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THE WIZARD Q&A: MATT FRACTION ON ‘THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH’ | | New one-shot explores past history of former Iron Fist and Prince of Orphans, John Aman | | | By Kevin Mahadeo | | Posted February 19, 2008 | |  | |  Taking a break from the massive Kung Fu Tournament dropping kicking readers’ pleasure zones in Immortal Iron Fist proper, writer Matt Fraction takes a trip to the past and sheds some light on the Green Mist, John Aman, and his journey from bounty hunter to rebel fighter (and possibly duet singer) in The Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and the Green Mist of Death one-shot that hits stores tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb. 20).
WIZARD: This book focuses on Orson Randall and picks up right after Immortal Iron Fist issue #12?
It doesn’t pick up right after. It’s a cul-de-sac story. It all takes place in the past. At the end of issue #12, John Aman reveals that he is the Prince of Orphans and is secretly allied with Lei Kung the Thunderer. Aman, for all his ferociousness and all his mystery, is actually on our side and has been waiting for this tournament and waiting for Danny. If you’ve been reading this book, you know what’s about to come, and Aman has been ready for it. This is the story of how he came to be on our side. And it’s all through Aman’s experience hunting down Orson Randall, and these four occasions in which they met.
Is it all through the perspective of Orson?
Largely. But as the story goes on, as Orson gets to know Aman, we get to know Aman. And suddenly it’s like a buddy book. By the end of the book, Aman isn’t the hell bent cipher—he’s very much flesh and blood.
You compared the two before to Han Solo and Boba Fett. Do you treat Orson with that arrogant cockiness Han is known for?
Well, he’s the scoundrel on the run, and he’s not afraid to use his friends as human shields and put as many people between him and Aman as he can.
What about Orson is so appealing to you?
Well, he fills in these historical gaps in the Marvel Universe. He was there at the dawn of the superhero. The masked adventurer, the pulp hero—he spans those generations. It’s an opportunity to tell these great, wild stories you don’t normally get to tell. And to not worry about contradicting Captain Awesome-Face #480 or whatever. He’s the perfect vehicle for these unencumbered, big adventure stories.
Will you be exploring this character more later on?
I thought I was done [before], but then the special came up. With Orson, I’ve learned to never say never.
What can readers expect to see in the actual issue—a lot of fighting, a lot of chasing?
There are four different genres. There are four different backdrops and insane, pulp adventures: There’s a big time urban action story, there’s a Western, there’s a gothic horror story and there’s a world traveling story. It’s seeped in a lot of different pulp traditions. Also, the Son of Frankenstein.
For a second I thought you said “Young Frankenstein”!
[Laughs] [Sings in Peter Boyle voice] Puttin’ on the Ritz!
[Laughs] That would be great to see Aman and Orson break out into that.
You’re right actually. It’s a shame the book went to press!
For a preview of Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and the Green Mist of Death, go here!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Come meet Matt Fraction in person at Wizard World Los Angeles March 14-16.
Click here for tickets! | | | | | | | | |
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