'Marvel's Voices: Legends' Creators Share the Joy of Working with Storm, Black Panther, Patriot & More

This year, the acclaimed MARVEL'S VOICES anthology returns with MARVEL’S VOICES: LEGENDS (2024) #1. Featuring some truly special talent as well as iconic characters like Storm, Black Panther, and Deathlok, LEGENDS is a send-up to Black excellence all across the Marvel Universe.

We spoke to some of the creatives behind the anthology—Ezra Claytan Daniels, Sean Damien Hill, Sheree Renée Thomas, Julian Shaw, Justina Ireland, and Eder Messias—to see what excited, inspired, and moved them about working with some of Marvel’s most legendary heroes.

"Deathlok the Demolished"

Ezra Claytan Daniels

"Deathlok was always one of my favorite characters, ever since I first saw him on a Marvel trading card in the early '90s. I mean he's a zombie cyborg, what's not to love? I fell in love with him even more when I read Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan's run, which to this day is one of the most stunning comic runs ever, in my opinion."

"As a Black writer and artist, I really looked up to both Dwayne and Denys. When I won the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics in 2017 for my book Upgrade Soul, it was incredibly meaningful for me and just underscored the debt I owed to them. So, when Marvel asked me if I wanted to contribute to LEGENDS, I knew I had to pay homage."

"Deathlok was the only character I wanted to write and, thankfully, he was the same one they were hoping I'd say! There's a lot about Deathlok that aligns with the themes I explore in my other work: aging, technology, identity and agency are all ideas I find compelling, and Deathlok is the perfect vessel through which to explore them."

Sean Damien Hill

"It was incredibly great fun to get to work with Ezra and Marvel on 'Deathlok the Demolished.' I remember the original Dwayne McDuffie depiction of the character. I was really drawn to this sense of selflessness he holds."

"He’s a good man whose life was stolen from him, but he’s in a place now where he won’t let that happen to anyone else, and self-sacrifice doesn’t scare him from that. To draw how a moral choice a character makes—even to their own detriment—affects them is a big part of drawing a hero story for me."

"The World Is Not Ready"

Sheree Renée Thomas

"I'm a huge fan of both Black Panther and Storm, and I've long wanted to see more about their amazing relationship and history together. Creating a story in which their love as a couple is a beautiful testament to the power of friendship and forgiveness was a dream come true."

"Individually, they are the ultimate super heroes, but together, they are nearly unstoppable. I think it's something fans have been fascinated by and imagined for a long time, and I'm thrilled to explore this great storyline from a special point-of-view: the future! I’m looking forward to more adventures from this fantastic family."

Julian Shaw

"[Storm and Black Panther] have such a rich history. So many great stories. Having two small children myself, I really enjoyed drawing their grandchildren and could relate to T'Challa’s frustration—but also the love that he has for them. I can't wait to see what future awaits the grandchildren. It was an honor being able to bring these characters to life." 

"Do You Remember When?"

Justina Ireland

"Getting to work with a couple of icons like Misty Knight and Colleen Wing is an honor. There's not much more to say beyond that."

"Powers for the People"

Eder Messias

"I loved everything about this Patriot story. The character's return to wearing the cape reminded me of when I almost gave up being an artist. When I read the script, I confess that my eyes watered and I was thrown back 30 years, to when I watched a report about the 'world of comics.'"

"I was born in a Brazilian favela and lived there for 30 years. I saw and heard all kinds of phrases that don't allow someone to evolve: 'You're not that good!' 'This is industry is not for you!' 'Art doesn't pay the bills!' And even though I've been working different professions since I was 14 years old, I never gave up on being an artist."

"Today, at 40 years old, I did it: I'm at Marvel! My story is like much Patriot’s, from start to finish. Just as the Patriot had the chance to exterminate Crossbones, he didn't do it, because he was worried about leaving a good legacy for those children. I did the same. The favelas show you many dark paths, but I'm really thankful to people like my godmother, my children, and my wife, [who helped me] maintain my dignity and find the strength to move forward."

"'Power to the People' is not just a story that I had the opportunity to draw. It’s proof that I’m on the right way. Thank you so much to Sarah Bruntand, David F. Walker, and Marvel for allowing me to be a part of this."

Read all these stories and more in MARVEL'S VOICES: LEGENDS #1, now on sale!

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