I've got a comfortable cushion. Plus, I write pretty fast and I certainly plan on continuing to do that. So, in short, there's a strategy. I pride myself on being a "Hollywood guy" who hits his deadlines and I definitely plan on sticking to that in the upcoming year.

NRAMA: Good to see you’re staying on top of things. So what are the major differences in writing a TV series vs. writing a comic, the advantages and disadvantages of one medium over the other?

MG: The biggest difference is the whole static vs. moving thing. The other difference, I suppose, is a genre thing -- there are a lot more superhero stories being told in comics than in television (though that's obviously changing) and there are more, say, crime procedurals being told in TV than in comics (though there are notable examples of procedurals in comics). As for advantages and disadvantages...in comics over TV, there's a big advantage in terms of an unlimited visual effects budget. I doubt I could, say, crash a Helicarrier on television – at least, not without going 15 rounds with the moneymen on how costly that would be. However, with television, you can reach a much bigger audience. Millions instead of thousands of people. I could go on and on

NRAMA: You know, if you could find a way to crash a Helicarrier on Eli Stone, it would be the greatest legal drama ever.

Why do you feel so many screenwriters have come to work in comics?

MG: Good question. I think most, if not all, are comic book fans. That's the first factor. The second factor, the second piece of the puzzle, is the fact that comics have become more accepting of screenwriters, to the point of actively recruiting them. I don't think you'd see this trend without desire on both the part of the writers AND the comic book companies.

NRAMA: Let’s talk about the books you’re currently working on. What's coming up in Blade?

MG: We're barreling toward the finish of our first year. Issue 10 features a reunion with Spider-Man and the revelation of what exactly was going on in that elementary school waaaay back before the opening sequence of Issue 1. Howard's done an amazing job rendering the events of that sequence but from a totally different perspective. We're going to find out what both Spider-Man and Dracula were doing in that school and how Spidey got turned into a vampire. Then, Issues #11 and #12 will be our first legitimate two-parter, wrapping up the whole "Tyrana Prophecy" mythology I've been dropping clues to throughout this entire series. Issue #11 takes us back to Dracula's castle -- but it doesn't still look like you'd expect it to. It's... under new management. And for Issue #12 I have a special surprise that I can't divulge just yet, but it's a little gift for the hardcore Blade fans who have stuck with us thus far.

NRAMA: What's it like working with Howard Chaykin on that book?

MG: Dude, it's Howard friggin' Chaykin! It's like working with the Washington Monument. The guy's so good and so professional. And unlike a lot of artists, he's actually gotten better over the decades. I went back to my old issues of his work to check and there's really some remarkable growth there -- and he was pretty amazing to begin with. I think he brings a lot of value to Blade besides his A-game. He really plays up the humor of the book and gives it a dark yet sophisticated visual style. I think he's a huge reason why the critical response has been as positive as it is.

NRAMA: And, um, there’s the matter of a certain issue of Flash shipping next week that’s been generating a lot of buzz…can you offer us any hints as to what will happen?

MG: Big stuff is coming up. Huge. However, it's been so huge we can't even solicit it outright without spoiling, so there's nothing I can tell you without doing the same. That having been said, some hints about Flash #13:

1) Barry appears. Kinda.

2) The splash page is a homage to a classic Flash-related cover.

3) There are a lot of candles.

4) Bart says, "I. Am. The. Flash!!!!"

5) Inertia gets his comeuppance.

6) Everyone who thinks I've gotten Piper wrong should check this issue out.

7) Bart's relationship with Val takes a major step forward.

8) Bart puts a chokehold on his grandmother. No, really.

NRAMA: Do you have any other comic projects on the horizon?

MG: Yes. I'm working on getting Resurrection, my creator-owned series for Oni Press off the ground. We have an artist and he's doing amazing work. I can't wait 'til we announce more about the book. I'm also writing a second Wolverine arc for Marvel. This one's five issues and it picks up on some of the themes of my "Vendetta" arc, but isn't really a direct sequel. Plus, I'm doing a project for Marvel I'm extremely excited about and is actually making up a big chunk of my workload, but can't talk about as yet.

Check out some preview pages from Wolverine #57, featuring art by Scott Kolins and a new cover by Arthur Suydam. Eli Stone is currently scheduled to premiere midseason on ABC.

[Marvel Man]

first?

he didn't mention anything about the cancellation of blade? i really liked his "vendetta" arc on wolverine, can't wait for what he has in store next...

