Activision's Ally: C.B. Cebulski

IGN: Electronic Arts and Vivendi did comic book tie-ins with Marvel Nemesis and the Incredible Hulk last year. Any plans for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance to take a similar road??

Cebulski: Not that I've heard yet, but that would be up to Marvel and Activision. I'd throw my name into the hat to write it though!

IGN: Is there anything you think comic games could do better or haven't quite "gotten" yet?

Cebulksi: I saw Blur's animation for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance recently and this is the closest I've seen any game ever come to "getting it'! And again, I'm not just saying that because I worked on the game. I sat in room with a number of Marvel's creators... Joe Quesada, Bendis, Brubaker, Kirkman, JMS… and we all watched the characters come to like and were blown away!

IGN: Any chance that we'll see Raven pay homage to any of your past runs in the game? Perhaps a story reminiscent of New Mangaverse? Marvel Ai?

Cebulksi: Not that I know of, but I hear I might have a guest spot in the game.

IGN: What sort of things will you be doing at Comic-Con? Will you be at the Activision area exclusively or are you moving around and seeing the sights?

Cebulksi: I think you'll mainly be able to find me in the Activision/Marvel area. I'm doing the bulk of my work for them and want to stay close to where the action is. You can catch me with Stan Lee at the Activision panel on Saturday morning. And I'll also be at the Image Comics panel on Saturday afternoon as we'll be officially announcing my line of creator-owned books with them, so that's exciting. Otherwise, I have a few ideas I'll be looking for artists for, so you'll be sure to find me in Artists Alley, catching up with old friends and looking for new talent.

IGN: You're involved rather actively with the ACTOR charity. Can you tell our readers a little bit about that and why it's important to you?

Cebulksi: No matter what type of industry you work in, you always have to be respectful of those that have come before you, the people who laid the groundwork and built the foundation of the medium you're working in. Comics are no different. There are many older creators who paved the way for the comic book format and created so many of the characters we know and love to this day. Some of these guys have fallen on hard times due to age or health reasons and aren't able to work as much as they would like to these days. ACTOR exists to look out for guys like this, to provide for those who came before us and got us to where we are today. I'm happy to support the charity and its efforts in this way.

As for my contributions, I'm doing two stories, S.A.S.E. (Send Another Submissions Editor), with art by Rob Guillory, a humorous little romp detailing my personal horror stories from portfolio reviews at conventions over the years. The second is DANCE, with art by Joao Lemos (the artist behind my upcoming Image book SHIKI), which is a globe-spanning silent story that shows how the art of dance can bridge cultures and unite people.

IGN: What's next for you? More game consultation? Another comic project?

Cebulksi: Comic work is going to be keeping me busy for a while. Current projects aside, I also have about eight other things cooking on back burners that are in various stages. Then I'll be going back to my manga roots later this year as I have some projects lined up in Japan I'll have to turn my attention to. Anyone who's familiar with some of the Japanese manga artists I've worked with in the past should be pleased to see some popular names coming back onto the spotlight in a big way with some new work in 2007

IGN Any parting words for IGN readers and would-be Marvel: Ultimate Alliance fans?

Cebulksi: I'm a big believer in trying to live my life with no regrets, but I can tell the fans of kick-ass games and Marvel comics, if you miss this game, you will regret it! I know I would.

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