Post by brentlambert on Mar 15, 2012 8:55:08 GMT -5
TONY THORNLEY INTERVIEW
Marvel Anthology: What appeals to you most about Marvel Anthology as a site?
Tony Thornley: I really think the big thing is the amount to creativity allowed here. I don't think I've seen Erik EVER shoot down an idea outright. Even the stinkers get a certain degree of discussion before they're dismissed. I've been around the community more than most, and I've never experienced that degree of creativity anywhere.
MA: Top three favorite titles at the site. Put them out there. Why do you like them?
Tony: Well, Brent is doing some fun epic stuff in ARMOR. I'm a few issues behind there, but I always know I can pick up the series for a very fun read.
The same goes for Jamie's Avengers. Absolutely awesome book, and really pushes the limits on the title. It reminds me a LOT of the late 90's/early 2000's runs on Avengers by Busiek and Johns.
And lastly... even though it's only one issue in, I'm REALLY excited about Tim and Morgan's run on Fantastic Four. I know Morgan's disappeared a bit lately, and I'm really crossing my fingers that it doesn't screw up what that first issue promises. It will be awesome.
MA: Who's your favorite writer at the site?
Tony: Myself? Does that count? No, sincerely, I'd probably have to say Jamie. He's just having fun with his books and it REALLY shows. I'm excited to be working with him a bit this year when a certain arachnid joins up with those avenging people. Number two would have to be Jeff Rist though. He's really grown in the last year, and the stuff he's doing/will be doing is phenomenal.
MA: What do you like the most about what you get to write at Marvel Anthology?
Tony: That I have 100% control over the world of Peter Parker and I'm not afraid to use it. :-) It's no secret that Peter is my #1 character, and I really get to write a love letter to the character each and every month.
MA: Your dream title. What would it be? And if you're already on it, then what would be your dream title you'd like to see someone else write?
Tony: Well, obviously, Spider-Man is my #1, and I'm writing Superman at JLU, so those are the "dreams." However, there are two that I'd really dig- I have a massive epic Thor series plotted out. I think it's something like 16 to 18 issues, and just one MASSIVE epic story. Someone once compared it to something like a video game (in a good way), with several stages and side missions and a great final battle. The other that popped into my head recently is an "Avengers Prime" title, that would be the founders working together in these situations that really would need Cap, Thor, Wasp, Giant-Man and Iron Man all banded together to solve them. I have no stories, just a concept, but I think it would be VERY fun.
MA: Who's your favorite character at the site to read about?
Tony: Oh, that's really tough... I really don't have one in particular I think. Really... no one character pops out. I just enjoy reading titles more than specific characters.
MA: Who's your favorite character under your pen?
Tony: Heh, that should be pretty obvious, but it's definitely a toss-up between Peter Parker and Clark Kent. :-)
MA: Which character do you most look forward to writing?
Tony: I don't know when or how or where it might happen, but the Avengers Trinity for sure. :-)
MA: So what are all of the titles you write at Marvel Anthology and how do you feel that they fit into the wider Anthology universe?
Tony: Well, at MA right now I'm just writing Amazing Spider-Man. Erik and I have talked about a few other things that I may end up doing at MA, but in the grander scheme of things, what I'm doing will affect all of what's going on in New York City. There's another thing or two in the works, and we'll see how those affect things when they happen.
MA: What do you feel is your greatest strength as a writer? And/or weakness?
Tony: I'm told that I do interpersonal relationships better than anyone out there. That's really what I enjoy doing more than anything anyways. I would say my weakness is in detail. I'd much rather convey an emotional conversation than detail what the people are wearing and such.
MA: Which writers do you draw influence from and why?
Tony: Well.... I cite Stephenie Meyer as my #1 influence. (I kid, I kid!)
Honestly, Jim Butcher is a HUGE influence on me. He's the king of the underdog story and frankly, that's what every Spider-Man story should be. And although he's not just a writer, I think I draw a lot of influence from JJ Abrams too.
MA: So Spider-Man has lasted a pretty long time as a character. What do you think makes him so enduring outside of the "every man" concept of him?
Tony: I think disqualifying the "every man" aspect is a mistake there, because that's exactly it. When you read or write a story involving Peter Parker, you can largely put yourself in his shoes, until he puts on the webs. Then, suddenly, his story is all about escapism. Escaping from the cares of the world, soaring over the world's greatest city and punch bad guys in the face... and who doesn't want that in their life?
MA: Well I think what I was going for there was to try and get something outside the typical answer. Because that's usually what you get when you hear what makes Spidey appealing. Is there anything more about him as a character that makes him stick?
Tony: What makes him stick... That would definitely have to be his iron will. Seriously, anyone besides Peter Parker would give up after putting up with every that's happened to him. Peter, on the other hand, perseveres. I think that's one of the biggest things about him that's so appealing.
MA: In the next year or two, which character or characters do you think are going to change the most heavily under your pen?
Tony: Peter, obviously, but I think Phil Urich will be seeing some big changes too. I have some ideas for Ollie Osnick and Cassie St. Commons that will see some changes for them too.
MA: So give us a bit of insight into the antagonists that the heroes under your pen are about to face. Which ones in the next year or so do you believe are going to be the most threatening?
Tony: Oh, Doctor Octopus, hands down. We've been seeing Otto way too much as a punching bag. What we'll be seeing though is the master manipulator, and in a completely different way than what Dan Slott is doing in the comics.
As for the specifics- let's just say
"Otto Octavius, Kingpin of New York."
(Whoops)
MA: Power wise, who do you feel are some of the most lethal characters at your disposal whether they protagonist or antagonist?
Tony: Well... mental power, it'd be a tossup between Peter, Otto and Norman Osborn. But if it comes to raw physical power, I think Phil Urich/the Green Goblin is going to surprise a LOT of people.
MA: How are you going to play the dynamic between Norman and Spider-Man?
Tony: Honestly, I'm sick of the Spider/Goblin stalemate. I said for a long time that I would not include Norman in my series unless I found a unique story for him. Now, thanks in part to Brent, we're going to see Norman 100% out of the costume. No powers, no costume, no slugfests over the Brooklyn Bridge. Norman is going to be taking a new role, which I don't want to give away but will show up in an issue or two down the line, and it's going to challenge Peter in a completely different way.
And what he's doing to Phil and to Harry (who we saw alive a few issue back, remember!) is only part of the bigger scheme. It's going to be a very fun ride for Peter vs. Norman.
MA: So last bit. Here's your chance to sell Spider-Man to everyone. Tell us why we should be reading your title?
Tony: Because this is the title that I pour my heart and soul into for one. :-) Beyond that, this is the title that will see the entire landscape of New York City in the MA Universe change, and I think you'll want to be on the ground floor of that.
