Allan Jacobsen is the just the latest in a line of writers from outside sources (TV, film, novels) to make his comic book debut in recent months. In addition to directing episodes for the long running Fox show King of the Hill, he has recently begun cataloging the adventures of the new incarnation of the Invaders, Marvel’s World War II superhero team, in the title (oddly enough) called The New Invaders. Besides that ongoing, Jacobsen was also able to get a crack at Spider-Man, writing a back-up story for the quarterly Spider-Man Unlimited.
He was kind enough to allow me to pepper him with questions, each more inane than the last, all for the glory of our website. My questions and comments are my traditional italics and his are in bold. Enjoy.
Writing Spider-Man on one of your first comic gigs (as you did in Spider-Man Unlimited #4) is kind of like guarding Michael Jordan circa 1995 in your first NBA game. Was it intimidating or just exciting to start there?
When I received the call for the Spider-Man job I was extremely excited. I was at the studio where I work as a Director for Fox’s King Of The Hill. I got off the phone and immediately trundled off to my assistant’s office—and then I couldn’t even remember what book it was for.
I knew it was Spider-Man, but I’d never heard of “Unlimited” so I thought it must be for the Ultimate line or something.
Hey. I got to write Spider-Man. How cool is that?
Did you come to Marvel’s with Invaders or vice versa?
I was developing several pitch-concepts for Marvel. Two of these pitches centered around Marvel’s Golden Age Heroes, whom I’ve always adored. .
One of these ideas was called “The Thin Man”. The other was a modern take on the Invaders called “Liberty’s Torch”.
Chuck Austen and I are old friends. One afternoon over lunch Chuck mentioned that he had been asked to reintroduce the Invaders as antagonists for the Avengers.
I told Chuck briefly about my idea, and asked if he’d mind if I pitched a new Invaders series. That’s pretty much the whole story in a nutshell. Chuck and I briefly considered co-writing, but by the time the series was actually ready to go Chuck had decided to move on to other pastures.
We still have lunch at least once a week.
Similarly, who decided which characters made the cut?
Walker, Namor, Spitfire, Union Jack, Blazing Skull, and “a female Human Torch” were assembled by Chuck for his Avengers storyline.
At first I was wary of the female Torch, but now I love her. Same thing with Walker. I would’ve used the others anyway.
I brought in Thin Man, Admiral Noble, and Jim Hammond (the Original Human Torch). Hammond was the character I really wanted to write. He’s Marvel’s flagship hero, but he’s been totally overshadowed by Johnny Storm over in Fantastic Four. I wanted to let Jim Hammond shine.
Captain America, as it turns out, is Super Patriot/fill-in Captain America/ USAgent John Walker, not Steve Rogers. Any specific reason for that and any reason why he’s appearing as Cap instead of one of his other costumed identities?
The original notion, I believe, was to provide the series with a familiar visual while allowing Steve Rogers to remain free for other social obligations like Disassemble and Cap/Falcon.
At first I wanted to get Walker out of the Captain America uniform as quick as I could. In one of my earliest drafts for Issue #1 Walker got decked on page two for impersonating Cap, and by page five he was in a new uniform.
(Laughter)
Tom Brevoort explained his thoughts on the subject, and the character really snapped into focus for me. There IS a SPECIFIC reason that Walker replaced Steve Rogers. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to get to that storyline during the first six issues.
For your money, who are the characters to watch in the Invaders?
Blazing Skull for sure. It’s like writing Bugs Bunny. He’s a lot of fun. I’m very conscious of downplaying Blazing Skull because I think he’s a scene stealer. He’s like Fonzie on Happy Days. Snoopy in the Peanuts. Wolverine. If you really focus on the characters with all the natural charisma, all the other characters begin to pale.
I’m hoping to do a Blazing Skull solo story soon that will help shed some light on why the poor fellow is so deranged. I try to focus on characters in a plot-specific way so the book doesn’t evolve into “Allan’s pet character and the Invaders!”
I could write the Thin Man all day long. It’s the same with Tara.
Have there been any characters that you were surprised with how much you enjoyed them once you started to write?
The BIGGEST surprise for me was how much I enjoyed writing some of the peripheral characters that round out the Invaders’ world. Baroness Blood, who is the central villain of Issue 4-5, has really come alive in my mind.
Shouldn’t Wolverine be on this team?
I want to do a Invaders/Wolverine WW II mini series.
And Invaders/GI Joe.
And Invaders/Saved By The Bell.
Just kidding.
Um—oh yeah. Heh. Me too.
Seriously though, when does Wolverine join?
