KEVIN GREVIOUX ON YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS: STATURE

**MattBrady** · 05-07-2008, 01:52 PM

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

While there’s still no official word on “Season 2” of Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung’s Young Avengers, individual members of the team have found themselves in the spotlight recently with a monthly series of interrelated one-shot mini-series. It kicked off in January with Captain America writer Ed Brubaker tackling Elijah Bradley aka Patriot, followed by Brian Reed, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Paul Cornell on Hulkling, Wiccan and Speed, and Vision, respectively.

Later this month, Young Avengers Presents continues with a story focusing on Cassie Lang, the daughter of the late Scott Lang, the second superhero to use the name Ant-Man after Dr. Henry Pym.

We spoke with writer Kevin Grevioux, a self-professed Marvel zombie who’s also penning the ongoing New Warriors series, about his plans for the girl who was once called Ant-Girl and Giant-Girl but has now adopted the codename Stature.

Newsarama: First off, Kevin, you're no stranger to writing teen superheroes yourself but what's your take on the Young Avengers as a concept?

Kevin Grevioux: I think it’s nothing short of brilliant. Like a lot of people, I thought it was an attempt to do a Marvel version of DC’s Teen Titans. Not that I was all that opposed to something like that, but outside of Bucky and Rick Jones, Marvel really wasn’t very “sidekick intensive”. But when I actually read the first 5 issues, I was like…”Whoa”. This is something entirely different. After that, I was an instant fan.

NRAMA: What aspects about Allan Heinberg's Young Avengers concept appeal to you as a writer?

KG: I think it was the fact that the individual team members were actually discouraged by their older counterparts. Most sidekicks are encouraged, so for Allan to do what he did was quite refreshing and was an interesting twist. The other thing I liked was the way he took one of the Avengers’ deadliest enemies and made him a sympathetic character and actually a member of the team.

NRAMA: How different was it to write a one-shot where you've got to cramp everything into 22 pages as compared to doing an arc of, say, the New Warriors?

KG: Rough. In fact, [Marvel’s Executive Editor] Tom [Brevoort] was generous enough to give me an extra page in which to tell my story. With an arc of like 5 to 6 issues you’ve got plenty of room to tell the story. In a 22 page one-shot…not so much. The two “one-and-done” single-issue stories I did for the Spider-Man Family series was a good exercise to for me to hone my skills.

NRAMA: In saying that, how'd you get involved with this issue spotlighting Cassie?

KG: Simple. It was Tom Brevoort. He offered me the issue and I jumped at it. It was the first time I worked with him at the time, and just to have the chance to work with him was fun. He’s a legend in the new Marvel regime.

NRAMA: She had a heart condition, went through her parents' divorce, went through the death of her father, became a member of the Young Avengers, joined Captain America's anti-Superhero Registration Act side during Civil War only to turn her back on them later on and then enlisted herself in "Uncle Tony"'s 50-State Initiative… How is she coping with all that's happened to her in such a short period of time?

KG: All things considered, I think she’s coping quite well. The one thing that is still an issue though is her relationship with her step-father, Blake. When we pick up the story they are still not getting along very well. That’s something that that is really a sore spot for her mother.

NRAMA: Well, at least one member of the team is still fond of her… and we'll go into that later. But technically, is she still considered part of the Young Avengers?

KG: I’d have to say, “Yes”, in a philosophical sense. After all, she was a founding member of the team so the rest still feel that she has a place with them and they always will.

NRAMA: Will you be continuing the story as told by Paul Cornell in the previous issue where the Vision, now called Jonas, confessed his love to Cassie?

KG: No. Originally, there was some overlap, when I turned in my first draft, but few things were changed so now the Vision is no longer in the issue.

NRAMA: So, in a nutshell, what brings Cassie to this present situation in Young Avengers Presents #5?

KG: Essentially, Cassie is not in the best of emotional states when we open our story. She has just been through very traumatic experience and she doesn’t quite know how to handle it. And it’s the duress of that experience that causes her to manifest her trauma in a very physical way. It’s up to her friends and teammates in the Young Avengers to help her before her problem reaches a critical state. I had a lot of fun writing it.

NRAMA: What else have you got coming up next when it comes to comics?

