Marvel Comics’ New Ultimate Universe was created by the Maker, a villainous version of Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) from the previous Ultimate Universe, and it reflects his vision of how a reality under his grip should be. This universe has given new interpretations to well-known characters such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Doctor Doom. Amidst all these new ideas, the art that captures attention is the manga-influenced aquarelles of Japanese generational talent Peach Momoko, who gave the Ultimate X-Men a distinctive identity and aesthetics while creating a whole new character for the team: Maystorm.
Peach Momoko is a secluded and discreet artist and writer who, in 2020, signed an exclusive deal with Marvel Comics as part of their Stormbreakers program for rising talents from the American comic book industry. Momoko is <a href="https://forbiddenplanet.com/456207-she-hulk-by-rainbow-rowell-omnibus-peach-momoko-direct-market-variant-hardcover/” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>acclaimed for bringing her anime-influenced art style to traditional Marvel characters. In 2021, Momoko received both the Eisner Award and Ringo Award for Best Cover Artist, the same year she released the “Momoko-verse,” a line of comics reimagining the Marvel Universe as Japanese folktales. Jump to 2024, and Momoko launches Ultimate X-Men, part of the new Ultimate Universe borrowing some elements from the “Momoko-verse.” Also in 2024 she won again the Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist due to her work on ‘Demon Days Saga.’
Momoko‘s stories are known as much for their inventiveness as for introducing diversity without selling politically correct ideas for the sake of it, or other interpretations, just to appeal to a fraction of the public; thus, Momoko brings a unique vision with her pencils without alienating fans.
While keeping to herself in an environment that favors narcissistic motormouths who are better known for their public persona than the stories they tell, Momoko is still accessible to fans through conventions and requests. She also remains humble, considering all the talent she packs into her hands and mind.
In an email interview with Anime Herald, Momoko talks about the influences on her art, the creative process to draw images that are changing the comic book landscape, interpreting well-established characters through Japanese folklore as seen in ‘Demon Wars’ (a version of the Iron Man versus Captain America moral debacle ‘Civil War’), and bring Japanese culture and folklore influences to characters that have been part of the pop culture vernacular for decades.
Anime Herald: What first influenced your drawing? Do those influences remain? What is influencing and inspiring you now?
Peach Momoko:Many things inspire me. It sometimes changes daily… But I do listen to music a lot. And when I am stuck with ideas, I tend to watch murder case documentary films.
Anime Herald: Can you describe your transition to working with Marvel?
Peach Momoko:It was a natural progression. I have always shown my art in numerous forms and numerous genres. I just knew I wanted to secure my presence in the form of art. So, all this experience and exposure was a natural progression, and I let it flow on its own.
Anime Herald: Can you share your creative process and routine?
Peach Momoko:I clean my studio and organize my table. Set up tea. Then start brainstorming and painting.
Anime Herald: You incorporate Japanese folktales into the narratives of well-known characters. How do you find that a specific part or character from Japanese folktales can be blended with Marvel characters?
Peach Momoko:I come up with the story first, then search for characters that can fit the role without feeling forced.
Anime Herald: You have given new interpretations to classic characters. What is the creative process to bring something original to decades-old, beloved characters?
Peach Momoko:Whenever I start thinking of either designing a cover or interior, I research some references of the characters and what inspires me. I try to pinpoint one or two inspirations and dig deeper into that inspiration. Sometimes I don’t know much history or details about certain characters, so I focus on one or two characteristics that inspire me and run with them.
Anime Herald: Some characters, like Wolverine, are known to have an established connection with Japan. How do you handle those who don’t have such themes in the main continuity?
Peach Momoko:It is like a puzzle for me. I do not intend to change every character to make connections with Japan. But depending on the story, for instance, ‘Demon Wars’ was made based on Marvel’s ‘Civil War.’ Marvel was generous enough to let me use their characters and put them in my Japanese setting. So, for example, Iron Man and Captain America were fighting with each other for different reasons. With those two in conflict, I take apart Iron Man’s characteristics, color theme, etc., and find parts (not all) that can work in my story in my, Japan, setting, making enough connections that people can see Iron Man as Bake-Yoroi and Captain America as Yamato. Therefore, I just take inspiration in the right amount, creating a unique blend that ends up being “Momoko-verse.”
Anime Herald: Marvel is a powerhouse in Hollywood and the entertainment field with films, TV shows, animation, gaming, and toys. Do you believe your work can be translated into another media format? Is there a character you’ve worked on that you’d like to see on TV or film?
Peach Momoko:I would love to see it in any form. Films, TV, animation, gaming, toys, anything. That would be a dream come true.
And of course, I would love to see Maystorm, a character I created, become something more than just a character in my story.
