Keatinge Drinks the Blood of Brooklyn in "Morbius"

[CBR News]

In "Morbius: The Living Vampire" #1, the fugitive vampire took refuge in a crime plagued Brooklyn neighborhood. CBR spoke with writer Joe Keatinge about the issue's fallout and his plans for the series.


Full article here.

[EuphemismForSex]

As ridiculous as it is, I prefer it when Morbius is in costume.

[Jumpoff!]

Such High hopes for this book, the first issue bored me so bad I might not stick around for the 2nd. Really Really wanted to like this book.

[Regino]

Comparing the writing in this book to Frank Miller is lulz.

[eh_ver]

I have to say that I was pretty underwhelmed by the first issue. There was nothing bad about it, far from it. I enjoyed it for what it was and based pretty much solely on the great strength of the Spidey 699.1 issue, I'm on board for awhile. I have to say that I really loved the art in the .1 book, though Elson is really a great talent. I just liked the darker, sketchier stuff for his 'origin issue'. As Keatinge mentioned, there ARE a lot of really good Morbius books out there, as I've been discovering ever since I went Morbius-crazy after 699.1 (can you tell I loved that issue?). Some recommendations I'd make are-

Strange Tales- a one shot anthology from the 90s (right around Heroes Reborn, though that's as specific as I can get) that had Cloak and Dagger, Gargoyle and a Morbius story by Don McGregor, who had done probably the bulk of the Morbius solo stories in the 70s. Great little story focusing a lot on Martine that read a bit like meta-fiction, if I was getting it right. It was published after Morbius' Midnight Sons solo book in which.....well, I won' spoil it, but Martine is treated......in a different way than she had. I was fine with it, but if McGregor did write this story near the time of publication, he clearly did not. Great short story for hardcore fans, I think.

Morbius- the 90s "midnight sons" comic. The first 4 issues are really good and set up a good explaination for why Morbius works as a solo character. I still maintain that Morbius' needs are in the following order: his own life-> his freedom-> a cure or himself-> the needs of others. That is the best way to approach him and I think this series did pretty well with that. Being purely heroic does not make for a good horror character. Not one that will last long, at least. I didn't stay on this book for long, though, and its makes me wonder what I missed during that time about Martine and Simon Stroud.

Vampire Tales- the mini trades of this series is getting a bad rap on amazon due to the size (which IS small, though I kind of like it) and the lack of color. Well, the original material was black and white, so, well, whatever. the morbius stories, as well as the other material, is really well done and fun to read. I got a great bill everett werewolf (my favorite golden age creator) story and that esteban maroto art in the satana stuff is truly amazing.

I went a little off topic here, and I hope you'll forgive me for it, but its older work like this that gives me hope for this Morbius ongoing. Well, that and Spidey 699.1, boy what a great comic!

[Rosebunse]

I think we really need to give this comic a few issues.

I feel that Keatinge and company know what they're doing now, after reading a few more recent interviews. I feel like they didn't, well, except for the art team, really know what they were doing when this first issue was written.

But there's still time to save this issue if Keatinge keeps in mind that the people who love Morbius as a character, well, we REALLY love Morbius...he needs to know that.

But I think there is some hope for this book. While the reviews have been mixed, I think there have been some very positive reviews too. It's not like everyone hates this issue. I know I enjoyed it. Some people were just expecting too much.

[Joe Keatinge]

Hey, guys -- Keatinge here.

Thank you all for giving the book a read, regardless of reaction. I had a feeling it would be a little polarizing, but again, I'm thrilled folks are giving it a shot. Morbius isn't exactly Wolverine when it comes to popularity.

I do want to be clear that no one, especially me, is trying to compare the book in terms of quality of Frank Miller. I think the point was more that it was more inspired from that 80s era of Marvel Comics he was involved in, aimed to be done in a way that's not nostalgic. At least, that's how I took it. In a lot of ways, Morbius is me doing a Marvel book highly inspired by growing up in that era. The Frank Miller stuff, but more specifically the Spider-Man stuff written by Roger Stern, Peter David, stuff like that.

Anyway, yeah, for those of you sticking with the book, keep the 80s Marvel inspiration in mind when you read it and I think you'll get an extra kick out of what we do, especially around #3 and #4 specifically.

Joe

[Raphael Edwards]

Hey, guys -- Keatinge here.

Thank you all for giving the book a read, regardless of reaction. I had a feeling it would be a little polarizing, but again, I'm thrilled folks are giving it a shot. Morbius isn't exactly Wolverine when it comes to popularity.

