Barbelith Underground > Comic Books

Just thought someone might be interested in Hitch's response to some of the criticism the book's been getting:

"It would be a shame if you did give the book a miss now, Dave. Your reaction to the last couple of issues is EXACTLY what we wanted; not of course to the extreme that you would feel forced to give up the title, but certainly your aversion to the situation and some of our character's behaviour.

It comes down really to "what makes a hero?" We have seen this subject debated on this and other boards recently, especially in light of Hanks actions in this issue. When Mark and I set out to create this book we knew it would be approached by most readers (especially those with previous Marvel experience) with a number of preconceptions, most notably the assumpton that these characters are familiar or the same as the ones seen since the sixties or earlier. When early publicty of the series showed this to be true, it also showed us that there was an expectation in certain quarters of Mark's "cynical" approach to deconstructing the heroic myth. Rather than trying to fight such preconceptions, we thought would could instead play on them to our advantage.

We have plotted very carefully through our first 24 issues not in story terms, though the broad strokes have been in place since inception, but in the charcter strokes. It sould be obvious to all by now that these people are not heroes. Yet. They have not made that journey. Yet. they are not the same as their MU counterparts. Yet. they do not have the same legendary status. Yet.

These stories and events are what will make them heroes, these are the things that will shape their legend. We start from the beginning, and right now, they are selfish, egocentric mercenaries who fight because it's their job. Without the preconceptions of the existant Marvel Universe, would anyone be so appalled? Is it through that comparison that our people's motivations pale? Probably, yes. Which is what we wanted. We need that cynicism now, a cynicism Mark is playing with. because without it the journey that is to come over the next eighteen or so issues will have less meaning as these people find themselves walking a path none of them expect. Right now they are cocky and arrogant, basking in glory and attention, however ill deserved it maybe in some cases. This can change. They will change. If they start as heroes where is the journey that defines them? It would be the same as the other books, and that is something we most definitely don't want.

Your reaction to Cap's response to Tony is interesting, as almost nobody else picked up on the subtletly of it. You're right, Steve did seem to let it go too early, that wouldn't have been the response of the Hero of Omaha Beach. This is one of those instances where we get to trade on the preconception of who Cap is, but believe me, he didn't let it go. Most of these sorts of moments are going to have huge pay-offs in the second year and they have not been inserted without reason. We have worked carefully to begin laying the foundations for what is to follow, and this is one of them. There are others in the early issues too, that will have greater significance with hindsight.

Not every hero begins his journy orphaned in an alley attack or sent to earth from a doomed planet. Not every soldier is a hero. We will find out which of The Ultimates are heroes over the next year as we build towards our climactic arc.

Millar and I aren't trying to fuck with the legends in the MU, they are intact and the same as they have always been (part of the problem!) We are trying to fuck with the preconception, though. Without the build up to issue five and the appalling events in issue five and six, what comes next will have much less meaning.

It's a shame you aren't sticking around because I really think you'll find what happens next interesting, and besides which,we have a couple of grocery lists and address books we are trying to sell to Hollywood.

Hitchy"

The Ultimates #6