DF Interview: Quips and thwips: Joe Kelly teams Spidey with Your Friendly Neighborhood Merc

By Byron Brewer

At the San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel announced Spider-Man/Deadpool, a new ongoing series starring the Amazing Spider-Man and Wade Wilson.

But the legendary team-up extends to the other side of the page, as the veteran Deadpool team of Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness will reunite for the title. Kelly and McGuiness shared a lengthy and formative run on Deadpool in the early 1990s, shaping Deadpool into the character audiences know today.

To get the 411, Dynamic Forces pinned Kelly in its webbing and extracted the following info. Despite Deadpool’s presence in the conversation, the interrogation was rated PG.

Dynamic Forces: Joe, you and Ed McGuinness were one of the formative and legendary Deadpool teams that helped develop the Merc with a Mouth into the character he is today. How does it feel to be reunited with Ed on this series?

Joe Kelly: That's very nice of you to say, thanks. Working with Ed again is dreamy! Seriously, he's one of the nicest guys in comics, his lines and storytelling have only gotten stronger over time, and he loves these characters as much as I do. What's more, it doesn't feel like going back: Ed has grown as an artist, I've changed as a writer, so it feels like a whole new thing... except that I put an impossible amount of dialogue on the page and cover up all of his good new work. That's the same.

DF: Following the craziness of Secret Wars, I just wanted to be sure: in this team-up, we are talking Peter Parker Spider-Man, right?

Joe Kelly: Mayyyyyyyyybe?

<Internet explodes>

Yes, it's Peter. But that doesn't mean that we won't be poaching other Spider-verse folks for the series. I want me some Spider-Ham! 

DF: Joe, are you ready to unite two of the biggest-mouthed, wisecracking, witticism-spilling characters in Marvel history?

 Joe Kelly: Yes.

I feel an awkward pressure to embellish that answer with a witty bon mot or psyche-crippling yo' mama joke that would send even Donald Trump into therapy... but I resist...

Yes. 

DF: I do not know many comics writers who were not also comics fans, and there is something intrinsically special and joyous about seeing these two characters in an adventure together. Thoughts?

Joe Kelly: No doubt. I've said it before but it bears repeating: Spider-Man is my all-time favorite superhero and Deadpool is a cornerstone of my career. This is a book I would definitely read if I wasn't writing it! Since I am writing it, I won't read it, though, which is sad because it's the sort of thing I would like...

DF: Can you give us a rundown as to the storyline, in a non-spoilery manner?

Joe Kelly: No.

Again, I feel a pressure to expand upon that answer.... Um...

Deadpool has had a bro-crush on Spidey for a long time as we well know, and as we open in the new post-Secret War status quo, Deadpool has reason to take their "relationship" as it stands to the next level. Spidey is not happy about this, but once you're in Deadpool's orbit, it's pretty damn hard to escape... hijinx ensue. 

DF: I am wondering what kind of big-bad could bring these two together. Any hints?

Joe Kelly: Someone villainous, I think. Or perhaps it's just sweet sweet destiny. 

No. No hints.

DF: Oookay … Joe, what is it about Ed's art that makes it so special and vibrant?

Joe Kelly: Ed manages to balance the light "animated" touch of his earlier work within a grounded world. He can swing between comedy and drama effortlessly because his drawing is real and surreal in its way. It's magic... probably literally, like he sacrifices a goat once a week or rolls around naked in a mistletoe patch with the Druids.

Let's go with naked Druids. 

DF: Joe, aside from this title, any projects current or future you can tell us about?

Joe Kelly: Look for more Four Eyes coming out at the end of the year, an all-ages OGN in early 2016 and a boatload of stuff from Man of Action including but not limited to Ben 10,  Mega Man, a few secret animation projects, some films, some TV... dear lord, I don't have time for this! I gotta go!

But P.S. Spider-Man/Deadpool is my A#1 priority, editors and Marvel brass, so please disregard the previous paragraph ... Oh, forget it. I'm screwed. 

Thanks, Byron!

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Joe Kelly for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. A release date has not been announced but Spider-Man/Deadpool #1 is slated to hit stores in the fall!

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