Good Vibrations For Two Iterations of Spider-Men

by Vince Brusio

No one stays dead forever in comics. And there are never simple answers, either. Which is part of the appeal of comics. There’s always…the next thing. Regular readers can identify. In the case of what’s next for Spider-Man, though, would you believe a long unanswered question is about to get a simple answer? The simplicity lies in a new limited series. In the upcoming Spider-Men II #1 (MAY170813), long-time fans are about to find out the identity of the other Miles Morales. To learn more about this five-issue series set to hit comic shops this July, check out our PREVIEWSworld Exclusive interview with writer Brian Michael Bendis!

Spider-Men II #1 (MAY170813) is in comic shops July 12.

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Vince Brusio: There’s a lot of drama in the Spider universe these days. Spider Gwen has come into her own. Ben Reilly is back in the saddle. How does Spider-Men II stand apart from these attractions, and show people a different kind of magic trick?

Brian Michael Bendis: There is always a lot of drama in the spider universe and the Marvel universe. What’s unique about this series is we have two men who are doing their part to represent something that started as one person’s personal manifesto and has become something of a legacy. And now they both live in the same place.  

We have this great opportunity to examine both characters, and what power and responsibility means.

Vince Brusio: What will the tone of this new series be like in comparison to other works you’ve done, like Ultimate Spider-Man?

Brian Michael Bendis: The surprise of the first series was how emotional it became. It kind of snuck up on me while I was writing and then it kind of snuck up on the readers. I know that’s why people feel so fondly about the original series. Well, because these characters mean so much to each other, because of the shared experiences, and because they mean so much to us… once again the book became very emotional. There is a lot of fun to be had and surprises galore, we even meet Miles new girlfriend in the very first issue, but those pesky feels keep sneaking up on me.

Vince Brusio: What’s your working relationship like with artist Sara Pichelli? How have you two communicated frequently during the production of Spider-Men II?

Brian Michael Bendis: Because there is a language barrier we do not speak as often as I would like. I don’t feel shunned or anything. I think the world of her, and I am very proud of what we have done together. So it’s weird to speak so little to someone in which I share something so special. But I know she thinks the same.

One of the reasons we work so well together is that from our very first issues together we fell right into place. We are trying to achieve the same kind of comic book page and the same kind of emotional truth.  Writing for her is an absolute pleasure.  Her character acting is so special.

Vince Brusio: What’s the give-and-take been like with this book’s editor(s)? What have you argued about, and who’s keeping score?

Brian Michael Bendis: One of the reasons I have made myself exclusive to Marvel is because I get along so well with editorial. Not only do I like them as people but our goal is the same. We are trying to make good comics and the same kind of good comics. I’ve been working with Nick Lowe, the head of the Spider-office, for almost as long as I’ve been at Marvel. He is one of the best editors in the history of comics. So I can tell you that the give-and-take has been inspiring and mutually beneficial.

Vince Brusio: What do you want to accomplish in this new book?

Brian Michael Bendis: Like the last series, this is a real opportunity to make a very big leap forward for both characters. I look at the series as kind of the end of a big personal chapter in which so much is examined and then a very big decision is made. Now that both characters live in the same universe, that alters their relationship. That changes things. It hasn’t been addressed. Now it will be.

And honestly, people still yell at me about the last page cliffhanger of the first series. So to answer that question for a patient audience is a lot of fun.  Not to mention an honor.

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Vince Brusio writes about comics, and writes comics. He is the long-serving Editor of PREVIEWSworld.com, the creator of PUSSYCATS, and encourages everyone to keep the faith...and keep reading comics.