WW Philly: Deodato to Draw "Wolverine: Origins"

CBR

By Dave Richards

Published May 30, 2008

Mike Deodato, Jr. takes over as the new regular artist on "Wolverine: Origins" with September's issue #28. CBR News spoke with him about the book as well as his previous gig, "Thunderbolts!"


"Wolverine: Origins" #28 on sale in September

In Marvel Comics' "Wolverine: Origins," the title character's quest for vengeance has been steeped in blood, history, and shocking revelations. This September, when Wolverine embarks upon the second mile of his quest in "Wolverine Origins" #28, artist Mike Deodato Jr. will be the one depicting all the action, carnage, and surprises. CBR News spoke with the new series artist about his latest assignment.Wolverine is Deodato's favorite Marvel character, so when "Origins" editor Axel Alonso offered the book to the artist, he eagerly accepted. "We've had a great working relationship since my stint awhile back on 'The Incredible Hulk,'" Deodato told CBR News. "Alonso knew I've been aching to do Wolverine for years but, for the most part, I'd only drawn him on a few covers. Did you know that, in all my years at Marvel, I've only done a few little X-Men jobs? I launched the 'new style' I've been working in -- over these past few years -- on a little 'Nightcrawler' story, I did some pages on an issue of 'X-Men: Legacy' that I think just came out and, most notably, I've drawn a 'Wolverine Annual' that's not even on the publishing schedule yet. This is my first time leaping in to become a full-time artist on an X-Men related project."Deodato's style for "Origins" will be very different than that of outgoing artist Steve Dillon and Stephen Segovia, who turns in a two-issue stint on the book in June and July with issues #26-27. "They've asked me to maintain the moody style that I used on the 'Wolverine Annual,'" Deodato said. "The writing will be different from 'Thunderbolts' [Deodato's previous assignment], so the thinking behind my visual approach will be a bit different, as well."


"Wolverine: Origins" #28 on sale in September

Wolverine is a multifaceted character and Deodato wants to make sure his depictions capture all of the adamantium enhanced X-Man's glory. "Fans have long been into the wow factor of the character. Handled right, he's fascinating and as far from a 'one-note' characterization as comics get," Deodato remarked. "The guy has history -- he's old, he's experienced, he's been practically everywhere and seen --and done - -so much. A lot is said about his animalistic instincts, but that comes layered with all the knowledge and skills and relationships he's gained through all those years of his life. It's my job to breathe as much of that life into the art as I possibly can."Deodato finds "Origins" use of flashback sequences in Wolverine's past to be a crucial part of the book's appeal. "One thing I like very much is the opportunity to draw new things-- I don't mean new as in 'bright and shiny,' but as in 'something I've not drawn before,'" Deodato explained. "So having the chance to draw all the locations and timelines keeps the drawing much more interesting than rendering the same ol' New York City streets page after page, issue after issue."At the time this interview was conducted, Deodato was still very early on in his work on "Wolverine: Origins" and hadn't yet received any scripts. "I'm looking forward to starting the book," he said. "As I'm telling you all this, I'm still working on the final pages of my final 'Thunderbolts' arc, and I have to say writer Warren Ellis gave us all an amazing ride! I wish he'd been able to do it monthly. If readers haven't read our work together, they need to grab the trade paperbacks as soon as they hit the shelves."Now discuss this story in CBR's X-Men forum.