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Into the Mind of Alex Maggi
by Barry Reese
HEROES: Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into fanfiction.
Alex Maggi: Well, I started reading Marvel Comics in 1969, when the Italian distributor started publishing them. They've accompanied me throughout my life... I have read almost all the main series and a lot of the subsequent ones. I always dreamt of writing these heroes and when I stumbled upon the MV1 online I thought this was my closest chance to do that
H: You're busy in several different groups (MV1, OTX, and Valiant-1) -- do you feel there is a major difference in how the groups are run? Does your writing style differ when you switch groups?
AM: The writing style is usually the same, I think, though my Valiant stuff is more planned ahead, cause I know that universe less than the MU. The groups ARE very different, though. All 3 with intersting aspects and questionable choices. The most user-friendly is Valiant, due to its smallest size. MV1 is a longstanding project and it's very big and somewhat complicated to get into ... and to work in ... but it's rewarding ... MarvelX-OtX is still young and I'm not sure about some of its Editorial choices, especially on the looks and such ...
H: You recently became editor of the Outside-the-X branch of Marvel-X -- how did this come about and does it mean that you're dropping your affiliation with MV1?
AM: Eric Moreels, MarvelX EiC, asked me to take the job after I joined OtX only to write Quasar (as a first intention). He wanted someone with a certain degree of experience to look after the Marvel-X newly formed Companion Line [Outside the X -- HEROES]. But NO, it won't mean I'm leaving MV1! I don't think that will be ever the case. There are too many stories I have to tell in MV1. And I'm too bound to it, both emotionally and on a practical basis, so I will just have to deal with this increase in workload ...
H: After over a year in MV1, how do you look back on your association with them?
AM: With a variety of sensations, the original enthusiasm for seeing my dream almost come true (writing these heroes) with memories of tensions and sometime hard feelings, that's for sure, as well with a little sadness for an increasing sense of indifference into the group, but also with lots of good memories about stories written, read, and imagined. It still is my number one commitment.
H: You mentioned indifference in MV1 -- do you think that the group is in trouble in any way?
AM: Not in the sense of running the risk of shutting down, not that, but increasingly less united there are lots of problems with continuity and it will be hard to keep everything organized ...
H: Getting back to OTX for a moment -- do you find the editorial system there an improvement over the system used in MV1? The hands-on editing seems quite different from the 'MV1-method'.
AM: there are pros and cons in both systems. OtX's stricter editing method can take care of spelling/grammar errors that sometimes are frequent in published MV1 material but the MV1 take on looks and the importance given to creativity on the writer's part is more stimulating. A story is told also with mistakes, with slips, with the colors you pick for the issue and such art is global, not just the writing ... at least I think so. Also I think that having Branches is useful ONLY if there is a real need for that (like in the widespread MV1). Maybe in OtX it's still premature ... but it could be needed soon since the line is fast growing
H: As some already know, your job is somewhat unusual in fanfic circles -- could you tell us a bit about what you do for a living and does it impact your writing in any way?
AM: for a living? *laughs* Actually, my "job" doesn't get me money at all ... BTW, for the few who don't know, I'm a Roman Catholic Priest, a Carmelite friar ordained to priesthood to be exact. I work in a parish which is currently very busy, being May is the month dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, who's our patroness ... and I'm studying to take another graduation in Biblical Exegesis, the study of the Bible in Ancient Greek and Hebrew. The only impact on my writing though, is just that at times I'm so tired I can't put two words in a row - also, being Italian and writing in another language adds to that, cause when I'm tired it's not that easy to think in "English"
H: Your work in Valiant is on an original project called Pandora -- is it different working on an all-new character like Pandora, rather than the pre-created characters you've written (like the Defenders)?
AM: Very different and equally exciting in a different way, if that's possible. I think I'm having a lot of fun with Pandora, even though I'm integrating her a lot into the Valiant Universe - but I think I couldn't write only creator-owned characters. I need the thrill of writing characters I've been knowing for years ... Both things are exciting, but, as I said, with different feelings involved. Pandora lets me cut loose a bit more
H: An interesting twist on your Valiant work is the fact that you've never read an issue published by the real Valiant Comics -- how did you approach writing in a totally unknown enviroment?