KG: I’m got a couple things in the hopper at Marvel that I can’t talk about right now. Things I’m having a blast with. And I’m working with some great editors and great artists on these projects.

NRAMA: What's happening with your two comic book imprints, namely Astounding Studios, which is geared towards the all-ages readership, and the more mature line, DarkStorm Studios?

KG: I’m still producing the books, I just don’t have a home for all of them now. Some I do though. I have two projects at Red 5 Comics. A zombie book called ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction, which will debut at San Diego Comic-Con and The Promethean. I’m also doing some books with APE Entertainment. The first two, Monstroids and Sista Samurai will also debut at SDCC. So believe me, I haven’t abandoned my babies!

NRAMA: On the movie front, you've got the third Underworld film, which is a prequel to the first one, and you're reprising your role as the Lycan Raze. Anything that you are able to reveal to our readers that this point in time? Can you provide an update on things?

KG: The only thing I can tell you is that it is the origin of the actual war between the Vampires and the Lycans. Basically, it’s Spartacus with werewolves. It’s going to rock house!

Related:
ED BRUBAKER ON YA PRESENTS: PATRIOT

BRIAN REED ON YA PRESENTS: HULKLING

ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA ON YA PRESENTS: WICCAN & SPEED

PAUL CORNELL ON YA PRESENTS: VISION

ThorEl3 · 05-07-2008, 02:00 PM

Cassie's always been an interesting character, so this should be a great read.

Do we know who's on art duty, yet?

c_andrew_s · 05-07-2008, 02:02 PM

Looks like a great read

JaredOh · 05-07-2008, 02:12 PM

Why can't we just have a normal ongoing series? Sure, Heinberg was good. Others can do just as well.

CaptainCanad · 05-07-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThorEl3

Do we know who's on art duty, yet?

Mitch Breitweiser; it was in the solicit.

That was a remarkably uninformative interview.

ThorEl3 · 05-07-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaredOh

Why can't we just have a normal ongoing series? Sure, Heinberg was good. Others can do just as well.

Agreed 100%. I think that the projects that have involved the Young Avengers since the end of their series (YA/Runaways, YA Presents, the upcoming SI: YA/Runaways, and the appearances they've all had in other series) shows that there are a LOT of people who are able to handle the characters in as skilled and thoughtful a manner as Heinberg.

I understand they they're 'his' characters, but at the end of the day (and the bottom line) they're MARVEL's characters, and they should capitalize on the fan demand for them.

IllShogun · 05-07-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThorEl3

Agreed 100%. I think that the projects that have involved the Young Avengers since the end of their series (YA/Runaways, YA Presents, the upcoming SI: YA/Runaways, and the appearances they've all had in other series) shows that there are a LOT of people who are able to handle the characters in as skilled and thoughtful a manner as Heinberg.

I understand they they're 'his' characters, but at the end of the day (and the bottom line) they're MARVEL's characters, and they should capitalize on the fan demand for them.

Besides, Heinberg has proven not just with YA but Wonder Woman also that he is unreliable as a comics writer. Why wait for him at all? His name is not going to sell this series.

civilwar vet · 05-07-2008, 02:50 PM

I'm really enjoying the young avengers spotlight, it's giving texture to the individual characters outside of the group dynamic. I hope they do go for an on-going series, don't mind who writes it,

coolmvm · 05-07-2008, 02:56 PM

I was hoping that this Stature issue would finally explain her position as a member the YA and in the Initiative.

durkadurka · 05-07-2008, 03:02 PM

Sorry, this isn't related to this particular Young Avenger, but to the team in general:
I hope that when the book does finally come back, they will add 1 or 2 of the New X-Men that haven't been picked up (or won't be) in any of the ongoing X-titles. Anole, anyone?

CaptainCanad · 05-07-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durkadurka

Sorry, this isn't related to this particular Young Avenger, but to the team in general:
I hope that when the book does finally come back, they will add 1 or 2 of the New X-Men that haven't been picked up (or won't be) in any of the ongoing X-titles. Anole, anyone?

The last thing this series needs is more characters.

DaVeO · 05-07-2008, 03:12 PM

Get a creative team together and get Young Avengers on the racks already.