[Uncle Jawa]

Was this interview done before the news of Blade being cancelled?

I may have to start buying WOLVERINE again, if Kolins is coming on to do the art.

[skaly]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Currently the writer of the recently canceled Blade and The Flash....

Damn. I guess they really are killing him.

[FireLight]

Nice to see he's got a grip on his scheduling and work load. I for one am liking the new Flash run - not so much the minute details or slightly off characterizations - but the 'where is this going' has me very interested. Also his hints leads me(us?) to believe that Bart A) doesn't die and B) continues as the Flash...

As a legal-show liker - I look forward to Eli Stone. Wolverine - I read his first run - it was ok - not great. Kolin's should definitely be interesting.

[creatorman]

Any chance there will be a Hardcover collection of all 12 issues of Blade? I wouldn't mind picking that up.

[skaly]

Originally Posted by creatorman

Any chance there will be a Hardcover collection of all 12 issues of Blade? I wouldn't mind picking that up.

Not likely. Maybe if the book is successfully relaunched like Runaways. I'm planning to get the two trades, myself.

[MHELLER1974]

The one thing this article is missing is more about the cancellation of Blade.
But perhaps, Mr Guggenheim isn't wanting to discuss that further.
I am a huge fan of Blade, but I am fearful that the property is officially dead.
The character has been in by my recollection 3 failed series since the Midnight Sons era, a movie series that ended on a sour note, and a television series that was not renewed.
I keep hoping that things will turn around, but I think Marvel has now exhausted every opportunity to keep this character going. I would like to know what Mr Guggenheim's opinion is as to how come Blade failed this time.

[MGuggenheim]

Just FYI, I did this interview AFTER Blade had been cancelled but BEFORE that new went public.

[Jed Saxon]

Do those Wolverine pages look terrific or not? Well I AM on board for that.
Still missing "Blade" though. Marvel's second best book and they cancel it. *grrrr*

[whitemarkd]

Originally Posted by MGuggenheim

Just FYI, I did this interview AFTER Blade had been cancelled but BEFORE that new went public.

Great job on Flash, Marc - I'm sure a lot of fans (including me) wish you would have begun the relaunch rather than having to rescue it!

[Tom Daylight]

Hyperion Vs Nighthawk is a great book that people should check out. Highlights an important political issue and rams it down your throat, yet all in the name of story.

[Salustrade]

Originally Posted by MGuggenheim

Just FYI, I did this interview AFTER Blade had been cancelled but BEFORE that new went public.

Not sure if this is really the "real" Mr M Guggenhiem or just some random poster on the rama, but I've got a question for you.

You were credited as saying that one of the differences between Blade and Angel (Of Buffy fame) is that Angel possesses a soul whils Blade does not.

I was wondering how you came to this conclusion when nothing in Blade's canon dating back to his creation as a character back in the 1970's Tomb Of Dracula comics supports this premise.

Was this a misrepresentation of your position during the interview, or do you actually really hold this opinion?

Thanks for reading.

[Papercut Fun]

It was Ramos' art that brought me to Wolverine (I think I was looking for something that looked "fun" that week) and was hooked by Marc's storytelling. I'm now back on Flash thanks to Marc joining the book and was hoping to jump on Blade when a trade of the first issues came out, but never got the chance. He's one to watch and cleary has alot of fun with the characters he takes on while staying very true to the core of a character.

And he seems to have the discipline of a Jeff Leob in terms of effectively managing the workload of comics and TV writing. That's an all too rare quality in recent years. Congrats on the success Marc!

[MGuggenheim]

Originally Posted by Salustrade

Not sure if this is really the "real" Mr M Guggenhiem or just some random poster on the rama, but I've got a question for you. You were credited as saying that one of the differences between Blade and Angel (Of Buffy fame) is that Angel possesses a soul whils Blade does not. I was wondering how you came to this conclusion when nothing in Blade's canon dating back to his creation as a character back in the 1970's Tomb Of Dracula comics supports this premise. Was this a misrepresentation of your position during the interview, or do you actually really hold this opinion?

You're correct that nothing established in Tomb of Dracula supports my no-soul premise, but nothing contradicts it, either. Thus, in my opinion, it was an open question and I chose the answer that best served the story.

Thanks for reading (the book, I mean)!

