Earlier today, Marvel held its latest "Next Big Thing" press conference and below are just some of the highlights from the revealing chat with Chris Yost, Ryan Stegman and Stephen Wacker. The liveblog itself can be replayed by clicking HERE. Kaine returned during the "Grim Hunt" storyline and was subsequently killed and resurrected. He was mutated by the Jackal during the events of "Spider-Island" before being cured by Peter Parker and eventually going on the run after defeating the Spider-Queen in the battle for New York City. Scarlet Spider #1 picks up the next chapter in Kaine's life.
-Kaine will be on a journey of self discovery, coming to terms with the fact that he's spent his entire life dying and is now cured. Editor Stephen Wacker said that while the knowledge of his impending death was originally freeing, "now that he knows, oh shit, I might have to stick around for a while, he might have to deal with the consequences of his past actions."
-Artist Ryan Stegman found redesigning the costume and "intimidating" process adding that Kaine's body language is much different to that of Peter Parker's in the respect that it's not, "over the top animated." Wacker elaborated on this by revealing that while Peter is in his mid-20s, Kaine is more likely in his mid-30s.
-In the second arc, Kaine will face off against the Assassin's Guild.
"He is known to them, so this will be his past catching up with him," writer Chris Yost said.
"He's done bad things, like kill people for money, which puts him in the sights of the Assassin's Guild." Speaking of bad things, some fans may remember that the new Scarlet Spider once "killed" Doctor Octopus, to which the writer said:
"Yeah, if he ran into Kaine on the street, he might have a problem with him." But there's another Spidey villain that has a bigger problem right now, and that's Kraven."
-The city of Houston will play a major role in the book, with it being just as important as New York is in most of the other Marvel titles. This will also mean a new supporting cast, southwesters superheroes and even a new love interest. Perhaps several.
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"Ripping someone's face off is kind of a default move," Yost revealed, stating that his stingers will result in a much different fighting style from Spider-Man's. While the hero will likely start to appear in the other Spider-books by early 2013, he will not be joining any teams despite the promise that he'll play a part in the broader Marvel Universe.
"It's Coming." What is? Well, from what we know so far, the return of the Phoenix Force to Earth. Marvel has been teasing their big 2012 event for months, with creators such as Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, John Romita Jr. and Adam Kubert all said to be involved. More details should be revealed on Wednesday as it was today announced that the company has scheduled a live event this at 3 pm Eastern Standard Time.