Joe Casey enjoying freedom of 'Vengeance'

Marvel Comics writer Joe Casey has said that he is enjoying the opportunity to craft his new miniseries Vengeance away from the spotlight of major events like Fear Itself.

The six-issue limited series launched earlier this month with the introduction of around six new characters, and Casey promises an epic conclusion for those readers on board.

"We're out of the spotlight, and that freedom allows us to approach this in a way that doesn't have to appeal to some perceived massive audience that some folks think is out there," Casey explained to Comic Book Resources. "And we certainly have the will to be weird."

The writer teased: "I suppose there's a massive payoff for anyone who might be interested in the fate of the Marvel Universe."

Vengeance, which features pencils by Marvel Zombies Return artist Nick Dragotta, followsseveral young teams including a new Teen Brigade, the Young Masters of Evil and The Defenders.

"The Teen Brigade and the Young Masters represent the next generation, both good and evil, and to a certain extent, Nighthawk's crew [The Defenders] is representative of the old heroic guard," Casey said, regarding his choice of cast.

The first issue of Vengeance mostly featured original characters, like Ultimate Nullifier and Miss America Chavez, although Casey said that they should all feel familiar to regular comic book readers.

"I really don't see these characters as 'new creations' as much as they're radical updates and new takes on pre-existing characters," Casey added.

Vengeance #2 is due out on August 3.