[0bsessions]

An arc? AN ARC?!?! I cry foul! I want a full on run! I like Millar, but I thought his Wolverine was garbage. I like Loeb, but he's failed to impress me at all. Guggenheim was the first writer since Rucka to really make me want to pick up that title regularly and I'd kill to see him stay on the title. Seriously, point and say the word. While Millar's Wolverine was too much the remorseless killer, Guggenheim got the perfect action movie style Wolverine I loved when I was growing up, without going to far in the direction him being indistinguishable from the villains. The whole "I'm gonna cut and cut until the problem's solved, bub, 'cause I'm the best at what I do" thing, but always with a good reason. It wasn't necessarily the deepest reading, but it was fun the whole way through and something that had me eager to read throughout his brief run.

[dalan]

I loved the "Vendetta" arc. Probably the best Wolverine I've read in years outside of Millar's "Enemy of the State" epic. If Guggenheim is coming back to do more AND bringing Kollins on art, I will be buying every issue of this. That preview art is gorgeous! I haven't seen Wolverine looking better than that in awhile. Very, very excited for this.

[MHELLER1974]

Ahh, well that makes sense than.
Can't help but mention, I am terribly bummed out they cancelled Blade.
I think you and Howard had the best Blade run so far.
Unfortunately, some folks who write for film, T.V., and novels haven't in my opinion been able to write as well in comics. Who am I to say that it should be as easy, but there is a definite disparity between the quality of your work and the work of certain other people's work out there who I won't name, yours being significantly better.
I will definitely watch your new show when it comes out on ABC, it looks great.

[caats19]

you have pulled me back into flash marc. i'm def gonna be reading flash for as long as you're on it. i'm really effin excited for next week

[Maurice M]

Despite not liking any of the fantasy stuff going on with Wolverine lately, I really liked your run! Was happy to hear you were coming back.

I also really liked your Blade, but was sad with all the tie-in nonsense that dragged the book a bit. It's a problem a lot of newer Marvel titles have had (like War Journal).

Look forward to more from you!

[Salustrade]

Originally Posted by MGuggenheim

You're correct that nothing established in Tomb of Dracula supports my no-soul premise, but nothing contradicts it, either. Thus, in my opinion, it was an open question and I chose the answer that best served the story.

Thanks for reading (the book, I mean)!

Thanks for getting back to me but the absence of contradictory factors does not in itself lend credence to answering a question rendered unnecessary by the fact that Blade for all intents and purposes, is a human who was born naturally as opposed to being turned into a vampire via the more traditional manner.

Deacon Frost's vampiric virulence passed into the infant Eric Brook's via the uncut umbilical cord still attached to his dying mother even as she was being murdered by the aformentioned Mr Frost.

Thus, Blade's eventual development of all the "vampires strengths and none of the weaknesses" whilst still being able to walk about in daylight like any other human, would indicate that the fellow does in fact, possess a soul.

[creatorman]

Originally Posted by skaly

Not likely. Maybe if the book is successfully relaunched like Runaways. I'm planning to get the two trades, myself.

Hmm, I may get the trades then, or just track down all 12 issues.

[slitthroat]

Mr. Guggenheim,

Just wondering..since you have sampled both companies of Marvel and DC. Between both universes is there one where you feel more at ease writing or that the stories and charactors come to you much better than the other? This isn't about favortism,just questioning which universe do you feel a bit more in synch with when writing.

[FallenFate]

Originally Posted by Salustrade

Thanks for getting back to me but the absence of contradictory factors does not in itself lend credence to answering a question rendered unnecessary by the fact that Blade for all intents and purposes, is a human who was born naturally as opposed to being turned into a vampire via the more traditional manner.

Deacon Frost's vampiric virulence passed into the infant Eric Brook's via the uncut umbilical cord still attached to his dying mother even as she was being murdered by the aformentioned Mr Frost.

Thus, Blade's eventual development of all the "vampires strengths and none of the weaknesses" whilst still being able to walk about in daylight like any other human, would indicate that the fellow does in fact, possess a soul.

Why are we using the Buffyverse as a guide here anyway? There has never been anything in Marvel comics that says that vampires don't have souls...in fact, there's a fair amount to contradict that premise. Hannibal King, Blade, even Dracula have all been shown in the MU as having a fair level of compassion. I choose to interpret Marc's remark as more along the lines of "Blade would not hesitate to kill someone that needed killing out of compassion whereas Angel would try to find another way."

[SpyGuy]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Currently the writer of the recently canceled Blade and The Flash...

THE FLASH has been cancelled? Okay, the Wally West series was, then later replaced with THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE that Guggenheim's writing...