As a passionate comic book enthusiast with over two decades of reading under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming series “Sam Wilson: Captain America” is poised to be a game-changer in the Marvel Comics Universe. Having read Evan Narcisse’s work before, I was already a fan, but his dedication to crafting a multifaceted story for Sam Wilson truly resonates with me.
The upcoming Marvel series, titled Sam Wilson: Captain America, will delve into the story and impact of Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, starting in January. This is preceding the release of Captain America: Brave New World. Comic book and Marvel Cinematic Universe enthusiasts can look forward to seeing popular characters like Sam Wilson and Red Hulk in both projects. However, questions arise about what it means for Sam Wilson to be a Black Captain America in the current political landscape, and how he deals with situations where an injustice is perceived differently by various parties.
In the upcoming series titled “Sam Wilson: Captain America“, writers Evan Narcisse and Greg Pak will delve into various themes as they collaborate. ComicBook interviewed these co-writers prior to the release of the first issue to gain insights into their writing process, reveal special guest stars featured in the debut issue, discuss Red Hulk’s role within the series, assemble a gathering of Black superheroes for a cookout, and more. We also have exclusive previews, with interior art for “Sam Wilson: Captain America” Issue #1 by Eder Messias, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and Joe Caramagna, as well as the cover of Issue #2 by Taurin Clarke.
Collaboration Inquiry: Could you share what your usual daily routine looks like when working on projects similar to ours?
Greg Pak: We communicate a lot through text messages and phone calls initially. We’re both comfortable with text-based communication, so we have lengthy phone discussions and exchange texts whenever we ponder our stories. After deciding on the major plot points, one of us drafts an outline, we make revisions to it by sending it back and forth, and then communicate, “I’m struggling here, what do you suggest?” The other person responds with ideas, and we continue this process until I exclaim, “That’s brilliant!” and incorporate it. Working with Evan is a joy, and I believe our collaboration should be like this.
Evan Narcisse: To begin with, Greg and I were given the opportunity to write this book, and our initial discussions centered around defining Sam Wilson’s character – who is he, what aspects of his past shape him today? We also considered theme, focusing on who he battles and how those conflicts might resonate with readers in the real world. From there, we constructed the story. In the first issue, you can see that Dennis Harmon’s plan hits on several social issues that would be important to someone like Sam, given his background as a social worker from Harlem and an African American man living in America. These elements serve as triggers for him, aligning with his heroic spirit and embodiment of the Captain America ideal.
Greg Pak: We made some adjustments to the dialogue during our recent review, and Evan fine-tuned a few aspects that significantly improved it. I hope you understand what I mean. With each revision, we’re discovering small ways to polish the work, and it feels fantastic to have someone supporting us in this way. Our editors always stand by us, but it’s especially rewarding to collaborate with someone who lifts our efforts to a higher level, helping us create something truly exceptional.
I concur with his statement. For nearly two decades, Greg has delved into numerous aspects of the Marvel Comics Universe through his writing. Hence, when he decides to incorporate Storm into certain scenes, it is clear that this author not only writes her character effectively but also deeply comprehends the symbolic and metaphorical significance she holds for the fan base.
Collaborating with Greg Pak gives you a wealth of expertise, not only in the crafting aspects but also in the construction and background of many elements found in our current narrative.
Greg Pak: Evan and I share a background in Political Science. I’m working on a story featuring a person of color as Captain America, which aligns with my interests. However, I’m not Black myself, and I question if it’s appropriate for me to write this solo. The concept of authenticity can be tricky; it’s not always about the writer’s background, but rather their ability to capture the essence of a story. That said, Evan brings unique perspectives from his lived experiences that enrich our collaboration. Similarly, my experiences as a Boy Scout, which are significant to my identity, add layers to our work. Together, we complement each other, bringing diverse aspects and deeper nuances to our characters, dialogues, and overall storytelling.
