Greg: Fred, would you say working on the periphery of the Marvel universe has afforded you more freedom than if you were writing one of Marvel’s ‘big name titles’ and if so would you be interested in working on one of the aforementioned “big name titles” or are you happier working on the more ’second tier’ titles with more freedom?
Fred Van Lente: Yes, it has afforded me more freedom, which I do appreciate.
Fred Van Lente: As I said before, “Fantastic Four” would be a lot of fun.
Fred Van Lente: Come to think of it, “Avengers,” which is the comic I collected as a kid.
preston: You’d be great on it, it’d be very Waid-like
Fred Van Lente: But if I can do an “Alpha Flight” revival, I’d throw either of those over in a second!
preston: Excuse my comparing you to other writers btw
Fred Van Lente: ‘S cool.
nas: Who’re your favorite Alpha Flight members, Fred?
timbre68: Alpha Flight! Old School Alpha Flight with Byrne on pencils
preston: Hopefully AF is one of the aforementioned secret projects pending approval
preston: don’t have to say anything though, wouldn’t want that chip to explode
Fred Van Lente: No. I wish.
preston: ahh, me too
Fred Van Lente: Northstar is probably my all time favorite.
Fred Van Lente: Followed by Puck.
Fred Van Lente: Snowbird, obviously.
Fred Van Lente: Talisman.
Hunter: Geez, if Power Pack continuity is bad, Alpha Flight is a disaster.
preston: We’ll say it was Mephisto and clones
taimur: Did you cry after New Avengers #16?
ex: Which one was New Avengers 16?
preston: the Alpha Flight massacre
ex: Ah
Fred Van Lente: I cried after Bill Mantlo and Mike Mignola, and never got over it.
Fred Van Lente: No offense to either of those fine creators.
Fred Van Lente: Of course, I had literally JUST subscribed and then, the second issue, Byrne left.
Fred Van Lente: ARGH!