MyCup o' Joe WEEK 27OCT 10, 2008MyCup o' Joe is the weekly communiqué from Marvel Comics Editor in Chief Joe Quesada to the legion of Mighty Marvelites Assembled! Every Friday, Joe will sit down with journalist Jim McLauchlin to answer questions on the pressing issues of the day at Marvel and throughout comics.
And you get to chip in as well! Joe will be answering YOUR questions every week! To get in on the fun, post your questions at the bottom of this page! Now, a quick look at some comics on-sale this week:
JM: One thing that occurs to me is…Captain America. He still ain't back, 18 issues later! JQ: Well, really, Jim…he is back. Bucky is Cap. Haven't you been reading our books? How do you do this column on a weekly basis and not read our books?
JM: Actually, I read Cap regularly and really dig it. Regardless, the "original" Cap, Steve Rogers, ain't back. And I would assume most people would have figured by a year-and-a-half later, we'd be back to status quo. Just how long is a book like Captain America mapped out? JQ: No, Steve Rogers
isn't back in our books, despite what many fans thought would be just a few short months of absence. As I've mentioned on several occasion, we like to be at least a year-and-a-half to two years out with planning all of our major titles. It helps to give a greater impact to a major "surprise" like a Steve Rogers/Bucky switch.
What's been great to see is how so many fans have fallen in love with Bucky as Cap. Quite frankly, who really
wants to see Steve Rogers back? Maybe the fans can chime in and let us know in this column.
JM: There is precedent for switching out characters like this. Back in the swingin' '70s, Cap became Nomad and so on. But anytime you do a major "character switch," there's gotta be some leeriness or apprehension on your part. How are things like this discussed internally? How does that light get turned to green? JQ: The light only gets turned green when we have a solid plan in place. And we had one here. If we were to have just killed off Cap as a publicity stunt and had nowhere left to go, that would have been something that would have damaged the character and the book. So decisions such as these are made very carefully, and by a group of us—it's certainly not just my call. We map out where these stories will take us, and if the answer is "to new and interesting places," then that makes it much easier to pull the trigger.
JM: The X-Men: Original Sin one-shot just hit, which deals with Wolverine's son, Daken. Say "Wolverine's son," and you'd assume this would be a major, MAJOR character. But he seems really a secondary player so far. Does this surprise you? JQ: The roll-out for Daken has been a mild one to this point, but stay tuned, because we have some very, VERY big plans for him. One could argue that X-23 was a slow roll-out as well, but look where she is today. We've built up her popularity and she's holding her own very well.
JM: Is making Daken "bigger" as simple as giving him his own book? Would he be a bigger player were there a Daken or Son of Wolverine ongoing? JQ: Oh, without a doubt. But rather than just throw him into his own book right away, we have some pretty intense stuff to do with the character over the next 6 to 12 months. Again, stay tuned.
JM: DC is seen by many as the "legacy" or "generational" company. But you've added Young Avengers, Skaar, Son of Hulk, and Daken in the last few years. Is this conscious or subconscious? Is there a movement to add a new generation of characters? JQ: It's been complete happenstance with respect to Daken and Skaar. I would say it was certainly more planned out with the Young Avengers, as the idea of a lack of legacy in the Marvel Universe was part of Allan Heinberg's initial idea behind the Young Avengers.
JM: And Marvel Zombies 3 1 just hit as well. It's an almost-silly concept, and definitely a punny title. Yet Zombies has been a major, major hit for you. Are you amazed with the legs it's had? JQ: Not really. When Mark [Millar] first came up with the idea of a Marvel Zombie universe in
Ultimate Fantastic Four, I was so taken by the concept that I asked Mark if we could spin it off into its own mini-series. Something about it just felt right for the time. Mark was gracious enough to agree to let us do it, and [writer] Robert Kirkman and [artist] Sean Philips knocked it out of the park. Now [writer] Fred van Lente and [artist] Kev Walker are picking up the torch and bringing those brain-eating scamps right into Marvel Earth.
Here's a look at issue 2:
JM: Marvel is a publisher, but you're also a licensing company. Heck, you created "bigfoot, two-heads-high" versions of your characters so you could put them on kids' pajamas and lunch bags. How does a version like Zombies get approved? It's about a million miles away from the family-friendly, "cute" versions of the Ziploc bags. JQ: Beats me. Sometimes we get away with murder! In all seriousness, though, one thing that has always been a hallmark of Marvel—and something that our current management understands fully—is that it's okay to have a laugh at own expense from time to time. And I think Marvel Zombies is a perfect example of that.
