Activision's Ally: C.B. Cebulski

Jul 18, 2006

With the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con officially kicking off this Thursday, we here at IGN felt it as good a time as any to catch up with the folks at Activision and Marvel regarding its upcoming action-RPG, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. But rather than just go through the typical motions of asking about specific features or next-generation graphics technology, we decided to approach writer C.B. Cebulski -- the man penning the narrative that fuel's Activision's cross-platform fusion of Avengers, mutants, and everything in-between. He was even kind enough to let the powers-that-be give us the full high-def intro cinematic that kicks off the super-powered conflict. Here's what he had to say...

IGN: How did you end up hooking up with the Raven and Activision guys for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance? Did you come to them or did they come to you?

C.B. Cebluski: Raven and Activision came to me based on a recommendation from Ames Kirshen -- Vice President of Interactive over here at Marvel. They were looking for a writer who also had editorial experience and a vast knowledge of the Marvel Universe. We talked and discussed the game and I guess they agreed I fit the bill for what they were looking for on Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

IGN: For our readers who many not be up on their comic books, what past projects would they know you best for?

Cebulski: Editorially, at Marvel, I worked on all kinds of things like X-Men Unlimited, New Mutants, all the Ultimate titles, Wolverine; SNIKT!, and Runaways, which is still something I'm proud of. I'm a little newer to the writing side, but I've worked on some Star Wars books for Dark Horse, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men Unlimited, Marvel Mangaverse and X-Men Fairy Tales.

IGN: Are you an avid game player yourself? What have you been playing lately and what are you looking forward to?

Cebulski: Yeah, but I'm more of an old school gamer, to be honest. Konami, Namco, Williams, Atari... all those classic games are where my heart is. On the newer end, Halo and Fable rock my world. And I'm not just saying this as I work on their titles, but the X-Men Legends games kicked ass. Oh, and Ultimate Spider-Man, as Brian Bendis kept me in the loop on that as he was developing and it's just such a great game, so true to the comic.

IGN: How much of an influence do you have over the story/ presentation/ look of the game?

Cebulski: I was mainly involved in the story more so than anything else. I worked with Bob Love at Raven to make sure that the game plot, level stories, and character arcs were all as tight as they could be and all the Marvel heroes and villains acted and sounded like they do in the comics. But Bob and the Raven guys are all big Marvel fans to begin with and usually nailed everything the first time around. I had my work cut out for me.

IGN: Does your background in manga bring any advantages to the table when creating a title like this?.

Cebulski: Wow, I didn't expect a question like this... I guess I'd have to say that if anything, my manga background helped in developing the pacing of certain stories, keeping them quick, action-packed and visually exciting.

IGN: To be honest, with your involvement, I'm surprised the style of the game isn't more manga-inspired. That would be badass. Any chance we'll see something like that as the game moves further along?

Cebulski: Not in this version of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but who knows about future games. I have a few ideas that I think would make for killer games.

IGN: Now the big question: Up to this point, the story of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance has been rather hush-hush. What is the premise behind the narrative? From all the videos and characters we've seen (Galactus, Ghost Rider, etc), it looks like one of those yearly events like House of M or Infinity Gauntlet?

Cebulski: Yeah, it is definitely an event. Everything keeps building and building until we get to a Secret War or Civil War-type scenario and it all goes crazy from there. Fans are gonna go bonkers over this I think. They'll see things that haven't been done in the comics before when we turn everything they've come to know and love about these heroes and villains on their ear.

IGN: Even though gamers can create their own teams, is there a core group of heroes that are involved in the storyline no matter what?

Cebulski: Yes, but I don't want to give too much away. Sorry!

IGN: Who's the big bad in this one? Thanos? Galactus? Doom? Hypno-Hustler?

Cebulski: Heh heh heh. That would be telling... But who says there's only one?

IGN: How much inspiration will past or recent Marvel stories have on Ultimate Alliance? Can we expect to see plotlines reminiscent of some of the stuff running in New Avengers, Young Avengers, X-Men, etc?

Cebulski: There's a consistency of character that stays intact when compared to the Marvel comics over the past 60 years. As for specific plotlines and references to older stories, they're in there, mainly in dialogue and in setting up confrontations. Some new characters and references too that may surprise people. But while they'll be shout outs to old school fans and hardcore Marvel zombies like me, it's not imperative you have to know anything about the comics to enjoy the game.

IGN: Is there a breakout character in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance that you think people may have overlooked before but not now?

Cebulski: Again, you'll just have to wait and see. I know who my favorite will be!

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.