Marc Andreyko is currently entertaining fans with his own version of TRIAL BY JURY in the pages of DC's MANHUNTER.  Paperback Reader's Carl Towns and David Bird got a chance to speak with Andreyko and help new fans get to know him.

PAPERBACK READER: What was the first comic you remember reading?

MARC ANDREYKO: Amazing spider-man #136 on a plane ride to Boston with my mom in the early '70's. I particularly remember Peter Parker's apartment exploding and MJ being injured in the blast. This I remember, but not a lick about the periodic table or algebra! Sheesh!

PBR: How'd you get your start in the industry?

MA: Through working with P. Craig Russell on a "Dr. Strange" one-shot. I knew Craig because he lived in the same town where I went to college and we had been friends for a few years at that point.

PBR: You’ve worked in film. How would you compare that to working in comics?

MA: It pays better!:) Oh, that's probably not what you meant. They are actually pretty similar in many ways, but the plus in comics is you get to see your work produced, generally, in a more timely fashion.

PBR: You live in LA and the comic is set in LA. Do you enjoy using your local setting?

MA: Absolutely. It allows people who know the city to feel closer to the book and the ramifications of things happening in a real place seem more affecting than in a fictional city.

PBR: How did you approach DC about the Manhunter comic?

MA: After my "T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents" project fell apart, Dan Didio said DC was interested in a female Manhunter. I took that germ of a concept and pitched him the character of Kate Spencer. The rest, as they say, is history...

PBR: How much influence did DC editorial have on the comic creating process? With the tie-ins to Identity Crisis I’m sure they had suggestions.

MA: It has been a fairly seamless and organic process. The stories I pitched just sort of dove-tailed into the events of "IC", so it was more serendipity than trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

PBR: DC has had a lot of Manhunters. Any particular reason for using that name again, instead of coining a new one?

MA: Well, it is a great name. And after the latest arc in "Manhunter" there won't be all that many left around. :)

PBR: Spencer loves her son, but she is not a very good parent. That’s an unusual way to portray a female hero. What kind of feedback has it gotten?

MA: It has been polarized. Most people love the facets of Kate’s personality, but some people have real problems with her "unlikability factor". I find it interesting that people have trouble with a well-meaning but lacking mom, but characters like Wolverine, Batman, the Punisher, et al. Have killed dozens of people and/or placed kids in jeopardy on a regular basis. I bet if Kate wore a metal thong, they'd like her more! LOL

PBR: Do you see her willingness to use lethal force as a source of conflict with other characters in the DCU?

MA: Oh, absolutely. The heroes will be split into two factions: those who wish they could do what Kate does and those who think she is as bad as any villain.

PBR: When she had an opportunity to use lethal force, in recapturing Sands, she didn’t. Does that represent any change in her attitude?

MA: No. Her reasoning for not killing Sands was that he was already in the system. Kate believes fervently in the justice system. It is only when it is abused and manipulated that she'll take matters into her own hands. And she only uses lethal force on those who commit heinous crimes.

PBR: Those shadowy figures on the last page of issue 6 were the stars of Villains United, correct?

MA: Um. Maybe:)

PBR: Will Manhunter be tied into the Infinite Crisis the way she was tied into Identity Crisis?

MA: It will affect the book on some level. We're still working out all the details. But the short answer is "yep!"

PBR: I understand her techie Dylan Battles is named after a friend of yours. How does he feel about his comic counterpart?

MA: He wishes he was as cool as his character!:) Actually, he really digs it a lot. He's a great guy and a good pal, so sliding him into the DCU has been fun.

PBR: Is Jesus Saiz returning to the title after he finishes the OMAC project?

MA: A definite maybe:) we love Jesus, but now that he's a big star he probably won't return my calls!

PBR: Is the upcoming trade going to have some extras in it?

MA: Still to be determined.

PBR: You've got this buy back policy for Manhunter. Can you explain it to those still a little nervous about picking up the title?

MA: Well, I know new titles are risky in today's market, but I firmly believe in "Manhunter". So, I have a standing off to all new readers: you buy an issue of "Manhunter" and hate it, I’ll buy it back from you.

PBR: A lot of creators at DC such as Greg Rucka, Gail Simone, and Geoff johns has shown their love for Manhunter, hows that feel?

MA: Completely gratifying and unexpected. I have been fans of these folks' work for a long time and to have them express their support publicly means more to me than I can say. I am eternally grateful to them for all they've done and continue to do to get people to check out the book.

PBR: What DC or Marvel characters would you like to write?


MA: Geez, so many. But the top of my list includes: Yellowjacket and the Wasp, Cloak and Dagger, Omega men, Nightwing, Man-Bat, Strikeforce: Morituri, Infinity, Inc.

PBR: Any projects coming up from DC?

MA: Hopefully, but nothing is set in stone yet, so I don't wanna jinx anything.

PBR: For your new readers, what works of yours would you recommend after they’ve finished Manhunter?

MA: Torso which I co-wrote with Brian Bendis, The Lost (if you can track back issues down!), Black Sun, and the soon-to-be-published "Pendragon" w/ Steve Sadowski from IDW!