AN ULTIMATE CHAT WITH DAMON LINDELOF

[MattBrady]

One thing you pick up on right away talking with Lost co-creator-Executive Producer slash upstart comic book writer is the dude loves comics. Not a ‘Johnny-Come-Recently’ or someone who just remembered he read them as a kid. He’s a self-described fanboy who speaks the language with a native tongue.

Next month debuts the first issue of a six-issue limited series that he calls the culmination of a lifelong dream, Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine, with art by Leinil Francis Yu.

A spiritual homage to the first appearance of Wolverine (as obviously his first meeting with the Hulk) in 1974’s classic Hulk #181, the series picks up on the status quo of the Ultimate Universe’s Hulk/Dr. Bruce Banner.

Starting roughly 6 months after the Banner’s “execution” for the Hulk’s rampage through New York City (though including flashbacks detailing how he ended up where he is following the “execution”), the story begins with reports of an unidentified creature appearing around the globe. Nick Fury, knowing the existence of an alive Banner is a secret that can bring him down, sends Wolverine to “clean up” his mess, and with that, we’re off to the races.

Though action-packed, Lindelof describes the story as character-based. Newsarama recently had just a few moments for a quick character-based speed chat with the creator, to discuss comics’ fandom, the series, and his future in comics…

Newsarama: Okay, Damon, so before we get to your Marvel series, how about we just end all the speculation right here and now and have you tell us just what in the name of all that's good and holy is up with that darn island..?

C'mon, Newsarama.com will be flooded with hits, become a pop culture sensation, we'll sell for few mil and split it 50/50 with ya?

Damon Lindelof: While I feel your strategy is a sound one, I fear that a rival site will mirror our secret information and this will negatively impact our attempts to make a crapload of money. Therefore, I shall hold on to Lost's secrets for now.

NRAMA: Shoot…all right, then how about just a little must-read tidbit?

DL: Does the tidbit have to be a bout "Lost?" 'Cause I got a trunkload of tidbits!

NRAMA: Tempting as the may be, let’s put all kidding (sort of) aside, and get back to the subject at hand. Let’s start with your own secret origin as a comic book reader? Can you tell us about how you became a comic book fan?

What are some of your earliest memories? What were you're favorite books as a kid?

DL: My secret origins. Hmmmm…. It all began with regular visits to cons and Forbidden Planet in New York City with my Pop to hunt down and replace his original comic collection (tossed away by his Mom when he was thirteen and at Boy Scout Camp)... and of course, I got hooked myself.

As a kid, I loved everything Batman and Spidey and really started getting into the Marvel Universe when Chris Claremont was working his magic on X-Men.

NRAMA: How about as you grew older? Have you been reading comics steadily since?

If not, what brought you back as an adult? And what are some of your all-time favorite books and creators?

DL: Yup. Books all my life. I feel so unoriginal saying Watchmen changed everything for me... obviously that and Dark Knight Returns are two of the books that made me want to become a writer.

NRAMA: How about contemporary titles and creators?

DL: I love all things Astro City - big fan of Kurt Busiek's since his Avengers run... and really love JMS' stuff -- specifically Rising Stars. Right now, I'm a huge [Robert] Kirkman dork - really loving Walking Dead and Invincible... and of the creator-driven books, Y: the Last Man is still my favorite. [Brian] Vaughn rocks.

Also, I'll commit sacrilege and kiss up to my new pals at Marvel -- Bendis and Millar have changed comic writing forever. I really think they're writing the very best stuff right now... and how they write so much of it is mind-boggling. I know there are some haters out there, but let's fact it... they're frigging geniuses.

As far as DC goes, I really loved [Geoff] Johns' run on The Flash and Jeph Loeb pretty much rocks it on whatever he does. I also thought [Brad] Meltzer's Identity Crisis was the best handling of a multi-character-driven crossover book that I've ever read.

NRAMA: Any comics or graphic novels lying around the Lost set?

C’mon, make some Newsarama readers happy ... Evangeline Lilly really digs comic books, right?

DL: Matthew Fox is actually a big comic fan... as far as Evie goes... uh, sure. Yeah! She loves... uh... fanboys!

NRAMA: “Evie loves fanboys”…That’s going to be in a bunch of people’s “sigs” before the end of the day, you know that??

So how you said Watchmen and Dark Knight made you want to become a writer. Did you ever pitch (even a cold submission) a comic book project to a publisher, before you were "Lost's Damon Lindelof"?

