Broken Frontier

The first time I read a comic featuring the New Warriors it was way back in September of 1995. The comic in question was Spectacular Spider-Man #228. In that issue, the New Warriors halt Peter Parker after a Jackal-laid mind bomb goes off and he attempts to murder Mary Jane. Strangely enough, it has been more than 10 years since I have read a New Warriors comic; the last issue I have featured a cross over with the Scarlet Spider! No doubt things have changed since then…

In fact, the whole Marvel Universe is an entirely different place, rent apart by the momentous events of the Civil War! Into the Marvel maelstrom steps a new team of New Warriors.

As the saying goes: "This aint your Pop’s New Warriors!"

The man principally behind the shake up is Kevin Grevioux. Kevin has come a long way in the world of comics in a relatively short time. Last year his first creator-owned titles such as Hammer Kid and Alius Rex launched from Alias Enterprises. His work won acclaim from reviewers and champions of all-ages comics, but then things hit a snag. Now, Kevin Grevioux is back on the spinnerracks leading a whole new revolution!

BROKEN FRONTIER: Hey Kevin, it’s really great to catch up with you, welcome back to Broken Frontier!

KEVIN GREVIOUX: Thanks a lot, Jason. Good to talk to you again.

BF: As you know, I have been following your work for a while now and I was heartbroken when Alias ceased publishing and excited when I heard you were moving to Marvel. Have the last few months been a wild ride?

KG: Most definitely. Working for Marvel is a dream come true. The editors and the creative teams are great and have really worked together to put out a good product.

BF: With your Astounding Studios and Dark Storm imprints you quickly gained a following on the independent scene. How does working on Astounding or Dark Storm books compare with working on a Marvel title?

KG: There’s no real comparison. I love indie books and doing my own books in particular. But lets face it, once you work for Marvel it’s the big leagues; it’s highly creative, competitive and you have to bring your A-game. You are responsible for putting words in the mouths of characters that have a huge following and that have, in most cases, been around longer than you’ve been alive.

Also, you have a group of editors who shepherd you during the process. You have the fans watching you over you to see if you "get it right"; it can be pretty intimidating at first. So it’s a very different situation, but I have to say, it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever been involved with. Maybe even more than the film industry in a lot of ways.

BF: Wow! Cooler than the film industry, I think I know why you feel that way. I remember reading that you are a long time Marvel Zombie. You must be thrilled to find yourself at the House Of Ideas? Does the fanboy inside you want to scream?

KG: Oh yeah! I mean, even though I’m not writing the actual main books that some of these characters appear in, it’s cool to write characters like Iron Man, Luke Cage, Wolverine, etc - Something I never thought I’d do.

BF: So did you come to Marvel with the intent of working on a particular book, or did Marvel approach you with the gig? How does this work? Spill the beans, there are others of us who are trying to break in and we could use your advice!

KG: Well, you have your dreams…

BF: I sure do… What were/ are yours?

KG: I wanted to write Thor, Hulk, Namor and the Fantastic Four, the most. But I knew that there was no way I was going to be given books like that as a freshmen writer; at least not the main books. Like I said, I’m relatively new at the business, so it’s one of those things where you have to prove yourself.

It was after Joe Q and Axel Alonso read some of my own indie comics that Joe offered me New Warriors.

BF: I’m really keen on the part where you lay down some advice …

KG: I think the best advice I could give anyone in terms of breaking into the industry is DO AN INDEPENDENT COMIC BOOK. It’s not easy, but it’s not brain surgery either. Whether you’re a writer or an artist, if you want to show an editor what you can do, what better way than to show him a comic that you’ve done in his hands. Let him, or her, see that you understand and can operate in the medium in which your talents are going to be displayed.

BF: That’s cool. I think it’s a rewarding path as well. Can I get some more out of you? This is good stuff!

KG: I would also stress that anyone who "wants in" has to be a HARDHEAD, meaning that if you want to be in comics, be prepared for a lot of rejection and the fact that it might to take a long time. But you've got to keep at it regardless of what you hear. There will be people who will be hyper-critical and turn down your work, and sometimes they’re wrong. But you think your work is good, keep doing it. Even if it takes years. Be stubborn. Be a hardhead.

BF: Great advice, man! OK, let's turn to the new New Warriors. The book is a relatively new concept in the Marvel Universe having launched in 1990. Despite its youth, pardon the pun, the title has gone through quite a few revamps. What makes this re-launch different?

KG: I think this series has more focus because of the events of Civil War. The team is actually trying to go against the mandates that S.H.I.E.L.D. has set forth.

BF: They’re going up against S.H.I.E.L.D; they are either tough as nails or mad as hatters! I have to fess up and admit to you that, despite being a Marvel guy, I didn’t follow Civil War at all (For shame, I know!). How have you gone about ensuring the book is accessible to new readers as well as long-time fans?

KG: In the first issue I tried to set up the current state of the new Marvel Universe and told the story from the POV of a character who’s had her powers removed. I try to keep the dialogue fresh and new. I’ve also tried to put an interesting spin on the characters to make them real individuals that you can identify with.

BF: There seem to be significant political undertones to this book. Do you care to comment on that?

KG: Well, that’s to be expected. The New Warriors are breaking the law, and because of their name, they’re carrying the weight of being the catalyst for the whole Civil War. Not to mention that Civil War is also a metaphor for gun control. To tell you the truth, I think Civil War is the most insanely creative storyline to come out of comics in a long time. It’s good to be part of it.

BF: You might be leading a revolution, but this is comics and you can’t be a one man band. Who else is on the creative team for this book?

KG: Paco Medina is our phenomenal penciler on the book; he’s doing the best work of his career. I get goose bumps every time I get emails from him. Juan Vlasco is our incredible inker who really makes Paco’s pencils pop. Marte Garcia our fantastic colorist. His use of colors really gives the book a nice crisp mood. Last, but not least, Nic Klein does our amazing covers.

BF: What kind of writer are you? Do you write full script or Marvel style? Do you work closely with the artist to make the story happen?

KG: A full script definitely. I think it's the best way for me to convey exactly what I want to the artist. I work with the artist, but I let the editors do most of the actual communication. They have more of a savvy for that.

BF: Interesting insight on the process. How long do you plan to be on the book? What’s next for Kevin Grevioux, are you sticking with comics or do you have any plans to head back into the wider entertainment industry?

KG: For as long as they'll have me and the book does well.

BF: I hope that’s a long time! Thanks for making time to speak with me again. I really appreciate it, and I hope the readers do too.

KG: Thanks man!