Articles: Interview: Karl Kesel (1/29/98)

SKleefeld: I just heard, Karl, that you'll be writing 1998's Fantastic Four Annual. Congratulations. I know you were hoping to write the FF after Heroes Reborn; I'm happy to hear that you'll be able to chronicle some of their adventures.

If you've got a few moments, I'd like to ask you a few questions. I run the 4 Freedoms Plaza web site and I think readers would like to hear some of your thoughts on the book.

Karl Kesel: Got your e-mail and instantly checked out your FF web site -- IT'S GREAT!

I'll try to answer a few of your questions about the FF Annual.

SK: You've mentioned that the team-up approach you've taken with this story is unusual compared to other 1998 Marvel annuals; the two groups being "The Fantastic Four and... the Fantastic Four?!?" This obviously is open to some interpretation. While I realize that was your intent, could expand on any details? I would guess that your second FF would be either the Fantastic Four of 2099 or the Challengers of the Fantastic, two fantastic foursomes that you helped create. Care to verify or denounce the idea?

KK: First, It won't team up the FF with either the 2099 team, or the Challengers of the Fantastic. The real answer is stranger than either of those.

SK: Back when Marvel was looking for a post-Heroes Reborn creative team for the Fantastic Four, you and Tom Grummet submitted a treatment for the book. Will that treatment be used as all or part of your FF Annual or will it be an entirely different story/approach? Do you know if Tom will be pencilling the book? For that matter, do you have anyone else working on the book yet? When can fans expect to see your FF Annual?

KK: The idea that was approved (and that I have already finished plotting) was not from my original proposal when I desperately tried to convince Marvel I was the man for the book, but actually came from an idea I had in my Thor proposal! (Another time that I was beaten out by someone else for a Marvel title; but then, Thor isn't the one book I've wanted to work on my whole life.)

SK: Although you helped create Fantastic Four 2099, you only wrote five issues. Why did you leave the book so soon after starting it? Were there unusual editorial decisions or directions that caused you to leave? Why was the book cancelled so quickly (with issue #8)? What sort of ideas had you planned if you had continued on the book?

KK: My run on FF 2099 was cut short by the callous firing of the editor, Joey Cavalieri, who didn't deserve that sort of treatment. I, and a number of other creators, walked from the 2099 titles in solidarity. I don't think my run on FF 2099 was that spectacular < one possible reason I didn't get the real FF book < but I do think we were about to start something with the book that would've been very exciting, very unexpected, and probably very upsetting to a lot of fans. I can't say exactly what, because if I ever do get a chance to do the FF, it's a storyline that I guarentee I'll still do.

SK: What other projects do you have lined up? Is there anything you'd like to do in the coming months?

KK: Currently, I'm writing and inking Superboy (starting with issue 50), and plotting Adventures of Superman. I'm about to start writing another project for DC, but I can't give any details on it yet.

SK: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I appreicate it. And I look forward to seeing your latest incarnation of the FF.

KK: Keep in touch, and keep up the great work on the web site!