Charles Soule - Make Mine Marvel Thunderbolts Interview

Thunderbolts writer Charles Soule recently took part in a live interview at the Make Mine Marvel Facebook Group, in which members (myself among them) got to ask him questions. Here are the Thunderbolts/Deadpool-related highlights:

Josh Miller (MmM:) First off, Charles, thanks for coming on and chatting with us!! How did you get started in the comic book industry?

Charles Soule: My first book was called Strongman, which was published by SLG back in 2009. It's an action-crime thing, more or less like Sin City but uplifting. Before that, I did a bunch of shorts for anthologies, just to get my feet wet. Really, though, my main introduction to the industry was the Bendis Board, Brian's messageboard, currently hosted at jinxworld.com. Back in 2004-2005, it was a hotbed of up and comers - Nick Spencer hung out there, among many others. I learned a lot.

Christopher Johnson: How did you land a gig writing comics, and Thunderbolts more specifically?

Soule: I landed my Big Two gigs by doing strong indie work. My Image book 27 got me noticed at DC, which led to Swamp Thing. I live in NYC and was able to network with a lot of the editors, too, which certainly helped. As far as Tbolts, I was originally asked to do a few fill-ins, and it ended up being a better fit than I think they expected, after which they asked if I might be interested in the full-time gig. And here we are, with Issue 15 on shelves now.

Josh Miller (MmM): How do you manage writing so many different titles? I know a lot have trouble with just one.

Soule: Josh - I'm not sure, really. I'm currently working on six ongoing titles. I just focus hard on whatever's in front of me at the time, and get it done. It helps that I love doing it very, very much, so it never feels like work.

Josh Miller (MmM): How do you like being tied in to a major crossover like Infinity?

Soule: Infinity is very fun. Hickman's story is awesome, and my book weaves into it in a way that hopefully adds a cool street-level element.

Josh Miller (MmM): Are there certain things Marvel want you to tie in or is it up to you how they connect with each other?

Soule: Varies? I certainly have freedom to make the story my own, which is fantastic.

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Sam Johnson: Hi Charles. As I've tweeted, I've enjoyed all of your T-Bolts issues so far, and what you're doing with Mercy is interesting. Congrats on landing the book full-time. As a writer with designs on working on Deadpool, I'm liking your take on the Merc with a Mouth. Is he someone you enjoy writing?

Soule: Very much. Deadpool is a nice, chaotic element I can drop into scenes when I want to mix things up a bit. Plus, he lets me put humor into books that might not otherwise have an easy route to the laughs, which I like. Good luck getting your shot with him!

Sam Johnson: Thanks, I've been doing a lot of things to associate myself with Deadpool, it's a long-term goal.

Christopher Johnson: How do you view the recent shipping of Elektra and Punisher? Will this continue in your run?

Soule: I don't like that term "shipping" (although it's a common term - that's not a slam on you for using it). To me, it feels like it refers to a relationship that's just done to pander and get feeds on Tumblr. Punisher/Elektra is more complex, and will go to some odd places. I don't even think of them as a couple. They're two people with somewhat aligned philosophies who have sex on occasion.

Joey Buscemi: I am an avid fan of DC Comics but ironically, Thunderbolts is the actual comic that has me replacing DC titles with more and more Marvel books. What I really am curious to know is you have such a rich and diverse group of "wetwork" operatives, how do you go about planning each story arc that showcases each of their personalities but doesn't take away from the actual story? For myself, you seem to nail it in every issue!

Soule: Tbolts is great because I feel like (a) everyone's very different and (b) I really click with all of them. I usually don't have to think about what they're going to do next - they just do it. I do plan and make outlines, but I also trust to the story to let me know what's going to happen, to some degree.

Joey Buscemi: Wow. So it just flows. That is great. I expected that you mapped it all out and then put it together. Very intriguing!

Soule: It does flow, but I'm more talking about character beats and dialogue. The plot is usually fairly tight ahead of time.

Josh Miller (MmM): Will we see any new members added to the 'bolts roster?

Michael Hopkins: if you could write any book out there what would be your top choice?

Soule: Josh - keep reading! Michael - it's hard to top what I'm writing. I have a Punisher story I'd like to do, and a Captain America story, and an Hourman story, but I'm very happy with what I'm doing.

Michael Hopkins: What's the one piece of advice you would give aspiring writers?

Soule: Write a LOT. Read a LOT. Network. Nothing happens in a vacuum.

Michael Hopkins: You mentioned Punisher, is he your favorite Thunderbolt?

Soule: Yes, probably, although I really like Elektra and Deadpool and all of them, really.

Josh Miller (MmM): Charles I know you have got to get out of here so I just want to thank you for coming on to chat with us!!

Charles Soule: Thanks, Josh! Okay, I'm going to jump. It's been great talking to everyone. If you would like to stay up to date on what I have going on, follow me on Twitter @charlessoule, friend me on Facebook or check out my blog at http://charlessoule.wordpress.com. Thank you for reading!

