2013 Comic Book News Archives

October 23, 2013: Marv Wolfman on Taking Over "Superboy"

Superboy #26 Newsarama.com caught up with comic book writer Marv Wolfman to find out what his plans are for the monthly "Superboy" comic book title, and how he feels about writing about Jon Lane Kent as opposed to Kon the clone. Here's an excerpt from the interview...

    Q: Marv, as you were offered the chance to take over Superboy, at what point did you find out the character you'd be writing was a Superboy from the future named Jon Lane Kent? And what did you think of the story potential?

    Marv Wolfman: When I was first approached to work on Superboy, I was told what was going to happen and that I'd be dealing with Jon Lane Kent and not Kon. Frankly, I don't think I would have had as much to say or add with Kon that a hundred other writers' wouldn't have done just as well, but I actually thought using Jon made the strip different and exciting and a real challenge for me to write. It was something that my abilities were perfectly suited for.

    Jon is a very different kind of character and the story possibilities are enormous. Jon isn't ever going to be just another hero; he has his own agenda and it's very different from Kon's. And that's going to be the fun part.

    Q: It does seem like it would be drastically different. Readers are so used to the story of the "clone" Superboy that this is obviously going to be a shift. How would you describe the tone of the series as the focus turns toward the "Son of Superman?"

    Wolfman: The Kon stories were about him learning who and what he is and adjusting to his life. The Jon Lane Kent stories are about a man who has grown up to hate those with superpowers and was taught to stop them at all cost. Immediately, it means this is going to require a very different approach to plotting and storytelling.

    As someone who has always loved writing and creating villains, from Marvel's Black Cat, Bullseye, Terrax and even Dracula, to DC's Deathstroke, Anti-Monitor, Trigon and others, this fell right into my sweet spot. What's especially good is because of who Jon is, if I do my job well, you can't have preconceived notions about where the stories will go.

    Q: So you're approaching this new Superboy as a villain?

    Wolfman: Yeah, he's a villain. Least we know he is. But that doesn't mean everyone knows. Nyaaa haa haa!

Read the entire interview at the Newsarama website.



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