ULTIMATE Millar call

By: Mike Whybark
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2002
Source: Marvel Comics conference call

Mark Millar, scripter for Marvel's top-selling ULTIMATE line, spoke to the press on Wednesday in a call promoteing the upcoming release of ULTIMATE WAR. He characterized the series as being similar to the "ultimate movie crossover", in which "Clint Eastwood, Vin Diesel, and Heath Ledger" all appear.

"Superheroes tend to be fairly generic, but these are real personalities, you know. We've had one guy who's abused his wife, you know, you've another guy who's an alcoholic; just all these guys suddenly get together in one book, it could be great, you know?"

When asked how growing up in the UK had affected his storytelling for the line, he noted, "I think we approach superheroes ... from a different viewpoint than American creators do - we're kind of suspicious of guys who put on uniforms and tell you what to do." He added, "We're naturally suspicious people."

Marvel COO Bill Jemas noted that the books were designed to appeal to "intelligent 12 year olds" because of the impact of reader habits formed at that age, and Millar also noted that the books were consciously toned down to reach a broader audience, specifically in terms of language. "Hell," for example, was cited as a word that is not used in the books.

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