Recently, we told you about the Kickstarter underway to fund Marvel: Behind the Panels of Secret Wars.
As per the log line: Pan-Galactic Universal Worldwide (PUG-W), a creative production company based in Southern California, announces the first volume in its new Behind The Panels series of deluxe hardcover art books, MARVEL: BEHIND THE PANELS OF SECRET WARS, a collaboration with Marvel Comics.
How does a team of talented creators destroy the Marvel Universe, replace every book in Marvel’s comic line with an alternate-reality crossover event, and then remake the multiverse in a way where every story before, during, and after the event still counts?
Written by Ellie Pyle, Marvel: Behind The Panels Of Secret Wars takes a deep dive into the secrets that shaped the groundbreaking 2015 crossover event, one of the most important stories in Marvel history, compiling tales from creative summits and planning sessions, wild pitches that never saw print, first looks at new character designs, and much more. Measuring 11.7”x16.5” and showcasing hundreds of gorgeous illustrations, this 300-page deluxe hardcover features meaningful insights from creators including Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić (Secret Wars), Jason Aaron (Thors and Weirdworld), Keiran Gillen (Siege and 1602: Witch Hunter Angela), Gerry Duggan (Infinity Gauntlet, 1782, and Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos), and Tom Brevoort (Vice President and Executive Editor, Marvel Comics).
Writer Ellie Pyle was kind enough to answer some questions via email about Marvel: Behind the Panels of Secret Wars and what readers can expect when they back the book.
Andy Burns: Do you remember your first thoughts when you read Secret Wars?
Ellie Pyle: It takes so many huge, crazy swings while still managing to feel personal. And it’s gorgeous!
Andy Burns: Tell me what inspired you to work on Marvel: Behind The Panels of Secret Wars?
Ellie Pyle: I wish I could claim this book was my idea, but I was hired onto this project by the folks at Pan-Galactic Universal Worldwide. It’s been great fun digging into the rich history of this unique event and get a chance to connect with so many incredible Marvel creators. It’s also an exciting opportunity to take folks on a tour of how such a massive crossover event gets made.
Andy Burns: Where did you start when working on a project of this size? I’d imagine it starts with buy-in from not only Marvel but also Jonathan Hickman.
Ellie Pyle: Absolutely! In fact, I had one other writer jokingly refuse to talk to me until I proved I had talked to Jonathan Hickman first. Fortunately, Jonathan, Esad Ribic and many other writers, artists, and editors have been so generous with their time, letting me interview them for this project. The editors, in particular (starting with Tom Brevoort), were essential in helping me get my bearings in the early stages of this book. With a crossover like this that took years to plan, impacted the entire line, and left a long legacy, it was very helpful to start with folks who could talk about a bunch of books and different parts of the process all at once.
Andy Burns: As you’re writing and researching, what sorts of revelations do you discover that you can share?
Ellie Pyle: I’ve collected a lot of personal stories from folks about how deeply this event resonated with a particular moment in their career or creative process. It shouldn’t be surprising that it remains so vivid an experience in the minds of the folks who worked on it, but Marvel has put out over 8,000 comics since then, and this crossover remains memorable.
Andy Burns: Secret Wars is my favourite event series/mini-series of the last decade – I read it multiple times a year. For me, even with all the stories that lead up to it, it also stands on its own as a reading experience. What is it about this series that makes it so accessible?
Ellie Pyle: As enormous as this event is, the main series itself is fundamentally character-driven. One of the greatest villains of all time, Doctor Doom, gets his moment to be the hero. He saves the universe, and especially the Richards family, when Reed couldn’t. And yet that’s not the end of the story. It’s a series full of stunning, inventive art, complex relationships and pairings, and moments that balance the epic with the human.
Andy Burns: What are your favourite moments from the series?
Ellie Pyle: There are so many, from the shocking early death of Cyclops-Phoenix to Miles and the hamburger (which remains a favourite inside the Marvel offices). But honestly, the moment that comes to mind today isn’t even when Thing stands up from being the Shield wall and walks…it’s the moment he realizes Franklin is “Suzie’s kid” and that seals his fate. Artwise, even with so many choices, it’s still hard to top the checkerboard of Reed and Doom in the final issue.
Andy Burns: Finally, give us the hard sell on why people should back the Marvel: Behind The Panels of Secret Wars Kickstarter?
Ellie Pyle: There are some very exciting exclusive extras that will only be available through this Kickstarter! You can get mini covers (including some variants) in their own mini short box. There’s even a puzzle!
You can back Marvel: Behind the Panels of Secret Wars here.
