2008 brought a Brand New Day for
Spider-Man, a move cross country for the
X-Men and a Secret Invasion for everybody else, but 2009 promises to be just as shocking, explosive and exciting for the Marvel Universe—if not more so.
To get amped up for the New Year, Marvel.com asked a range of Marvel creators what's got them jazzed for 2009.
It's Friday, so kick back, relax, and enjoy.
CHRISTOS GAGE (writer of AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE): I'm looking forward to the awesome and earth-shattering changes we have coming up in AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE. Dark Reign has opened the door for some stuff that really works to my strengths as a writer, and that I think will blow readers' minds! As a fan, I'm really looking forward
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SKAAR: SON OF
HULK |
to Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' INCOGNITO and after that, more CRIMINAL!
GREG PAK (writer of SKAAR: SON OF HULK): Everything we've been building pays off in a huge way for SKAAR: SON OF HULK in 2009, beginning with the
Silver Surfer's return to planet Sakaar in issue #7. Surfer fans take note: a much-beloved face from the past will return in issue #8. And beyond that? It's funny 'cause it's true: Nothing! Will! Ever! Be! The! Same!
WELLINTON ALVES (artist of NOVA): I think WAR OF KINGS will rock, and hopefully so will my story, WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION. I hope to see big battles and great heroes fighting to save the universe.
ANDY DIGGLE (writer of THUNDERBOLTS): What Marvel project am I most looking forward to in 2009? If I was a total jerk, I'd say it's the book I'm going to be taking over in the summer! Seriously, can not wait. But the non-jerk answer has to be SECRET WARRIORS. I loves me some
Nick Fury action, and I'll pick up anything with Jonathan Hickman's name on it. Sold!
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AGENTS OF
ATLAS |
JEFF PARKER (upcoming writer of AGENTS OF ATLAS): I'm most psyched for the ongoing AGENTS OF ATLAS series, written by
me. Because just writing it is a joy, and the artwork coming in by Carlo Pagulayan and Gabriel Hardman is incredible! It's especially fun to have Marvel's "Ratpack" butt heads with the main players in the Marvel Universe. I hope everyone picks it up at the beginning in February!
TODD NAUCK (artist of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY): I'm really excited to have gotten to draw the Spider-Man/Barack Obama team-up short story for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 coming out next week. It was an honor to get to draw this story featuring our history-making president-elect alongside one of his favorite super heroes. Probably the biggest story in my drawing career.
And
Avengers! Since the Secret Invasion, I am Avenger crazy. There are so many obscure characters getting airtime. I love tons of super heroes in my comics and the Avengers books are giving me what I want!
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DARK AVENGERS |
And it's wild to see the number of Avengers comics rival the number of X-Men comics.
REGINALD HUDLIN (upcoming writer of BLACK PANTHER): Without sounding like too much of a suck up, I'd like to say I'm really hyped about Dark Reign. It's the logical follow up to the greatest "event" story in Marvel history,
Civil War. It not only impacts my book in interesting ways, it's just a great idea.
PETER DAVID (writer of X-FACTOR): I'm really looking forward to two things in 2009. First, more Dark Tower. The story is only getting more layered and more complex, and working with Robin Furth, Jae Lee and Richard Isanove has been one of the most fulfilling creative endeavors I've ever embarked upon.
Second is X-FACTOR. I feel confident in saying the story arcs we've developed for the series is going to answer every fan criticism of the series. Valentine Delandro's artwork is fantastic, and events for our merry mutants will be taking sharply unexpected turns that are going to have everyone talking.
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WAR OF KINGS |
DAN ABNETT (co-writer of NOVA): For me—and Andy Lanning—the big thing for 2009 has to be War of Kings, which is proving to be an absolute blast to work on. Paul Pelletier's producing his best work, and we're really pleased with the way the story is filling out. There are quite a few shocking twists and developments in this. It's a real focus to the cosmic books. That said, NOVA and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY continue to be dream jobs, and both of them have War of Kings-related storylines coming up that I can't wait to get my teeth into! The
Nova Corps at war? The bizarre 'future tense' reality that
Starhawk comes from? Plus...well, I can't actually say, but I'm getting excited just thinking the words.
In terms of reading, well I just can't wait to see Mr. Bendis handling the Dark Reign.
C.B. CEBULSKI (writer of X-INFERNUS): The Marvel project I'm most looking forward to it 2009 is MARVEL COMICS BREAKOUT which is the anthology series that will spotlight the 12 pencilers and four cover artists who were the finalists of my ChesterQuest Talent Search.
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CAPTAIN
BRITAIN
AND MI13 |
MIKE PERKINS (artist of THE STAND: CAPTAIN TRIPS): I'm looking forward to everyone else tuning in to the best books of 2008—CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY—and popping them into their pull lists. These books deserve to be picking up at least double the amount of readers, even if it's so that I can selfishly continue to read them well into the next few years! It's all for me—but it's good for everyone else too!
JASON AARON (writer of GHOST RIDER): I'm most looking forward to reuniting with Ron Garney for WOLVERINE: WEAPON X. We both had a blast doing the Wolvie story "Get
Mystique" last year, and this new story is going to blow that one away in every way.
MIKE CAREY (writer of X-MEN: LEGACY): I'm looking forward to more Marvel Noir projects. It's a great idea, and I hear some enticing rumors.
BRIAN REED (writer of MS. MARVEL): What I'm most excited about working on hasn't been announced yet!
What I'm most excited to read is Dan Slott's MIGHTY AVENGERS! Even though he's told me where it's all going—it's so much fun I can't wait to experience it.
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