DF Interview: Ron Marz rewinds to an untold tale in the past of a cosmic savior in ‘Warlock: Rebirth’



By Byron Brewer

Adam Warlock was created to be the perfect human specimen. Since then, Adam has gone on to be a cosmic savior, defending the galaxy from the likes of Thanos, the Universal Church of Truth and the Magus. But what will happen when the next evolution of Warlock emerges? Someone who is stronger, faster and smarter than Adam?

Don't miss this untold story of Adam Warlock and the Infinity Watch as Ron Marz and Ron Lim (Silver Surfer: Rebirth) introduce a new character that will forever impact Warlock's legacy! I sat down with Ron Marz and we blasted off to the land we love: Marvel Cosmic!


Byron Brewer: Ron, I know a lot of Marvel Cosmic fans enjoyed your retro Silver Surfer limited series last year. How does it feel to come almost straight back with an LS on Adam Warlock, re-teaming with cosmic art icon Ron Lim?



Ron Marz: Feels like the most natural thing in the world. Or universe. Working with Ron Lim and playing in Marvel’s cosmic playground were my first professional experiences. It’s where I learned how to do what I do. So coming back is great.



Byron: Any connective tissue between these two five-issue mags?



Ron Marz: There are definitely some aspects from the Surfer series that continue here, some threads involving Captain Mar-Vell’s son, Genis-Vell, as he tries to live up to his father’s legacy. That said, this Warlock story stands on its own without any knowledge of the Surfer series required. But not out of the question for the silver guy on the surfboard to make an appearance.



Byron: Your tale takes place during Warlock’s “early days,” says the solicit for Warlock: Rebirth. Which “early days”? The Fantastic Four HIM creation, Adam does Counter-Earth, the Starlin sagas… ?



Ron Marz: This story is set during the era of Warlock and the Infinity Watch, so not long after the events of the Infinity Gauntlet.



Byron: Give us your take on the character of Adam Warlock, especially during the period in which this Rebirth story occurs. Can you give readers a bit of a summary, an extended elevator pitch on what this particular cosmic saga is all about?



Ron Marz: Adam Warlock is, for me, a pretty tortured character. Like a lot of Starlin protagonists, right? Adam is engaged in an existential crisis. He is not human, per se, but he was created to be the pinnacle of humanity. So he wrestles with a lot of the angst of the human condition, just writ large. Adam was created to be the ultimate evolutionary step for mankind, but he broke from his creators. Seems reasonable that those creators might try again, and come up with a “hero” who would be less problematic. I guess the logline would be something like “What happens when Adam Warlock is confronted by someone who is better at doing his job than he is?”



Byron: Hmmm… Cosmic guest star list please! (Genis-Vell on a cover?)



Ron Marz: Yes, Genis-Vell appears in the story, and obviously we’re getting Gamora and Pip the Troll. I don’t think I’m giving away too much by saying that Doctor Strange will be appearing as well, both because he fits the tone of the story, and frankly because I wanted to write Doctor Strange again. We’ll have a few other guest stars, but I want to keep them under wraps for now.



Byron: What has me super excited about this limited series is the news that Ron Lim and yourself will be introducing a new character with Warlock ties. (Puh-leeeze do not be an iteration of the Magus!) Without spoilers, can you tell readers anything about this villain or hint at what the connection to Adam may be? Fans like detective work.



Ron Marz: The “without spoilers” part is a little tricky here. What I can say is that the antagonist for this series is very much a reflection of Adam Warlock, but it’s not the Magus, and it’s not the Goddess from Infinity Crusade. More than that, I’d like to keep that identity under wraps for as long as possible. I want to preserve some sense for the readers of not knowing what’s coming. We as a culture are so keen to always know what’s next that I think we’ve lost some of the magic of experiencing a story and not knowing what’s ahead.



Byron: Agreed. … Talk a little more about seeing your script come alive through the pulse-pounding pencils of Ron Lim!



Ron Marz: Ron Lim drew the first comic script I ever wrote, and he was the primary artist I collaborated with in the first couple of years of my career. I learned a huge amount about doing this by working with Ron Lim, so coming full circle and working with Ron again is just an absolute pleasure. You develop a rhythm when you click with an artist, and you can almost work in shorthand. I know what Ron does, and he knows what I do, how I approach a page. So there’s a lot of trust. There’s also the simple fact that Ron does beautiful work and is a great storyteller. Knowing that an artist is going to deliver on every page is a huge boon in making comics.



Byron: Ron, what other projects in which you are involved can you tell readers about?



Ron Marz: I’m part of the narrative team for Diablo IV video game, which will be released in June from Blizzard, so that’s a big chunk of my time. In terms of comics, the Resolution graphic novel that Andy Lanning and I wrote will be released soon via the Zoop crowdfunding platform. Andy and I also co-wrote a Twilight Imperium graphic novel for CMON Games that comes out this year, and we’re doing a new horror series for Heavy Metal as well. The hardcover collection of my Swamp God serial should be out from Heavy Metal soon. I’ve got a few projects still to be announced from both U.S. and international publishers. And I also served as a story consultant on an Indian television series that will debut later this year on streaming. No rest for the wicked.



Dynamic Forces would like to thank Ron Marz for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Warlock: Rebirth #1 from Marvel Comics is slated to be on sale April 19th!



A note from Byron: Since the writing of this interview, the identity of the book’s antagonist has become publicly known. For more, check out: https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/eve-warlock-makes-her-debut-in-ron-marz-and-ron-lim-s-warlock-rebirth



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