Tony Stark is a self-described futurist but Kieron Gillen will explore Iron Man’s hidden past in The Secret Origin of Tony Stark.
“Howard Stark has a secret. A dirty dirty secret,” Gillen kicked off the Marvel.com liveblog.
“I was walking through the airport thinking I wanted to do
something meaningful that hearkened back to the beginning of Iron Man for his
50th anniversary and also spliced in some stuff with the Guardians of the
Galaxy. I thought to do all that would be impossible. Then I had an idea. Then I
laughed, because I couldn’t do that. And now…”
“Tony discovers something from the past that changes
everything we know about the Marvel Universe and Tony specifically.”
Howard Stark is an important figure in the history of the Marvel Universe with ties to SHIELD, the Super Soldier program and in way he is the military-industrial complex of Marvel. Gillen reveals a roster of classic characters for what could be Howard’s own Ocean’s Eleven.
“I want to do a caper. It’s about getting something. It takes place in Vegas. The Stark Seven is Howard Stark’s heist team. General Ross, Jimmy Woo and Dum Dum Dugan are on the team along with some new characters I’ve created. At the same time, it’s a big space epic and a period piece.”
“There are reasons why this has never come to light that involve the safety of the entire Earth,” teases Gillen, “We haven’t seen much about Howard and Maria Stark, especially post-Jonathan Hickman’s S.H.I.E.L.D. That’s interesting. Drama is about what characters are willing to do or not do in order to achieve things.”
The Godkiller arc just launched this week with Tony on trail in outer space. Gillen says look back to the premiere arc for clues to what’s coming.
“If you re-read Iron Man #6, you’ll see stuff for Secret Origin. Family is on the table. I think Howard would be incredibly proud of Tony today.
Tony says that Howard made him as far as his ideals. You’ve got a lot of room to explore Tony’s parents, especially Maria.”
Fans have seen new suits of armor debut in the series so far and Gillen teases what’s next with Tony’s creations.
“The armor in this arc is big. I’ll give you that. I don’t want to say more because the reveal is a great moment. There’s been nothing like this ever in the Marvel Universe.” –
The 12-issue story will take place in the past and present and like the teaser revealed “you will see Tony in diapers at some point.”
“It’s big. Tony’s perception of everything will change. Looking at Tony Stark, I had a realization that was troubling and also made
sense as far as why he is different.”
Artist Dale Eaglesham will join Killen for the arc starting with Iron Man #9 this May.
Here’s the Marvel.com liveblog link.
By Editor