DF Interview: Ethan Sacks shines the bright light of the ‘Midnight Suns’ upon the horrors of the Marvel U.

By Byron Brewer

A dark prophesy and apocalyptic new villains with horrifying powers the likes of which Earth has never faced before ordains a team of Midnight Suns to rise and tear @#$% up: Magik, Wolverine, Blade, Spirit Rider and Nico Minoru. But what does this new threat have to do with the Sorcerer Supreme's past? And why is Strange Academy student Zoe Laveau number one on the Suns' list?

From writer Ethan Sacks and artist Luigi Zagaria comes a new rise of the Midnight Suns! And, although spelled differently, my heart beat a little bit faster fueled by love for an earlier iteration of the comic. And seeing buddy Ethan Sacks’ moniker on the solicit also encouraged me to sit down with the scribe to learn wassup with the Suns!


Byron Brewer: Ethan, I understand that the comic book Midnight Suns is most likely coming about in support of the upcoming video game, even coming in line with the change of “Sons” (from the former Marvel Comics title) to “Suns”. Is there any definitive connection between the game and the comic itself (aside of use of characters and team name) or is Midnight Suns, as I hope, its own thing embedded in the Marvel 616 Universe?



Ethan Sacks: Byron, the lineup and title are definitely influenced by the video game, but the story is not an adaptation or a promotional tie-in. In fact, it’s set squarely and firmly in the 616 Universe. The switch of the team name has more to do with the fact that it’s a much more diverse lineup than the original Midnight Sons. I also particularly love the double meaning: A midnight sun is a source of light that cuts through the darkness. We’ll be playing with that conceit.



Byron: I am sure most readers know this, but for completeness, tell us please the characters that will make up this iteration of the Midnight Suns.



Ethan Sacks: The team is led by one of my all-time favorite characters, Magik, who is drawn in by her connections to Strange Academy. Wolverine, who always has her back, has been dragged in quite reluctantly to a situation in which he can’t always find something to stab. Nico, without her staff, finds herself at a crossroads going into the series. Blade brings the institutional knowledge and legacy of the original Midnight Sons. He also brings a big stick. Finally we have a Ghost Rider – or more accurately, a Spirit Rider – in Kushala. I’ve been really digging writing her. Zoe Laveau, a student at Strange Academy, plays an important role in the story.



Byron: Were you a fan of the former Midnight Sons comic from Marvel? If so, who were some of your favorite members and, if this “Suns” mag (as I hope) goes beyond just the promotional to a fan-fave regular title, which members NOT now in the coming book would you like to see join?



Ethan Sacks: I am indeed a fan of the original Midnight Sons, with my favorite member always having being Blade. To be honest, I haven’t thought too far ahead about a potential for more stories beyond this 5-issue mini-series. My hope is there’s an appetite for more. Honestly, the only character from the original lineup that I would have added is Doctor Strange, though he has a good excuse for not turning up on account of him being dead and all.



Byron: Speaking of the comic coming in September, I understand your Suns members are in keeping with the game. But did you in any way get to choose which ones you wanted of the characters utilized in the game? If so, which heroes (?) did you NOT get that you would loved to have written in this spooky supernatural team setting?



Ethan Sacks: We did briefly look at other Ghost Riders as options, too, but they were busy elsewhere in the Marvel Universe. Midnight Suns is not a video game adaptation, it is its own story with consequences in the wider 616, which is a darn good thing. So we were very conscious of where all the major supernatural heroes were on the chessboard across Marvel when this story unfolds. But I am very, very happy with this lineup. I get to play with some pretty cool toys in the most mysterious corner of the Marvel sandbox.



Byron: I know we will soon be facing “a dark prophecy and apocalyptic new villains with horrifying powers...”, but can you offer any clue at all as to who/what cause actually brings them together? I think it was mentioned it is Blade who is the catalyst, but who/what is the threat? (I’m expecting “Read the book”, but I can dream. Not Loki? LOL!)



Ethan Sacks: Your powers of prognostication are indeed strong, Master Byron…. I indeed can’t tell you much about the plot. I can reveal that Blade is NOT the catalyst. That’s all I can say. That’s probably too much. Mystery is important in a mystery book.



Byron: Can you give readers a summary, an overview of what we are about to start. What type of adventure are we embarking on when we pick up Midnight Suns in August? (No fair using solicitation copy. I am stealing that for my own purposes.)



Ethan Sacks: What if every magic user in the Marvel Universe suddenly had the same apocalyptic vision? And what if that vision suggested YOU were the one who will cause the end of the world in a few days? This Midnight Suns team are the heroes you’d want on your side—to clear your name and avert the crisis.



Byron: Wow! … Talk about the art of Luigi Zagaria.



Ethan Sacks: Luigi has hit the ball out of the park with his work on Midnight Suns, combining the big, kinetic action you’d expect from a super hero team book with little moments of intimate character beats and other moments of freakish horror. Can’t wait until you see what he’s accomplishing!



Byron: Ethan, what is getting ready to hop out of that bag of surprises you carry around with you next? What projects, in or out of comics and in which you are involved, can you tell us about?



Ethan Sacks: There are at least three projects I’m working on that should be announced in the coming months. One is a non-fiction series that taps into my journalism background. Another is a really cool tie-in to a very different kind of game. I’m in talks for a creator-owned project. But they are in the surprise bag for a reason. I don’t have permission to reveal them yet.



Dynamic Forces would like to thank Ethan Sacks for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. Midnight Suns #1 from Marvel Comics is slated to be on sale September 14th!



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