INTERVIEW: Jed MacKay Brings Back a Major Character in Avengers #11

Earth’s Mightiest Spoilers- The Return of Earth’s Mightiest Butler

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Being a member of the Avengers means being able to call upon some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as you protect the Marvel Universe from some of its most dangerous villains and threats. Those teammates, though, are not prepared to ensure you’re physically and mentally ready to go into battle. For years, the task of caring for the Avengers rested upon the shoulders of one man: their legendary butler Edwin Jarvis. In Avengers #11 -- by writer Jed MacKay and artist Ivan Fiorelli -- Jarvis came back to the titular team to teach their new sentient headquarters, The Impossible City, the best ways to care for its charges.

For the latest installment of Earth’s Mightiest Spoilers, CBR spoke with MacKay about Jarvis’ return to the book and the character’s invaluable contributions to the team. MacKay also discussed the surprise attack of a Fantastic Four villain in the issue and scenes that explored the dynamics between several Avengers. He previewed the series' next arc -- a Fall of the House of X tie-in, in which the Avengers finally join the battle against Orchis. Marvel also provided CBR with a first look at artist Francesco Mortarino and colorist Federico Blee’s pages for Avengers #12.

CBR: Avengers #11 brings Edwin Jarvis into this volume for the first time -- with an issue that illustrates why he’s been such a pivotal part of the Avengers for so long. How did it feel to write Jarvis? What did you enjoy most about writing him?

Jed MacKay: It was a long time coming! Jarvis is such a long-running piece of Avengers culture that I've been meaning to get him in the book for a long time, and that time finally came. There's something just very charming about Jarvis. Earth's Mightiest Heroes needing someone to look after them humanizes characters that are always running the risk of being too larger than life. It was also quite fun polling all the current/most recent writers of our Avengers solo books and asking them what their character's favorite foods were [Laughs] Thanks to Al, Alyssa, Eve, Gerry, Steve and Tochi!

You also reintroduce a fairly obscure character from 1980's Avengers #201, Bruiser. What made you want to bring that character back and cast him as Jarvis’ assistant Mr. Sweeny?

I was doing a full Avengers read-through when I started working on the book and was taking notes of little things I liked that could be given a second look. Jarvis' encounter with Bruiser/Sweeny was one of them. I like the idea that Jarvis is so confident in the importance of his job that not only can he beat up a street-tough bully, he can instill that sense of importance in him. It also speaks to Jarvis' practicality. At some point, he'll be unable to do his job, and it's important that someone be trained to step up when that time comes.

Avengers #11 features a scene where Vision and Scarlet Witch talk about their romantic lives. What's your sense of the relationship between them? Are they just comrades who care deeply about each other, or are there still some romantic feelings between Scarlet Witch and Vision?

Wanda and Vision, as we'll see, have a connection that no other Avengers share -- essentially a bloc of their own within the team. Wanda and Vision trust and respect one another more than any other, so we'll see how that relationship progresses as time goes on!

T’Challa and Sam Wilson just don’t like each other, but in this issue you also have a scene where Black Panther reaches out to Thor and apologizes to make sure they’re okay. What made T’Challa want to do that? How is his relationship with Thor different from the one he has with Sam?

I think the thing to consider here is that T'Challa is taking steps to mend fences, but some fences are more badly broken than others. What will it take for Sam and T'Challa to be made right? The answer may appear in Blood Hunt #1, now that I come to think of it...

The main antagonist of Avengers #11 is the Mad Thinker, who is traditionally a Fantastic Four villain. What made you want to bring him into the book? And is he a character you have more plans for?

For Jarvis' appearance, I wanted a similarly old-school villain to cause problems. I don't actually remember who came first in my brainstorming -- the Mad Thinker or the Man-Slayer(s) -- but they dovetailed together perfectly for a single-issue antagonist, while also laying some groundwork for things that may turn up down the road.

This issue was brought to life by Ivan Fiorelli, whom you’ve collaborated with on three issues of Avengers. What are some of the aspects of Ivan’s work that you really appreciate and enjoy?

Ivan has a very energetic, evocative style that I really respond to. He's able to summon chaos on a page while controlling it for the reader, which is a great skill in the superhero team book biz. It's always great to work with Ivan, and I imagine that this won't be the last time!

Avengers #12 kicks off a new arc. The Avengers enter the conflict against Orchis that is currently unfolding over in the X-Titles. What can you reveal about the plot and action of this story? What’s it like bringing your cast into this larger Marvel event?

The Avengers have been largely occupied with their own business during this period, but next issue brings them into the fight in a big way. As we've seen in this issue, they've been waiting on Tony's word, given how involved he is in mutant business at the moment. Next issue, however, that word comes in a big way.

Avengers #12 is available April 3, 2024 from Marvel Comics.