'March' Writer Andrew Aydin Says Writing for Captain America in 'Marvel Comics Presents' Is a 'Dream Come True'

Writer Andrew Aydin gained acclaim for writing the MARCH trilogy about United States Representative John Lewis, an icon of the American Civil Rights Era, for whom he also serves as a Congressional Aide. Aydin won numerous awards for the graphic novel series, including the Eisner Award, for telling the true story of an American hero. Now, for MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #3, Aydin will take on another American icon, this time a fictional one.

MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #3 will go back in time for three stories, putting classic Marvel heroes back in the 1960s to face different foes and challenges from decades past -- and Marvel's Heroic Age! Aydin's story focuses on Captain America, who finds himself in the midst of the Civil Rights Era -- familiar ground for Aydin. Marvel.com spoke with Aydin, whose story features art by Daniel Acuña and a cover by Arthur Adams.

Marvel.com: You’re an Eisner Award-winning writer for your trilogy MARCH as well as a Congressional Aide to the book’s legendary subject, Rep. John Lewis. Was it your patriotic duty to write for Captain America in MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS?

Andrew Aydin: We all have an obligation to use our talents to leave the world better than we found it. Writing Captain America in MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS is a dream come true. It is my patriotic duty to write an honest, unflinching story that examines the complexities of the character and the period of history in which we find him. Hopefully in doing that, this story will give a little hope and inspiration to Cap readers and fans who pick up this issue.  

Marvel.com: Your story takes place during the Civil Rights Era in America, which seems like prime territory for Cap. Did you have specific themes or ideas in mind when planning?

Andrew Aydin: I wanted to examine complicated relationships with power. Cap means something important to America. Cap is a symbol, he is an icon and a legend. And because of that, his power isn't only found in his punches or his shield or his leadership. But what does that mean to people trying to overcome oppression in America? 

Marvel.com: Since your Cap story takes place during the same era as MARCH, can anyone expect any real-life historical figures to show up? (Like, perhaps, Congressman Lewis?)

Andrew Aydin: Ha, great question. There is a Congressman Lewis reference on the first page and a keen-eyed reader may be able to figure out who one of the characters is named after.  But this story is about the people who struggled and sacrificed and risked everything but who did not end up in the history books.   

Marvel.com: The first three pages show Cap in a rough spot. What can we expect from your story?

Andrew Aydin: Cap just fell to earth, smashing into the chicken coop of a farmer couple in Mississippi in the summer of 1964. He's beat up pretty bad and the couple takes him in to nurse him. But the conflict of the story comes from Cap trying to do what he's been trained to do, and it doesn't work. This is a struggle that can't be won by fists or shields. It's about winning hearts and minds, it's about listening to fellow human beings and seeing that they understand things about our world that one's station in life can render invisible to others. 

Marvel.com: What kind of direction did you give to your artist, Daniel Acuña?

Andrew Aydin: Daniel is an amazing artist, exceptionally talented, fast and complex in his imagery with a brilliant sense of story.  I tried to give photo references where I could and a sense of the emotion behind the scenes driving the narrative. 

Marvel.com: You’ve written for both real-life heroes and fictional ones. What, for you, is the best part of crafting a hero’s story?

Andrew Aydin: For me, I think the best part is knowing that, if I did my job well, I've passed along a little inspiration, a tiny ripple of hope, that will extend beyond the story, beyond the reader, and maybe, just maybe, help make our world a little more peaceful and a little more just.  

Stay tuned to Marvel.com for more information and news about MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #3, written by Andrew Aydin with art by Daniel Acuña and a cover by Arthur Adams!