MARK MILLAR: ONE MAN EVENT, II

[MattBrady]

We started with Mark Millar yesterday, and covered Fantastic Four and Marvel 1985. Today, we wrap up our two part conversation with the writer by looking at his and John Romita Jr.’s Kick-Ass and his June-debuting arc on Wolverine with Steve McNiven entitled “Old Man Logan.”

Newsarama: Let’s start with Kick-Ass Mark – the first issue is out...you've seen the response, and the second issue hits next week. How does it match up to what you and John were expecting?

Mark Millar: Bloody Hell! What can I say? I've had a pretty amazing run of luck these last few years. Bear in mind that I spent the entire 1990s really trying to get a break. But everything from The Authority onwards has just worked out really, really well. I thought this reached a kind of peak with Ultimates 2, Civil War and Ultimate Fantastic Four all out at once in 2006, but this year is off to a really nice start. Fantastic Four and Kick-Ass have probably been the best received books I've done so far. I couldn't be happier. We had a feeling we were onto something, but given that Icon books usually do between 10 and 20K and we not only came in at 60K, but sold out in a day is just nuts. Another 15,000 copies hit the stores next week, but editor John Barber reckons this still won't be enough, especially now the movie has things getting even more attention. Johnny and I still sort of can't believe it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I feel like Forrest Gump. It's like idiot's luck. I don't know why this keeps happening, but it's nice.

NRAMA: Getting into the story from that first issue, and your protagonist’s motivation, Dave asks what seems to be the central question early on - people want to be Paris Hilton. Why does no one want to be Spider-Man? You're farther into the series now than you were when we first spoke. What's your answer now, compared to earlier? Has it changed?

MM: It's the laws of attraction. People are attracted to success. The minute something looks fun and cool and gets admiration from others they start copying them and the reason nobody's really tried to be a superhero before is because nobody's actually become famous doing it yet. Our book is about what happens when someone does something amazing and ends up a minor celebrity on the Internet for helping someone. The moment you appear in the papers and they're not saying you're an asshole is the moment other people start stitching together costumes. Some of the people on my board have pointed me towards websites selling self-designed costumes for people and 200 volunteers supposedly doing this in real life across America. So I feel, like the fetish scene in a way, this is something about to go mainstream soon. We've just tapped into it at the right time and the film-makers feel the same way. That's why they want to move immediately on this and get it out there next year. It's a very timely concept because real events are about to catch up with us.

NRAMA: What words would you use to describe Dave?

MM: The kind of optimist that only an entire life of reading superhero comics can create. And I think the reason this book resonates with people is because we all understand that. We're all similar personality types if we're even reading Newsarama. I know for a fact that if someone gave me a Green Lantern ring or Thor's hammer I would give it my best shot. Even if it meant looking like an arse and getting killed in a week. But I grew up thinking superhero volunteerism was normal. It seemed like a career option, as Jerry Senfield once said.

NRAMA: Talk about the structure you used for the story. We've got a flash-forward and present day in issue #1 that suggests, while things may be bad at the end of #1, they’re going to go horribly worse.. why go that route, and what does it do for the story that couldn't be done otherwise?

MM: It's a device used often in movies so nothing Earth-shattering and I started in the future for the simple reason that I wanted to show people that things were going to get very serious in the future for Dave and that he wasn't going to be the only superhero around. We got a little glimpse into the world he's living in during the second half of the first storyline.

NRAMA: Revealed in that structure itself is the fact that even after nearly being killed, Dave picks himself up and does it again...why?

MM: Issue two goes on sale Wednesday 2nd of April (and looks gorgeous). It really explains exactly why he does it all over again. This is my favorite aspect of the character. His resilience is really his superpower. He weighs 120 pounds, looks like ____, has no powers and no gadgets, but even when he gets his ass-kicked he will just get back out there and try to help people. It's mental, but very likable and I kinda love him now. He's probably the most idealistic character I've ever written so when bad things happen to him you really feel it. But then the triumphs become really great too as you can share his joy.

NRAMA: Let's wrap up the talk about this with some more from issue #2 and beyond - There's a capture coming up, of course, but by who? Are we looking at a hero creating their own nemesis, a la Unbreakable?