AM: Researching on the web before starting to write Pandora. I did an extended search for Valiant resources. I read all I could find on Valiant especially the archives of the Valiant Newsletter, full with issues reviews, that way I got to know most of the characters and maybe helped by my feelings toward comics in general. I got into most of them with ease... some of them now I feel I always knew about: Clay the Geomancer, Dr. Mirage are 2 examples
H: As an editor in both MV1 and OTX (and webmaster for Valiant), the question must come up -- Have you ever considered forming your own fanfic group?
AM: Actually I have. It's there on my HD - already HTML-ized. It's an idea I had with fellow BE in MV1 and EiC in Valiant and hopefully writer in OtX soon, Barry Reese, called Alternate Marvel Fanfic, AMF in short. it was going to start - but then I got the OtX assignment and pushed it back into oblivion, but sooner or later it will start - I'm sure of that - when I will be too tired to go on in my current groups or when they will die of their own. It'd have taken a few ideas from every group I currently work in, but, as I said, it's now on indefinite hold.
H: Could you list for us all the books you're currently writing and for which groups? Which is the one that's your favorite of all?
AM: Currently or in the past, too?
H: Currently
AM:
MV1: Defenders (longtime flagship title, couldn't live without), Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (Favorite characters and by extension Favorite series), Force Works (new spin on a cool group idea), Defenders: Space 1999 ls (a merging of old passions from my youth)
Valiant1: Pandora (first creator-owned character - will always love her)
OtX: Quasar (second Favorite Marvel character), Avengers (a dream, expect a lot of twists in there), X-Factor (latest additions, starting now, my take on mutants, long overdue), (soon) Thor ... at least I hope ... next month should be it
H: What's the one character or book that you haven't written yet that you'd really like to?
AM: ALL of them :) Really - I love almost any Marvel character and I also love those I hate with a vengeance, like Cap, Wolvie, Gambit .. I couldn't choose one ... but if I had to ... mmm ... Fantastic Four. it was the first I read - it will be the eternal love in comics ... and I adore Sue!
H: How would you characterize your relations with the other editors in your groups -- are you on friendly terms with all of them? Does the presence of other editors help the overall process?
AM: Wide range of answers. With some, I'm friendly, with others, I try to stick to a professional relationship, with a few I'm still in the knowing. I know I'm very picky about things - I'm a continuity freak and I know a lot about Marvel and that, at times, puts me in a difficult position. I like to voice my opinions, usually, but I know many don't like how I voice them, BUT I can't avoid that. Some of these characters I've known and read since double or triple the time other Editors have known them ... so it's hard to accept mischaracterizations and such but the main point is: I don't think my goal in life is to be liked by everyone - I can live quite well with disapproval ... as long as I can be myself ... BTW it's impossible to please everyone, so it's better to avoid stressing oneself with such a purpose. This is for fun. I' having fun (most of the time). That's the most important thing. If others don't see things my way - well, ok! At least I can keep writing my stuff unharmed. But when the whole project is threatened, I will always state my opinions ... no matter what. After having started on the third fanfic group I'm confident that now I know I can have all the fanfic I like online - the moment I'm feeling too much pressure on what I'm currently doing I can always leave and start AMF (see above)
H: Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, Alex -- any parting words for those who are new to fanfiction or who might want to write for one of your groups?
AM: Well, if you love a character and you want to write, then look around - there's bound to be a group where he/she/it is free to be written by you. BUT do it out of love - not for fame and not following the dream to become a pro ... love for the character(s) - that's what I always appreciate ... and that shows in the writing. There are writers who are very talented on the literary part - but they don't show so much love for the characters. Them I can't like. If you love a character and write him/her/it I'm sure you will find a readership ... wherever you write him/her/it
