BY JENNIFER M. CONTINO Another MC2 favorite, American Dream, is getting the chance to shine in a five-part limited series beginning this month. Tom DeFalco one of the people responsible for this red, white and blue heroine is scripting the series with artists Todd Nauck and Scott Koblish joining him. DeFalco said the MC-2 universe is "still the fun, all-ages action pack adventures one used to expect in typical Marvel comics." That's probably why all of the MC2 limited series seem to do so well ....
After the success Last Hero Standing and its follow up, Last Planet Standing, DeFalco scripted new adventures for the Avengers Next and Fantastic Five. Now, perhaps the second most popular woman in the MC-2 Universe, American Dream, is getting her turn for the solo treatment. DeFalco said this would expand upon her origin and noted her pals from the Dream Team would be making appearances throughout the five issues.
THE PULSE: Back when you were first working in the MC2 Universe in 1998, comics seemed to be a little bit different. There weren't as many grim and gritty storylines out there. Things were still kind of shiny and bright for our heroes. So, you weren't really trying to reinvent the wheel with your 15 years in the future universe, were you?
TOM DeFALCO: No, absolutely not! When Ron Frenz and I worked on What If #105 -- the comic that introduced Spider-Girl -- we were just trying to do the best issue of What If that we could. We were supposed to become the regular team on What If and we were just trying to come up with some interesting stories.
THE PULSE: What do you remember as being your initial goals with the line, though? I mean did you think there would be anything past What If ... # 105?
DeFALCO: Ron and I both thought that What If #105 would be the only Spider-Girl story, although we did see the possibility for a sequel. But it was only a possibility, not a probability.
THE PULSE: Flash forward to now, Captain America is dead. Spider-Man and Mary Jane's marriage has been retconned out. There aren't a million mutants in the world. And the Hulk's been across the universe, back again, and is kicking ass and taking names. It's not the fun, all-ages action pack adventures one might expect in typical Marvel comics. Now, how does the MC2 line stand out from the pack?
DeFALCO: I guess we’re still the fun, all-ages action pack adventures one used to expect in typical Marvel comics. We still have heroes that act like heroes and supporting characters with their own series of subplots.
THE PULSE: Obviously the formula for MC2 works, judging by the uproar every time Spider-Girl was threatened to be cancelled, and the positive response to the Last Planet Standing, Last Hero Standing, Avengers Next, and Fantastic Five miniseries. Why do you think so many people embrace this universe?
DeFALCO: I hope it’s because the artwork is terrific, the stories are exciting and the characters are interesting. Of course, it could be because our comics use the finest staples money can buy!
THE PULSE: What I love about the MC2 is the heroes are very clear heroes. They are heroic. They are ideal. They care about the world around them and want to make it a better place -- kind of like the Golden Age and most Silver Age heroes. What do you find the most fertile about scripting those types of characters?
DeFALCO: The real world can be so grim and gritty at times. We all have our worries. I just like to escape to a place where I know the good guys will eventually win, justice will triumph and there really is a happily ever after.
THE PULSE: How do you take what one might consider the original hero formula and add a few key ingredients to make it your own? I mean, you've created a lot of heroes in the MC2 that one might see some similarities to their heritage or legacy; but they feel so well-defined -- you can't just say it's a carbon copy ...
DeFALCO: Hey, superheroes are people too! Spider-Girl may carry on Peter Parker’s legacy, but she isn’t a carbon copy of her dad anymore than you are of yours. The artists and I approach every character as if he or she were a real person. Every unique individual comes with their own personal set of fears, hopes and desires. We also try to find a personal angle in every character by adding in bits and pieces of people we know or would like to know.
THE PULSE: A lot of people think another MC2 ongoing series would work in today's market, but it seems as if you keep getting the opportunity to script one miniseries after another -- giving fans a taste, but not the whole enchilada. What kind of talk have you had with Marvel about another ongoing?
DeFALCO: Marvel has enough trouble trying to convince retailers to stock enough issues of Amazing Spider-Girl to reach every customer who wants one. In my neighborhood, you have to show up on the Wednesday the book comes out or you can’t find a copy. I can tell you how many times I showed up on Thursday and was told the title had already sold out. If we could ever convince retailers to buy more copies of Amazing Spider-Girl, I’m sure Marvel would be more than happy to publish a second MC-2 ongoing series.
THE PULSE: If Marvel were to approve another ongoing, would you like it to be one of your teams, or would you welcome the chance to spend a lot of time with another hero in a solo series?
DeFALCO: I’m pretty flexible and could go either way. If Marvel ever does approve a second series, I’d like to involve the fans and let them decide what they’d like to see. After all, Spider-Girl is still here because her fans have fought for her time and again.
THE PULSE: Speaking of spending time with one hero, American Dream is the latest from the MC2 to get the spotlight at Marvel. When you first came up with Shannon Carter, was Sharon Carter who you thought should be with Captain America? Did you find this to be the next logical step in your mind?
DeFALCO: I also thought Cap would end up with Sharon. Shows you what I know!
THE PULSE: You've never really said who her father was right? Although just about everyone would assume it is Captain America, since he had a relationship with Sharon Carter. But obvious suspects never really seem to be the case in Marvel Comics. What plans do you have on revealing her pappy?
DeFALCO: During the course of this mini, we will expand on her previously told origin and show both her parents.
THE PULSE: What is the focus of this five-part American Dream limited series?
DeFALCO: As American Dream tries to find a balance between her personal and superhero lives, she embarks on a simple mission that soon spirals out of control. She meet a couple of previously-established super-villains and a couple of new menaces. And we’ll have plenty of Hoo-Ha action in the merry Marvel manner!
THE PULSE: How much time has passed since we last saw her? What is American Dream up to at the beginning of this adventure?
DeFALCO: A few months have passed since we last saw her in the last Avengers Next mini-series and she’s still hanging out at Avengers Mansion.
THE PULSE: What role, if any does her Dream Team of Bluestreak, Crimson Curse and Freebooter play in this story?
DeFALCO: They are all part of her backstory and origin, so we’ll be seeing them over the course of the mini.
THE PULSE: How does it feel to be collaborating with Todd Nauck on this new chapter in the American Dream's life?
DeFALCO: Todd is terrific! His storytelling is great and his artwork is awesome. He also keeps coming up with insights into the characters and bits for the action scenes that just blow me away. I love working with him.
THE PULSE: What other projects are you working on?
DeFALCO: Aside from Amazing Spider-Girl, I’m also working on a new regular feature called Mr. & Mrs. Spider-Man, which stars a still-married Peter and Mary Jane and will be appearing in Spider-Man Family. And Ron Lim and I are getting ready to produce new issue of Randy O’Donnell Is The M@n, which is available for FREE on wowio.com.
The first of five issues of American Dream from Tom DeFalco, Todd Nauck and Scott Koblish begins this May.
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