MM: Not directly at the moment, though that's certainly the plan for later. I want to see the heroes first and the copycats begin quite soon. You'll see how and why over the next couple of issues, but there's four or five costumed characters running around this first series. Big Daddy and Hit-Girl are just around the corner and they take the book to a whole new level in issue four. When the director of the upcoming movie read that issue he buzzed me up and said that's the moment he knew he had to do it. It's not really like anything seen before, in comics or in movies.

NRAMA: In the afterword in issue #1, you mentioned that you and John have more planned. What's the timeframe on that look like? Will the two of you just be moving from miniseries to miniseries with short gaps in between?

MM: Yeah, that's the plan. We have three series worked out at the moment, each one running six to eight issues. I'll be finished at Marvel in a few months so it doesn't affect me, but Johnny has certain obligations to the Marvel Universe and so we need to work around that. Obviously, he's one of the fastest (and best) artists in the business so we don't anticipate any problems.

NRAMA: Let's talk about the "ICON"-ness of the book. You're doing this via Marvel's creator-owned line. Ballparking...is it worth yours and John's time, monetarily? Is the book paying you equally well as your regular Marvel work? More? Less?

MM: Believe it or not, the monthly book is worth about two or three times what we'd get on Ultimates or Amazing Spider-Man. Obviously, this wouldn't have been the case if we'd have sold poorly, but the Icon and Image deals are the two best in the business if you can afford to work for free upfront. I won't go into specifics, but any Icon book selling over 25,000 copies is going to be at least matching your Marvel work-for-hire deal. So the fact we're sitting at around 75K now with the second printing means this has been very, very lucrative for us.

What's weird is that I'll make more money from this first issue than I did from Civil War issue one and that sold 425,000 copies in total. But the risk is enormous, especially for the artist, because you don't know how your book is selling until you're halfway through the work and if you sell poorly you simply work for free. That's a pretty terrifying prospect so we're very appreciative that everyone got behind this book. Of course, the monthlies is also only part of the equation when you're creator-owned and we'll get paid again for the trade, the movie, the video-game and the toys the producer is setting up at the moment (expect an announcement in the Summer to explain everything). As this is joint-owned by me and Johnny (like all the Millarworld projects), this is split right down the middle and so provides a nice long-term income for the creators. The Icon deal is great. Marvel did really right by us on this thing and we couldn't be happier.

NRAMA: Speaking of other media with the property, there's been rumored talk of Matthew Vaughan directing the film version. You said earlier that a director had already picked up the film rights to it. Want to confirm anything in particular?

MM: I can't confirm or deny any director at this stage. Sure, Matthew and I are friends and I think Layer Cake and Stardust tie with 28 Days Later as the best British films of this decade so having him onboard would be amazing. But at this stage I can't even give you a little wink, except to say that the director is already in place and we're looking to rapidly go into production once we're finished a polish on the final script next month. Some casting has already been worked out too, but I can say nothing beyond this annoyingly vague statement.

NRAMA: That said, how will it work, given that the character's name is a real person who won the chance to have the character named after him in an auction?

MM: Yeah, that's brilliant (laughs). Dave bid highest in one of the charity auctions I did when I was off sick last year and he got this for just a couple of grand. He's really pleased about it too and thrilled that his local comic store is even talking about a signing, which I think is a brilliant idea. One of the movie producers said that this is like getting to be John McClane or Harry Callaghan and all for a couple of grand. I think that's brilliant. Well done for him stepping up to the plate. I feel so bad having his testicles electrocuted now.

NRAMA: Anything else on Kick-Ass before we move onto Wolverine?

MM: Yes. You want to read issue two tonight for free? Well, just go here to http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=79624 and post your email address before 5.30pm New York time. The only specification is that you need to also provide a link to your review site to prove you're kosher. Once you do this, you'll receive issue two in a matter of hours and get an advance gawp without shelling out that ghastly $2.99 that only goes straight to Johnny's Italian mobster buddies anyway.



NRAMA: Okay, then. Moving on to your and Steve’s upcoming Wolverine run – it’s called “Old Man Logan,” and…that’s pretty literal, right? (Click on the link above for more information and art from “Old Man Logan”)

MM: Yeah, this is Wolverine at "eighty." Thanks to his healing factor, he only looks in his late fifties (and probably much like I'll look in my forties) so he's still getting around pretty good. It's Dark Knight for Wolverine, essentially. The big, wide, show-stopping series that plays around with the most popular Marvel character of the last forty years, a dystopian vision of the Marvel Universe and a unique look at their futures. The heroes have gone, the villains have won and we're two generations away from the Marvel we know. Now they're all just trying to live their lives in the midst of the eco apocalypse we read about in Fantastic Four.