You can check out Soule's full interview with Make Mine Marvel at the Facebook Group - and you can find a Preview of Thunderbolts #15 here!

Thunderbolts #14 Preview and what's coming for Deadpool.

[UPDATED 8/20/13:]

With next week's Thunderbolts #14, Charles Soule (who's been doing a great job on the book so far) officially becomes the ongoing writer, Jefte Paolo comes on board as the new artist, and the team get a new mission, courtesy of Frank Castle...

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You can check out a full Preview at Comic Book Resources here; and an interview with Charles Soule, talking with Newsarama about his plans for the T-Bolts during the Infinity crossover here.

The next issue of Wade Wilson's regular book (Deadpool #15, out Aug 28) kicks off 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,' an arc that sees the Merc with a Mouth teaming with Wolverine and Captain America to investigate the mysterious outfit that's been harvesting Wade's regenerating organs.

These peeps have ties to Weapon X, the program that made Deadpool the unkillable messed-up fruitloop he is. Mental barriers blocking some of Wade's darker memories have recently come down--and with all of this past-connecting stuff coming together, and judging by the cover for Deadpool #19, 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly' looks like the Deadpool story I've been waiting for. One that taps into some of the stuff I also touch on in my Deadpool pitch.

I'm waiting 'til I'm high enough profile to be in a position to hopefully make that pitch, and I'm intrigued as to how the events of 'The Good, The Bad...' will affect it.

Also looking like an essential read is November's Deadpool Annual #1. Written by The Thrilling Adventure Hour's Bens Acker & Blacker, this book's gonna answer the question of what happened to the voices in Wade's head (absent since his Marvel NOW! relaunch) and will feature--as well as Thor, Daredevil, and Luke Cage--Madcap. Like Deadpool, the seldom-seen Madcap is also a seemingly-indestructible loon, and this should be interesting...

Deadpool - the story so far - Part 1

It's no secret that I'm gunning to work on Deadpool. Awhile back I re-read a stack of old Deadpool comics and wrote a pitch, which I'm waiting for the right time to make. If you're relatively new to the Merc with a Mouth, or would just like a trip down a very warped memory lane, marvel.com are currently rolling out Deadpool's history in bite-sized chunks. You can check out parts 1-4 at the links below and I'll be adding more as they come up at the site.

The History of Deadpool Part 1

The History of Deadpool Part 2

The History of Deadpool Part 3

The History of Deadpool Part 4

Weapon X, Cable, Siryn, The Great Lakes Avengers, Wade's now-team-mate-in-the-Thunderbolts (although they want to kill each other) The Punisher, Captain America, saving the Earth, and a rivalry with Thanos for the affections of the love of their lives--the female embodiment of Death--all feature in Wade Wilson's checkered past; and as the only one crazy enough to also make a bee-line for Death's affections, the Mad God of Titan made damn sure that the Merc with a Mouth got taken out of that picture--for good.

But what if Deadpool and Death could get it together? (which would mean the unkillable Wade being dead) If you never checked out my Bootleg Deadpool hearts Death, you can find 'em below...

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And look for Bootleg Alcoholic Iron Man coming here soon!

[UPDATE 6/23/13:] You can now check out the rest of Deadpool's Story So Far here!

Thunderbolts #7 Preview - Poor old Wade.

It took me awhile but I'm into Daniel Way's new Thunderbolts now. The 'love triangle' now established between our boy Deadpool, Elektra and The Punisher has the potential to be highly explosive, and the excellent Phil Noto is coming onboard as artist for the next arc.

Here's a Preview of his debut issue (out on Wednesday), and join me back here next weekend for my GeekSmash review of it!

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Thunderbolts #6 Preview - Real mature, Wade.

In the last issue of Thunderbolts, a 'more mature Deadpool' went to go find "a certain special lady" [Elektra] and tell her about the growth he's experienced--only to find her making out with The Punisher. Well, it looks like our boy's not gonna handle it too well...

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...And based on the cover to Thunderbolts #9 (below) and what Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso has to say in my Deadpool Preview, things are only going to get worse from here.

Much worse.

Meanwhile, here's the rest of the Preview for Daniel Way & Steve Dillon's Thunderbolts #6, out next week:

Thunderbolts #5 Preview

And the award for the weirdest Marvel NOW! cover yet goes to...

Next week's Thunderbolts #5...

...In which the Red Leader appears to have recovered from being shot in the head by the Punisher and superimposed himself onto the new issue's cover after stopping by the 'hood to pick up a new wardrobe.

Anyways, here's a Preview of the issue...where we can see the beginnings of Frank Castle and Elektra's 'perceived romance' (which, apparently, my boy Wade Wilson isn't gonna be too happy about)...

