Paul Gulacy set a name for himself in with his
trademark run as artist on Master of Kung Fu,
along with writer Doug Moench (Batman). Over
the years, Gulacy has worked on some of the most
popular fictional characters and universes ever
created, including Star Wars (Crimson Empire),
James Bond and of course, Batman. He recently
completed several projects for DC Comics - Batman:
Outlaws, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
“Fear” arc, and Green Lantern: Dragon Lord
- as well developed a creator-owned series for
Vertigo, S.C.I. Spy.
Paul took the time to speak with Slush Factory
about his current work and his (and Doug Moench’s)
upcoming return to the character who made him famous, Shang
Chi: Master of Kung Fu.
How long have you and Doug Moench been planning the
return to Shang Chi? Was it something you've
wanted to do for sometime now, or did it just happen
to come along with the recent changes of the industry
and Marvel?
We wanted to bring it back years ago. The problem,
I think, was with us. We couldn’t see eye to eye on
the Shang Chi character. I pictured him driving a jeep
with shades on and Doug saw him in the temple, a
little too much in my opinion. Luckily, we’ve worked
that out because we both feel it was time to
re-establish ourselves at Marvel.
A huge factor of Master of Kung Fu seeing the
light of day is, number one, Joe Quesada being a huge
fan of the series and second, the hiring of Axel
Alonso, another big fan who really pounded marvel to
bring it back.
And by the way, we did start this thing about 3 years
ago. We got the green light and were about 3 pages
into it before new cautious management took over and
gave it the axe.
What are you guys looking to do for the character?
Is this going to be the traditional approach or
something entirely different?
We’re playing as if there was a 10-year lapse of
time that went by. It’s played now as if it's
happening today, right now. Shang Chi walked away from
it all to find his peace, but Reston, Tarr and Leiko
stayed on as active agents for MI-6 through the years.
Leiko, on a mission, turns up missing and now they
want to recruit Shang Chi back in to lend a hand, much
to his chagrin.
How has working under the MAX imprint influenced
the current series? I know the original series was
edgy, but specifically speaking, has the bar for sex
and violence been raised at all?
It’s up to us. For me, when I feel its necessary
to pepper it with the sex and violence, I’ll have to
rely on my own intuition to do so. I’m sure there
will be blood, but not a blood bath.
Is the series going to be “in-continuity” in
relation to the previous series and the larger Marvel
Universe, or will it follow other alternate takes like
Fury and U.S. War Machine?
I’m not sure at this point. However, if they ask
us to do more, we’ll be on it like bluebonnet. The
sales response is key here.
Any plans for appearances by previously established
supporting characters or villains?
Yeah, we definitely feel it’s pertinent to
utilize the Fu Manchu character but oddly enough not
having the legal rights to use the Sax Rohmer
character, we're now forced to work around that by
never addressing him as Fu Manchu. It’s Fu, but he
ain’t called that. (Laughs) Also, we do have plans
to throw in some cameo appearances of some of the
characters from back in the day.
Who’s going to be coloring the series?
Don’t know. Somebody good, I hope.
What format will the new project be presented in?
It’s on target for later this summer, right?
A six issue mini-series. Axel and I discussed
having the first issue out by San Diego, but that
remains to be seen. We have to be careful on the
timing of it because we don't want to get buried by
all the Spider-Man hoopla that’s looming on the
horizon.
Late summer/early fall sounds like a comfortable
zone for us.
Any idea if Marvel is planning to launch any trade
paperback or Essential collections to coincide with
it?
I think it would be in Marvel’s best interest to
do so. It should have been done eons ago.
You’ve been working with Jimmy Palmiotti for a
while, who’s been doing his own bit of writing in
addition to inking. Adding in Doug, what’s this
creative triumvirate like?
Jimmy’s been dying to ink Kung Fu like
forever and he’s perfect for the job with that kind
of enthusiasm. Jimmy and I have become good friends in
the last couple of years, he’s a great guy who is
straight up with no B.S. Wait, what am I saying? He’s
the king of bullshit. (Laughs) Not as much as me,
though. (Laughs)
He’s the kind of guy you want on board because
he's got good creds, a keen business sense and ties to
go along with it. He’s the Godfather, you don't want
to mess with that bastard. (Laughs) So far, so good. I
haven’t been afraid of starting my car in the
morning. Just kiddin’, Jimmy.
Following your current S.C.I. Spy series
(also with Doug), are there plans for more
creator-owned projects?
Actually, we did have a follow-up project to S.C.I.
Spy. Not only did DC get a copy of the script, but
Doug’s agent in Hollywood floated it around until
eventually somebody stole the idea and turned it into
a TV series called Dark Angel. All the way down
to the barcode tattoo on her neck, bro.
What are some of the inspirations for S.C.I. Spy?
James Bond, Star Trek, Star Wars, the
Flint movies with [James] Coburn. I basically
took the spy game genre and threw it into outer space
as a different cooler backdrop. I gave Doug the ABC’s
of the concept and story and then he fleshed it out.
I know you’ve got your plate full right now, but
I’ve still got to ask… Any plans to eventually
return to your ongoing storyline (Prey, Fear) for Legends
of the Dark Knight?
Man, that would be great. I’d love to do a [part]
3. Maybe bring in the Joker, who I've never drawn. How
about a female counter-part Joker? I’m not done with
Batman. All roads seem to lead back to that character.
I love Batman.
Any thoughts on the turnaround the industry is
currently experiencing? Has this improved the
situation for artists?
Of course it improves the situation for the
creative folks who love this wacky medium. It’s
gonna be a slow process and creative marketing people
are a huge factor. You’re not going to sell a
product if nobody knows about it.
And you can't have too much of a product either. I
recently read where the huge department stores lose
money because of too much product and not enough
customers. Quit confusing the shoppers with too much
eye candy. Simplify.
Paper or plastic?
I love the reaction on the faces of the clerks in a
grocery store when I’m asked that and I say,
"You got rubber?"
Thank you, Paul, for letting us turn your brain to
Slush.
Gulacy's
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