Steve Niles Takes Kick-Ass Into A Brutal Life of Crime

The world of Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.’s Kick-Ass has always been one where would-be superheroes clash with the likes of organized crime…often with limb-removing results. But with next month’s Kick-Ass#7, the new wearer of the mask Patience Lee takes the heroic identity into an arena it’s never been before: running a crime organization herself.

The new arc also sees the arrival of new regular creative team Steve Niles and Marcelo Frusin, and when CBR had a chance to catch up with the veteran writer carrying the banner forward, Niles shared exactly the sweet spot he wants to take Kick-Ass to.

“Expect things to get bigger, more violent, and much, much worse for the new Kick-Ass,” the writer explained. “The challenges ahead of her are huge -- she’s seized control of one gang to destroy all the others, but she still has to support her family and keep her identity secret. She’s making a whole lot of new enemies, and they’re coming for her.”

Following immediately from Millar and Romita’s establishing story, Patience’s journey is more complicated than that of her predecessor. “The lines are starting to blur a bit,” Niles said. “Patience has to work extra hard to stay on the side of good. But now that she’s triple-timing as a mom, a superhero and a crime boss things are getting much more difficult for her to keep these lives separate. It’s easier to lose sight of the mission, the deeper she gets sucked into the criminal underworld.”

Coming along for the ride is Kick-Ass’ burgeoning archvillain Violencia – or what’s left of him. “Violencia’s return is huge. He’s furious that Kick-Ass landed him back in jail, got rid of his boss and disfigured him in the explosion. He wants revenge, and this time he’s packing major heat. He comes back stronger and more evil than volume 1.”

Waxing philosophical about the franchise, Niles sees similarities between the classic Dave Lizewski Kick-Ass and his own character. “I think they share the same sense of justice, and they both have amazing confidence to face a room full of enemies,” he said. “Patience is, of course, much better armed with both weaponry and military training -- we’ll see that come in to play more during this arc. She and Dave both know that no one else can do this, and so they have to step up to be a superhero in the real world. Although they live very different lives, they share the same commitment to serve justice, and kick ass.”

A key part of delivering that feel on the page comes from Frusin, who’s style doesn’t mimic Romita’s but carries the same mix of grounded reality and over-the-top action. “Working with Marcelo has been amazing. I’ve been a fan of his work for years, so seeing him working on Kick-Ass is incredible. Stylistically, he handles the action and violence really well, he has a great sense of light and dark.”

But Niles and Frusin still are tacking the assignment as if they have something to prove, as the writer notes following Millar on the book is no less than “Intimidating! Mark is not only a friend but I am a huge fan of his work. Getting a chance to follow him on one of his own creations is really an honor and I hope fans of Kick-Ass enjoy it. Mark created a really fun universe to play in, so I’m having a great time.”

Kick-Ass #7 arrives on September 19 from Image Comics.