Unveiled: Marvel’s Revolutionary Variant Covers Surprising Fans

Marcos Rudy’s Comics Craft and Creativity

Interview with Marco Rudy, creator of RDW, The Winter Soldier, Swamp Thing, and more

You know Marco Rudy from such incredible works as The Winter Soldier, Swamp Thing, Superman, Avengers, Spider-Man, and Uncanny X-Men, among many others. His art is not only gorgeously rendered, but there’s a keen creativity abounding his overall layout design and structure. Recently, Rudy launched yet another successful graphic novel, the first volume of RDW, and there’s already a second volume likely on the way soon.

To better understand his efforts and the larger vision across his diverse catalog, we sat down with Rudy recently to discuss his comics craft and what the future may hold, among other tidbits.

Comics creation, well, is much, much harder than I could ever have imagined

AIPT: Since the release of RDW – Vol, 1, what have you learned about Kickstarter, about comics creation…about life?! Marcy Rudy: Comics creation, well, is much, much harder than I could ever have imagined. On one hand, like any other creator, I struggle massively with imposter syndrome. Seeing a story I made from top to bottom get enough attention so its existence is achieved (because people are actually interested in reading it), is something difficult to describe. And on the other hand, failing that would have been soul-crushing. But one has to live with the wins and the losses, evolve and try again, I guess.

Trust your gut, do the research, and listen to your editor

I suppose that I can say that for as daunting an experience going to crowdfunding is, to get your story out can be, especially for the first time, the prize, the reassurance you get IF it gets funded, is a feeling like no other. RDW is the very first book I ever fully wrote, and being such a visual storyteller first, putting that into words is much harder than I thought – And giving it to other people to read, is even harder. I’m my hardest critic, but I know how harsh the outside world can be, so, the fear of failure is very present. I learned to trust my gut, do the research I have to, do for the story to be as plausible as I can make it and, well, listen to your editor, when discussing dialogue, with you 🙂

About life…er, well, that I can actually pursue a career in creator-owned, but that it takes serious time and investment, for it to happen

So, let’s see if Vol. 2 gets a good reception on crowdfunding, to see if I can continue this trend and eventually just live off the stories I want to tell, whenever I want to tell them.

Beyond the Covers and the Comics

Analysis of the themes and implications of Marvel’s Predator variant covers, including the franchise’s enduring popularity

Marvel Comics has revealed Predator variant covers are on the way this July. All of these covers were originally solicited for May 2021, but due to legal issues, Marvel had to shelve their series by Ed Brisson and Kev Walker. Fans can purchase Predator #1 in comic shops on July 6th. The covers will now grace new series like Captain America Sentinel of Liberty, Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor, and Iron Cat, to name a few titles that didn’t exist back in May 2021!

The rebranding of HBO Max and its potential impact on the entertainment industry

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that streaming platform Max will be rebranded back to “HBO Max” this summer. “Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. Removing the most recognizable name in prestige television in favor of a rather generic adjective like “Max” was seen as a baffling decision by most when it happened back in 2023, and years later, the company now seems to agree.

Practical aspects of crowdfunding and creator-owned projects, including Marco Rudy’s experience with RDW

You know Marco Rudy from such incredible works as The Winter Soldier, Swamp Thing, Superman, Avengers, Spider-Man, and Uncanny X-Men, among many others. His art is not only gorgeously rendered, but there’s a keen creativity abounding his overall layout design and structure. Recently, Rudy launched yet another successful graphic novel, the first volume of RDW, and there’s already a second volume likely on the way soon.