CBR: Alonso Speaks As Editor-in-Chief

**CBR News** · 01-07-2011, 11:57 AM

Axel Alonso, Marvel's new #1 editor, spoke with CBR News about his new appointment, from his view of the Marvel Universe and characters to the immediate changes he'll look to make and the mission of his staff in 2011 and beyond.

Full article here.

**Hulk_Is** · 01-07-2011, 12:17 PM

I always got the impression that Axel Alonso was a tad reserved but he said "he's no wallflower" so that'll work publicly. I can't wait to see which folks will get some work now at Marvel.

**BrotherUnitNo_4** · 01-07-2011, 12:31 PM

While I'm sure some people will complain about this interview not posing tough questions in regard to certain topics (Spider-marriage, direction of the X-Line) it's nice to just get a feel of what he's trying to do going in. Can't wait till we get some news after the retreat.

**poneley** · 01-07-2011, 01:10 PM

Best of luck to you Axel! I'm looking forward to seeing how you lead the MU.

**red eyes** · 01-07-2011, 01:16 PM

I hope it's not "more of the same" which has previously been said, good look Axel!

**SomeBodyAtCBR** · 01-07-2011, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by BrotherUnitNo_4

While I'm sure some people will complain about this interview not posing tough questions in regard to certain topics (Spider-marriage, direction of the X-Line) it's nice to just get a feel of what he's trying to do going in. Can't wait till we get some news after the retreat.

You know he isn't going to bring back the marriage, and the direction of the X-Line doesn't drop on him.

I like Alonso. He seems very well put-together and talented. Let's hope that comes into play!

**MatthewDiCarlo** · 01-07-2011, 01:27 PM

This interview said almost exactly what I thought it would. I feel like I've written this interview in various places over the last week. For the most part, I agree with him. I think he's been a pretty good line editor and I think it took a great deal of effort to understand that books like X-Men: Legacy had a place alongside whatever more edgy book he personally cared more about. I give him a ton of credit for that and it does bode well for the MU. I really do feel that during the Quesada/Jemas era everything felt very similar: decompressed, grim, gritty, street level, "realistic". And since Civil War (and especially over the last 2 years as Quesada's backed off) we've had much more diversity line wide. I want to see that continue.

Granted, I'm not sure if Axel is spot on when he talks about diversity between Amazing Spider-Man and Uncanny X-Force and X-Statix. Yes, they're different books but they're in a very different category than Agents of ATLAS and the Busiek/Nicieza Thunderbolts and FVL's recent Taskmaster mini or yes, even X-Men: Legacy. It's within the same sort of range and those books are outside the range. I think he'll understand that to a level.

My main worry with Alonso is that well, first and foremost, I don't think he likes what I like in comics, but that's okay because in a lot of ways Brevoort does and a lot of the current writers do. I don't know if he likes superheroes as superheroes. But he's grown as an editor since his days in charge of the Marvel Knights books and Bruce Jones' Hulk, so maybe it won't be a problem.

I really like Marvel right now. I hope I still really like it in a few years too. Things can change very quickly.

**Brannon** · 01-07-2011, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by BrotherUnitNo_4

While I'm sure some people will complain about this interview not posing tough questions in regard to certain topics (Spider-marriage, direction of the X-Line) it's nice to just get a feel of what he's trying to do going in. Can't wait till we get some news after the retreat.

They never ask Marvel or DC head honcho's tough questions. I really like CBR, it's a very fun site, but it is what it is--a promotional tool for Marvel and DC, run by fanboys, with very little journalistic integrity.

Axel does seem like a nice guy. The only thing that's bothered me about him is his admitted lack of knowledge regarding the characters. An eye for talent and understanding what makes a good story is fine for creator owned Vertigo material (there is no thematic "standard" to maintain) but this alone doesn't always work with corporate owned serialized fiction with years and years of established continuity.

**Alan Smithee** · 01-07-2011, 01:28 PM

A Goofy decision by a Mickey Mouse operation? Nah. Still, Al is tasked with some daunting challenges:

1) Making the X-Men relevant and readable and repackaged as "The Mutant Avengers."

2) Stopping the slide of Marvel books out of the industry's Top Ten.

