PAUL JENKINS - BRIEFLY ON CIVIL WAR: THE RETURN

[MattBrady]

In the face of all the other Civil War-related tie-ins, Civil War: The Return has, so far, some of the quietest buzz around it. Written by Paul Jenkins, with art by Tom Raney and Scott Hanna, the one-shot (with two stories), due in stores on the 24th of this month, promises…well…promises what’s in it’s title…and perhaps what’s on its cover (tweak your contrast up and down, and no, it’s probably not Jesus).

So what’s in it?

As Editor Steve Wacker told Marvel.com: "In the first story, we see the return of one of the Universe's greatest soldiers. A hero many thought we'd never see again."

We spoke with Jenkins for a little more about the book that can just barely be talked about.

Newsarama: So – from the outset and the preview art…Civil War: The Return - it has Sentry in it – its two stories in one issue…what else can be said about it? Where did it come from?

Paul Jenkins: Marvel contacted me and said that as a result of things arising out of Civil War, they felt as if there were now all sorts of opportunities available that weren’t before. They had no idea how many doors, or how wide, Civil War would open until they really got into it. Front Line has sold way more copies than they thought it was going to sell, for example, and so they came to me with this other idea for The Return, and I told them immediately that they had made the right choice for the writer. [Editor] Steve Wacker laughed at me.

NRAMA: So what brought on this bout of self-confidence?

PJ: Because, when it comes down to it, I don’t know ____ all about comics, and don’t have massive amounts of reverence for characters and histories and large chunks of continuity that others might. I appreciate that there are many, many very good stories that have been written, but I feel that sometimes, you can come away with the feeling that the story – the “ultimate” story has been told, the door has been closed and locked, and no one can go into that room again.

NRAMA: So – this “Return” is a return of an older character?

PJ: All I’ll say is that scenarios had to be discussed and a solution found. The character that’s coming back has a big connection not only to the Marvel Universe, but to the Marvel Universe that we’ve yet to discover, which is in large part, trapped in the Sentry’s memories.

NRAMA: So there’s a connection between the Sentry and the character that’s coming back?

PJ: Yes. And we’ll continue to explore the connection as time goes on, but in some ways, the Sentry needs this character.

NRAMA: Why?

PJ: Because he thinks that one day, he may go nuts, and he thinks that this guy might the only guy who can pull everybody out of the fire if he does. He’s really scared of what’s going to happen if he loses it again.

So – the Sentry and this character knew each other a long time ago, which allows the Sentry to go to him and say, “Listen old friend, I need you. I need you more than I’ve ever needed you before. I’m really scared about what might happen. You are the shining beacon of hope, and we’ve needed you forever. Will you make the sacrifice for us?”

NRAMA: Obviously, you’re going to be dancing around, it sounds like, with some delicate issues…will this story require an invalidation, to be blunt about it, of any earlier continuity or stories?

PJ: No. The character appears, in full knowledge of who he is, and he will have to come to terms with it all. For me, this is amazingly fertile ground for telling great stories about a sad and terrible thing – life, death, sanity, the future, the past…it’s really, really interesting.

[justice~!]

Holy crap, it's the return of Uncle Ben!!

[cookiejar]

So...Sentry returns....about friggin time...love having a superhero with serious serious mental issues.

like seeing Raney's art as well...

[nokahoma]

So does anybody really care about the return of Mar-Vell, anyway?

[sweetchristmas]

edit: nevermind see the symbol now

[invisiblist]

oops, (edit) Captain Marvel, huh?

[delawarejoel]

That star looks awful familiar - Mar-Vell, perhaps? Adam Warlock (there is a Warlock masterworks coming out next month....) is my 2nd guess.....

[artiepants]

Originally Posted by paul Jenkins

NRAMA: So – this “Return” is a return of an older character?

PJ: All I’ll say is that scenarios had to be discussed and a solution found. The character that’s coming back has a big connection not only to the Marvel Universe, but to the Marvel Universe that we’ve yet to discover, which is in large part, trapped in the Sentry’s memories.

that is vedddddy interesting right there...

[michaelman9]

I like Jenkins, so maybe I'll give it a look

[cookiejar]

Originally Posted by nokahoma

So does anybody really care about the return of Mar-Vell, anyway?

yeah i thought it was him as well, and no...i wouldn't be interested.

[Lucifer]

Bruce Banner?

[James Asia]

Think Raney will draw the whole thing? He needed a pinch-hitter for the Exiles annual.

[Cyphon]

Marvel, just take my damn wallet and my debit card and my VISA!

Funny enough, I find all these one-shot spinoffs and fillers more interesting than many of the bigger tie-ins.

[Scott King]

Being a newer reader to Marvel I hardly know who Captain Marvel is. The only thing I've seen him in is the kree-skrull war trade.

[Rich L]

Well if Matt says it ain't Jesus, it's the Aquarian.

[The Guvnor]

Nice interview and the preview art looks sweet.

This may sound ludicrous but could it possibly be the return of the Void? Its says that the Sentry "needs this character", I can't really think of anyone else.

Originally Posted by Lucifer

Bruce Banner?

Or maybe it's The Hulk as he and Sentry have had pretty close ties.

[jmyoung]

This is Captain Marvel (Mar-vell) Paul is talking about, correct?

Is this why Genis got the big heave-ho in Thunderbolts? And if so, why?

[Squashua]

What really sucks is that he had a GOOD death.

I mean, nothing is GOOD about cancer, but it was a classy story.

And now it's invalidated. That is, unless they pull him out of time-and-space from before his death with the knowledge that he'll be sent right back there once his stint is completed.

Which still is a pretty crappy.

[RedRonin]

Come on Galactus Herald Aunt May!

[rolltidewall]

I could just one of the biggest "wha?" moments going on when it's the return of the recently killed Capt. America. Biggest. Head Scratcher. Ever.

[Dr Stranger]

Originally Posted by jmyoung

This is Captain Marvel (Mar-vell) Paul is talking about, correct?

Is this why Genis got the big heave-ho in Thunderbolts? And if so, why?

It is certainly being strongly implied that is Mar-Vell...

I hate this idea more than anything that's come out of Marvel since Gwen slept with Osborn...

[MikefromDCU]

It's Nick Fury.

[SanctumComix]

C'mon... it's been obvious for months.


None of their "subtle" hints have been all that subtle.


It's...

***SPOILERS BELOW***
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The ORIGINAL CAPTAIN MARVEL (MAR-VELL).
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***END SPOILERS***

It would be a tragic shame if they bring him back after 2 decades of being dead and the series tanks after a year (or less).

The character was always interesting, has a rich history in the M.U., but the best story he was EVER in was his FINAL one.

I'm willing to give them a shot at it (as I'm trying to be more positive in my expectations this year).

I DO see a lot that they can (potentially) do with him NOW, with the shape the M.U. is IN these days (Civil War on Earth, Annihilation in Space, Sentry being a screw-up, distrust and discord rampant everywhere and HULK coming back for his pound of flesh).
If EVER the M.U. needed this "Saviour" it's now.

Plus it might ALSO bring back...


***SPOILER BELOW***
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RICK JONES!
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***END SPOILER***

OK. I'm done.

~P~
P-TOR

[SeamusMcClernan]

A few years ago I asked Dave Cockrum if he was upset at Colossus being killed-off in X-Men.

He took it in stride by replying; "He'll be back. Death is only REAL for Bucky."

sigh.

[Legend437]

Captain Marvell seems like what the choice will be, but deep down, I'm hoping it's the REAL Thor.