WRITING MY FIRST MARVEL COMIC

The real breakthrough

This was it. This was the moment when I truly crossed that ultimate threshold I seemed to be preparing for -- in one way or another -- all my life up until that point. This was the moment I went pro.

Due to circumstances that I’ve recounted in multiple interviews over the years, my first regular, professional writing gig was landing the CABLE monthly series at Marvel Comics in summer of 1997. I was twenty-six years old.

Initially, I was being brought on strictly as a co-writer with then-current Cable writer, James Robinson (known for The Golden Age, Starman and Leave It To Chance, among many others). But somehow, after James had deftly engineered my entree, after we’d had a long lunch meeting where we went over the direction of the series going forward, and after I’d written the plot of our first issue, Cable #51, James managed to step off the gig entirely -- without Marvel jettisoning me at the same time. For whatever reason, they kept me on the book… possibly because James had given me his seal of approval but just as likely because they knew I was pretty much executing plans that James had already put into place (which I certainly was).

I still remember seeing this absolutely killer cover for the first time on the stands in January 1998. There it was… my name on the cover of a Marvel Comic. Not an insignificant moment in my life, believe me.

I started out writing this series in the classic “Marvel style”. That meant plot first, dialogue second (after the pages had been drawn by the artist). Closely following James’ lead (and format) that he’d established on his earlier Cable issues, this was actually kind of a hybrid, since it included some bits of dialogue.

Y’know, if I stop and think about it, I can’t believe I still have this file in any kind of a readable format. So many laptops have died on me since I first wrote this, back in the summer of 1996…

CABLE

ISSUE #51

THE HELLFIRE HUNT PART FOUR: FAITH AND DECEPTION

PAGE ONE.

We open with a panoramic establishing shot of present-day London, across the top tier of the page, once again centering on the mansion locale featured in #50.

From there we cut to a shot of CABLE’S HANDS working on the same computer console that Ch’vayre and the HFC used in the previous issue (we’re inside the Cocoon chamber now, picking up where we left off in #50).

We move over to IRENE, who looks intently at the OPEN, EMPTY COCOON, now cold and dark after giving “birth” to the Man last issue.

The final shot shows IRENE in close profile, looking across the room at CABLE, his back to us, hunched over the computer console, now lit up and working again. (Just trying to be a little dramatic here, not showing Cable’s face until Page Two…)

** From the finished, published pages I’m showing here, it should be obvious what the secret weapon was when it came to this Cable run… the one and only Ladronn. It was the second luckiest break of my career that my first mainstream gig paired me with such a visionary artist. He was indulging in his distinctive Kirby-meets-Moebius art style and I was absolutely in love with his work from the first moment I laid eyes on it. So let’s keep going…

PAGE FOUR/FIVE.

DOUBLE-PAGE SPREAD

We cut to ALL-OUT ACTION, as CABLE and IRENE are being fired upon by a large squadron (maybe two dozen or so, although we don’t have to see all of them here) of HELLFIRE CLUB SOLDIERS, some on foot and some riding those cool “Orion sleds” we saw in #48.

The setting is a quaint Swiss village located at the base of the Alps, which we should probably see in the far background just to establish where we are. This whole action sequence takes place in the traditional “town square” of this Swiss village, as well as connecting side streets and alleyways. It’s daytime. Not a cloud in the sky. In the background, a few innocent bystanders are scurrying out of the way.

Cable and Irene are in the foreground, ducking for cover as the HFC soldiers blast all around them. Obviously, they’ve just been ambushed. Although Cable’s expression is a serious “I-know-how-to-handle-this” look, Irene is freaking out as Cable jumps for cover while keeping one arm around her waist, pulling her along with him.

IRENE’S TYPING: “… things could get a little hairy” he said…

IRENE’S TYPING: Quite an understatement.

** So, yeah… that was the first double-page spread I ever wrote.

And here comes the second. When I write to Ladronn to “go nuts”… you’ll see he really went there…

PAGE SIXTEEN/SEVENTEEN.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

This is a double-page spread with four smaller panels (two on each page) running along the bottom. First, the double-page image…

We’re looking at a WIDE SHOT, with PIERCE, SHAW, and CH’VAYRE in the foreground on the left, looking out over a MASSIVE ARRAY OF HELLFIRE CLUB SOLDIERS AND WEAPONRY on the snowy plain beyond them. The soldiers are all dressed in winter gear. They’re obviously gearing up for a full-scale assault on Apocalypse. They’re taking no chances. They’re ready for war.

Go nuts here, Ladronn. We’re talking about squadrons upon squadrons of HFC soldiers on Orion sleds, a few high-tech tanks scattered about, plenty of foot soldiers, etc.

Pierce has a hand outstretched, as if he’s presenting this awesome display of the Hellfire Club’s power to Ch’vayre, who clearly looks impressed. Shaw stands calmly with his arms folded, every inch a leader of men.

PIERCE: … shall become ours.

The four smaller panels lining the bottom of the spread get in tight with various C/U’s and medium shots as the conversation between SHAW, PIERCE, and CH’VAYRE continues.

CH’VAYRE: And what of Cable?

SHAW: Cable? He is all alone and far from home. We left a welcoming committee for him to deal with. He’s probably dead already...

PIERCE: Oh, I sincerely hope not. It is by my hand that he should perish.

SHAW: One thing at a time, Pierce. I have placed you in charge of this operation. Your continued membership in the Inner Circle is dependent upon its success.

PIERCE: As always, Shaw, your “confidence” in me is inspiring...

The final panel is a medium C/U of CH’VAYRE. A look of grim uneasiness on his face. [His thoughts confirm what we all know: Pierce and Shaw are obviously out to get each other. Their mutual hatred is all too clear.]

** And I still feel like we ended the issue -- my very first Marvel Comic -- in style, introducing a relatively deep cut from Marvel history (James’ idea, but one I was more than thrilled to execute) as the cliffhanger…

PAGE TWENTY-FOUR.

Two panels on this page. The first panel is a Med C/U profile shot of WILHELM sitting in his chair, the fireplace behind providing dramatic back-lighting. He is reacting to Cable’s words spoken off-panel.

CABLE(O/P): It’s time, Wilhelm…

The second, very large panel is a FULL-FIGURE of CABLE, who stands calmly in the doorway of the study/library, pointing an accusing finger at WILHELM, who’s head and shoulders are located in the extreme foreground, his head turned in surprise to look at Cable.

Cable’s expression is one of grim resolve. It’s not a fighting stance at all.

CABLE: Time for you to face the consequences of your actions… actions and atrocities committed years ago. Time to face the truth of your identity. If you are a Believer, then you must know that nothing can remain hidden from me for very long…

CABLE: You can’t run away from your past, Wilhelm. Or should I refer to you as…

CABLE: … MASTER MAN?

CAP: TO BE CONTINUED

** Pretty cool shit and a more than decent start to my career.

Of course, for the purposes of this recollection, I’m choosing to see this bit of my history through decidedly rose-colored glasses. Don’t get me wrong… it was goddamned glorious. The dream was becoming reality.

But maybe some other time, in some future newsletter, I might get into how one of the greatest things to ever happen in my life coincided with one of the darkest periods of my life… and how those two things were intrinsically connected.

Joe Casey

USA