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Marvel NOW! Thunderbolts Variant Covers

Deadpool, Venom, Elektra, Punisher and their new team-leader Red Hulk, the initial line-up of the Marvel NOW! Thunderbolts, are getting a Billy Tan Variant each over the first 5 issues--all of which link up to form one image--and you can check 'em out here!:

The Punisher and Venom are looking swell in their new red-tinted uniforms, to fit with the whole 'Red Hulk's T-Bolts' thing, and I see Rulk himself also isn't opposed to conforming with a brand image, as he now has an unnecessary big gun. ;)

As mentioned, these five are to be the initial line-up of writer Daniel Way and artist Steve Dillon's new team. More will be added once the book's rolling--who these are, yet be revealed--but you can find out some other stuff about the book here.

And for tons more MN! shiz, check out my Marvel NOW! Facebook Fanpage!

Marvel NOW! Thunderbolts #1

The Thunderbolts are to get the Marvel NOW! treatment in December with writer Daniel Way and artist Steve Dillon at the helm, bringing the new line-up of Deadpool, Venom, Punisher, Elektra - led by Red Hulk (with more members to be added down the line).

Way and Dillon previously worked together on a Deadpool-'frienemy' Bullseye mini-series (also featuring The Punisher), Way has of course been writing the current Deadpool series since it began, and Dillon initially brought a new feel, and humor, to The Punisher as artist on some of writer Garth Ennis's run on Frank Castle.

There'd been rumors that there were new plans for Red Hulk after his book gets taken over by Red She-Hulk, and that The Punisher was going to be joining a team after his book ends--and this is a helluva line-up. Meanwhile, it's also been announced that writer Rick Remender will be leaving Uncanny X-Force and that will also be getting a Marvel NOW! relaunch--so does this mean the Merc with a Mouth will be jumping ship with him, or is Wade Wilson gonna 'do a Wolverine' and pull double-duty?

More news on that here when it hits, but for now, here's the promo blurb and a bit more on the new Thunderbolts, courtesy of editor Jordan D. White and Newsarama:

Forget the courts, the jails, the system--this team of Thunderbolts fights fire with fire, targeting the most dangerous and lethal players in the Marvel Universe with extreme prejudice. Led by General “Thunderbolt” Ross, AKA the Red Hulk, this hand-picked team of like-minded operatives is going to make the world a better place…by all means necessary.

"Unlike the most recent Thunderbolts, this group is not working for any government program — this is Red Hulk's team, to do with as he sees fit. In case you forgot, big red's secret ID is that of General "Thunderbolt" Ross, a well-respected military official who the world thinks was KIA. Well, just because he can't be part of the American Armed Forces doesn't mean he can't put together an armed force of his own.

"And again, if you look at the crew ol' T-Bolt has put together, you can get a sense of the kind of things he might be looking to do with them. They're a team of loners, but all highly trained and highly skilled as either mercenaries or soldiers. This is a black ops dream team. They're all characters with their own very particular morality, who do the things they do because they believe in them. They believe they are doing right, even if the world around them might not. Now that they're working together, they can set their sights even higher... and the world had better look out, because they won't take no for an answer."

As many of you know, I'm gunning to work on Deadpool, and having followed and enjoyed the various incarnations of the T-Bolts for some time, this is a book I'd also love to get my teeth into. But like Marvel NOW! Deadpool, obviously this a new book and a brand new creative team. Let's see what they bring.

All New Marvel NOW! Preview plus Deadpool in Avenging Spider-Man #12

My boy Wade Wilson the Merc with a Mouth gets another shot at a team-up as Deadpool teams with Spider-Man in a 2-parter beginning in next week's Avenging Spider-Man #12!

Written by Robot Chicken's Kevin Shinik, and illustrated by Aaron Kuder, the story will see Deadpool and Spidey take on the Hypno-Hustler and HIGH SCHOOL - and you can check out a Preview here:

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Meanwhile, back in Marvel NOW! world, a new raft of teasers have been released...

I couldn't anticipate what 'Wanted' and 'Survive' are gonna be, but it's been rumored that The Punisher will be joining a team after his regular book ends, and the upcoming Punisher: War Zone mini-series--where 'ol Frank'll be targeting the Avengers--could set this up; and I think whatever 'Killers' turns out to be will be The Punisher's new book.

The 'Lightning' book is to be long-term Deadpool writer Daniel Way's first post-Merc with a Mouth project. I know it's a team book, Way has form with the Thunderbolts from his run on Deadpool, it's been stated that Cable is going to have a big role in the Marvel NOW! universe, and my guess would be that with their 'Justice, Like Lightning' tagline, and the integration between the X-books and the rest of the Marvel Universe that Marvel NOW! will be bringing, Way will be relaunching the Thunderbolts and bringing Wade Wilson's pal Cable in as new leader.

The covers for Marvel NOW! Avengers #1 have now been released, and you can check out some of Jerome Opena's pencils here:

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You can also find an interview with Uncanny Avengers writer Rick Remender talking about that book here, and you'll find tons more Marvel NOW! stuff at my Facebook Fanpage! Excelsior!