Avenging Spider-Man, Daredevil and The Punisher collide in The Omega Effect. This 3 part crossover blasts into stores this April! Greg Rucka and Mark Waid were featured in today’s Next Big Thing Marvel Event and included some just drop dead gorgeous art from Marco Checcetto, Marcos Martin and Steve McNiven!
Mark Waid recapped that Daredevil discovered a device with secrets about the five biggest criminal organizations in the Marvel Universe.
“Matt is trying to figure out the best application for this thing when Frank Castle knocks on the door.” -Waid
“When Frank finds out about the drive and what’s on it, he figures he should have that. ‘I can keep it safe and I can use it properly.’ Matt hears that as ‘I can keep it safe and I can use it to kill lots of people.’ So you see the conflict immediately.” -Rucka
The two writers are working together on Avenging Spider-Man #6 kicking off the story. Reed Richards recruits Spider-Man to recover this device he invented.
“It’s several players from different walks of life with similar goals who try to work together, but as the story progresses, different allegiances arise and backstabbing take place.” -Waid
“When Mark told me some of his bigger plans for Daredevil, it became clear to me that some of the things I was doing in Punisher fit. We’re working together without bending or breaking either of our books.” -Rucka
“Daredevil has been in the ‘Why hasn’t he committed suicide yet?’ phase for so long. The new lease on life Mark has given Matt makes him, honestly, more fun. Mark never forgets the wonder that makes super hero universes so vibrant. You never forget that Matt is blind, and that is a detriment, but there is something quite beautiful and elegant in the way Mark never lets you forget both the blessing and curse of that.” -Rucka
“What Greg has done with Punisher not only in print, but as I’ve talked to him, he’s given me an understanding of a character I up to this have never given a nickel about. Not only has Greg explained his mission from his point of view, but he’s given him an accomplice, which gives me an emotional hook for the character. Daredevil has made peace with never being able to change Frank, but maybe there’s some hope for redemption elsewhere.” -Mark Waid
Spider-Man is caught between these two and Waid praised what Dan Slott is doing with Peter Parker.
“The whole new rule of Spider-Man, the law of Dan Slott, is that nobody dies. I love that. It makes him unique and strong in the Marvel Universe. And to throw him up against The Punisher with that point of view…” -Mark Waid
For the full interview with Rucka, Waid and Editor Steve Wacker click here.