By Ryan Penagos
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| Extreme Makeover: Home Edition art featuring Xzibit, created by Marvel Custom Solutions and Todd Nauck |
This Sunday, May 15 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. Central, Marvel Custom Solutions joins the heroes of ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" for the most marvel-ous home renovation of the season! In anticipation of this titanic team-up, we talked with two of the terrifically talented EM:HE designers, Ty Pennington and Xzibit! See what they have to say about Marvel comics, movies, helping people and much more, continuing with today's Xzibit interview!
Marvel.com: What was it like working with Marvel Custom Solutions on this project for the house?
Xzibit: Being a big Marvel fan myself, working on the creation of this room was a dream come true. I’ve been collecting comics since I was 14 years old. I still have my comics. I have SECRET WARS I and II, you name it. I’ve got IRON MAN #8 all the way to like #300.
Marvel.com: That’s awesome.
Xzibit: I’ve been collecting for a while. It was great working with Marvel on this room.
Marvel.com: That kinda touches on some of my other questions on being a Marvel fan. Do you have a specific character or super hero that is your favorite?
Xzibit: I started out with Wolverine and then I went over to the Punisher. When he started having real strong titles, that’s when I started reading him. I think over time I settled back on Wolverine.
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| Iron Man #8 |
Marvel.com: Wolverine comics, especially right now are really good. We’ve gotta get you some Wolverine comics.
Xzibit: Yeah, definitely. You know, I’ve got the Marvel app on my phone. So I read digital comics, but it’s not the same as getting the books.
Marvel.com: Totally. People always ask me if digital is going to replace the print, and I tell them no. You can’t replace print.
Xzibit: You can’t do that.
Marvel.com: I was reading the synopsis of the episode and it says you have an alter ego for the show?
Xzibit: Yeah, they decided to make us heroes. I had the least embarrassing costume out of everyone, so I felt awesome about that.
Marvel.com: What’s the costume like? Is it just you?
Xzibit: Yeah, it’s just me in a black t-shirt and sunglasses.
Marvel: YES!
[both laugh heartily]
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| Extreme Makeover: Home Edition designer Xzibit |
Marvel: What’s your super power, do you have mind powers?
Xzibit: Yeah, I look at [stuff] and it explodes.
[both laugh]
Marvel: How awesome is that? Were you just like, “I want this?” or did the producers tell you what the power was gonna be?
Xzibit: They tried to tell me what the power was gonna be and we met somewhere in the middle.
Marvel: That’s good, at least you had a little say in it.
Xzibit: Exactly.
Marvel: Do you go see all the Marvel movies that come out and do you have a favorite?
Xzibit: Oh, of course. The X-Men series is really good. I really liked what they did with "Iron Man." I’m ready for the Black Panther, man. Give me a call, I’m ready to get in there!
Marvel: Oh man, I wish we could do an awesome Black Panther movie. That would be great. Have you seen the "Marvel Knights Animation: Black Panther" series?
Xzibit: I haven’t seen it, I’m gonna go check it out though.
Marvel: It’s on iTunes. It’s fantastic and...quite violent.
Xzibit: Nice, there we go!
Marvel.com: If you could pimp out one super hero or super villain’s gear, whose would it be?
Xzibit: That’s tough. I’d probably do Professor X’s wheel chair.
Marvel.com: Rad! What would you do to his wheelchair?
Xzibit: I would give it some low profiles. If he’s moving it by himself, he might as well have some traction.
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| Extreme Makeover: Home Edition art featuring Xzibit, created by Marvel Custom Solutions and Todd Nauck |
Marvel.com: So working on the show, do you have a favorite moment or memory? Because it seems you guys get to do some pretty cool stuff for people.
Xzibit: My favorite moment is when the family comes home. After being invested in the project like that, building someone a home in seven to 10 days. The amount of volunteers it takes to get it done. You’re emotionally and physically invested in the whole process. So when they come home, there’s a special feeling all the way around.
Marvel.com: Yeah, that’s gotta be nice. Okay, last question. If you could pick one super power to have, what would it be?
Xzibit: I would want the power of The Hulk. That’s what I want. You get the best of both worlds. You’re not the sharpest tool in the shed, but you sure can kick some ass!
Marvel.com: That’s the best quote I’ve heard all week. I love that.
Xzibit: Well, who’s gonna tell you different?
Follow @Xzibit, @extremehome and @Marvel on Twitter!
Check out a preview of this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" here and don't miss the full episode when it airs on Sunday May 15 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. Central on ABC.
way cool, like me!