To put it simply and casually, it’s been an absolute joy to witness Evan creating outlandish sci-fi concepts that I wouldn’t have thought of myself. And I pride myself on being the master of offbeat sci-fi ideas, but it’s still a blast for me. It’s truly delightful.
How Red Hulk’s MCU debut plays into Marvel’s Captain America comic
Question: At what stage during the planning phase was Red Hulk first conceived as a character for the comics?
As a die-hard fan, let me tell you straight up, ever since the get-go: there’s a film on its way! No mincing words here, it’s as clear as day.
Evan Narcisse: There’s no reason to be coy.
Greg Pak: A film is being released soon, which is exciting because it means a comic book with similar characters will also be available. This overlap capitalizes on the excitement generated by both. However, it’s important to note that we aren’t tied to the movie’s plot as neither of us has seen it yet. Therefore, the comics are independent works that align perfectly with our ongoing storyline. The Red Hulk is in the film, making him a fun character for us to incorporate, and his presence fits seamlessly into our narrative, enhancing and reinforcing the themes we’re exploring.
Evan Narcisse firmly advocates that films should draw inspiration from the original comic books rather than vice versa. In his opinion, the comics offer a wealth of character complexity and diverse interpretations, making them a more compelling narrative for him. If we were discussing this 17 years ago, Sam Wilson would have remained as Falcon, not Captain America.
In the comics, Sam Wilson (Falcon) has already taken up the Captain America mantle alongside Steve Rogers. This provides us with a rich source of thematic material, given his past experiences. Similarly, the Hulk universe in the comics offers numerous characters who have transformed into the Hulk, and we’re able to incorporate some of these elements into our story in ways that aren’t feasible in movies due to their early stages of character development. Characters like Red Hulk, Sam, and others from this series have a long history in the comics, allowing us to draw upon their complex journeys. In essence, while we’re eager for the upcoming movie, we’re not tied to it as Greg mentioned.
Isaiah Bradley’s role in Sam Wilson: Captain America explained
ComicBook: In the debut issue, the gathering of black superheroes stood out as particularly captivating to me. It was quite impressive. I’m curious, did you come up with this concept, Evan?
One significant aspect I found appealing was that Sam is tied to a rich heritage. He carries a legacy of his own, given that Sam Wilson has been active for about 50 years now. Naturally, he shares the title of Captain America with Steve Rogers and other characters in the series who embody patriotic themes.
One point that stood out for me was that, based on my reading (though I haven’t gone through everything), there seems to be no recorded interaction between Sam and Isaiah Bradley, a significant historical figure in the Marvel universe. The “Truth” series, which played a crucial role in shaping my perspective of Sam as a Black Captain America, served as a foundation for this thought process. Isaiah’s past within the Marvel Universe is often treated as a myth or legend. Our aim with this series was to make it more relatable and delve deeper into this aspect, exploring how “Truth” and many of Sam’s stories since becoming Captain America have tackled the complexities of being patriotic and Black in America.
In essence, we’re committed to continuing the mining of that area, yet we also wish to convey that Black culture creators often emphasize that we are not a single entity. Let’s ensure this understanding is reflected in our series. Furthermore, Sam’s cousin Billy serves as an illustration of someone who hints at past military service but feels unfulfilled despite serving the country. If you find yourself asking, “I did my part. I was called to serve and I did that, yet why do I still feel stagnant? Why can’t I make my life what I want it to be?” this is another question we aim to address in our series.
And I think whether it’s a character from Billy or Isaiah, look how Isaiah wound up, it’s a great tragedy and the story was meant to be a tragedy but I feel like one of the things I’ve been saying as we’ve been talking about this is that there are cultural histories within the Marvel Universe. People when remember Magneto stormed the UN and all this other stuff. These are effects that if you were picking up a newspaper in the Marvel Universe they’d be talking about it. So, I want to explore how does that history get embedded within the characters who serve throughout these legacies, and we’ll be seeing more of that as the series goes on.
