Kelly Sue DeConnick, who just took over as the writer on Marvel’s Avengers Assemble (making her the first female creator ever to write an ongoing Avengers title), the “entry-level” Avengers book bogged down by less continuity than the rest, conducted a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” interview earlier this week and gave surprisingly long and insightful answers.That surprise shouldn’t reflect on DeConnick, who’s a pretty articulate writer in general–but rather on the process, as AMAs tend to see the answerer inundated with questions and doing their best to answer them; not everyone takes the time to give each question answered a thorough and thoughtful consideration.As we occasionally do here, we scoured the AMA and will reprint some of the highlights below.Compared to the last few years, how do you think the Big Two are doing in their representations of women (in terms of both characters and creators/employees)?I think progress is being made.Digital comics are a growing field. Has the growth of digital influenced the way you write in any way?Hm… Probably not substantially, no. I’ve always been hesitant to use a double page spread. They intimidate me, honestly.I know it’s still super early, but is there anything new you can tell us about Pretty Deadly?Next year.I love the Castle graphic novels you and [Brian Michael] Bendis have done. What is that co-writing process like?On the first one, he wrote the first 30 pages then handed it off to me. On the second one, he gave me notes on my outline that substantially affected the direction I was going, but once I started scripting it was all me.Was it weird to hand those characters over to someone else, now that Peter David will be writing the next volume?Nah. I’m excited to see where it goes.
Captain Marvel
Is there any character that you would really like to write, but haven’t gotten the chance?
What tools do you use? Do you keep a paper notebook with you to hand write ideas? Do you write & edit your scripts on a computer or iPad? What software do you use? something like Final Draft or just MS Word? What does the final product look like? Does it have specifics for every panel and every word of dialogue? or is it more general?
I understand that it’s supposed to be a movie friendly team but do you plan on expanding the team besides the already announced Spider-Woman?
Avengers Assemble
Do you coordinate with the film division for cinematic universe appropriate stories?
Do you find it hard to write with kids around? Or do you make sure to let them know that when Mommy is writing they stay out.
How do you feel so far about Captain Marvel? What kind of “pre-game” prep did you have when they approached you with that?
What are your favorite things about writing Captain Marvel & Avengers Assemble? And do you have a personal favorite character to write?
Ghost
Any exciting projects you have in mind for the future?
Pretty Deadly
Is it correct to say you eventually transitioned to “mainstream” comics from a background in manga translations? Did that job inform your style of story writing or structure?
What do you think about the state of women in comics? Both from a literary and artistic standpoint.
What books/writers have influenced you the most as a writer and in life?
A Widow for One Year
The Sun Also Rises
Sandman
Stainless
I’ve just got an iPad and Captain Marvel is the first comic I’ve started reading digitally. What are your thoughts on where the digital market will go in the next few years? Comixology is great, but at the moment my concern is what happens if they go under. I think if they went DRM free I’d bite the bullet and go completely digital. As it is I’m a little wary of leaving print.
great
Also, how is it working for Disney/Marvel? Are they better than their scary past incarnations where they couldn’t care less about the writers and artists?
Why do you think someone as awesome as Squirrel girl hasn’t hot her own series?
First off, I just want to say that your Captain Marvel is one of my favorite books out there right now. The first arc was awesome! Who doesn’t love a good time travel story?
But my real question is this, do you see a future in the industry where the idea of a female creator working for one of the big two isn’t a note-worthy achievement but rather part of the everyday (or more appropriately, weekly) life of the industry?
I know this isn’t going to be easy to talk about because it’s not even easy to ask about. As someone that struggles with these sort of problems, I see you & Matt both as examples that early struggles with addiction can be overcome & lead to happiness, clarity, & professional success.
Why do you think it’s been so difficult for Marvel to establish a female hero who isn’t 1.) based of a male counterpart, 2.) made to give gender balance to a team or 3.) made to be the love interest of a more popular male hero?