NRAMA: We spoke to you about the arc a little while back, so rather than retread those old questions, let’s talk a little about what you’ve worked with more since. In this dystopian future, who's the most disturbed/disturbing character so far?

MM: That's really difficult. The new Kingpin is definitely the most fucked up off the top of my head. No, wait. The Hulk Gang. Banner is the head of a huge, in-bed family of male and female Hulks and they're the most fucked up thing in the book. Either that or Spider-Bitch or the reason Wolvie just stopped popping his claws. Yeah, that's the worst thing, but we don't find out what this is for a few issues. That's the big mystery. God, when is this out? I can't wait to see it myself!

NRAMA: How's Steve coming along with art on that?

MM: Amazing. He's like clockwork and every page is beautiful. This makes his Civil War pages look like my art. It's ____ing great. I think it really helps that the cast is much smaller here and he's got more big panels to play with. Some of this work is just breathtaking and I keep sending them out to all my friends when the new pages arrive. I think they're getting a bit fed up, especially since most of my friends have never read a comic in their lives. But wait until you see this stuff.

NRAMA: Mark, wrapping things up, you've stated earlier that all of your Marvel work is all connected – given the scope of what we’ve discussed here…how in the hell is that possible?

MM: Very easy. The thing that really links them is a man called Clyde Wyncham. He's introduced in 1985, but also features heavily in Fantastic Four and is pivotal in the origins of Old Man Logan. But there's other, more direct ways too. The FF have time-travel capabilities and this allows them in the second story (“The Death of the Invisible Woman”) to travel into the future and meet the future Wolverine from Old Man Logan. Plus the incident in 1985 is reflected through the two other main series. It really pulls everything together and even, quite naughtily, gets a major scene in Kick-Ass. This is naughty because it's not a Marvel book, but we've done it in such a way that nobody can sue. It's really more of an Easter Egg in Kick-Ass, but remember that both Kick-Ass and Marvel 1985 are set in our world, the real world, and so they should touch each other a little. Wolverine, I think, is going to be the monster book, though. Steve and I keep calling each other up and giggling with glee. We're very excited about this book and think it's going to hit horribly, horribly big. Poor DC. They're nice guys. It's almost unfair.

[Bevbos]

Cooooooool. I know a lot of people don't dig his style, but I really love the Millar over-the-top Hollywood approach to comics. Looking forward to see all of these interconnect.

[Edogawa1983]

someone should tell Millar Wolverine's over 80 already...

[Jshepherd]

Whoa! Language! You can say '____ed' but not '____ing' apparently?

This new Wolverine looks so awesome!

[Derek Ruiz]

Originally Posted by Edogawa1983

someone should tell Millar Wolverine's over 80 already...

He means he looks 80...

[johnny.blaze]

Dark Knight for Logan huh? Well Spider-man Reign was pretty bad ass. I am SO looking forward to Millar back on Wolverine. One of the best writers to write that character.

[sweetmisery]

We're very excited about this book and think it's going to hit horribly, horribly big. Poor DC. They're nice guys. It's almost unfair.


LOL!

[PCRookie]

Originally Posted by Derek Ruiz

He means he looks 80...

That's the most jacked "eighty" year old I've ever seen.

[Edogawa1983]

Originally Posted by Derek Ruiz

He means he looks 80...

MM: Yeah, this is Wolverine at "eighty." Thanks to his healing factor, he only looks in his late fifties

I don't know what Mark Millar means... dude's drunk probably.

[eltopo]

wow kick ass and Old man logan look awesome

[BanMan]

I wonder why the Wolverine arc isn't a MK book, because it sure sounds like the kind of book that should be one.

[PapaBois]

Originally Posted by Jshepherd

Whoa! Language! You can say '____ed' but not '____ing' apparently?

This new Wolverine looks so awesome!

My sentiments exactly!Hey Matt u guys 4got to censor some stuff from the colorful mouth of Millar. :P

Originally Posted by BanMan

I wonder why the Wolverine arc isn't a MK book, because it sure sounds like the kind of book that should be one.

I was thinking the same thing!

[BanMan]

Originally Posted by PapaBois

I was thinking the same thing!

I could've sworn that that's what the MK line was for. Hence we get books like Spider-man Reign and Silver Surfer Requiem.

