Colbert in Marvel Comics & at The New Yorker Festival

Wired interviews Joe Quesada, editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, and comic writer Mark Waid, on Stephen Colbert running for president in the Marvel Universe:

Wired.com: Do you wish he’d run for president in our more boring universe?

Waid: Dear God, yes, if only because it would rock to have Jon Stewart as the veep.

Quesada: Stephen tried to run for president in our boring universe, but unfortunately his campaign was stymied by the powers that be. Not so in the Marvel Universe, where his campaign is in full swing and gaining momentum, once again proving that we would all rather be living in the Marvel Universe than the real one.

The Colbert issue of Amazing Spider-Man hits streets Oct. 15.

Colbert was at The New Yorker Festival over the weekend. Rachel Sklar was there and summarizes his comments on his character:

Colbert was brought up to be polite — a gentlemanly South Carolina boy, who married his hometown sweetheart — so initially it was a challenge to overcome that: “It’s not in my nature to be a jerk — but I do enjoy it.”

He cares about his guests’ feelings, but not what they think of him: “There’s a difference.” He hopes he doesn’t offend them — “because usually these are very nice people, except for Bill Kristol.” (He regrets having offended Barney Frank, who he thinks is still mad.)

How the character formed: Originally based on Geraldo Rivera and Stone Philips — “national reporters with a real sense of mission.” Then he looked around and realized that the real bombast was coming from commentators…like Bill O’Reilly. And it went from there.

His character, said Colbert, has “an unexamined life.” Levy asks him if he’s examined it; Colbert says, yes, they have a bio on the character that they are constantly adding to — he has a dog named Gipper, he went to Dartmouth, he dated Laura Ingraham. He says it on the show, it goes in the bio. But it’s been an evolving process, right from the start: “I did not intend for this character to take my name.” Oops.

Also of the screen Colbert: “Like everyone else, he wants to be loved, he just doesn’t value curiosity or knowledge” Also, a key point: “He’s a victim.” This, said Colbert, is what “amazing” about guys like Bill O”Reilly: “He trumpets his power while in the same breath declaring his victimhood.” (As evidence, he cited a long line of Presidents, gazillion Christian members of Congress.) On the victimhood point, he dings McCain for his recent bellyaching: “Life isn’t fair…it’s completely unfair that you’re unlikeable.” Ouch! (Earlier, he had acknowledged his liberal leanings and joked that he was a “pinko.”)

He tells his guests: “My character is an idiot. So come on an disabuse me of my ignorance.” He recalled the moment when he was about to say that to O’Reilly, and then pausing briefly as the irony sank in. Then he went ahead and gave his usual speech; O’Reilly didn’t seem to notice anything.

The only time Colbert was afraid of breaking character was when Jane Fonda sat on his lap.