By Ben Morse
When the Skrulls invade the Marvel Universe in full force this summer, they'll be bringing Christos Gage along with them.
The definition of a fan favorite writer, despite his knack for characterization, action and Marvel minutiae Gage has mostly hovered on the fringe of the House of Ideas to this point, turning in popular limited series like UNION JACK and HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS. However, Gage became a card-carrying member of the pro-registration forces when he joined Dan Slott as regular co-writer of AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE earlier this year and will jump on THUNDERBOLTS for four-issue "Secret Invasion" tie-in beginning with issue #122 in July.
We spoke with the self-proclaimed "Glorious Greek" about his plans for Marvel's team of licensed lunatics, his pet students in the Initiative and more.
Marvel.com: So how did you end up with the gig writing THUNDERBOLTS during "Secret Invasion"?
Christos Gage: Editor Molly Lazer, who'd already been nice enough to indulge my T-Bolts love by hiring me to write several one-shots, asked if I was interested. She didn't have to ask twice.
Marvel.com: Do you feel like after all the Thunderbolts one-shots you've written over the past year you've pretty much got this routine down pat, or is working on the main book a different animal?
Christos Gage: The one-shots generally focused on two characters each, and in the main book you want to make sure everyone gets their time to shine, so there's a bit more juggling of characters. But in terms of their voices, I think I'm in pretty good shape—knock wood. By the way, plot points set up in the one-shots will be followed up on in the "Secret Invasion" issues, so if you haven't picked those up, you may want to hunt 'em down!
Marvel.com: How do you feel your take on the Thunderbolts contrasts to outgoing regular writer Warren Ellis, who established the latest team status quo?
Christos Gage: Warren Ellis is uniquely brilliant, with one of the most distinctive voices in comics. It would be impossible to imitate him, and I'm not even going to try—that would do a disservice to him, to me and to the readers. Any pressure involved is the same pressure I always feel: to do the best work I possibly can and give the readers their moneys' worth.
As for my take vs Warren's, I think mine may have a bit less of the sheer craziness he brings to it—Stabbity Jones just can't be duplicated!—with perhaps more of an acknowledgment of larger Marvel continuity. But fans of his run shouldn't worry too much, because I'm one of them. I love the dark humor Warren's injected, and the sense of unbridled action with no holds barred. I also think the voices of many of the characters—especially Norman Osborn—are perfect. I plan to stay with those things, but hopefully blaze my own trails in the process.
Marvel.com: What is the thrust of your arc on Thunderbolts? How does it play into the larger "Secret Invasion" story and how does it synch up with what's going on in the main limited series?
Christos Gage: Without spoiling anything, by our second issue we will be fully current with the main SECRET INVASION title. The thrust of my arc is seeing the T-Bolts go beyond their current mandate of bringing in unregistered superhumans, becoming full-fledged defenders of our planet. But if this collection of criminals and lunatics is all that
stands between Earth and alien invaders, are we doomed? Can the team rise above their backgrounds and behave heroically, or does the greatest threat come from within?
Marvel.com: How does the Skrull invasion hit the Thunderbolts in comparison to other teams like the Avengers or Fantastic Four?
Christos Gage: Two words: Captain Marvel. Also, the whole "Who do you trust?" thing affects the T-Bolts differently, because these people already distrust each other. So on the one hand, it could be an advantage, in that the Skrulls' primary psychological weapon isn't as effective against the Thunderbolts. But on the other hand, these are villains. Moonstone could decide it's a perfect opportunity to kill Songbird and use the excuse "I thought she was a Skrull!" So all hell could just as easily break loose...and probably will.
Marvel.com: Which members of the Thunderbolts feature most prominently in this arc?
Christos Gage: Norman Osborn, Swordsman, Venom...but they'll all have their moments.
Marvel.com: Which Thunderbolts do you feel like you've gotten the best handle on writing the one-shots? Which ones have you struggled with?
Christos Gage: Writing Norman is a blast. Swordsman is fun too. I've probably had the toughest time with Penance, because there isn't a lot of material to refer to since he changed over from Speedball, but I'm getting more comfortable with him.
Marvel.com: We saw in SECRET INVASION #1 that Captain Marvel invaded Thunderbolts Mountain and you mentioned he'll be involved in the arc—what role does he play and what's he like to write?
Christos Gage: The battle with Captain Marvel will be a major part of our first issue, and readers will see a lot more than they had room for in [SECRET INVASION]. I'm writing Captain Marvel like the awesome, powerful, cosmic character he's always been to me.
Marvel.com: Will any other characters beyond the core Thunderbolts feature into your arc?
Christos Gage: Yes. A character whose presence has been felt before in the book, but who hasn't actually appeared, will show up and cause all kinds of trouble.
Marvel.com: Beyond "Secret Invasion," could there be more THUNDERBOLTS in your future? Do you have more to say with these characters?
Christos Gage: I feel like I could write the Thunderbolts forever! There's something about villains that opens up a wealth of great story possibilities. Whether or not I'll have more T-Bolts in my future is up to Marvel. If you want to see it happen, let them know and pre-order THUNDERBOLTS #122-125 now!
Marvel.com: Switching gears, how has the experience coming onboard AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE been so far? Have you and Dan Slott found the co-writing dynamic an easy one to slip into or have there been growing pains along the way?
Christos Gage: It's been a great experience. I think one of the most positive things about our working relationship is that Dan and I are always willing to try whatever we think might lead to a better story—sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and as with anything like this, the more you do it, the more comfortable you become and the more of an instinct you develop for what'll work and what won't. We've got a pretty good rhythm now, but we're never afraid to rock the boat if we feel like it'll help. The most fun part is that, when we talk about plots on the phone, Dan does voices and sound effects.
Marvel.com: Obviously the reveal of Hank Pym as a Skrull infiltrator in SECRET INVASION #1 will have a huge impact on the Initiative—how are you and Dan playing this revelation?
Christos Gage: We deal with it head-on in issue #14. It will be teased for a bit, with the readers knowing and the characters not knowing, and then everything hits the fan.
Marvel.com: Characters seem to be constantly moving in and out of this book given it's nature—who will be the key players during "Secret Invasion"?
Christos Gage: 3-D Man, the hero formerly known as Triathlon, will be a huge player. Crusader is front and center too. He's a Skrull and is hiding that fact from everyone. In MARVEL TEAM-UP, he seemed to genuinely want to renounce his homeworld and become an Earth hero, but when the chips are down, will he side with his new home, or his old one?
As for the cadets, they'll be getting their first taste of war...and war has its casualties. If anything, some of the folks who have been in the background will step into the spotlight during "Secret Invasion," and those who have been the stars will be more in the background for a bit.
Marvel.com: Dan has certainly brought plenty of his own personal favorite obscure characters into the Initiative—any Gage darlings on the horizon to join the cast?
Christos Gage: I got to pick the entire class of recruits that shows up in issue #13, so obscure favorites like Batwing will be on tap. That was fun. You'll know I've been given too much rope when Devil Dinosaur and Moon-Boy join the Initiative!
Who do you trust? Learn more about Secret Invasion now at Marvel.com/SecretInvasion! Also, read the SECRET INVASION PROLOGUE in Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited and watch the Secret Invasion animated short!
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