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Interview: Ron Marz Talks CONVERGENCE: JLI

Writer Ron Marz discusses the upcoming title for April

On April 15th, it's Convergence week two. Fans will get their fill of characters from different worlds and during that week, Justice League International makes their return! Writer Ron Marz chatted with us about the book and what we can expect.

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COMIC VINE: What can you tell us about this issue of Convergence?

RON MARZ: The setting is Metropolis, and the JLI is in the position of having to keep the city in one piece. The overall framework for Convergence is very much the backdrop for the story, but the issues will stand on their own. Our JLI for these issues is Blue Beetle, Martian Manhunter, Fire, Ice, Captain Atom and Red Tornado. The team is led by Blue Beetle, who's thrust into a position of leadership in a pretty dire situation. He's trying to keep the team together, so the team can keep Metropolis together.

CV: For you, what's the coolest part about writing a Justice League International story?

RM: The mix of characters has been great to write. The character interaction is really what makes JLI work, so even though the situation is quite serious, I'm trying to make sure there's room for the levity that the audience expects. Mike Manley and I are certainly not Giffen, DeMatteis and Maguire, who obviously set the standard on JLI, so we're not going to imitate them. Trying to be someone else is not a recipe for success. Mike and I are trying to follow in their spirit, if not in their footsteps, if that makes any sense.

CV: Which character were you most excited to write about and why?

RM: Tough call, because I'm particularly a fan of Blue Beetle and Martian Manhunter, and I've been kind of fascinated with Red Tornado ever since I was a kid. All three of them are characters I've wanted to write for quite a while. But if I have to pick just one, it has to be Martian Manhunter. He's really a linchpin character in the story, because he's been through the destruction of his home world. He knows what it's like to lose everyone and everything you hold dear. So in a lot of ways, I'm telling the story through him. Plus, he's big and green and he's from Mars, which is hard to beat.

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CV: How does Kingdom Come play into this?

RM: A group of characters from the Kingdom Come universe arrive to play a major role in the story. Without getting into spoiler territory, the Kingdom Come characters have their own agenda, one that's diametrically opposed to JLI's agenda. So conflict is inevitable.

CV: What characters from that world will we be seeing?

RM: Nope, sorry, I'm not telling. I think one of the pleasures of a story is being surprised as it unfolds, rather than knowing what's coming. A sense of discovery is one of the most important tools in a writer's toolbox. So you'll just have to wait to find out. But I can tell you we have some of the iconic Kingdom Come characters in the mix. It's going to be pretty Wonder-ful.

Make sure to check this book out on April 15th and thanks to Ron Marz for answering our questions!