WizardWorld interviews Greg Pak about War Machine

This December marks the launch of a new ongoing Marvel comic book series focussing on Jim Rhodes, aka War Machine, the character played by Terrence Howard in the "Iron Man" movie. The book will be written by Greg Pak with art by Leonardo Manco. Here's an excerpt from Brett White's WizardWorld interview with Pak about the series:

Since War Machine is going to start acting globally, have you used real life global conflicts and political events to inform the series' tone or stories?

PAK: You bet. For the most part, we're avoiding the use of actual countries because we don't want to create a fake history in which a superhero solves the problems of real world conflicts that continue to this day. But there's a real world precedent for almost every outrage and atrocity we're showing. If you've ever opened up the newspaper and shook your head with dumbfounded amazement at the horrific stories that the whole world seems to be doing its best to ignore, War Machine might just be the comic book for you.

You've gone from creating the epic "Planet Hulk" storyline to this new, globally conscious "War Machine" series. What attracts you to the bigger storylines and how do you balance character work with explosions and high-action?

PAK: When you're telling a giant story, concentrating on the characters is pretty much the only way to make it work. We've all been to spectacular action movies with the most mind-blowing action sequences imaginable...that were totally boring because there was nothing there to make us care about the characters. So I've always loved stories that combine those big genre hijinks with genuine emotional stories. "Seven Samurai" is probably my favorite movie of all time, both for its ridiculously entertaining epic scope and for its utterly human and humane depiction of every character. As far as I can figure, the trick is to make certain that every big action piece reflects and furthers the emotional conflicts at the core of the story. So in every issue of War Machine, we're aiming to blow your mind viscerally and emotionally.

X-fans interview Greg Pak about "Magneto: Testament" at CBR

"Magneto: Testament" writer Greg Pak answers fan questions in this weeks "X-Position" column at Comic Book Resources. Here's an excerpt:

Will we actually see Magneto enter a concentration camp (as this has been shown in some versions of his origin)?

Yes. This wasn't a decision we made lightly. But when we undertook this project, we made a commitment to do justice to the material. As I wrote in the afterward to the first issue, we're doing our best to tell this story in a way that's "honest, unflinching, human, and humane." And Max's experiences in Auschwitz aren't just critical to his development as a character - they're an essential part of telling the story of this time period.

Geeks of Doom posts massive interview with Greg Pak

GeeksofDoom.com has posted a big interview with comic book writer and filmmaker Greg Pak about everything from Texas politics to "Robot Stories" to Asian American themes to Skaar, Son of Hulk! Here's an excerpt:

GoD: Your early film work seems to have focused on Asian American themes, such as Fighting Grandpa and Asian Pride Porn. Without necessarily connecting the two (which would seem, on the surface, awkward), you obviously have a deep influence from your heritage. Tell us a little about your early film work and where you drew your inspiration.

GP: I’m half Korean and half white. These days, people usually think I’m the same ethnicity as whomever I’m standing next to — Latino or Arab or Jewish or Native American or Dutch or whatever — I’ve heard it all. But I’ve always identified strongly as Asian American. When I was a kid I looked pretty much straight up Asian and got my share of racist taunts. But my parents taught me to be proud of my heritage and the Boy Scouts taught me that America was all about liberty and justice for all. The upshot is that I think a big motivating factor for me in becoming a storyteller was this desire to break down the barriers that separate people, to do my little bit to humanize different kinds of people.

“Fighting Grandpa” was my thesis film at NYU — it’s a documentary that asks whether my Korean grandparents ever really loved each other. It’s an incredibly specific story, rooted in one Korean American family’s unique quirks and history. But after screenings, people of all different backgrounds would come up to me and say that that was the story of their grandparents. That meant a great deal to me on a personal level, of course. But it also made me happy because it meant that folks of all different backgrounds had bonded with these Asian American people on the screen in a way that they might never have before. And in a world in which Asians are still horribly stereotyped and ridiculed in the most repellently racist ways in all kinds of media, that felt like a good thing.

In a kind of crazy way, those same impulses have probably helped me write the Hulk. On one level, “Planet Hulk” is about how what we think we know about a person can be completely wrong. Everyone knows the Hulk and his Warbound companions are monsters. But by the end of the story, we realize they may just be heroes. People are always deeper and usually better than the stereotypes would have us believe.

Greg Pak talks up "Hulk Family"

Kevin Mahadeo has interviewed Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Paul Tobin about their work on the upcoming "Hulk Family" one shot. Here's an excerpt from the Greg Pak interview about the Skaar story he's contributing:

Well, can you give up a little hint as to some of the stuff that will be popping up in this issue?
PAK: Well, you're going to find out the origin of Skaar's loincloth. [Laughs]

Yes! The story we've been waiting for! [Laughs]
PAK: Exactly! Where did he get that jaunty loincloth and how did he know how to wear it with such pizzazz? We also get a glimpse of young Skaar's artistic abilities. So, how about that? And of course much slashing and smashing takes place. And who knows, somebody might eat somebody.

Greg Pak talks "Savage World of Sakaar"

Comic Book Resources has interviewed Greg Pak about the "Savage World of Sakaar" one shot that hits comic book stores on September 24. Here's an excerpt:

"Savage World of Sakaar" is both an anthology and a single story that ties into the larger mythology of Sakaar. "There's an overall story that fits right into the continuity between 'Skaar' #3 and #4. And there are a number of other stories throughout the book that reveal critical bits of history from the lives of several of our key characters." Pak stated. "I'm pretty darn proud of the book -- it might just be the best Skaar script I've written thus far. And it's absolutely chock full of key character moments for our principals and little nuggets and hints about what's to come."

Marvel.com interviews Greg Pak about Skaar, War Machine, Magneto, and Hercules

Yep, just about all bases covered! Kiel Phegley interviews Greg Pak about just about every Marvel comic book he's writing, including "Skaar: Son of Hulk," "War Machine," "Magneto: Testament," and "Incredible Hercules." Just a taste:

Marvel.com: Speaking of payoff, this week sees the final part of your "Sacred Invasion" storyline pitting the gods of Earth against the gods of the Skrull empire. How will the finale to this event tie in affect the status quo of HERCULES as we move forward into future adventures?

Greg Pak: The nice thing about this is that we wouldn't have done a crossover if we didn't have an idea that made sense that was not only a fun addition to the big event but was also taking the big super story of our characters to the next level. This isn't just a little detour for Hercules and Amadeus. This whole Skrull adventure is key in setting up very important elements in terms of the epic adventure story that they're on—particularly in terms of the last few pages of issue #120. Some of those things are going to reveal themselves, and it should be kind of a mind blower for people who have been following the book for a while. There are big consequences and ramifications coming out of this story that will affect these characters for quite a long time.