I do want to be clear that no one, especially me, is trying to compare the book in terms of quality of Frank Miller. I think the point was more that it was more inspired from that 80s era of Marvel Comics he was involved in, aimed to be done in a way that's not nostalgic. At least, that's how I took it. In a lot of ways, Morbius is me doing a Marvel book highly inspired by growing up in that era. The Frank Miller stuff, but more specifically the Spider-Man stuff written by Roger Stern, Peter David, stuff like that.

Anyway, yeah, for those of you sticking with the book, keep the 80s Marvel inspiration in mind when you read it and I think you'll get an extra kick out of what we do, especially around #3 and #4 specifically.

Joe

Very respectful post, Joe. I like you more than Wacker already lol

The only issue with this book is, as you no doubt realized, the main character himself to me. I've never really been a fan of Morbius, so seeing him in a main title of his own doesn't really appeal to me. I'd hate not to give it a fair shot seeing as you could be telling a hell of a story and took the time out of life to come and speak with us, so if I ever have anything extra next time at my LCS, I'll pick up an issue just for you.

[Rosebunse]

If Keatinge is anywhere here, I want him to know that plenty of people enjoyed this issue

And I guess one thing this interview made me think of was, well, do you feel that the way Morbius acted in either FrankenCastle or the recent Legion of Monsters should be addressed? Especilally considering that he is sorta responsible for a few deaths...I mean, what do you think is the worse thing he's ever, ever done?

[Joe Keatinge]

If Keatinge is anywhere here, I want him to know that plenty of people enjoyed this issue

And I guess one thing this interview made me think of was, well, do you feel that the way Morbius acted in either FrankenCastle or the recent Legion of Monsters should be addressed? Especilally considering that he is sorta responsible for a few deaths...I mean, what do you think is the worse thing he's ever, ever done?

Glad you liked it!

The way Morbius has been acting -- In FrankenCastle and Legion of Monsters, the difference between how he acted in 699.1 and Morbius #1 -- is all going to be addressed. I don't have plans to call out FrankenCastle or Legion of Monsters in specific, but yeah, Morbius has obviously been going through a lot lately and it's going to have major consequences for him.

As far as the worst thing -- easily killing Emil. That embodies all the sins he's committed since.

Joe

[Rosebunse]

Glad you liked it!

The way Morbius has been acting -- In FrankenCastle and Legion of Monsters, the difference between how he acted in 699.1 and Morbius #1 -- is all going to be addressed. I don't have plans to call out FrankenCastle or Legion of Monsters in specific, but yeah, Morbius has obviously been going through a lot lately and it's going to have major consequences for him.

As far as the worst thing -- easily killing Emil. That embodies all the sins he's committed since.

Joe

Really? Emil? I wonder what that says about where you're taking this?

Emil is sorta an almost forgotten after-thought in most Morbius comics, so seeing that he'll be remembered in this series is interesting.

I hope the best for this series, and think the recon isn't that awful, especially since, unlike Wolverine, this is Morbius's first major recon.

[Hypestyle]

hmm... what neighborhood in brooklyn? Isn't The Crew supposed to be protecting Lil' Mogadishu/The Mog?

[Rosebunse]

I looked it up, apparently, Brownsville really is one of the worst places in New York. It also doesn't have a Starbucks. Yes, there is a place in New York City without a Starbucks.

Is there anyone from New York City who can attest to how bad-or not-Browsville is?

How much is Keatinge exaggerating?

[The Animal Man]

Noah St.Germain though does seem like a generic thug and flat out kicked michael's ass just because he wanted to be left alone(with no clear mission other than to rob the people of brownsville)

[Cheesedique]

Hey, guys -- Keatinge here.

Thank you all for giving the book a read, regardless of reaction. I had a feeling it would be a little polarizing, but again, I'm thrilled folks are giving it a shot. Morbius isn't exactly Wolverine when it comes to popularity.

I do want to be clear that no one, especially me, is trying to compare the book in terms of quality of Frank Miller. I think the point was more that it was more inspired from that 80s era of Marvel Comics he was involved in, aimed to be done in a way that's not nostalgic. At least, that's how I took it. In a lot of ways, Morbius is me doing a Marvel book highly inspired by growing up in that era. The Frank Miller stuff, but more specifically the Spider-Man stuff written by Roger Stern, Peter David, stuff like that.

Anyway, yeah, for those of you sticking with the book, keep the 80s Marvel inspiration in mind when you read it and I think you'll get an extra kick out of what we do, especially around #3 and #4 specifically.

Joe

I think he just enticed me to stick with this book for a few more issues.

#1 didn't blow me away but I could kinda see those influences.