Two issues after our big DC crossover.
The coloring on Invaders has been mentioned in several of the reviews I read online. How was the choice to use that untraditional approach reached? How does it serve to compliment the tone and/or theme of the series?
Was that question for me?
You’d have to ask Tom Brevoort, Andy Schmidt, Nicole Wiley or Chris Walker about the coloring. I’m really not involved. I often send sketches and color mark ups to show my concept for how things might look, but for the most part I have no say in the art.
I like the color. There’s quite a lot of pink going on in Issue #1, but it really makes the book stand out.
In doing my research for this interview, I found a King of the Hill director named Adam Jacobsen at IMDb.com, but not one named Allan Jacobsen. The question then is this: is IMDb all messed up or is your life just one big lie?
Well, my life is mostly a lie, but the IMDb thing must be messed up—and I still have no idea what an IMDb thing is.
Adam Kuhlman is a Director on King Of The Hill. Allan Jacobsen is also a Director on King of the Hill.
Adam Jacobsen is a mad fever dream that smells of Sharpies and bongwater. I hope I never have to meet him—
Are balancing the comic writing with your work on King of the Hill or are you done with directing that show?
I’m still directing. Writing just one comic book isn’t a full time job. If it was I would be both poor and very very bored. A side effect of the aformentioned conditions would most likely include loneliness and despair.
I’m quite busily juggling animation, comics, and my family life. I have a spectacular wife and two sons. One is three and a half. The other one still mostly gurgles and poops and smiles.
In my free time I’m developing film projects.
It’s quite an exciting time for me, but I’m beginning to miss my pillow.
If you are still with King of the Hill, what are you working on for this season?
I am contracted to direct two episodes for King Of The Hill this season.
One is completed, and I’ve just begun the second. I don’t think I’m allowed to say anything about the storylines before the episodes have aired, but I will say that they’re two of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on.
This is the best season of King of the Hill ever. I still can’t believe this is our NINTH season. That’s just crazy!
I remember watching the first episode with my wife. I was all “Man, I need another job. It’s funny, but this show is too slooooow. No one’s ever going to get it.”
A prophet I am not.
What are your entertainment can’t miss these days? Feel free to pimp whatever you think is good, be it TV, movie, music, or comic.
Let’s see—
I love HBO’s Deadwood. Hands down, it’s the best television series I’ve ever seen.
I’m really enjoying the closing installments of Stephen King’s The Dark tower series. I’m a sucker for westerns. Comic Books and westerns. They’re the same thing.
I just saw “Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen”. It was great. Go ahead. Laugh if you want. It’s a great movie. It’s the “Clueless” of 2003.
I’m also reading Mark Milla’s “Wanted”. Millar has such a facility with character and dialogue. He writes the vilest human beings this side of Garth Ennis, but it’s really involving stuff.
Beyond King of the Hill, any future TV projects on the horizon?
I hope so. I had a very promising Fortune Cookie at the Mongolian Barbeque on Thursday—
Right now I’m focusing of comics and film. If writing doesn’t work out for me I’m looking into becoming a sandwich engineer at Subway.
Any further comic work beyond Invaders on the horizon for you?
Most likely. I have some things in development. Some things I probably shouldn’t talk about yet.
I have a tendency to be premature. At least that’s what most women say.
Any characters or projects you would like to get a shot at?
Bo Derek!
In comics though, I’d love to do a horror book. Doctor Strange. Werewolf By Night. The Defenders.
I’d love to do more Spider-Man. I’d love to write more Namor.
It’s hard to think of a character that doesn’t get me excited. Look at who you’re talking to here. I’m the guy who brought back the Thin Man. I love super heroes.
Level with me, with Allan Heinberg also writing a Marvel title (Young Avengers), who wins in a battle between the two Fox TV employees cum comic writers? Bear in mind you are only armed with your fists, your wits, and a board with a nail through it.
I was on a panel with Alan Heinberg at the San Diego Con, but we never actually spoke.
Okay, that’s a lie. We did speak, but not to each other.
He seemed really friendly, but he looks like he travels with a rough crowd.
I hear he kick boxes.
Does pilates even—
(What’s wrong with you, man? You trying to get me killed?!)
A big thanks to Mr. Jacobsen for taking the time out to answer the Nexus’s questions.
The New Invaders ships monthly from Marvel Comics (the second issue, released on September 15th should be still be available on newsstands and comic book shops everywhere). King of the Hill airs in syndication all the time (seriously, I checked) and is set to kick off its 9th season November 7th at 7 pm on Fox.
