MARC ANDREYKO: RETURNING TO MANHUNTER

[MattBrady]

As we announced last Thursday, DC’s Manhunter is finally coming back, restarting with issue #31 in June. Writer/creator Marc Andreyko will be returning, this time out joined by artist Michael (Alias) Gaydos on the series.

As DC readers know, the acclaimed series has had trouble in its four year existence getting and holding on to a readership, with one cancellation already reversed. Will this third time be the charm? We spoke with Andreyko about the book’s prospects as well as what readers can expect to see in the series’ pages when it gets rolling in June.

Newsarama: First off Marc, it's been a while since the announcement that the five issue extension worked and that the series would be coming back and now. What took so long to get this particular ball rolling again?

Marc Andreyko: A number of things, actually. One being I needed a little time to get back in the mindset of Manhunter being an "open-ended" monthly again (after trying to wrap stuff up in #25 and then again in #30). It's a great problem to have, but I was still a little whiplashed by it all.

Second was finding the right artist at the right time. Matthew Clark was originally going to do the first arc, but we did some flopping of storylines that took some time to get ready and Matt had to move on. Luckily, Michael Gaydos was available! I’ve known Mike for years and always wanted to work with him. We were both in Spain last fall and I talked to him seriously about doing Manhunter. He was interested, Joan Hilty (my editor) was interested, and the rest is history.

NRAMA: Let’s talk about coming back to the characters and finding that “open-ended” mindset again. Was there any hesitation or apprehension given the recent cancellation/return, or was it mostly just finding the fight stories and plot threads, and like getting back on a bike?

MA: Writing this book has been one of the most enjoyable things I do. After the second un-cancellation, our mission in the DCU has changed to exploring issues that will definitely raise some eyebrows out there. That’s not to say we are presenting morality plays or After School Specials. There are no easy answers, no pat solutions, and no didactic speeches. When you add in doing this in the DCU, who wouldn't be excited to write that?

NRAMA: Let's talk about your Manhunter - Kate Spencer herself - where does this arc that starts in #31? Are you following what happened right after #30, or has some time passed? After all, she's been in Birds of Prey and here and there since...

MA: Some time has passed, but it isn't a major plot point like the whole OYL thing. Birds of Prey are acknowledged right from the start, and, for the newbies, there will be a "previously in Manhunter" opening that will bring you up to speed. And if you really like what you read, Manhunter #1-30 have been collected in four gorgeous tpbs!

NRAMA: Okay, so take us inside her head a little - some time has passed since she originally took up the costume...how has she changed? How does she see herself in the larger superhuman world?

MA: Kate is feeling more confident in her role as Manhunter and more a part of the superhuman community. There are still a lot of heroes who don't like her methods, but, luckily for Kate, they've been distracted by Final Crisis. But, they will not forget her and may come looking for her sooner than she expects....

NRAMA: Let's talk about the genesis of this opening arc - was this something that you had planned as a continuation back with the original series, or is this something new? What was the original spark for the story itself?

MA: The first arc deals with Ciudad Juarez just across the border from El Paso, Tx. Over the past 10 years or so, over 400 women have been murdered and, by some accounts, over 1000 women have just disappeared.

I've been fascinated by this story for a long time and, right now, it hits other hot-button issues like immigration, loss of jobs, racism, and the total silence surrounding what many in Mexico have dubbed "femicide".

NRAMA: Given the books dance with cancellation and history, are you writing it any differently? Something like a Batman appearances on every page or something to pull the audience in?

MA: Well, we are gonna find out that Dylan is a Skrull and Mark Shaw is actually a New New God, so that should help. [laughs] Actually, I’m not writing it dreading imminent demise. I can't think that way or the writing will be difficult and, more than likely, not very good. So, I write each arc and will keep going until either we go under a third time or until I have personally sent a copy of Manhunter to every house in the lower 48!

That being said, some of the upcoming stuff will probably make some noise in the "real world", so that should help, too.

NRAMA: So let’s hear about it. Tease out this first arc a little - what gets Kate involved with the disappearances? And her JSA tie? Can you bring us up to speed on that?

MA: Kate gets involved at the behest of a friend, and gets really involved when she finds out the details of these horrors.

And which JSA tie? Her grandmother (original Phantom Lady), Her gramps (Iron Munroe), Obsidian, her cousin Jack Knight? So many ties to choose from....

NRAMA: Okay, okay…backing up to talk about Michael on art for a second, what’s your view of what he’s done so far?

MA: You've all seen the pages that Mike is turning in – and I'm beyond thrilled! Mike is doing some of the best work of his career and it's only his first issue!

NRAMA: Do you find yourself writing for Michael, or is this a series that his style fits already, so there's not really any meeting in the middle needed?

MA: I'm writing the way I've always written Manhunter. I've been blessed to have great artists on the book, so I give them a lot of freedom in the art more often than not. And Michael has more than risen to the occasion. Plus, since we are friends, he can call me anytime he wants if he has ideas, questions, things he hates, etc.

NRAMA: Finally, Marc - big picture wise - how far do you have things with Kate planned out? Any broad stroke teases at what readers have to look forward to?

MA: I have six arcs in various stages of plotting and I would love to get Manhunter to #100. so, please, ADVANCE ORDER your copies of #31! And order , I dunno, 5, maybe 10 extras!

[brucehappy]

I love this book. Been with it since the begining and would recommend it to anyone. Marc's a great writer!

Marc, one of the things I've really liked about Saiz and Pina's depiction of Kate has been the lack of overt cheesecake. Will the new artist continue this refreshing approach?