DL: I didn't have the guts. In fact, I still didn't have the guts once I was "Lost's Damon Lindelof" (legally changing my name to that, by the way) -- it was actually Joe Quesada's idea, so I can't even take credit for Wolvie vs. Hulk.

NRAMA: How about specifically with Lost? Did your knowledge and appreciation of comics have any influence on the creation of the show?

DL: Lost IS one extended comic book. Make no mistake about it -- a world without comics would be a world without Lost.

Man, that sounded pretentious.

NRAMA: Eh, don’t sweat it…We recently asked Carnivale's Dan Knauf about this, and we'll ask you too …What's your take on the growing popularity of comics among Hollywood writers and mainstream authors?

Are you all lifelong fans coming out of hiding? Or is the popularity (if not recent box office success) of the comic book film creating new fans?

DL: I don't know Dan, but the thing is, we've always been fans. I think it's almost impossible to be turned on to comics later in life... it's a love that starts in the womb. I'm not sure there are people who go and see something like "Sin City" and say, "Huh. I loved that. Now I'm going to buy comic books." It's a sensibility -- a love for the medium -- that we all share that draws us back to pick up our pull list every Wednesday.

NRAMA: Just to take a little detour for a sec - your Lost partner JJ Abrams once penned a draft of a "Superman Returns" script. You contribute at all to that draft?

DL: I had not met J.J. at the time he was writing that.

NRAMA: All right, so having established the background, let's get to the present…

Lost is arguably one of if not the biggest pop culture sensations currently taking up the attention of America. No doubt television is on your to create a new TV show. I'm sure there are development offers in film…

So why comics and why now, and are your agents and managers pulling their hair out because of it?

DL: Simple answer to a complicated question -- I'm doing it now because it's been a lifelong dream. And who knows -- Lost could be over tomorrow, so why not pursue what I love right now?

As to my agents and managers, they've been nothing but supportive...

As long as I do all my Marvel writing between the hours of three and four AM.

NRAMA: Sounds fair…

Can you walk us through how you and Marvel came in contact and how this project began to come together?

DL: Just Google "Lindelof, Poker Game, Hulk, Wolverine," and you'll get the whole story.

[editor’s note: or, you can go here and scroll towards the end]

NRAMA: Our spies in the Marvel offices seem to remember Joe Quesada once mentioning in a meeting the writers or a writer for Crossing Jordan was interested in writing a Marvel book.

You once wrote for Crossing Jordan - Is this our spies' overactive imagination, or total coincidence?

DL: I think they were probably referring to Aron Coleite, a very talented writer I was working at Crossing Jordan with who is about nine times more knowledgeable about comics than I am... and that's saying a lot.

NRAMA: Now with the exception of Bryan Singer, who eventually will do an Ultimate X-Men story arc (which of course owes something to his first two X-Men films) for the most part when authors and Hollywood writers have made their foray into comics, they've picked up on a lifelong favorite characters or titles. Though as previously mentioned Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine owes something to the original Hulk #181 of course, why'd you choose to tackle an Ultimate book rather than a Marvel Universe proper one?

DL: That's kind've like asking someone why they prefer snowboarding to skiing... I mean, both are lots of fun, but hell -- snowboarding is new and exciting and there's a real risk I could really hurt myself...

And also, the Ultimate books aren't burdened with as much continuity... which quite frankly, is just 'headscratchingly' dense. After forty years of storytelling, how the hell am I supposed to remember if Hulk is smart, dumb, grey or green?!?

NRAMA: Well, that conundrum aside, as successful as it is, it would probably be fair to say fans still don't have the same emotional ties/investment in the Ultimate versions of these characters, particularly the Hulk.

Does that change how you approach the material? Does it give you a little more freedom to push some boundaries you might not if dealing with the "classic" characters? And as a creator, do you find that liberating?

DL: It's always about character, character, character for me... so hopefully, we'll get a chance to get inside Hulk and Wolvie's heads in a new and refreshing way. That being said, I'm not out to reinvent the wheel. These are still iconic characters and I don't want Wolverine kissing babies just to say "Hey! I'm original!"

Though... Hulk may eat some babies. That'd be cool.

NRAMA: Indeed…Okay, so to wrap-up our speed chat, how about your future in comics? Is this a one-shot deal for you? In itch that needs scratching? Or do you see yourself writing more comic books in the future?

DL: Writing comics is hard and I'm not sure that I'm good at it. I'll listen to what the fans say... if they want more, I'll be honored to serve it up best I can.

