RON MARZ AND MICHAEL BROUSSARD ON UNHOLY UNION

[MattBrady]

This week, the Unholy Union of Top Cow and Marvel hits, teaming characters such as Witchblade and the Darkness with the likes of Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, and a few more familiar faces. The one-shot is a full-fledged meeting of the Marvel and Top Cow Universes, and, while traditionally, Marvel acknowledges crossover storylines with a wink and a nod, Unholy Union’s ramifications will play a role in the following week’s First Born miniseries written by UU’s writer, Ron Marz.

In addition to the wholesale meeting of the universes, Unholy Union also marks the big-time debut of artist Michael Broussard. We offered Marz a chance to show us if he still has his interviewing chops, and he jumped at the offer.

Ron Marz: You know, I actually used to do this for a living. I was a journalist before I started writing comics. I interviewed Clive Barker, Melissa Etheridge, Robin Zander from Cheap Trick and a bunch of others, so you're in good hands. Usually you start off with a real softball question to get the subject comfortable ... but the hell with that. Who are you and how did you get this job?

Michael Broussard: My name is Michael Broussard and for those of you who do not know me yet… I'm the new guy at Top Cow. You might have seen my background work in Civil War: The Initiative and a few Darkness promo pieces. As for how I got this job, and I am not kidding when I say this, it was one submission!

RM: So you’re the one in a thousand case who gets in with his first submission. What kind of comics did you read as a kid? And who do you look at now as artistic influences?



MB: Well, Ron, as a kid I had two favorite books: X-Men and Superman. Odd combination, I know. I would have to say my biggest influences are Marc Silvestri and Jim Lee. In my opinion, those are two of the best guys who have ever drawn comics.

RM: I tend to be pretty picky when it comes to the artists I work with. When Rob Levin initially said, "We're thinking about a new guy on this" I was a little worried. But then he sent your stuff, and I like, "I thought you said this was a new guy?" At the risk of polishing your apple, you're pretty damn good, especially for someone who's never drawn much of anything before. Could you always just do this, or were there years of hard labor that we haven't been privy to?

MB: I've been drawing since I was a toddler, so it’s sort of a natural thing I guess. Once I started to take my talent seriously, honing my skills took years of practice and studying all types of art books. Eventually I figured out how to adapt my artwork into the hyper reality of comics.

RM: Unholy Union isn't the typical "starter issue" that a new artist gets. It's got multiple characters -- Witchblade, the Darkness, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Doctor Strange -- and big action pieces. We crammed a hell of a lot into one issue. Was it daunting to tackle a project like this right out of the gate?

MB: Very daunting, since this was my first book. I had a lot to prove, and it was a struggle. And you’re right, this is not your typical starter issue. There were a lot of characters, big names, and tight deadlines.

RM: What's your favorite page in the book? By the way, I think you should sell me page 2, since it's such a kick-ass Doctor Strange page.

MB: I don’t think I have a favorite page, per se. Although the Ghost Rider spread on pages 6 and 7 was the one I had the most fun with. Page 2 had some cool stuff to draw so I think we should wrestle for that one. Loser taps out? Just joking, page 2 is all yours.

RM: Sweet! Any pages that gave you a lot of trouble?

MB: Yeah! The spread on 10 and 11. It was just one of those double pagers where you’re just not quite sure how to capture the shot that’s floating around in your head.

RM: Tell me the truth, what was it like working on my script?

MB: Okay, Ron … it was pretty tough. But that’s because I had the task of putting together sequences that had to be drawn just as well as your script was written.

RM: That kind of sucking up will carry you far, young Jedi. Walk me through your working process. Rob sends you the script ... then what happens?

MB: First my head explodes… then I proceed with the reading of the script. After I've made all my notes I begin to lay things out on 8 1/2" x 11" sketch paper. Once the layouts are approved, then the magic happens. After hours of wracking my brain and drawing on 11"x 17" art boards... voila! Sequential pages are born.

RM: So next up for you is the monthly Darkness book, which debuts later this year, with Phil Hester writing. I've read the first couple of scripts, and it's very cool stuff that takes Jackie Estacado to places -- literally and figuratively -- that he hasn't gone before. How do you like working on the character?

MB: Lovin’ it. There’s a lot of room to play. I get to create this other side of Jackie, but also give the reader what they already know and love about The Darkness.

RM: That Phil Hester is one lucky s.o.b. working with you. It’s my own damn fault for suggesting him. The Darkness video game has just hit stories, and looks like it's a pretty huge critical and commercial success. Are you feeling any pressure with all the attention that's presently focused on the character?

MB: No pressure, just anxious to get going. The Darkness is much bigger than it’s ever been before. It’s reached out beyond the realm of comics into the world of mainstream entertainment. And quite frankly, I'm very pleased to be a part of it all.

RM: Top Cow has a great track record in terms of honing artists and sending them on to impressive careers: Michael Turner, Dave Finch, Brandon Peterson, Mike Choi. Did that play any part in submitting your work to the studio?

MB: Not really. I always believed that Top Cow was a place of quality. And what better place to start my career than in the house that Silvestri built?

RM: What have you learned from working alongside Marc Silvestri? I mean, besides that he towers over you like a giant?

MB: I’ve learned plenty, including one of the most important things in drawing comics -- how to tell a story. To quote Marc, "Comics are much more than just drawing pictures.”

[Giorgio]

Pencils are really nice.
And I like the attention Marvel is in general giving to Doctor Strange. He is a good character!

[stlfan79]

I didn't order this initially because I thought it was a collecting of previous Marvel/Cow crossovers after only skimming the Image section of my stores preview section. I will have to go in to the store to pick it up now that I see it isn't.

[songsaboutoh]

As far as Top Cow artists go, this guy's not bad. Not great, but not bad.

[Evil@work]

My faith in top cow has just been recently restored by the Darkness Video game that just came out. This book looks awsome, I will get it.

[Speedball93]

I like this guys stuff. I had been on the fence about picking up the new Darkness book, but with this guy doing the pencils, my decision seems to be made for me.

[STL]

This guy is a very good artist. He'll be going places if this is hum at the start of his career