Exclusive Interview with Eve L. Ewing, Marvel’s Newest Champion to Write ‘Ironheart’

When Brian Michael Bendis’ run ended on Invincible Iron Man and no solo series was immediately announced for Marvel’s new favorite daughter, Riri Williams, the Black nerdsphere got nervous. All we needed was a little patience because Marvel had something cooking. Last week it was announced that acclaimed scholar and author Eve L. Ewing would be stepping into the power armor and penning Riri’s first truly solo titled Ironheart later this year. This continues Marvel’s recent practice of acquiring acclaimed writers outside of mainstream comic book writing to script some of their most iconic characters of color. We, like many people saw this as a perfect match months ago when Bendis announced his departure and we were lucky enough to get an exclusive conversation with the artist carrying Riri into her next journey. Black Nerd Problems: You’re stepping into the legendary steps vacated by Brian Michael Bendis, someone that can reasonably be credited with the modernization of Marvel comics at the dawn of the 2000s. Ironheart specifically was the last character he created for Marvel before taking his talents to DC. Can you summarize your feelings of not only getting to write this instantly beloved character, but being the first person to write Riri in a solo book since the creator?

Eve L. Ewing: It’s such a huge honor. To be honest, it’s a really nice sweet spot for me as a writer. Riri has some substance that she comes with– her run in Invincible Iron Man, and her more recent adve…