JM: And on that note, we are on to reader questioning…
Elaine and Aaron ask:
Will newuniversal continue beyond "Shockfront" part 6, or will a new writer take over for Warren Ellis? JQ: Elaine and Aaron, Warren is very committed to
newuniversal, so as far as we can tell, we think he'll be sticking around on the title as long as sales permit. Also, quite frankly, it's one of my favorite titles that we're producing today.
Sean wants to know:
It's been a blast seeing Spider-Man's old rouges gallery get revamped recently, but I have got to know—How much longer until Doctor Octopus makes a grand re-entry? JQ: Sean, I'm glad you're digging seeing the "new" classic baddies stepping out of the shadows. While I'm not going to give away any Doc Ock info at this time, you can be sure that he'll be showing up sometime within the next 12 months or so. That said, if you're looking forward to a classic rendition, I think you're going to be a tad bit surprised.
Dark Knight queries:
Joe:
I know Stephen Colbert is a candidate in the presidential race in the Marvel Universe. But will we see something happen with a Marvel election that reflects our own results? Or is the race already decided? And who else is running in the Marvel U.? JQ: Hey, DK, thanks for writing. The candidates in the Marvel U are McCain and Obama, just like the real world, with a third alternative added, STEPHEN COLBERT! But like any election, who will win is your guess as well as mine. I know who I'm voting for!
Jargon sez: Thanks for the peek at the Young Avengers script in last week's MyCup! So where's our peek at the final Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk script? We know it's done, so where's it at? 
JQ: Jargon, all the scripts are in, and artist Leinil Yu is dying to get on the series once he's done with Secret Invasion. So I'll pass along word as to scheduling as soon as we know for sure. As for a peek, how about a preview of the
Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk script? I asked Damon to pick out a small sample and this is what he chose specifically for you.
Damon said, "How about the bit where Hulk is asking Logan which leg he wants him to eat?"
PAGE THREE
Panel One
Our Classic Image... HULK TEARING WOLVERINE IN HALF. Leinil... you can either take a new shot at this from a different angle, or we can simply transplant the one you've already done into this panel. Your call.
CAPTION:
LOGAN (V.O.)
Too far.
Already done this part.
Panel Two
HULK stands, towering over Logan.
LOGAN's LOWER BODY is tightly in Hulk's grip. In fact, one leg in each hand... sort of like a WISHBONE.
CAPTION;
LOGAN (V.O.)
Stop. Here's good.
Panel Three
ON HULK. CLOSER. And again, this is a more intelligent HULK. Not the MANIAC we have become accustomed to.
HULK
So which one do I eat, Logan?
Right or left?
Your call.
CAPTION;
LOGAN (V.O.)
Ever see that movie "Sophie's Choice?"
Panel Four
THIS SHOULD BE A WIDER PANEL... an ESTABLISHING SHOT of sorts. This panel should DOMINATE the whole page.
A LEGLESS LOGAN. Behind him, an odd, LARGER THAN LIFE BONSAI TREE at the TOP OF A VERY, VERY TALL MOUNTAIN... a PEAK almost.
Logan's face a combo of ANGER AND DEFEAT as he looks up at Hulk, who happens to be holding half of his body.
CAPTION;
LOGAN (V.O.)
Yeah. Me either.
PAGE FOUR
Panel one:
ON HULK. Close enough to see that yes, perhaps he's more in touch with Banner's brain... but he's still an ANIMAL --
HULK
Three seconds.
Pick or I'll pick for you.
Right or left.
Panel two:
LOGAN. @$%.
CAPTION;
LOGAN
Two people at the Mansion ain't allowed at Poker Night.
Baldy for the obvious reasons...
Panel three:
HULK. Closer. The illusion that we're PUSHING IN...
HULK
One.
Panel four:
LOGAN. CLOSER. FROWNING.
CAPTION:
LOGAN
... and me 'cause I can smell a bluff from a hundred kliks away.
Panel five:
HULK. Really close. His TEETH GRITTED. Hard-CORE.
HULK
Two.
Panel six:
LOGAN. And we need to really get his EYES here. Something that we're not used to seeing in them... something extremely RARE. It's DISAPPOINTMENT. RESIGNATION. LOSS.
CAPTION;
LOGAN
Banner ain't bluffing.
XxXsXeXxX asks:
Are we ever going to get a update on the status of the Scarlet Witch? We last saw her in an amnesiac state in New Avengers. I'm dyin' for more Wanda Maximoff, Joe! So make it happen! JQ: You'll see the Scarlet Witch again before too long, Xx, sooner than you expect, in fact! Hey, she's in these preview pencils, for one! (But preview pencils to what exactly?)
