By Tim Stevens
Fresh off the attention grabbing
announcement at Wizard World Philadelphia that Stephen King's "The Stand" would be coming to Marvel, editor Bill Rosemann finds himself with ever growing stable of books to oversee.
In addition to guiding the adaptation of the King masterpiece to comic book form, Rosemann edits the entire Ultimate Universe, including the redefining limited series ULTIMATE ORIGINS, two prime properties in Marvel's resurgent cosmic genre with NOVA and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and the book that peeks inside the post-Black Bolt world of the Inhumans, SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS. While juggling it all, Rosemann found the time to sit down with Marvel.com and offer some insight about where these books will be heading next.
Marvel.com: How familiar were you with "The Stand" before getting involved with this project? How did that affect your willingness to participate?
Bill Rosemann: As a Constant Reader who's devoured every Stephen King novel I could get my hands on since the age of 14, you can just imagine how excited I am to be working on this project. And if you asked the entire creative team, you'd probably get the same exact answer!
Marvel.com: What sort of expectations are you putting on yourselves in adapting this work?
Bill Rosemann: We just want to make Uncle Stevie proud. If we can do that, entertain all those Constant Readers out there, and maybe even introduce some new fans to this excellent epic, then our jobs are done.
Marvel.com: Is it stressful to adapt, knowing the prominence and popularity of the novel in King's catalog?
Bill Rosemann: You mean is it stressful knowing that Randall Flagg will come walking down the hallway if he doesn't like our portrayal of him? No…not stressful at all!
Marvel.com: ULTIMATE ORIGINS has been something the Ultimate Universe has been building to since way back in ULTIMATE TEAM-UP when Spider-Man encountered the Hulk, if not before that, according to writer Brian Michael Bendis. How total was that build-up? Is this something that only links up with all of Bendis' work in the Ultimate U or is everything present and accounted for?
Bill Rosemann: All of the Ultimate writers have been planning and scheming together for many moons to create a linked and cohesive timeline that will have True Believers slapping their foreheads and saying, "Of course! Why didn't I see that before?"
Marvel.com: How daunting is it on something of this scale to ensure that every t is crossed and every i dotted?
Bill Rosemann: That's just a part of the biz—whether you're a writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, or someone behind the scenes—your job is to create the best comic book possible in the time you have. Luckily, in this case we have Brian connecting all the dots—and he's one of the Founding Fathers of the Ultimate U—so he's tapping into all of his talents produce the jaw-dropping story that ties it all together.
Marvel.com: Are there any concerns with doing a crossover of this size in the Ultimate Universe, given the relatively unconnected way most of the titles have unfolded? Is there a danger of tampering with what attracts people to the Ultimate U?
Bill Rosemann: On the contrary, the best part of ULTIMATE ORIGINS and "Ultimatum" to come is the small number of titles involved. Joe Quesada says it best: we're intentionally keeping the size of the Ultimate U contained so we can focus on quality. So while the story may feel huge and sprawling, the actual number of titles involved is small—which is exactly what makes the Ultimate U such a compelling place to visit.
Marvel.com: One issue in, how has the response to GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY been? Were you expecting the excitement that the title has generated?
Bill Rosemann: Given the coolness of the characters and the talent of the creators involved, our fingers were always crossed that readers would give the launch a chance. And the good news is that not only did we sell out of issue #1, but that demand was high enough that the Sales department okayed a 2nd printing! On top of that, the message
board chatter and online reviews have been overwhelmingly positive—so thanks, everyone!
Marvel.com: Nova is experiencing resurgence is popularity that he has not seen in years. How is it from the inside and what do you do to maintain the level of interest in him?
Bill Rosemann: All hail writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning! Bravo to artists Sean Chen, Wellinton Alves, Scott Hanna, Guru FX, Cory Petit, Adi Granov and Alex Maleev! The Human Rocket has never zoomed higher, and more jaw-dropping twists are on the way! If you thought Annihilus, the Phalanx and Galactus threw Rich Rider for a loop, just wait until you see what those no good stinkin' Skrulls have planned. See? That's how you maintain interest!
Marvel.com: Both cosmic titles are set to be drawn into Secret Invasion in August. Does this mean that Nova and the Guardians are coming to Earth or does the Skrull infiltration spread beyond our blue planet?
Bill Rosemann: Nova will indeed once again be visiting his homeworld, while the Guardians are locked in a deadly game of paranoia in their unique HQ—which just so happens to be the floating head of a Celestial. Yes, from Earth all the way to Knowhere, the Skrulls are making everyone
ask…who do you trust?
Marvel.com: What is the Super-Skrull's role in the Invasion? Now that he's, more or less, the obsolete model, what is motivating him to become involved in the fight?
Bill Rosemann: You've hit the nail right on the head: the rest of his race considers him "obsolete"…so just imagine how that's going to enrage a warrior who's dedicated his life to furthering the Skrull Empire. He does the trailblazing, he goes up against the Earth's toughest heroes time and time again, and now they're just going to push him aside? Think again, Skrulls!
Marvel.com: SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS writer Joe Pokaski, while familiar with super hero tropes due to his work on the TV show "Heroes," is new to the comics game. How is he handling the learning curve?
Bill Rosemann: Comics writing may have different aspects of pacing and length than TV scripting, but Joe is jumping that gap like Evel Knievel…but without all the crashing! This is just the beginning of Joe's career in comics, so get in on the ground floor, people!
Marvel.com: How are the Inhumans coping under Maximus' rule?
Bill Rosemann: The entire race is attempting to rebuild and regroup after the events of SILENT WAR. Maximus brings with him a certain amount of arrogance and action, two things that the Inhumans realize they need if they are going to recapture their
former glory. But as for the Royal Family—Medusa, Crystal, Triton, Gorgon, Karnak and Lockjaw—you can only imagine how living under a new king is for them. Guilt, anger, recriminations; not only has Black Bolt lost his mantle as monarch, but they're about to learn that he's been replaced by a Skrull!
Marvel.com: How does the revelation of the Skrull Black Bolt's deception shake the fragile status quo that the Inhumans are living with now?
Bill Rosemann: Let's just say it ain't gonna be pretty. How long was this Skrull masquerading as their beloved leader? Who else among them [is] not who they say they are? How can they trust anyone ever again? Is Black Bolt even still alive? And if so, where is he? Hell hath no fury like Medusa scorned!
Marvel.com: In the wake of the revelation, do the Inhumans continue to mourn Black Bolt or is there a feeling in the populace that he's still alive? What are the Inhumans planning to do about it?
Bill Rosemann: The time between the revelation and the next huge threat doesn't leave the Royal Family any time for tears. Now, my friends, it's time for blood!
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