HEROES: Who is Zak Chambers?
ZAK CHAMBERS: -A typical Ohio native that craves football. Equal parts student, taxpayer, and contributor to society. Oh yeah and a dash of the 'writer'.
H: What's Your Background?
ZC: -I tried writing my first story about a dolphin when I was in first grade and it didn't turn out so well. I got an A minus which scarred me for years. Despite that setback I ended up continuing to persue my general writing interest along with other various hobbies that included waterskiing and music. While I haven't attained any stardom from those last two things it is safe to say that I also have not recieved an A minus either.
H: Where Do You Live?
ZC:I travel a lot but mainly I spend my time in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Friends and family from back home keep me sane while in this dreaded Steeler country.
H: When Did You Start Writing And How Long Have You Been Writing?
ZC:-You just had to bring up that hurtful dolphin story, didn;t you?! To be honest I really haven't dedicated that much time to writing. It's a hobby. My grammer and spelling are horrible and I never paid attention in school.
H: What Are Your Influences?
ZC: H.G. Wells and Robert Lousi Stevenson.
H: You're fairly new on the fan fiction scene. Where have you been all this time?
ZC: I didn't realize how extended the fanfic scene could be. I thought it was just individuals posting hack stories as they wrote them. I never dreamed there was such raw talent online.
H: What are some of your favorite fan fiction series and writers?
ZC:: I have stayed mostly within the sites I write for. There's a pretty cool Silver Samurai story at Marvel Knights Group by a guy named CW Russete who also just wrote a really cool Hercules story at Marvel Reborn. Also James McKenna with his Avengers story at Marvel Reborn. He has a really unique lineup that works surprisingly well. David Golightly is doing some weird stuff in Moon Knight at Marvel Knights Group which of course I love. Weird is the new awesome.
H: Just about every single Marvel fan fiction site has a Spider-Man series. You're writing one for Marvel Knights. What's different about your SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN and why should we be reading it?
ZC: When I write I really like to get into a character's head. I think that Spider-Man is one of those guys we can all relate to on some level, but I've never really been interested in him as the 'every man hero' that Marvel tells us he is. Think about it. This is a guy that was gifted with the powers of a bug. Ew. Stan the Man Lee certainly thought that was cool and he was right to an extent. But I think that the duplicate nature of the character is largely ignored. If you had your DNA spliced with a spider would you be so quick to start saving lives? That's why I'm writing the first story of Spider-Man the way I am. I want to show the strangeness of simply being Spider-Man.
H: What's your take on Peter Parker and Spider-Man? What about them speaks to you?
ZC: Peter is the guy who just can't get a break. Spider-Man is the only success in his life that ironically has brought him the most misfortune. That must drive him crazy. I know I would have a problem dealing with it.
H: What sort of stories can we expect to see in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN?
ZC: I would really like to take the story into a horror aspect. Get a little gothic with it. Spider-Man hangs out in dark corners of the city and bumps into some really creepy villains. I don't want people to assume I'll be turning him into a vampire but I won't be having him hanging out with the Avengers either.
H: You're also writing NEW WARRIORS at Marvel Reborn. How's that coming along?
ZC: At first it was a little daunting but I became more passionate with it as I continued. I really like the characters a lot and that was what drew me to submit the story in the first place. Now I can't wait to get started on the next issue!
H: What makes The New Warriors unique from other Marvel superteams like The Avengers or The Defenders?
ZC: I think most teams in Marvel had their niche. The Avengers were the big guns that people got relief from seeing them show up. The Defenders are the guys who don't actually want to save you but they're going to anyway. With the Warriors it was different. No one was wearing their t-shirts or chanting their names. Most villains probably didn't even know they existed. It was that characteristic that drew me to them. The Warriors were kind of the underdog.
H:Who's your favorite New Warrior?
ZC: Six months ago I would have said Speedball but now I think Night Thrasher. He has a much stronger, in your face personality.
H: Do you have any other series in the works you can tell us about?
ZC:I'm having enough trouble keeping up with the two series I have all ready! I don't have anything planned but I wouldn't mind being approached about something if there is someone out there that feels I'm right for the job. People should keep in mind that I like the dark stuff and the underrated characters.
H:Hobbies? Other Interests?
ZC: I like to read. I also have a pretty sizable comic collection but I suppose that's obvious since this is fan fiction we're talking about here. Water sports keep me busy in the summer months. Also volleyball.
H: What's a Typical Day In the Life Of Zak Chambers like?
ZC: I wake up, I go to work, I pretend to send out reports while I check my e-mail, I go home, eat dinner. The same as any other citizen. After the mundane stuff I avoid reality TV and study for class. Writing fits in there somewhere, I swear.
H: Here's your chance to give somebody a shoutout. Go.
ZC:Thanks to David Golightly for tracking me down online and getting me into this group. Thanks to Doug Bookey for being kind enough to loan me Firestar and Justice.
H: Anything else about you we should know?
ZC: Only that I will never forgive you for making me relive the dolphin story tragedy. Twice :-(