FCBD Interview: Tom Brevoort Counts Down to Secret Wars on Free Comic Book Day

The Marvel Universe is coming to an end, and in its wake the realm of Battleworld is born! Will the remaining populations of the universe's ruined worlds be able to survive the brutal Battleworld, and what is to become of them after the dust has settled? This tremendous comic event kicks off in Secret Wars #0! All hope is not lost, however, as the Avengers are also assembling once again to take down the forces of evil!

Free Comic Book Day talked with SVP of Publishing/Executive Editor Tom Brevoort about Secret Wars #0 and All-New, All-Different Avengers FCBD! - Marvel's 2015 Free Comic Book Day offerings.

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Free Comic Book Day: For those who might be new to your comic book, give a quick rundown. What can we expect to see in terms of story and art?

Tom Brevoort: In the Secret Wars #0 book, it’s the prologue to the End of the Marvel Universe in Secret Wars #1, which will be on sale the Wednesday following [Free Comic Book Day]! So it’s the perfect place for readers who haven’t been following the story build-up to jump on board!

Also included is the crossover story between the Avengers and Attack on Titan that was originally produced for the Japanese market, presented here in English for the first time!

And in the ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT Avengers book, you’ll experience the first story featuring the new Avengers team, as well as a story showcasing the Uncanny Inhumans!

Free Comic Book Day: What has been your favorite part of the book or character to tackle?

Tom Brevoort: This year, rather than handling, at most, a single Free Comic Book Day release, I’m overseeing two! So, like everything else in my comic book life, the more the merrier!

Free Comic Book Day: Tell FCBD fans why they should pick your book first on Free Comic Book Day!

Tom Brevoort: These two FCBD books are like bookends to the biggest, grandest event that Marvel has ever produced! If you’ve got any love for or interest in the Marvel universe, these are your gateway drugs!

Free Comic Book Day: What are you most looking forward to for Free Comic Book Day?

Tom Brevoort: Being able to put comics into the hands of people who may not have read them before, or not read them in many years, and maybe bring a few back to the stores. Especially with Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron set to open that weekend, I expect interest in the Avengers among civilians to be high—so maybe we can convert a few of ‘em!

Free Comic Book Day: What other titles would you associate with your FCBD book? “If a comic reader likes _______ , they should pick up my title"?

Tom Brevoort: Films with a big red Marvel box at the beginning of them!

Free Comic Book Day: What do you think is the best part about Free Comic Book Day?

Tom Brevoort: Free Comics! And the chance to sample some titles that you haven’t checked out before (after getting your Marvel FCBD books, of course!)

Free Comic Book Day: What’s your favorite thing about working in comics?

Tom Brevoort: Free Comics! And the chance to work with some of the most artistic and create people in the world on characters and stories that mean so much to so many people.

Free Comic Book Day: Many newcomers will pick up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

Tom Brevoort: The first comic I read was Superman #268, “Wild Weekend In Washington”, guest-starring Batgirl. Batman sets up Clark Kent and Barbara Gordon on a blind date—the matchmaker!

Free Comic Book Day: Where will you be for this year’s FCBD? Do you have any annual FCBD traditions?

Tom Brevoort: I will likely be at Fourth World Comics in Smithtown as I have been in previous years, getting my free comics (from whatever is left by the time I make my way there.)

Free Comic Book Day: Looking to the future of the book, is there anything you can tease about what's upcoming?

Tom Brevoort: Well, we destroy the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe in Secret Wars #1. So the remaining issues are going to be easy to complete, as they’ll just be comprised of blank white pages…

Free Comic Book Day: Tell us why everyone should read comic books?

Tom Brevoort: Because, as Harvey Pekar said, comic books are words and pictures, and you can tell any story with words and pictures—so there’s something for every taste in the world of comic books!

Find a comic shop near you to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2015!