Living the Legacy: ‘Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel’ Returns to the Marvel Universe This July
Living the Legacy: ‘Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel’ Returns to the Marvel Universe This July
Connor Cook
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Adam Wright
Nearly 30 years ago, Genis-Vell, originally called Legacy, debuted in SILVER SURFER ANNUAL (1988) #6 with the impossible task of filling in for his late father, the original Captain Marvel and an unparalleled hero who gave his life in the line of duty. However, in the CAPTAIN MARVEL volumes helmed by writer Peter David a few years later, the prodigal son found his footing, developing a cult following and starring in a number of classic stories.
Then Genis-Vell died. So did Rick Jones, the human with whom he shared a host body. As of last year, the chances of this particular Captain Marvel seemed slim.
And yet, debuting next month, GENIS-VELL: CAPTAIN MARVEL (2022) will explore a resuscitated run featuring both characters as they rediscover their bond in a five-part limited series written by David with art from the talented Juanan Ramírez. Old friends and new enemies promise to make life interesting for “Genis” and Rick. We talked to the creative team about their plans for this Captain Marvel’s new lease on life!
Colton Morris
Peter, I imagine that editorial pitched you on returning to a Genis-Vell series, so how hard of an argument was that for them to make?
PETER DAVID: It wasn't hard at all! Honestly, I hadn't thought about Genis for many years because Marvel had killed him off and Carol Danvers had taken over the name of “Captain Marvel.” But when they told me they were bringing him back I was thrilled to be involved.
Juanan, on the flipside, what was your familiarity with this character and Peter’s work on him going in?
JUANAN RAMÍREZ: To be honest, when I started reading Super Heroes, the way of reading them in Spain was still very different. Any publication always arrived out of order and it was very difficult to follow. So my first contact with Genis-Vell was not in the early days of the character. I was able to read something of Genis for the first time in [Kurt] Busiek and [Carlos] Pacheco's AVENGERS FOREVER (1998). I fell in love with [his] design from the first moment. It was later when I was able to read the character in more detail thanks to Peter David.
After all the Genis stories you have written, Peter, what remains to do with this character?
PETER DAVID: Well, he's got to learn about himself because he's a re-creation of the original guy. Fortunately enough, he's got Rick Jones to help guide him.
Juanan, how much old material did you reference to create your own take on Genis and his world?
JUANAN RAMÍREZ: I think that both Peter's scripts and ChrisCross's art [from the original series] have been decisive in understanding this character. The humor of these authors about the work is what has motivated me the most here. But I hope the fans are ready for the amount of action that comes in this series!
Benjamin Lewis
Why tell this story across several different eras, centering some in the present and some in the past?
PETER DAVID: Originally Marvel wanted the entire story to be set at the time of the original Genis. But when I found out he was returning to modern day Marvel, I strongly suggested that we split the story into both eras.
Why is the dynamic between Genis and Rick Jones unique from the one Rick had with Mar-Vell, and why does it work for good stories?
PETER DAVID: The bottom line is that Rick has been super-heroing much longer than Genis, so he's able to help him learn about the world in general and being a Super Hero in particular.
This series has a great built-in cast—was there ever any discussion about not bringing all of them back or were they part of the package?
PETER DAVID: Oh no, I knew we were going to bring in everyone!
Juanan, outside of Captain Marvel himself, who or what did you enjoy drawing the most?
JUANAN RAMÍREZ: I personally so much enjoy drawing any secondary character. I'm one of those people who have a good time playing with the strangest characters in fighting games, for example. So drawing characters like Symon or Bragg has been simply incredible! I think anyone who reads the comic will notice.
Both Rick and Genis were deceased as of fairly recently—does bringing them back pose any sort of challenge or is referencing this just part of the fun?
PETER DAVID: That's actually a major part of the story. Why does death never last in the Marvel Universe? Why do people die and then return to life? That's a major underpinning for the story.
Oliver Davis
Who will be the opposition in this series as far as more traditional villains?
PETER DAVID: Genis will find himself coming up against the Kree who have their own plans for him, and are not going to appreciate him giving them problems…
Juanan, as the new member of the creative team, how have you enjoyed working with Peter and your editors thus far?
JUANAN RAMÍREZ: Working with Peter and [editor] Danny [Khazem] has made me feel very comfortable and [have] a lot of freedom. Peter writes very clearly and I think he is the fastest writer I have ever worked with, as well as a great honor! And Danny lets any idea flow from the storyboard to the design of those secondary characters that I like to draw so much. Special mention for my dear Federico Blee for the colors, someone with whom I worked with on multiple occasions and who adapts perfectly to my work.
GENIS-VELL: CAPTAIN MARVEL (2022) #1 touches down in print and digital comic shops on July 27—be on the lookout!
HE'S BACK!!!!!
Caleb Long
>he's a re-creation of the original guy
...and PAD already delivers!
Oliver King
>Originally Marvel wanted the entire story to be set at the time of the original Genis.
Yet another book that was set in the past.
I wonder if in Marvel they are actually thinking about the implication of this kind of books being popular enough to get more on the same kind
Chase Howard
Hope he gets a nice crossover with Carol in either his book or hers.
Carter Fisher
yes
Justin Gonzalez
>PETER DAVID: Originally Marvel wanted the entire story to be set at the time of the original Genis. But when I found out he was returning to modern day Marvel, I strongly suggested that we split the story into both eras.
wonder who marvel would have given the current-day book to then? maybe Thompson who brought him back?
Easton Morgan
>I wonder if in Marvel they are actually thinking about the implication of this kind of books being popular enough to get more on the same kind
they probably make them for nostalgiabucks
Symbiote Spider-Man and the Marvel 80th anniversary one-shots were their trial run and seeing that the former was succesful enough to have four 5 issue minis was probably enough for Marvel to start making more old continuity minis, now with Ben Reilly: Spider-Man, New Fantastic Four and Gambit
Henry Robinson
>they probably make them for nostalgiabucks
Of course, but it means there is enough of those bucks to get multiple in-the-past titles running more or less regularly.
Hell, the X-Men have a whole regular series for it.
I'd wonder if it's the nostalgia factor for the era or the style\type of stories narrated that get people reading them
Gabriel Bell
>pairing him with Rick Jones again
No thanks.
Elijah Hernandez
>we literally get to go back
Jace Myers
Yikes
Isaac Wilson
Wyatt Jones
didn't Mondragon just have a redesign in Ewings GOTG?
Nicholas Richardson
what's the best method for suicide?
Kevin Sanchez
Again? Why does Disney do this? What is it about a woman showing her skin that bothers these people so much? There must be something pure or divine that makes their eyes burn
Connor Clark
>ComicBook.com has the exclusive first look at Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel #1 from writer Peter David, artist Juanan Ramírez, colorist Federico Blee, and letter VC's Ariana Maher. David helped define Genis-Vell and returns to chart a new chapter for the hero. The first look features glimpses at some of the characters most important in Genis-Vell's life, including Rick Jones, Marlo Chandler, Phyla-Vell, and Moondragon.
Adrian Bell
I don't think it's a redesign, that's the costume she wore in Genis's old series
It's part of the flashback segment of the book