Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, cullen bunn, dynamite, entertainment, Masks 2

"So Many Heroes, All From Different Timelines" – Cullen Bunn Talks Masks 2

Keith Davidsen, writer of Reanimator #1, talks with writer Cullen Bunn about Masks 2 #1, both on sale now. Covers by Butch Guice, Jae Lee and Colton Worley.

KEITH DAVIDSEN: What's the biggest challenge in assembling and managing a cast as far-reaching as Masks 2?

CULLEN BUNN: The biggest challenge stems from the sheer ambitiousness of it all — so many heroes, all from different timelines, thrown together in one big story. I had to figure out a way for it all to work together. I admit, the story was intended to play out in a different manner, but kept getting bigger and crazier as it went along. There's an additional challenge of making sure all of the cast members get their fair share of panel-time. I didn't want any one character to overshadow the rest.

KD: Is there any character among the cast that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?

CB: The Shadow is definitely my favorite character. He's kind of a smug jerk, but I like that. I also have fond memories of my dad telling me stories of the Shadow's adventures from the radio programs he listened to when he was younger. I also like Peter Cannon quite a bit. I fondly remember reading some old Thunderbolt comics when I was a kid.

KD: With a loose-knit team of capable and powerful heroes to play with, how does that affect your decision on the threat that they will face?  What kind of villain could possibly pose a threat to such a cadre of crimefighters?

CB: For this kind of story, I needed a villain who was a threat for all of the heroes in every time period. The Red Death is a vicious killer, and his machinations are seemingly undying. No matter how many times she is seemingly defeated, she resurfaces to cause more trouble. Her plans, though, have a more devastating effect than even she can imagine. This is what drives all of the heroes together in the most unusual way.

KD: There's a "legacy hero" component hinted at during the first issue of Masks 2. What inspired this multi-generational tale, and what are your thoughts on its tremendous scope?

CB: Yes, there are definitely a couple of new legacy characters appearing as of the second issue. The inspiration for a multi-generational storyline came from trying to connect the dots with the characters I knew I wanted to include. The Shadow, Green Hornet, and the Spider are easy enough, but when I think of adding Peter Cannon to the mix, it gets more difficult. So, I decided to start the story with the first three issues taking place in three different eras, then connecting these seemingly disparate stories in a strange way.

KD: Some of the cast members are truly iconic, like The Shadow and Green Hornet, while other characters have lesser renown. Which type of character do you find easier to write, the kind that has such a well-established (possibly restrictive) persona, or a character that is a blank canvas?

CB: I think the more iconic characters are a little easier to write, because I know how they sound and behave. That said, it's a lot of fun to work with the lesser known characters — their personalities and their histories.

KD: For fans familiar with your work outside of Dynamite, what would be the most convincing argument for them to try Masks 2?

CB: Masks 2 should serve as a great introduction to a host of classic characters as they embark on a huge crossover story unlike anything they've gone through before. Even if you've never read about any of these characters, my guess is you'll have a favorite once this is all said and done, whether it is a classic character, a legacy character, or some strange version of a character you've heard of but never seen in such a way. Uh oh … I might have said too much.

For more on Masks 2 #1, click here.

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