Exclusive Interview with Paul Cornell!

Superpowers That Be has kindly been given an exclusive interview with the popular English writer Paul Cornell, whose comic Captain Britain and MI:13 is being hailed as one of the best ongoing titles out there right now. He's also written for Doctor Who, and has a new Young Avengers Dark Reign title coming out. For more Cornell check out his blog here.



Superpowers That Be: Will Pete Wisdom ever use his resources/team in a cosmic search for Kitty Pryde? (Does he even know what happened to her?)

Paul Cornell: He knows as much as the rest of the super hero community do, and I'm
sure if there was enough information to begin a search, he would.

STB: Seeing Dracula (and Merlin) in your world, I have to ask, is there any other chance for other classic works of fiction and/or history to jump time and join your book, such as Admirals Nelson, Aubrey or Hornblower? (Perhaps via Morgana Le Fey's time travel abilities?)

PC: Ha ha! What?! Why?!

STB: Continuing my nautical bias, does Brian have any accreditation as an actual Captain?

PC: I've given this some thought actually, and had members of the military call him 'captain'. I think it's an honorary rank that's been awarded him officially somewhere along the line.

STB: Is it possible that any other past members of Excalibur will make an appearance, other than Meggan? (Such as Nightcrawler, Colossus, Rachel---or perhaps a shout out to Moira's death or maybe a visit to Muir Isle?)

PC:No plans for any of those, but wouldn't mind seeing Muir Isle again.

STB: Do you see Captain Britain more fully realized as a movie or a TV serial (and who would play Lady Jac)?

PC: It'd be very hard to do, because of the British inclination to not take its own heroism seriously. Very hard to sell as anything other than a comedy. And I wouldn't want to do that.

STB: Would any of the team members ever consider running for office in England, possibly riding the wave of positive exposure?

PC: Only a few of them are entirely known to the public. I think, in public, Pete probably likes to be seen as some sort of bland liaison figure rather than the leader of the team. It's only Cap who could, really. And he wouldn't.

STB: Young Avengers vs. Runaways...who would win, and who would fall in love?

PC: I think Chase might have a thing for my new character Coat of Arms. She's a little similar to his old love, but kind of a twisted version. Nobody else is going to see that, probably! And I think they're pretty much even in terms of power.

STB: Are Billy and Tommy's maternity going to be addressed in your series, now that the Scarlet Witch is (apparently) back? (Also have they even realized they're Magneto's grandkids?)

PC: I'm not going there, that's something to be left in waiting.

STB: Is Stature a Young Avenger, a Mighty Avenger, or part of the Initiative, at least during your run?

PC: She's all three. They're not exclusive conditions.

STB: What other superhero title (any universe) would you love a chance to write?

PC: The Defenders. The Doom Patrol. Any sort of Avengers.

STB: Which Joss Whedon universe is your favorite?

PC: I remain a huge Buffy fan. The continuation in comics is awesome.

STB: Can you share a little bit about your actual writing process--such as do you follow a regular routine, suffer blocks, prefer writing in the morning or late night, pen&paper vs. computer, etc.

PC: I do a certain amount a day, no matter how long it takes (2000 words, five pages of comics or TV). These days I'm having to do double portions, but that's not a problem so far. I do daytime, often starting quite early, and never work weekends unless I really have to. And always on computer.

STB: Rose, Martha, or Donna?

PC: Who could choose between those three?

STB: What's your gut telling you about Matt Smith?

PC: Awesome Doctor. Nobody knows yet. They will.

STB: If the Doctor showed up and randomly saved your life, and offered you one trip in the TARDIS, where/when would you go?

PC: I think I'd like to visit the court of my favourite monarch, Edward the Confessor.



Thanks again to Paul Cornell! Be sure to check his blog, read his books, and bemoan the end of Captain Britain on Twitter. Good things are coming our way when a talented writer who is skillful and deliberate with his characters is given titles of increasing popularity. Can't wait for Young Avengers, and should Marvel editors happen upon this interview, I heartily suggest giving him one of the (many) main Avengers teams (particularly Mighty...imagine Bendis and Cornell deciding the fate of the Marvel U---would be fun.)