[Demento-man]

man this IS GREAT...i've been waiting for this for sooooo long...and SIX arcs!!...i'm in..

[Corpulent1]

Sounds great. I'll be glad to see Manhunter again. Since I got into it just a few months before the extension, I'll probably pick up those trades at some point, too. Can't wait to see where Kate, Chase, Obsidian, et al. are now, after some time has passed.

[Dr Manolis Dooplove]

manhunters been gone way too long...

not sure how keeping the original numbering each time is helpnig the book. they should have been doing these as a series of limited series. a #1 is the only thing that could attract new readers other than word of mouth.

[reflecto]

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!
I just hope Damon, Todd, and Cameron Chase are all still intact as members of the supporting cast.

[alaska1125]

Anyone who enjoys this book should talk it up to freinds and neighbors. I, too, would love to see a Manhunter #100.

[AlterEgoComics]

Manhunter is the best book that you are not reading! Seriously this comic is amazing and everyone should be adding it to their pull list.


Jason

[vbartilucci]

Anyway, looking forward to this new look. I'm hoping that like Simon Dark, the book sort of goes off on its own, looking into areas the other books don't touch. I knew Marc was planning to make the book much more issues-based and controversial, so I'm keen to see how much he can get into the books.

[Moriarty]

I've been eagerly awaiting the return of this gem of a book. Let it begin!

[Clem]

I was thinking of scaling back on comics due to having no money, but no way would i miss out on the return of Manhunter.

I'm glad Marc's decided to take the book in its own direction. That last arc seemed a little odd with all those guest stars. It wasn't so much Manhunter, as "Wonder Woman: Pimpin' My Ride".

Good call on Gaydos. He's gonna rock.

[rwe1138]

So, so happy. I weep tears of joy. More Kate, more Todd, more Cameron, MORE DYLAN!!! I can't wait.

[DaVeO]

I love Kate, I love Marc, I love Dylan, Cameron and Obsidian. I love Manhunter, and I have a T-Shirt (Thanks Marc) to prove it. EAGERLY waiting for June.

[BornToRun]

Originally Posted by Dr Manolis Dooplove

manhunters been gone way too long...

not sure how keeping the original numbering each time is helpnig the book. they should have been doing these as a series of limited series. a #1 is the only thing that could attract new readers other than word of mouth.

I don't know. Marc raises a very valid point about "real-world" issues being something that can attract attention. Look at the way Quesada successfully whores himself around the mainstream press. Besides, a book without "Super-" "Bat-" or "X-" in the title that reaches fifty issues? That would be a hell of a thing in today's market, and for a frequently-troubled book like this to hit a milestone like that would draw some attention.

[BornToRun]

Originally Posted by DaVeO

I love Kate, I love Marc, I love Dylan, Cameron and Obsidian. I love Manhunter, and I have a T-Shirt (Thanks Marc) to prove it. EAGERLY waiting for June.

They made Manhunter t-shirts?? How did I miss this?!

[jza1218]

ABOUT TIME!!!

I've been waiting forever. I can't wait!!!

[SpaceButler]

This is going to be awesome.

[Kevenn]

I hope Matthew Clark can eventually come and do an arc. I love his art. He would be a great match for Manhunter.

I thought the storyarc was going to be about Manhunter taking on Pro-Life supervillains. I'm guessing that got changed? It sounded intriguing. I hope they end up exploring it = since that abortion clinic did get bombed at the end of issue #30.

I'm just glad to see this title back. I miss Kate and Todd and Damon and Dylan and Cameron and Mark.

[TheJerkle]

No issue #1? Way to go DC marketing team, you've done it again. Cancelled by issue #40

[Gail Simone]

Anyone who doesn't buy this book hates everything good in the world.

Gail

[christosgage]

I've seen some of the art by Michael Gaydos and it's fantastic. If you liked Bendis' Alias, if you liked Manhunter before, if you just plain like good comics, check this out!

CNG

[Dhaise]

Originally Posted by BornToRun

They made Manhunter t-shirts?? How did I miss this?!

Marc had a custom batch up whipped up to thank supporters of the book. Black T shirt with the cover to issue 3 on it.

Getting this book back is great news!

[CaptainCanad]

I was really looking forward to this book coming back, but Gaydos is a huge turnoff; the black-and-white stuff we've been shown looks okay, but if it's going to get that same awful colouring style his Alias and New Avengers stuff got, I'm not interested in paying money for that.

[Korvac]

Thank you, Marc. I'm so happy the book is coming back.

[Pseudoderm]

Originally Posted by Gail Simone

Anyone who doesn't buy this book hates everything good in the world.

Gail

Ha, ha! This should be the cover blurb to issue #31 and its eventual trade!


I love Manhunter and I LOVED Alias...this book was Bendis' & Gaydos' tour de force. Getting Gaydos on Manhunter is a brilliant move and a no-brainer for sales. Manhunter, with its "I know I can survive" attitude, brilliant writer and artist and super-loyal fanbase should make this the surprise comic event of the year.

His art in Alias is probably some of my favorite comic art of all-time. This is the best news ever.

And why are so many people calling for a new #1? It seems like more fans like the higher numbering structure because it implies stability and history. People were mad when Flash started over and were quite happy to see its original numbering structure start again. A new number one should only be "issued" when a book goes through a major change like Catwoman did a few years back, or like JLA does after every crisis. Starting the book over now, IMO, wouldm ake it seem weaker. When it reaches #50 then it can be celebrated. (Invincible is almost there and the excellent Jonah Hex is a little over halfway there...)

Can't wait for Manhunter's return Marc!! DC rules for refusing to let this quality title slip away.