Interview: Paul Jenkins Talks Returning To Sentry In New Marvel Series

The Sentry co-creator Paul Jenkins is back writing an all-new miniseries with Christian Rosado, Matt Milla, and Joe Caramagna, starring Marvel’s Golden Guardian. I spoke with the writer about returning to the hero nearly two decades after his last miniseries, Sentry’s place in Marvel continuity, and more. Check out our conversation below.

HE'S BEEN AN AVENGER, A DARK AVENGER AND A THUNDERBOLT!

THE SENTRY IS BACK — BUT SO IS THE VOID!

From creator Paul Jenkins comes a bold, high-stakes epic about MARVEL'S most dangerous hero — the SENTRY, a man with the power of a million exploding suns– and the dark entity born from his own psyche: the VOID. When the Void resurfaces, threatening to unravel reality itself, the Sentry must battle not only cosmic forces and criminal empires, but the monster within.

Guest-starring REED RICHARDS, SPIDER-MAN and the KINGPIN in a tale of impossible choices and devastating consequences. Can the Sentry save everything when the cost might be everything he loves?

What is it like to return to the character after so long (complete the trilogy)? - The last time we spoke, you seemed to cast some doubt on a potential return with Marvel?

Well, I suppose we should “never say never.” But yeah, I wasn’t too sure I’d get back. Now I am back, I’m enjoying catching up with old friends and generally having a good time, as I’m also on Captain Marvel and about to do a third series for them.

I’m not completing the originally intended Sentry trilogy, as I really don’t need to do that yet. That’s probably quite a long way in the future. For the moment, I’m doing a character study that really gets to the core of Sentry, and especially highlights the challenge of being Robert Reynolds. It’s a very emotional story, but it’s also one that highlights what I think is at the core of Sentry: his power is his problem. It’s not a license to rip a planet in half. It’s something he is trying to understand, to overcome; just as any of us have to overcome our daily challenges. The best part of this is that Marvel simply asked me to “do what I do” with Sentry, as opposed to getting mired in continuity and trying to tie up loose ends. I appreciate their faith in me on that front.

Why was it important to have this story in the current continuity (the book mentions it takes place before Infernal Hulk)?

I think that’s more of a Marvel question than one aimed at me. I suppose I could say that any story must have consequence. Without that, you have diminished your impact. But my mandate was simply to bring back my version of Sentry, to write him in the manner I always did. I think this approach has worked, as I’m quite proud of this story.

Christian Rosado (with Matt Milla's colors) is the third main artist for your Sentry books after Jae Lee and John Romita Jr. penned the previous two series. What has impressed you with Christian's work — and how has his style fit the world of your stories with Sentry?

Oh, wow… Christian has been amazing. I’ve literally written to him four or five times just to thank him for caring, for using his art and talents to bring this story to life. He understands how to give this work the right emotional impact. He takes time to lets the story breathe, and he cares about contrasting the action sequences with the more emotional moments. I love working with him - he’s such a talented storyteller.

How important is it to continue to show Sentry's struggles on a human scale, especially juxtaposed with his superpowered forms? It's sort of the beauty of the character.

I mean that is the intent of the character. I’ve said this a few times: It’s not about how powerful he is. It’s about how vulnerable he is. We’re studying a person struggling with his mental health, just as we all do, just as our friends and family do. All of this power scaling and feats of strength are fun - they’re the eye candy, the window dressing that gets us into the store. But it’s the reflection of ourselves that keeps us there.

The Sentry #1 is available in comic book stores now!

Check out my previous conversations with Jenkins below.