By Matt Powell
With CIVIL WAR, writer Mark Millar forever changed the present Marvel Universe as we know it—now he's after the future.
Even though he's gearing up for a February debut on FANTASTIC FOUR with ULTIMATES partner Bryan Hitch, the scribe has been eager to get back in the trenches with CIVIL WAR artist Steve McNiven and found a sweet spot for the reunion with an eight-issues return to WOLVERINE beginning this June.
In 2005, the writer took Logan straight to the grave in the "Enemy Of The State" storyline. Ironically, for this new adventure, Millar sets his sights on the other end of the spectrum, granting Logan seemingly everlasting life in a post-apocalyptic future.
A dim future for Logan doesn't stop a gleeful Millar from beaming about his upcoming run, as the scribe take some time to chat with Marvel.com about what's to come.
Marvel.com: Let's jump right into it! Where will we find Wolverine at the start your run?
Mark Millar: This is a story set 50 years in Wolverine's future. He's an old man by this point and has turned his back on violence after a catastrophic event, when the villains killed almost all of the heroes in the Marvel Universe.
This story kicks off with his peaceful world under threat and Wolverine forced to become involved in his greatest adventure yet. It's a road movie taking him from the remains of California to the remains of New York in a Marvel comic unlike anything you have ever seen before.
Marvel.com: Since this tale is set in Wolverine's future, are there any seeds in the present Marvel Universe that can make this future a reality?
Mark Millar: The storyline fits very neatly into Marvel continuity and crosses over directly with my FANTASTIC FOUR run, and even subtly with [my other upcoming project] 1985. This is why we did this in the regular WOLVERINE title as apposed to a special mini-series.
Marvel.com: You mentioned the heroes of the Marvel Universe were killed by the villains—with that in mind, who has inherited the earth in this timeline?
Mark Millar: The world is populated by the triumphant villains and their descendants who rule over the remains of society. A few scattered heroes still exist but 'super hero' is no longer in the world's vocabulary. It's every man for himself now.
Most of the characters are dead by this point but their descendants play a huge role. Spider-B--ch for example is the granddaughter of Peter Parker. The
Hulk's grandchildren are maybe my most horrific creation yet and there's a constant power struggle between the children of the super villains that now rule the [United States]. This series is steeped in Marvel folklore.
Marvel.com: Speaking of villains, are you working with classic foes in this story or conjuring up new baddies?
Mark Millar: Just like my FANTASTIC FOUR run I want to create as many new and exciting concepts as possible. Almost everything he faces here he has never faced before, but some major Marvel bad guys are featured throughout. The eight issues are a fanboy's dream and who better than Steve to bring this to life.
Marvel.com: Let's switch gears to Wolverine himself. What's going on in mind of Logan at this time?
Mark Millar: Wolverine has old dead eyes as our story begins and everything that he was, is five decades in his past. He is now simply Logan and doesn't like to be reminded of his
X-Men days. He has a middle-aged wife and two children and a peaceful life on his farm but like all his adventures people never seem to leave him alone.
Marvel.com: I understand Hawkeye will play a role on Wolverine's journey. Why did you choose him to team up with Logan and what makes them a productive/counter-productive unit?
Mark Millar: Hawkeye has always been one of my favorite characters. Like all the best Marvel heroes, he's riddled with flaws and the fact that he's a former criminal made him the perfect fit for such a compromising situation. He's a guy who will do what he needs to in order to survive but even he has a huge mystery behind him in this story.
Marvel.com: What's the landscape of this future that Wolverine and Hawkeye will traverse?
Mark Millar: The future America has been ravaged by the battle between the heroes and villains and Steve and I have drawn a brand new map of locations built in the aftermath of this conflict.
It's too soon to share the details but a map charting their progress across America will show us where they have been and tease us what's coming up. The story concludes in a city called New Babylon. A gigantic, sleazy, metropolis built on the remains of both New York and Washington and wait to you see who's sitting in the White House!
Marvel.com: How's it been re-teaming with your CIVIL WAR partner, Steve McNiven? Did his artwork take your story into another direction?
Mark Millar: I wrote the story before Steve started but still sit like a kid waiting for his e-mail every day. I'm blown away by what he's done here. It's his best work ever.
Marvel.com: Finally, as a writer, how do you constantly reinvigorate the Wolverine brand and continue to make him relevant to readers—what is it about his character that gives an everlasting quality?
Mark Millar: Good characters write themselves. Wolverine endures because like
Spider-Man and Captain America he's a smart creation. Steve and I are very excited about this. We have a feeling this is going to be massive.
Keep an eye out for "Old Man Logan" in the page of WOLVERINE this summer. In the interim, check out Mark Millar's first run on WOLVERINE via the magic of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
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