Interview w/Marjorie Liu, author of Marvel’s NYX:No Way Home series
Feb 13th, 2009 by Michelle Lauren
Superhero Saturday Feature: Interview with New York Times bestselling writer Marjorie M. Liu, author of Marvel’s NYX: No Way Home series
*Find full listing of Superhero Saturday posts HERE. *
Shown above: NYX: No Way Home, # 2
Please tell us a little about how you got involved in the NYX: No Way Home project.
I wrote the novel, X-Men: Dark Mirror, which got me noticed by some folks at Marvel Comics. We started talking, and about three years later, I was offered NYX. Of course I said yes!
How have the characters evolved from the original seven-issue miniseries published by Marvel in 2003 – 2005?
They’re a tight unit now, best friends. Family. The kids have worked hard to rebuild their lives, and when Volume 2 begins, they’re doing all right. It’s not an easy life, but it’s their life, their terms.
How much editorial control did you have over the storylines in NYX: No Way Home?
A lot. I wrote an outline before I started the series — received a great deal of very thoughtful feedback from my editor, John Barber — and then I started writing.
I noticed X-23, a member of the original NYX team is missing. What happened?
She moved on to X-Force.
Cecilia Rayes makes an appearance in this series. What was it like writing her? Can we expect to see any more of the adults from the original X-Men universe in this series?
Writing her was huge fun. Cecilia was introduced to the Marvel Universe in one of the first X-Men issues I ever picked up. I felt as though I was introduced to the X-Men alongside her. For now, though, she’s the only adult from the X-Men who is going to show up.
Most of your books in the Dirk & Steele series feature adult characters. Did you find it challenging to write teenagers?
Not really. Homeless teens are usually more mature than most regular adults. They have to be, to survive.
What was your favorite character to write in this series?
Hard call. I love Kiden, though. She is so smart, and fiercely brave.
When will the next issue of NYX become available?
I believe the last issue will be available in a couple of weeks.
(**Interviewer Note: To purchase issues of the NYX series, GO HERE. *)
Will there be a NYX: Volume 3 
If so, will you be involved?
I hope so, to both your questions.
If you could write a storyline for any Marvel character, which would you choose?
Gambit and Jubilee!
Do you have any upcoming projects (comic-related or otherwise) you want to let readers know about?
I’ve got two novels coming out this July and August — Darkness Calls, which is the second in my Hunter Kiss series — and The Fire King, book nine in the Dirk & Steele series. Both of them are high on action. I’ve also got a comic book project coming up that will be announced [during the February 2009 New York] Comic Con. Folks can learn more about my books at www.marjoriemliu.com.
(**INTERVIEWER NOTE: For those of you who missed Comic Con, one of those projects is Dark Wolverine. Wait a minute; I think I just fainted. I’m such a fan girl! GO HERE to read another interview Ms. Liu did about this project. *)
Marjorie, thanks for the peek into your NYX series. I’m an admirer!
Can you speak to any special challenges you face writing comic books as opposed to novels?
Michelle, thanks for the fun!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
My fav NYX kid is Tatiana. I love shapeshifters (they’re my fav paranormal fiction stories to read). Great interview.
Oh, and I’m surprised no one mentioned the Wolverine project! Dark Wolverine sounds awesome. Definitely keep us posted on that.
I’m excited about the Wolverine project too! I can’t wait till the X-MEN Origins movie comes out.
I’m also glad to see Cecilia Reyes made a cameo in the series. It’s always great to see some of the adults from the X-men universe.
Thanks for posting this Michelle!
I love X-Men! I would love to see more comics featuring Gambit, too. So hopefully Marjorie’s hopes pan out in that direction.
Thanks for posting this Michelle.
Yeah, Kiden is def. hardcore. Although my fave character from the series has to be Bobby Soul.
BTW — LOVE the cover for Starstruck! Make sure to let us know when it comes out.
Saw this interview on your Myspace. Thanks for the invite Michelle.
I own NYX #1 – #3, and plan to get the rest of the series. The art is pretty cool.
@ Marjorie Liu: what made you decide on the types of powers each kid would have?
Michelle, thank you so much for the interview!
Nancy: There weren’t too many challenges, except for learning the correct formatting, and getting a sense of pacing, which is different in comics. I love it, though.
Sam: That was already decided, because they had shown up in a previous series.
Hey, I just read about the DARK WOLVERINE project, and it sounds really cool, especially with the focus being on Daken.
@ Marjorie: What was your favorite part of writing the NYX series?
Michelle — just read ur newsletter mentioning this interview. Far as Dark Wolverine goes, I don’t know how I feel about someone else being Wolverine; I’m a huge Logan fan. But I think it’s an interesting take on the character so I’ll def pick up the comic when it hits stores.
Question for Marjorie: As a writer, do you find pacing more difficult in writing a comic or in writing a novel?
Hey Michelle! I just saw this posting on the Marvel group. I read the original NYX series and enjoyed this one. My fav character from the original NYX series was X-23, but I think Kiden is growing on me.
Great interview!
Thanks for posting this interview Michelle. I’m a huge fan of Ms. Liu’s. I first read her novella “Hunter’s Kiss” in the Wild Things anthology and it got me hooked on her writing style.
I’m not much of a comic book reader, but I’ve always enjoyed Marvel (my favorite character is Rogue). It’s really interesting seeing what goes into writing a comic series versus a book series.
@ Ms. Liu: You mentioned that you got your foot in the door at Marvel by writing “Dark Mirror” some years earlier. How did you get involved with that project?
Sorry for double posting. I forgot to say thanks to Ms. Liu for taking the time to answer our questions.
Thanks, everyone! These are great questions.
Will: I loved it all. Really hard to narrow it down. The creative team was great, trying my hand at something new – the characters!
Sandeman: Took some getting used to, but I don’t find the pacing any more difficult now. Writing a story is hard, either way!
Nora: I got involved because my agent happened to know the editor was looking for authors to participate in the relaunch of the prose novels.
@ Marjorie: Thank YOU! Doing this interview was really fun for me, and I’m excited about your upcoming novels as well as the next Marvel project.
Thanks to everyone who has commented so far.
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
I did not expect this on a Sunday. checked it out. great stuff. good idea.. Added your site to my RSS reader.