As for yours truly, I plan to shave my head, grow a soul patch and sneak into that February creative meeting. I can see it now:

Al: "Men. Marketing has done the heavy lifting on pushing the most bestest line-wide event in Marvel history. "Fear Itself." Now, I'm just gonna toss this out there and see who runs it up my flagpole. What should the event be about, exactly?"

"Yeah, you in the back."

Bendis: "Avengers vs. X-Men. Then they team up to fight the big bad--ya'll ready for this?--the freaking "God of Fear."

Ven Lente: "You mean "Phobos?"

Bendis: "Who? No, this is a brand new villain more powerful than any we've seen before. Think Super Hulk meets Sentry and becomes the new top cop, and he wants to reduce all these mutant books, I mean characters. I'll figure it out while we go along. Hell, I just scripted the first two issues of my tie-ins."

Al: "Anybody else?"

Crickets chirp. Brubaker sobs quietly in a corner. A scowling Warren Ellis strokes the loaded revolver in his pocket. In a few days, Stan Lee will be rolling in his grave. The cojoined twins known as DnA crawl toward the door.

Finally, an imposing figure stands up. Matt Fraction speaks in a booming soprano: "C-c-c-can I write the main series?"

Al: "Great! We're set. You other bullpen sluggers start sending me your tie-ins. I'm gonna add this to my pull list. See ya in the funny pages!"

**MatthewDiCarlo** · 01-07-2011, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Osmium

Ven Lente: "You mean "Phobos?"

You do know that Brevoort has suggested looking to Secret Warriors for clues to what's upcoming in Fear Itself, right? Also, considering that Bendis sort of LAUNCHED Secret Warriors with Hickman and I'm fairly certain co-wrote the first issue.

Well, I get that you were trying to be funny.

I will say this: I think Marvel's Summit System is a godsend and works wonderfully when it comes to line-wide idea sharing and development and knowledge. That said, do I think Necrosha hit too close to Chaos War in some ways? Yeah, probably, but I've enjoyed both so I'm not going to complain too much.

**Alan Smithee** · 01-07-2011, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by MatthewDiCarlo

You do know that Brevoort has suggested looking to Secret Warriors for clues to what's upcoming in Fear Itself, right? Also, considering that Bendis sort of LAUNCHED Secret Warriors with Hickman and I'm fairly certain co-wrote the first issue.

Well, I get that you were trying to be funny.

I will say this: I think Marvel's Summit System is a godsend and works wonderfully when it comes to line-wide idea sharing and development and knowledge. That said, do I think Necrosha hit too close to Chaos War in some ways? Yeah, probably, but I've enjoyed both so I'm not going to complain too much.

Bendis has been planning this since "Disassembled." Te clues were everywhere.

**Trey** · 01-07-2011, 02:02 PM

come on Axel, Marvel universe is not the same as our reality. Please! I don't want to read about politics, the economy, or other "problems" that our heroes should tackle so people can "relate" (whatever the heck that means, I can relate to an 18th century composer, a hooker in Deadwood, or a talking raccoon, I as sure as heck don't want to read about Paladin losing his health coverage)

I get the feeling the last 5 years that editors are too involved with the story. Just edit. Don't write.

**Umbra** · 01-07-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Brannon

They never ask Marvel or DC head honcho's tough questions. I really like CBR, it's a very fun site, but it is what it is--a promotional tool for Marvel and DC, run by fanboys, with very little journalistic integrity.

Axel does seem like a nice guy. The only thing that's bothered me about him is his admitted lack of knowledge regarding the characters. An eye for talent and understanding what makes a good story is fine for creator owned Vertigo material (there is no thematic "standard" to maintain) but this alone doesn't always work with corporate owned serialized fiction with years and years of established continuity.

Tom Brevoort! Maybe that's why he was promoted. Axel will play to his strengths and Tom will play to his.

**jediracer** · 01-07-2011, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Hulk_Is

I always got the impression that Axel Alonso was a tad reserved but he said "he's no wallflower" so that'll work publicly. I can't wait to see which folks will get some work now at Marvel.

this is the first time I've ever seen a picture of him...