Broken Frontier

The Sandman – villain or hero? Deluded crook or misguided anti-hero? One of Spider-Man’s earliest villains, the character debuted way back in Amazing Spider-Man #4 and went on to become a major thorn in the side, not just for the wall-crawler, but also for the Fantastic Four and the Hulk. It was in the ‘80s and ‘90s, though, that the character really caught the imagination in a long-running storyline that proved that even the greatest villains can try and turn their lives around and seek redemption.

While Sandman was eventually returned to bad guy mode some years back, his current status quo has been uncertain for a while. In December Amazing Spider-Man writer Fred Van Lente redefines the Sandman’s place in Spidey’s Rogues Gallery, once and for all, as part of the ongoing "The Gauntlet" story arc. Broken Frontier chatted with Fred about what he has planned for the villain turned one-time Avenger...

BROKEN FRONTIER: In Amazing Spider-Man #615-616 you will be repositioning the Sandman as one of the deadliest of Spider-Man’s foes, as part of the ongoing "The Gauntlet" storyline. Where is the Sandman at psychologically at this point in his life and where does he currently stand with his peers in the superhuman community?

FRED VAN LENTE: Unfortunately, I can't say too much without giving away too much of the story. Neither heroes nor villains have seen him for a while. Sandman has been trying to forge a normal life for himself -- but somehow, it keeps slipping through his fingers (not unlike how he has a tendency to slip through other people's fingers). When he tries to make that life a little more permanent, there are tragic results, attracting the attention of his nemesis, Spider-Man.

BF: "The Gauntlet" is designed to reintroduce the classic Spider-Man villains and, from the sound of upcoming solicitations, to provide the readership with some new twists on them. What does this mean for William Baker in terms of both powers and raison d’etre?

FVL: Again, I can't really give too much away, but we are enhancing Sandy's power set considerably. Paolo Rivera's amazing cover to #615 is a big hint in what direction. Basically, Sandman is a guy with total mental control over his body's molecules on the granular level. We're taking that idea to its natural conclusion.

BF: The Sandman’s "re-villainization" a few years back is still a controversial subject for many readers. His road to redemption, beginning in Marvel Two-In-One #86, certainly struck a chord with many. How would you define the essential tragedy of the character and why do you think the audience continues to have such sympathy for him despite his past?

FVL: I do have a lot of sympathy for the heroic Sandman. He was a crook before he got his powers, but all crooks aren't villains. (Just as all authority figures aren't heroes.) Part of the reason he makes a good hero is that the typical villain motivation, money, doesn't really affect him: He's made of sand! He can't eat or maintain a relationship. What is a nice car and house going do for him? Nothing. The question almost is, why shouldn't he be hero?

Of course, like all good villains, Sandman considers his actions in "The Gauntlet" to be downright heroic. But his actions also jeopardize one of Peter Parker's closet friends, so the Webhead has to investigate, and all Sandy's carefully-constructed plans come crashing down around his head.

BF: According to solicitations Spider-Man himself will have a certain degree of responsibility this time around for pushing Sandman into out and out villainy. Is this something that will play on Peter’s conscience in the months to come?

FVL: Most definitely. In the Marvel Universe, the choice between good and evil isn't always a clear one. And sometimes being a hero means making the hard choice. No one knows that better than Peter Parker.

BF: From the Christmas tale in Marvel Team-Up #1 to the King Kong homage in ASM #217-218 through to his unlikely friendship with the Thing in Marvel Two-In-One... the Sandman has certainly had his fair share of offbeat and quirky tales throughout the years! Taking a step back from your role as a creator, and thinking primarily as a fan/reader, which Sandman stories particularly stand out for you?

FVL: I just re-read the Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four where Sandman beats up the FF single-handedly, then teams up with Blastaar. That's a great story. I love that crazy armor Kirby made him. I made Javier Pulido draw it in our story. He didn't want to, at first. He really didn't want to. But finally he got sick of my girlish tears and caved.

BF: You’re also working on the upcoming Web of Spider-Man book which takes a closer look at Spider-Man’s extended world. Can you give us any hints as to the characters you will be tackling there in the coming months?

FVL: In order, so far: Electro, Rhino, Mysterio, Lizard, and... Oh. That last one's a secret. And too major a clue for what's coming in Amazing for me to reveal here.

BF: Finally, Fred, you’ve made no secret of the fact that you are a major Spidey fan of many years standing. How does working on Peter Parker’s adventures compare with your other Marvel work? Was there something extra special about seeing your name in the credits box of Amazing Spider-Man?

FVL: It really is very special. Spidey is the first character I remember reading-- hell, the first book I remember reading, when my parents got me the Pocket Books reprints of the Ditko run in the mid-1970s. Peter Parker is such a compelling, relatable person to people with my background.... Uh (cough), nerds, I mean... that chronicling his adventures is really like spending time with an old friend. It's a rare privilege, and one I'm grateful for every time I sit down at the keyboard.

Amazing Spider-Man #615-616 go on sale in December from Marvel Comics priced $2.99.