[PREVIEW] MARK MILLAR AND TONY HARRIS' 'WAR HEROES'
Check out five preview pages of the new superhero miniseries from Image Comics and hear what the creators have to say about making battle plans for the creator-owned book!
By Kevin Mahadeo
Posted 5/13/2008
Join the attack squads when Mark Millar, Tony Harris and War Heroes touch down in combat zones and comic book stores this June.
The six-issue War Heroes, published by Image Comics, establishes an America in turmoil. After suffering brutal nuclear strikes by Iraqi insurgents, America endures total economic and political collapse, which causes a massive shift in the world order. However, the tides change when the government develops a way to grant every military cadet a superpower. It's exactly the kind of book fans expect from Millar, best known for explosive series such as Civil War, and Harris, co-creator and artist on the political-superhero thriller Ex Machina.
"It's the world's biggest power suddenly looking a little vulnerable," says Millar. "I like the idea of doing a story set in that time where America is falling apart at the seams. I developed this really depressing Web site [in the story] called Americanbrides.com, which is where American girls sell themselves off to Russians or Chinese."
The newfound superpower program easily entices citizens to join and gives them a way to run away from bleak America and "kick some ass in the Middle East," according to Millar. "I had this [series] idea for Ultimates 3, but it didn't seem to work out in the confines of the Ultimate Universe because what I was building toward with Ultimates 1 and 2 was the idea of Americans having a superhuman military strategy."
Harris says his background gives pinpoint accuracy when it comes to properly portraying the armed forces.
"I grew up in a military family," explains Harris. "I spent my whole life living on bases. So I've always had a fascination with military. I'm a gun collector and just an enthusiast about World War II. I collect a lot of memorabilia from that period. I actually own most of the gear and weapons that you see me draw in most of my books."
The first issue introduces three of the series' central characters, each of whom gains a superpower that Millar says he's extremely elated to play around with. And the writer enjoys the freedoms that Image Comics provides.
"One of the nice things about doing a creator-owned series is that there are literally no restrictions," says Millar. "War Heroes, for me, is what I would love to do with Ultimates 3. I think anybody who enjoyed Ultimates 1 and 2 will get off on War Heroes because it's the balls-to-the-wall book of my dreams."
Sign up, power up and get ready to stand up and cheer for this preview of War Heroes, and then pick up the book when it hits stores June 25.
