Alternate Histories: An Interview with Greg Pak

Greg Pak (pronounced Pock) is an accomplished film director and comic writer with acclaimed runs on The Incredible Hulk, Hercules, and Action Comics, among others. In his ten years as a published comic writer, Pak has written tragedy, comedy, and high drama, he’s shaped the births of some of Marvel’s most dangerous villains, written DC’s flagship title, and even shown the world a gay, gubernatorial Wolverine!

In short, he’s a pretty impressive guy and it’s no surprise that he’s in high demand at the moment. Pak currently writes Superman in DC’s Action Comics and Batman/Superman, a revived Turok: Dinosaur Hunter for Dynamite, and is set to launch the first ever Storm series from Marvel next month.

I managed to talk to Mr. Pak at Special Edition: NYC. As you might guess, he was very busy but he absolutely insisted on giving thoughtful and intelligent answers to every one of my questions. I really appreciate him taking the time to talk to us and, if you do too, maybe you should pre-order Storm #1 at your local comic shop as the window to do is rapidly closing.

Wonder Woman #42 – Review

By: Gail Simone (writer), Nicola Scott and Fernando Dagnino (pencillers), Doug Hazelwood (inker)

The Story: The story opens with a flashback to a scene where three Green Lanterns were pursuing a planetary infestation so lethal that one of them didn’t make it back alive. Fast forward to Wonder Woman today, dealing with Steve Trevor and the fallout of the whole Genocide arc. This poignant moment, however, is interrupted by the arrival of that self-same infestation. Diana is Superman-class powerful, but can even she survive something that made short work of three Green Lanterns?

What’s Good: Simone has always had a good feel for Diana’s voice. She has consistently written the idealized nurturing, loving, empathic warrior. This issue was no exception and I think that the only time the issue really sounded true to me as a Wonder Woman story was when she was talking to Steve. This was the pure, visionary hero who fought Genocide, who beat Ares, and has a voice, ethic and perspective different from every other DC hero. And speaking of voice, I loved the three Green Lanterns and the way each spoke and interacted with the world in a different way. Good writing. Scott, Dagnino and Hazelwood on art chores did a competent job. The action is clear and pretty dynamic, although I didn’t feel that they were blowing the doors off this barn.