Greg Pak: Absolutely, I wanted to expand on what Evan mentioned about no community being uniform. I’ve always emphasized that true richness lies in diversity within diversity – it’s the essence, if you catch my drift? I recall attending a panel with Steve Orlando many years ago where he discussed writing LGBTQ+ characters. He found it thrilling when he got to write multiple gay characters, as this enabled him to create a villainous gay character too. This is because one character doesn’t have to serve solely as a role model and can become predictable. So, from a dramatic standpoint, having a diverse range of people from various backgrounds simply provides more opportunities to portray a wider array of characters.
I find it fascinating that within the Marvel Universe, there’s an array of distinctly patriotic characters, as well as various Black heroes who proudly display their national colors. Each one has a unique backstory, reflecting diverse perspectives on what the country symbolizes to them, their personal views on its role and obligations towards them. We’re delving into these complexities in a manner that I believe is thoughtful, truthful, and authentic – capturing all the intricacies of the human experience.
Marvel teases a surprise character for Sam Wilson: Captain America
It was great to have Patriot back in his suit after he appeared in a special issue of Marvel’s Voices earlier this year. Will readers get to see more of Patriot and Isaiah as the story unfolds?
As an avid fan: Absolutely! There’s one character who will be quite the shock, yet fits perfectly into the storyline, and I won’t give away any spoilers. But let me tell you, Issue #2 has a massive reveal that will leave anyone intrigued, hoping it will blow your mind!
Evan Narcisse: And I’ll say this much. Even if you guess, there’s still some surprises to be had.
GraphicNovel: Our story will be released a month prior to the movie adaptation. For those transitioning from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we aim to leave an impression that they appreciate the depth and originality our narrative offers.
The films offer a rich narrative. Each execution of characters on screen weaves a story that spans 90 minutes, two hours, or any duration. If you watch the movie and find Sam Wilson or the Red Hulk character interesting, there’s an abundance of resources – high-quality materials – available for further exploration.
If you step out from a cinema or visit a comic bookstore, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice! We hope our series is one of the treasures you might discover at a comic shop if you’ve already seen the movie. In fact, if your first encounter with these characters was through a film, then welcome to the Marvel Comics world where they have been evolving and flourishing for many years. And let me tell you, we’re really pushing the boundaries when it comes to the stories we’re telling about Sam Wilson.
If we manage to surpass limits, as Greg mentioned, it’s largely due to the impetus we’ve inherited from those who came before us and brought these characters to life.
Greg Pak: Eder Messias is doing the interior line art.
In this book, Eder Messias is the primary storyteller, following the tale you discussed in the Marvel Voices anthology. He’s exceptional at capturing subtle body language, expressive faces, staging scenes with high drama, and infusing his work with a lot of intensity and dynamic energy. To top it off, we also have Valentine De Landro contributing to the backup stories. I must say, he leaves me speechless! His preliminary layouts are so captivating that they almost bring tears to my eyes, even in their rough form. Here’s hoping we get to see more of his work as the project progresses.
We’re thrilled with how he handled the backup, it’s exquisitely designed and executed. I can’t express enough my admiration for both artists we’re fortunate to collaborate with. A big round of applause goes out to our colorist Fer Sifuentes-Sujo for his stunning work. It has a natural, authentic feel that I adore. Lastly, Joe Caramagna handles the lettering.
Greg Pak: Alanna Smith, our editor, is simply amazing. She truly understands the vision, doesn’t she? Having an editor who comprehends your goals, guides you towards the correct paths and supports you all along is invaluable at every stage. It’s like having solid gold with you throughout the process.
Purchase in large quantities and kindly consider pre-ordering at your local store. Encourage your friends to also pre-order, as success could potentially lead to a new series or similar projects. After all, money often speaks the loudest. Don’t hesitate to express yourself through your wallet.
Sam Wilson: Captain America #1 goes on sale in January 2025.
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2024-11-26 20:10