[Mark Cardwell]

Man, those guys at Marvel editorial are just geniuses. "Hey, we've got one of the hottest writers in pop culture here, wants to do some work for us. What'll we give him? I know! YET ANOTHER FRIGGIN' WOLVERINE MINISERIES! That's what the world is crying out for! More Wolverine!"

[HugoMF]

This should be awesome.
A good writter writing two of Marvel's best? Im in.

[c_andrew_s]

I will defintely give it a shot; I hope we see more from him

[Rod Odom]

Wow. The Hulk tore off Wolverines balls and ass.

[Xenu Hater]

Knowing Ultimate Hulk's predilictions, I hate to think what he did before he got sick of them and threw them away.

[Poolboy]

Originally posted by Mark Cardwell
Man, those guys at Marvel editorial are just geniuses. "Hey, we've got one of the hottest writers in pop culture here, wants to do some work for us. What'll we give him? I know! YET ANOTHER FRIGGIN' WOLVERINE MINISERIES! That's what the world is crying out for! More Wolverine!"

Want some cheese with that Whine?

[comicnazi]

It's an "ultimate" book.....I'll pass

[NotAnIssue]

Originally posted by Mark Cardwell
That's what the world is crying out for! More Wolverine!"

And they prove it with their wallets every Wednesday while you whine about it here.

[Trachman]

Bump!

[aphterburn]

Nick Fury sent Wolverine to "take care" of the Hulk? Are you serious. How could Fury be dumb enough to think he actually could?

[Trachman]

Originally posted by NotAnIssue
And they prove it with their wallets every Wednesday while you whine about it here.

Sorry bump the wrong person.

[AlexLothos]

The idea and the art was cool enough, but I like what I've heard from Damon Lindelof to really be excited about it all!

[BlueThunderArmy]

Originally posted by MattBrady
I know there are some haters out there, but let's fact it... they're frigging geniuses.

Yes, those haters are geniuses!

Couldn't care less about Hulk or Wolverine, but I'll pick this up on the strength of Lost. That's a fantastic show.

[Conor E]

That selfish bastard Lindelof! Where the hell does he get off doing something HE wants to do?

Bitch, whine, Marvel = Satan, etc.

There, I just recapped all the posts that'll follow mine, feel free to stop reading here.

[vardaman]

Originally posted by aphterburn
Nick Fury sent Wolverine to "take care" of the Hulk? Are you serious. How could Fury be dumb enough to think he actually could?

Sounds like a question a good writer might use to make a story more intriguing.

[Poolboy]

Originally posted by vardaman
Sounds like a question a good writer might use to make a story more intriguing.

Wolverine haters are numerous these days.

[kingofcities]

I don't get the hate.

Everything about this project sounds like fun and Lindelof's enthusiasm is off the charts.

Good luck to all of the creators involved. Can't wait to check this out.

[aphterburn]

Originally posted by Poolboy
Wolverine haters are numerous these days.

Has nothing to do with Wolverine hate. After seeing the destruction and chaos the Hulk can cause, after taking on the entire Ultimates team, why in the world does Fury think Wolverine could ever beat him?

[Jeremy Williams]

Umm I wonder with Hulk killing and eating people in the Ultimate Marvel Universe, how extreme would Ultimate Wendigo be?

[djshalope]

bummer. i thought he was writing the "Wonder Man vs. Batroc" mini series i've been waiting so long for.

[BlueThunderArmy]

Originally posted by djshalope
bummer. i thought he was writing the "Wonder Man vs. Batroc" mini series i've been waiting so long for.

Shhhh! Rich Johnston will be furious if he's scooped again!

[mose73]

Originally posted by djshalope
bummer. i thought he was writing the "Wonder Man vs. Batroc" mini series i've been waiting so long for.

Now THAT would be cool!!!

[Coward]

I'm slightly disturbed by the fact that when I saw the picture of Hulk tearing Wolverine in half the first thing I thought was "Damn, the Hulk really likes to accessorise". By the looks of it Banner's living in seclusion on some snowy mountain, but what's with all the beads? He's like a big green boho Mr. T.

When we gonna get some Lost comic books?

[Stormbreaker]

I'm glad to see how excited DL's is about this project! Nothing makes me feel better about something than when the creator(s) show enthusiasm towards said project. I haven't seen Lost, but it seems from the reviews that he does a good job writing it. And Yu is just an awesome penciler. Very gritty at times, which is what you need when you put ultimate Wolvie and ultimate Hulk together. And from these preview pages that've been floating around, it seems as though no punches will be pulled, so to speak. I'm still interested to see how exactly Wolvie reattaches his legs...