DaVeO · 05-07-2008, 03:19 PM

Get a creative team together and get Young Avengers on the racks already.

holtom2000 · 05-07-2008, 03:29 PM

my comic guy accidently sent me the issue on the Vision.
I used to really like that character. What in the world have they done with him?
Comic was OK (not something I would pay for), but I'm pretty sure I enjoy the classic Vision much more than the one in the Young Avengers.

ssava · 05-07-2008, 03:32 PM

Cool beans!

Hey Marvel....when's Kevin going EXCLUSIVE?

durkadurka · 05-07-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCanad

The last thing this series needs is more characters.

Patriot, Hawkeye, Vision, Speed, Wiccan, Hulkling, and Stature...
Ok, they do have a lot of characters, fair enough. However, i wouldn't say it's the last thing the series needs.

CeeDiddy4h · 05-07-2008, 04:06 PM

I saw something really amazing during the NY Comic Con. I was at the DC booth watching Walt Simmons as he did quick sketches for people in line. He had this cool way of signing his name in a sketch of Thor. As I stood there watching I saw Kevin Grevioux come up to the table and tell Walt how much of a fan he was of his work. It was just so cool to see a current writer like that being just as starstruck as I was meeting some of the legends of the comic book industry. Kevin Grevioux was a real class act. Can't wait for this book.

AlexLothos · 05-07-2008, 04:19 PM

I do like her new name, "Stature." Looking forward to this and curious about Underworld 3.

GrimmGargoyl · 05-07-2008, 05:03 PM

I'm still suprised no one's taken the time to explore the former relationship between Kristoff Vernard and Cassie lang. There's a love triangle you can get the Young Avengers tied into. The two were practically boyfriend/girfriend back in the days of Ant-man's time as a member of the FF.

GrimmGargoyl · 05-07-2008, 05:03 PM

I'm still suprised no one's taken the time to explore the former relationship between Kristoff Vernard and Cassie lang. There's a love triangle you can get the Young Avengers tied into. The two were practically boyfriend/girfriend back in the days of Ant-man's time as a member of the FF.

GrimmGargoyl · 05-07-2008, 05:04 PM

I'm still suprised no one's taken the time to explore the former relationship between Kristoff Vernard and Cassie lang. There's a love triangle you can get the Young Avengers tied into. The two were practically boyfriend/girfriend back in the days of Ant-man's time as a member of the FF.

ultraaman · 05-07-2008, 05:44 PM

#2 and #3 were both really good and can't wait until they get this team back into a regular book. Too bad Heinberg can't make time to do the series regularly but I suppose he makes more coin at his other day job.

Mrfixit1 · 05-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrimmGargoyl

I'm still suprised no one's taken the time to explore the former relationship between Kristoff Vernard and Cassie lang. There's a love triangle you can get the Young Avengers tied into. The two were practically boyfriend/girfriend back in the days of Ant-man's time as a member of the FF.

Hmm... Seems like I've heard that somewhere before.

But seriously, I loved Heinberg's run, but as far as I'm concerned he showed he doesn't care about his toys when he left them out on the front lawn in the rain. It's time for his mother to give his toys to some poor children. (give it to Gage)

blehbeh · 05-07-2008, 06:28 PM

The previous issues of Young Avengers Presents have been great. However, I consider Grevioux the worst writer currently working for Marvel. If this turns out awful like New Warriors, then at least the Vision issue was practically "Young Avengers Presents: Vision AND Stature." I'm also a little curious to read his work outside of New Warriors.

purplerocket · 05-07-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrfixit1

I loved Heinberg's run, but as far as I'm concerned he showed he doesn't care about his toys when he left them out on the front lawn in the rain. It's time for his mother to give his toys to some poor children. (give it to Gage)

Although this is only meant as an analogy, to imply that Heinberg doesnt care about these characters couldn't be more off base.

I saw him at Bristol Comic Expo last year and no-one is more annoyed about the fact that he doesnt have time to write a second series than Allan himself. Some writers can work their day jobs and manage to write for comics as well (notably Jeph Loeb) but he isn't one of them.

Most posters are probably right though, Marvel should make this an ongoing and they probably will after Secret Invasion. Gage would be a good choice.