Nails for breakfast asks:
Why does Norman Osborn keep screwing the Swordsman over in Thunderbolts? Is his mental state not already fragile enough? Will we get to see an absolutely nutzo Swordsman? JQ: Nails, none of the Thunderbolts could really be considered a picture of perfect mental health. We just saw a pretty over-the-top crazy Swordsman in Warren Ellis' last Thunderbolts story (and even then, he got his head handed to him by the Goblin). And then we all saw Bullseye skewer Andreas' beloved sister in
Thunderbolts 124. You know the situation between Norman and the Swordsman will be reaching a boiling point—so if they all survive
Secret Invasion, look for that to happen sooner rather than later.
Million Dollar Je$$e asks:
Eternals gets better with each issue and it leaves me wanting more. You've shown previews to other books in past columns, any chance for some Eternals love? With what's been going on, can we expect an all-out Eternals "Civil War?" Who's going to save us from The Horde? JQ: Hey, Je$$e, here's your Million Dollar answer: After months and months of build up, an Eternal "Civil War" will indeed explode, with the Eternal forces of Druig and Ikaris' assembled Eternals colliding in January's issue 7! Hopefully, some of the ancient warriors will be left standing, because the horrendous Horde is roaring closer and closer to Earth! It's a one-two punch of Kirby chaos, from the mad minds of Charles & Daniel Knauf and new penciler Eric Nguyen!
And here's some art from the
Eternals Annual, in stores this November!
Genius (in training) wants to know:
Joe, I love Jeph Loeb. Everything he touches is golden. Hulk and Ultimates 3 are both so much fun! So when are you teaming up with him?
Do you remember the Loeb-written "Lady Bucky" character? Is she in Marvel limbo right now? I say bring her back, and let Loeb use her in Hulk!
Keep makin' the best comics! Mine is Marvel! 
JQ: Well, Genius, why don't we go right to the source and ask Mr. Loeb.
Loeb says, "'Bucky' or Rikki Barnes, who crashed into the Marvel U from the Heroes Reborn world in
Onslaught Reborn, is indeed here trying to make her way. And part of the deal in bringing Rikki here was so that she could meet the Winter Soldier himself—either as Cap or as Bucky—thus having the two Buckys unite!
"Quesada PROMISED that this would happen so she would then be 'in continuity' and then maybe run off with the New Warriors or some such. So, Genius, my recommendation is that you and anyone who wants to see more of Rikki should write Mr. Q as many e-mails as possible and ask him to keep his promise."
JQ: I bet the Red Hulk needs a "Bucky!"
Universal zombi3 hunt3r asks:
What's been going on in Shi'ar space? I love the cosmic books, but I'm not getting my dose of Shi'ar in those books!
And will we be getting a look at what Vulcan has been up to since his series ended? I can't wait for War of Kings! JQ: Look no further than
X-Men: Kingbreaker 1, Universal zombi3 hunt3r. It comes out in December, picks up where
Emperor Vulcan left off and leads the way to
War Of Kings. Also, it's the only place to find the best character ever: C'hod!
[shockey]! at the disco wants to know:
Can we expect Marvel to pick up any more best selling authors? I've been digging the Dark Tower stuff and cant wait to read Ender's Game. Anything else I should be looking out for? JQ: We may have a few new announcements down the road, but nothing that I can say publicly right now, Shockey, so you're just going to have to be patient.
And don't forget New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu is currently helping chart the course of the X-Universe in NYX!
Rivka writes:
Hi, Joe,
I think there's some confusion about the mission statement of the Marvel Knights line, and which books are Marvel Knights books. It seems that Marvel Knights today is different from yesteryear. Some of the MK books are outside continuity, such as Silver Surfer: Requiem, and some are in-continuity books, such as Angel: Revelations and Magneto: Testament. There is also the Ghost Rider: Trail Of Tears which is not out of continuity so much as pre-continuity.
Could you please clarify that Marvel Knights today publishes some books that are out-of-continuity such as Sub-Mariner: The Depths, and some that are in continuity? That today, the MK category encompasses both kinds of books?"
All the Best,
Rivka JQ: Rivka, this is a great question and you've kind of nailed the answer. There are some MK books that are out of continuity, while some are definitely in. I would consider
Battlin' Jack Murdock and
Magneto: Testament as stories that are absolutely in continuity, as was
Daredevil: Father. Here's a little background info on
Magneto: Testament. When the project was originally being planned, it was going to be an X-Men solo character mini-series. Then the script started to come in, which was extraordinary, and we started to see the art, which is beautiful beyond belief, and then we started to rethink the marketing and launch of the project.
We thought to ourselves that we really wanted to give this story more of a "boutique" look, and the MK imprint has become our boutique imprint for special stories. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's "spectrum" mini-series were a good road map for this. So, this is why
Magneto: Testament has the MK imprint, but imprint aside, it is definitely in continuity and was always planned to be that way.
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