Crawl Space’s Jason Marsh Larouche had a chance to chat with Todd Nauck about penciling the Spider-Man/ Obama Team Up. Here’s Jason’s report.
This past presidential election, America and the rest of the world witnessed the realization of a dream, and Marvel Comics has officially acknowledged this historic event the best way they know how: introducing President Barrack Obama into the Marvel Universe. In Amazing Spider-Man #583, the new president meets – and teams up with – his childhood hero. And Todd Nauck is at a loss for words at the groundbreaking honor he has received for penciling this five-page story.
“It’s a complete honor, “ the penciller says. “To be chosen as the artist to draw this story featuring a historic presidential figure… All I can say is I’m honored.”
A longtime comic collector himself, Nauck was enthralled with the Marvel Universe starting with a historic event of its own. “I started with Secret Wars in 1984 when I was with the eighth grade. I began reading X-Men and whatever Marvel comic that caught my eye [such as] Spider-Man, Avengers, Alpha Flight. By 1988 I was collecting several Marvel titles regularly [such as] Amazing Spider-Man, New Mutants, X-Factor… By the time I was in high school I was reading many DC titles as well.”
That passion for comics metamorphosed into a passionate following of visual arts, a journey that went through high school and to his attendance at the Art Institute of Dallas. “[My biggest influences were] Art Adams, Rick Leonardi, Walt Simonson, Alan Davis, and Mike Zeck, “he admits.
His first professional assignment was for Marvel Comics while he was still at the Institute. Since graduation and his discovery, he went on to work for DC Comics, where he and writer Peter David ushered in the teenage superhero group book, Young Justice, all of whom destined years later to become the new Teen Titans.
That was a very fun book to do with writer Peter David. I loved drawing all the DC teens and their adventures. I found YJ has a very loyal fanbase years after the book had ended. A very special highlight in my career.” Such a resume made it a very easy transition to sketching a character like Spider-Man, who began in the early 1960s as a teenager. As to how he approaches the web-slinger, he digresses several things an artist must keep in mind. “The body type [must be] muscular, yet slender. [The suit’s] webs lay in a particular pattern. Especially the face of the mask. And I like to consider how he would move. Spider-like whenever possible.”
The premise of the 5-page backstory is simple: Peter Parker is assigned to attend the inauguration of Obama when a member of Spider-Man’s rogues gallery tries to disrupt the event. In the end, it is the web-slinger and Obama trading blows with this villain, a nod to the fact that Barrack is a Spider-Man comics collector. “I think that was the impetus of the book, “ Todd notes.
Look for Amazing Spider-Man #583 to hit store shelves Wednesday January 14, 2009.
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Un blog muy interesante, me ha gustado mucho. Agur
I think this Special Issue about Spider-Man and Obama will be an unforgettable, historic, awesome event! I’ll definitely buy this issue, but will never read or buy any of The Amzing Spider-Man: One More Day and Brand New Day issues since Joe Quesada ruined the series with those aweful ideas. Spidey and MJ should never make a deal with Satan concerning anything because it’s wrong and immoral/unethical. Joe and his so-called Spidey Brain Trust team aren’t as trustworthy as I want them to be. Peter Parker and Mary Jane belong together period.
I wonder if Obama will fire Norman Osborn now that he’s buds with Spidey.
Just one more difference between Marvel from the Distinguished Competition.
Ask yourself this… is his involvement in the book essential to the plot?
interesting…il have to try and pick this copy up. i dont know why ppl are so against it. i voted obama and think he will be a great president
What makes this really insulting… over on the Superman Homepage, there’s a pic somewhere with Obama posing in front of a Superman statue
I’m fairly certain Marvel would be doing this if ASM was selling 100,000 copies three times a month. It’s just a smart move considering the success of Obama merchandise, and the coverage of the fact that the president-elect once read Spider-Man comics.
While the story itself will be quickly dated, it’s a five page self-contained back-up feature, so it won’t affect any current subplots. And it’ll always remain a historical curiosity. Plus it should increase sales of a standalone issue, right before the Character Assassination arc, so it’s amongst the best times possible to introduce new readers to the title.
And it’ll raise Todd Nauck’s profile, as his panels get media attention.
I don’t necessarily mind comics or any form of media using real life people in “cameo” appearances, but they certainly make the issue feel incredibly dated. Just like the Steven Colbert back-up story last year, the President Barack Obama back-up will be just as dated in a few years time as well.
Furthermore (and I know this might tee off a couple of people) but this constant promotion of President elect Obama is getting ridiculous. All through the campaign, certain media outlets all but deified him, thus foregoing any sense of real objectivity when it came to their so-called “journalistic professionalism” and this back-up story appears to be no exception. I realize that him being the first African American to be elected to the highest office in the land was a historic moment in the United States, that it shows how far the United States as come from it’s beginnings. And as far as I know, President Elect Obama does comes across as a kind, warm-hearted, friendly man. But that doesn’t mean the guy has to be treated like he’s the Second Coming–especially since he has yet to prove how qualified as President he really is.
And yes, while Obama has reportedly said he’s a Spider-Man fan, it’s pretty obvious that Marvel is doing this in order to try and get a bump on Amazing, considering how even after a year, One More Day/Brand New Day has divided the readership and lowered the sales estimates. I’d say it’s a sign of desperation when not only are you resorting to more variant covers to sell more issues but when you also feature back-up stories involving phenomenons of popular culture in your flagship title.
This was a bad idea that should have never happened and the artwork both sucks and blows. ugh i wonder what will be worse overall: the story, the art or Obama’s presidency. im not a repub if you think i am i just dont think Obama will be a good president. and this will drag down issue 583 in my opinion and as far as im concerend we really shouldnt have anymore reason to make people hate spider-man
Fist bump? Really? Do we really want to have the fictional version of the POTUS doing some sort of fad-ish greeting (high fives included) with Spider-Man?
Normal firm handshake is the ONLY way to go!
Nice article. While I’m not a big fan of his artwork, Nauck seems to be a cool guy
WHY?! Darn Obama.