BY JENNIFER M. CONTINO One of the MC2 favorites, American Dream is getting her own solo adventure in a five-part miniseries from writer Tom DeFalco. Penciler Todd Nauck said he was so excited about this project that he "couldn't wait to get the first plot!"
THE PULSE: When you heard about the idea for an American Dream limited series, why was this a project you wanted to draw for Marvel Comics?
TODD NAUCK: It sounded like fun! I liked the idea of a female Captain America. Molly Lazer (the editor) told me it would be an action/adventure story in classic Marvel fashion with motorcycles crashing through walls and Dream’s shield ricocheting everywhere. I couldn’t wait to get the first plot!
THE PULSE: How did you get to know these characters from the MC2 Universe?
NAUCK: I remember when MC2 premiered in the late 90’s, but I hadn’t had a chance to read lot of it. So Molly sent me the latest trade paperbacks like Last Planet Standing, and Avengers Next. I had so much fun reading those that I went out and picked up Last Hero Standing and Fantastic Five as well. I liked those, too! Writer, Tom Defalco has created such a fun universe with interesting takes on Marvel characters, concepts, and history.
THE PULSE: What were some of the challenges of working on a series like this, which doesn't feature universally known characters, instead of something like Spider-Man or another iconic hero?
NAUCK: I love superheroes. Whether they are iconic or lesser known, I really enjoy working with superheroes, especially if the stories are fun and interesting. What I like about MC2 is that these are new or different takes on iconic characters. American Dream is a young lady who has taken over for the deceased Captain America. So there’s a sense of history as we tell a story of a character taking a legacy in her own direction.
THE PULSE: Who or what influenced you the most as to how you viewed the American Dream artistically?
NAUCK: From the MC2 comic stories I now have, I have renditions of American Dream by Pat Oliffe, Ron Lim, Ron Frenz, and Mike Wieirngo. Those are all pretty diverse styles. So, basically, I’m getting her design and features from what these artists have done, then putting my spin on it.
THE PULSE: What have been some of the biggest challenges so far to drawing this five-part limited series?
NAUCK: I’ve been having a blast telling this story. Tom has written some amazingly dynamic stuff that has really brought some fun challenges to the way I approach the page. Lots of exciting action and camera angles.
THE PULSE: When does this story take place in terms of the MC2 history?
NAUCK: It takes place during current MC2 continuity. The Avengers team consists of most of the characters from the most recent Avengers Next mini-series from a couple years back. We get flashbacks of American Dream’s origin throughout the mini-series. This mini will give more detail of how she came to become American Dream.
THE PULSE: When the first issue comes out, how far ahead in the art do you hope to be?
NAUCK: The book will be released bi-weekly starting May 7th! I’m just starting issue #4. So by the time issue #1 hits, I plan to be wrapping up issue #5.
THE PULSE: How is working on a story like this different than what you've done with WildGuard?
NAUCK: American Dream is more of a solo character origin story. I write WildGuard like a reality TV show. We do get some Avengers Next appearances throughout the American Dream series but WildGuard is a team book through and through.
THE PULSE: How is the creative process similar?
NAUCK: I think both American Dream and WildGuard are about the fun of superheroes: bright costumes, wild powers, maniacal villains, etc. These are books that are a fun escape and a fun ride.
THE PULSE: What is the collaboration with Tom DeFalco like so far?
NAUCK: I’ve been honored to work with Tom. He writes in the Marvel style of plot breakdown with some dialogue suggestions. So I really get to be creative in the storytelling and make choices visually. I’ll include notes of how I see the characters interacting over the course of a scene. Tom has been very open to my suggestions and we both want to bring the most fun possible. It’s been great!
THE PULSE: Why shouldn't PULSE readers miss this story?
NAUCK: I think this is a great story to kick off the summer: Five issues of superhero action coming at you every other week! I really am impressed with Scott Koblish’s inks and Rob Ro’s colors and I truly believe that they take my work to a whole other level. Even if you haven’t read an MC2 comic, American Dream is easy to pick up and get in on the fun.
This is a great time to try something new!
THE PULSE: What other projects in or out of comics are you working on?
NAUCK: I have a brand new WildGuard three-issue mini that kicks off in May as well! WildGuard is my creator-owned Image comic about a made-for-TV superteam. This new mini, WildGuard: Insider, collects all the online comic strips exclusive to wildguard.com along with brand new stories spotlighting members of the WildGuard team and other heroes of the WildGuard universe.
I’m really excited about both of these mini-series, American Dream and WildGuard: Insider.
I think fans of my work will be really happy this summer!
The first part of American Dream should be in stores by Summer.
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