EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dan Slott Shares His Thoughts on SPIDER ISLAND and What's Next for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Recently I caught up with Dan Slott, the current writer of Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, and he offered some insight on what it was like writing the just completed Spider-Island story arc, as well as commenting on Peter Paker’s love life, what its like writing New York City as an actual character, and what we can expect next for the webslinger!

This summer, heroes, villains and ordinary people across Manhattan gain spider abilities, but not all realize that with great power comes great responsibility! Can Spider-Man keep the peace? Dan Slott spearheads this arachna-tastic event in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man!

The Spider Island series, which spanned several months and over 30 comic book issues, is one of the most well received recent story arcs featuring The Amazing Spider-Man. Author Dan Slott was kind enough to go into detail about his favorite aspects of the series' final issues, and teased what comes next for New York's friendly neighborhood webslinger:

[Spoiler Warning: the following excerpts contain massive spoilers from the final issues of Spider Island]

Zoë: One of my favorite parts about the recently ended Spider Island series was the Epilogue. Hardly ever in comics are we given an epilogue, where superheroes give very human, and sometimes hilarious, reactions to what catastrophic event just occurred. It was incredible to see crowds of naked superheroes react to being pantsless. Do you have a particular favorite comedic moment in this last comic?

Dan Slott: "I'd have to go with Naked Hercules struttin' his mythic stuff around Union Square. And a hundred percent of that is how Stefano Caselli drew him. The pleased look on his face, the swagger in his gait. That was priceless. With the way Stefano illustrated that panel, I could've slapped any text in there and it would've been funny. Stefano makes my job easy."

The panel where Carlie realizes the tattoo is still on her hip, and the look of horror on her, face is a captivating image. Did you have a specific reason for breaking up her relationship with Peter Parker?

"Two words: Dra- & -ma. That's why. From day one, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko added a level of Soap Opera into Spider-Man's life that NO super hero has had before or since. Some super hero comics are pro-wrestling meets morality plays by way of empowerment fantasies. And sure, Spidey's got that going on too. But all of it's constructed around a sturdy spine of Soap Opera. It's Peter's life outside the costume that keeps us coming back. And for that to be interesting, it has to go through lots of ups... and, sadly, downs."

Even though Spider-Man comics usually serve as a homage to New York City, this entire series felt like a love letter to the Big Apple. Places I visit on a daily basis, along with many other New Yorkers, including Herald’s Square, the 5th Avenue strip and Union Square are predominant features throughout. What was it like showcasing Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs as characters in your comics?

"Awesome! The Marvel Universe IS the world outside your window. It's been that way since FF #1! We don't have Metropolis or Gotham. We have NYC! And though there are character's like Daredevil, who has deep ties to Hell's Kitchen, and the The Thing, who's rooted to 'Yancy Street' and the lower East Side, no character out there is more tied to New York than Spidey! A big part of the fun of Spider-Island was mapping the story out across the landscape of Manhattan (we even have an ongoing feature about that on the Spider-Island section of Marvel.Com).

"The guy who made it all work is Humberto Ramos. He drew the heck-- not just out of ALL of Spider-Island-- but out of all the reference for the city to boot -- thank GOD for Google Maps!. You really CAN tell where you are in NYC on every darn exterior shot."

You're on board continue Spidey's post- Spider Island escapades, what next can we expect from Peter Parker? He’s newly single, with the ever alluring Mary Jane at his side and Dr. Strange’s spell is broken. How will this change his direction?

"You'll have to wait and see. Mwa-ha-ha. But next up, you can expect...

"The high-flying return of the ORIGINAL Vulture. A done-in-one adventure starring JUST the Sinister Six (with NO Spidey in sight). A two-part crossover with one of Marvel's BEST ongoing titles, DAREDEVIL. Further developments with the -- now no longer -- mysterious scientist in Lab #6, Morbius, the Living Vampire!

"Oh, and we destroy New York.... probably so Humberto can take a break from meticulously drawing it in every panel."

The last page of the Epilogue, which spotlights a 'thank you' from the city of New York to our webslinger, is one of the most pleasing images I can remember reading in any Spider-Man comic. Did this hold a special meaning to you?

"The Empire State Building is the most quintessential landmark in NYC. For years, as I've walked by it, I've always been taken by how amazing it looks when they light it up for special occasions: yellow for our veterans, green on St. Patrick's day, red, white, & blue on Independence Day... and once even blue for Frank (Ol' Blue Eyes) Sinatra's birthday. One time, when it was lit pastel colors for Easter, I remember thinking, 'If Spider-Man ever saved the city, in the comics, they should light it up in Spidey red & blue.'

"That was one I scribbled down and squirreled away-- just waiting for the right time to use it. It's fun when you get to pay off on the stuff you've banked. And it's even better when guys like Stefano Caselli and colorist, Frank Martin, hit it just right and knock it out of the park."


Be sure to check out Peter Parker’s continuing story in the twice monthly The Amazing Spider-Man written by Dan Slott for Marvel Comics, and stay tuned to The Daily BLAM! for sneak peeks and previews of the company's upcoming issues!