I was actually under the impression that Nick Spencer (Iron Man 2.0, Morning Glories) would be the fulltime writer on Secret Avengers starting with the upcoming .1 issue, but apparently the newly exclusive writer is just doing the book for that issue and the three issues tying the book into Fear Itself. The new ongoing writer will debut in August with issue #16, and his name….is Warren Ellis.
Yes, the Warren Ellis, the same guy who has brought us The Authority, Planetary, Transmetropolitan, and Nextwave. Easily one of my favorite creators in comics these days, and someone who has made a career on turning books and concepts upside down.
So what is he bringing to the Secret Avengers table? A bunch of done in one stories, to start with. The writer explained why to Newsarama.
Well, Ed told me that one of the big influences behind the books conception was my Global Frequency. Which was a series of self-contained single issues (that predates Fell). So, I thought, I sort of remember how to write those, so let’s take Secret Avengers all the way back there. I dunno if it’s the right approach, but it’s the one I’m using. It should contrast the book nicely with the other Avengers books. Since I started responding to this interview, Marvel’s commissioned Naked Avengers from Bendis, but that opens with a six-issue arc entitled “Avengers Disrobed,” so we’re still good.
And then when asked about which characters on the roster he’s most excited to be working with, Ellis had this to say.
What I will say is that Ant-Man is bullshi*t. Ed’s all, “wow, you’re not using Ant-Man! Ant-Man’s so cool!” Which was Ed’s way of saying “use Ant-Man or it will be the worse for you.” But someone has to stand up to Ed Brubaker’s evil And Ant-Man is a “superhero” of the size and essential usefulness of an errant blob of snot. Ant-Man is bullsh*t. Say it with me.
Joining Ellis on this venture is artist Jaime McKelvie (Phonogram, Generation Hope), who had this to say on working with Ellis again.
It’s mostly because… well, you’ll see when you turn to page 4 of the issue. You know how Warren used to joke “I can write ‘double page splash, aliens appear over LA’ in seconds and it will take Bryan Hitch three days to draw it?” That. It’s great, though, when you’re challenged it makes you get better.
Or curl into a ball crying.
Warren is great to work with. His scripts are very entertaining, and he knows how to write an action scene. I can pretty much see exactly what the page should look like as I’m reading the script. And, like I say, he’s willing to push me so that I can grow as an artist.
Sorry, that was a bit hippie, wasn’t it?
Their run is so far set to last six issues, but with any luck it will be both solid and extended, as Secret Avengers has been struggling to live up to its potential. Ellis could very well be the voice to make this franchise matter. I mean, the man did wonders with Thunderbolts (though I liked T-Bolts before he came on board as well).
It’s too long until August!