[Roy Batty]

Every time Millar gets interviewed about some new book he's got coming down the pipe, you can be sure he'll make some –or even a lot– remarks about how successful it's going to be and how well it's going to sell.
This guy lost it long time ago now, and all he can see is everthing translated into fame and money. A pity, because, somewhere along the way, we readers lost a pretty decent writer.

[Shonborn]

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

Every time Millar gets interviewed about some new book he's got coming down the pipe, you can be sure he'll make some –or even a lot– remarks about how successful it's going to be and how well it's going to sell.
This guy lost it long time ago now, and all he can see is everthing translated into fame and money. A pity, because, somewhere along the way, we readers lost a pretty decent writer.

I kinda tend to agree. It's as if once he was successfuly, he stopped "trying".

[Bucky_Barnes]

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

Every time Millar gets interviewed about some new book he's got coming down the pipe, you can be sure he'll make some –or even a lot– remarks about how successful it's going to be and how well it's going to sell.
This guy lost it long time ago now, and all he can see is everthing translated into fame and money. A pity, because, somewhere along the way, we readers lost a pretty decent writer.

I completely agree. He actually believes his own hype.

Oh wait I have to add this: This is the first time anything like this has been done in comics.

[johnny.blaze]

Originally Posted by BanMan

I wonder why the Wolverine arc isn't a MK book, because it sure sounds like the kind of book that should be one.

Wait i thought Wolverine was still under the MK banner? when did this change?

[BanMan]

I don't know. Reading up on the Wolverine arc doesn't make me feel all too positive about it. It sounds like Millar's just being Millar and putting in shocks for shocks sake. I don't hate the guy or his work either. I loved Ultimates until the last few issues where I no longer cared what happened (the delay totally killed it). I even enjoyed the first 2 or 3 issues of Civil War.

[BanMan]

Originally Posted by johnny.blaze

Wait i thought Wolverine was still under the MK banner? when did this change?

About a year or so ago, Marvel repurposed the Marvel Knights line, allowing creators to tell stories that didn't directly affect mainstream Marvel continuity. The previous line of MK books were folded into the Marvel-line and the MK line now kinda serves as a Vertigo...then again, so does Marvel MAX.

Sounds like Marvel needs to consolidate.

[Andre MOP]

Simply the best!
Kick ass really kicked some serious ass!
Come back to DC, Mark... pretty please! (and convince JRJR to take a visit too!)

[theNameless]

No, he just knows how to give an interview that'll get his books hype.

Hype = sales. Universal marketing law.

A lot of interviews are low-key and about how the writer can't divulge anything. He does the opposite and pumps about how badass his book is going to be.

Thats the only way to do business, really.

[hunterjax]

Originally Posted by theNameless

No, he just knows how to give an interview that'll get his books hype.

Hype = sales. Universal marketing law.

A lot of interviews are low-key and about how the writer can't divulge anything. He does the opposite and pumps about how badass his book is going to be.

Thats the only way to do business, really.

Man, that is the kind of marketing douche-bag philosophy that makes me want to kick something.

Selling your work on its merits should be the only way to do business. Maybe if there was more of that, things would be a lot better in this industry.

[jediracer]

that wolverine looks interesting...

[NTapalansky]

I have to say, I really enjoyed the first issue of Kick-Ass. Sure, you could pick it apart for a few things but I like the feel of the book and the basic premise. For something that's set in the real world, it sure provided a fun and enjoyable escape. Looking forward to issue 2.

As for Old Man Logan...Hell, I'll probably give it a read eventually. I did enjoy Millar on Wolvie and I have a feeling he'll approach the character well here. Still, good points all around on the missing MK designation, though I feel that it's largely because this is in some way meant to be in continuity thanks to ties to the Fantastic Four run.

[melperfect]

Those last few lines are right now causing panties to bunch on a seismic scale all over the interwebz.

I'm certain that we'll see Millar writing for DC in the next few years in spite of it.

His only upcoming project I'm really interested in is Old Man Logan, mostly for McNiven though, his pages look astounding. Not getting Kick Ass or 1985, and so far, FF hasn't done a lot for me. Giving it another issue or 2, but part of me must hang on until Doom is in the hands of Hitch.

Millar's hit and miss for my taste, and I do smirk a bit when I see "It's the greatest thing I've ever written" from him at least once a year. Seems like a nice enough guy though. Good luck to him.