Aris Asks Gerry Conway

Gerry Conway is currently writing The Last Days of Animal Man due out form DC in May with Chris Batista. Gerry also co-created the Punisher and Firestorm the Nuclear Man and has written just about every title over his career including the best team book ever written (my opinion) Justice League of America #200!

1. You have written so many comics I love..just wanted to get that out of the way. Did you always want to work in comics?

I started writing and drawing my own comics when I was ten or eleven years old, soon after reading Fantastic Four No. 4, so I guess, yes, I always wanted to write comics.

2. Who were some creators who inspired you to write?

Stan Lee and Gardner Fox were my earliest inspirations in comics; Robert Heinlein was a science fiction writer I admired from an early age.

3. You scripted one of the best known Spider-man stories, the Death of Gwen Stacy, what are you thoughts on that now looking back?

Oh, gosh. I've talked about this so much elsewhere. At the time, it was just a story, and I tried to write it as well as I could. Looking back, it's pretty clear to me it was a turning point in comics, a demarcation line of sorts. But it wasn't intended to be that way.

4. How do you feel about the recent Brand New Day event that reset Spidey continuity and "Mephisted" his marriage away?

Well, it sounds like they wrote themselves into a corner, by marrying Peter and Mary Jane, and had to get themselves out of it somehow. I expect one day we'll see the same thing happen with Superman. These things are bad ideas, generally. Robin never marries Marion; Tristan doesn't get Isolode; Romeo and Juliet don't live happily ever after. Romances in serial fiction should never reach the natural climax; when they do, they cease to be romances and become something else that may or may not be useful for a character.

5. Continuity seemed pretty important growing up reading comics, has that changed? or am I just imagining it?

Comics are a niche market in print, but a major cultural touchstone in other ways. The actual comic book has less and less relevance as such, but the creations the comics produce are more and more important, outside the actual publications.

6. How did you come up with the Punisher?

I needed a secondary villain for a continuing storyline I was developing with the Jackal. I honestly thought he'd be a one-shot, throwaway character, patterned after some popular vigilante-style anti-heroes that were around at the time. In the writing, though, he became something more.

7. When you and Ross Andru came up with him...did you imagine he would be as popular as he has become?

Nope.

8. Did you see Punisher: War Zone? (I liked it by the way)

I haven't seen any of the Punisher films. Don't want to salt the wound.

9. You wrote the first official DC/Marvel crossover Superman vs the Amazing Spiderman, which I still own and love, how did you get involved with that?

When I went over to DC after several years at Marvel, DC's publisher, Carmine Infantino, saw me as a "catch" and wanted to use me on a high profile project. He and Stan Lee had just agreed to the first cross-company project, and under the terms of their agreement, DC got to pick the writer and Marvel got to pick the artist. I was jazzed to get the assignment, as a fan and as a writer.

10. You created Firestorm too!! Wow, another long time fave of mine. How did you come up with the Nuclear man?

I wanted to create a superhero who was just an "ordinary" kid -- not a brain like Peter Parker, just a regular teen. I'd played around with flaming characters before ("Firelord" in Thor comes to mind) and wanted to do something similar. I also liked the idea of updating the Captain Marvel "Shazam" shtick -- and then there was the notion of giving Firestorm a secondary personality in Professor Stein, who'd comment on what Ronnie was trying to do, etc. Just wanted to have fun.

11. You have done a lot of writing work, how does writing for the small screen, novels, or big screen compare to your love of comics?

Well, I seem to have far more freedom to do what I want in comics than I ever had writing in film or television. Writing novels is also liberating, but it requires far more concentration and commitment than I seem capable of producing these days.

12. Fire and Ice too!, I loved that, I was a rabid Dungeons and Dragons nut, that's a cult hit, do you think it stands up today?

Haven't seen it in twenty years, so I have no idea. I wasn't that happy with the final product at the time, though.

13. What about Conan the destroyer?

Same.

14. Looking back at your work in comics what would you say is the work you are the most proud of?

My run on Spider-Man, my run on Batman and Detective, and my run on JLA.

15. You have the Last Days of Animal Man coming out this May, how did you get involved with the project?

I pitched an idea to Joey Cavalieri about a hero reaching the end of his time as a super-powered being, and coming to terms with that. Joey suggested Animal Man as the hero, and we set the story in the future so it wouldn't interfere with regular DC continuity.

16. Can you tell us a little about the story?

It'll be out this month, buy it and see for yourself! Hehe.

17. Will there be any thing in it from the Vertigo Animal Man series?

I touch on some elements from that series, but this is intended as a straight-forward story, not a story about a story.

18. Are you providing fully scripted Animal Man plots for Chris to draw?

Yes.

19. Brian Bolland is doing beautiful cover work (as he did on the Vertigo series), do you provide input for the cover designs?

I do.

20. Will $3.99 comics be the end of the monthly floppy?

Beats me; I thought 25 cents was more than kids should pay, and we passed that marker lonnnnnng ago.

21. Will the digital format be comics savior?

Your guess is as good as mine.

22. Any advice you for aspiring comic creators?

Don't take no for an answer.

23. What is next for Gerry Conway?

I'll let you know when I know!

24. This isn't a question but you have also worked on some of my favorite show..I heart you!!!

Back at you!

Make sure to pick up the Final Day for Animal Man from DC due out on May 27th. And thanks Gerry you really have written some of the comics that have kept me a fan of capes all these years.

Aris Asks Chris Eliopoulos

Chris Eliopoulos is creator of his own web strip Misery Loves Herman, long time professional letter extraordinaire and writer of the the up coming Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers (how awesome is that!) from Marvel in May 2009.

1. Where would the world be without the Greeks?

Without democracy amongst a million other things. :)

2. My last name is Iliopoulos, similar, are we related?

Could be.

3. Lets start out with Pet Avengers (because it's awesome!), how did you come up with the concept?

My editor at Marvel said he wanted me to come up with a book about Lockjaw and a bunch of other animals. I picked out which animals I wanted to use and got to work.

4. When you pitched it, did any one look at you strange?

I think there were a few up at Marvel who wondered if I lost my mind, but enough thought it was fun and an interesting take of the Marvel U.

5. How did you pick your team? Is Lockjaw actually the leader?

Lockjaw sets this book in motion and he and Frog Thor co-lead. I really went through the list of all the Marvel animals and picked out which ones I thought were cool or might play well off each other.

6. Can you tell us anything about the series that haven't been addressed in the solicits?

I can't say too much, but I will say that a character may die.

7. Anything else out there from Marvel that has you doing writing duty?

I just finished writing the framing sequences for the Marvel Assistant Editor's book and I still write and draw Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius 4 times a year.

8. When did you start reading comics?

I mostly read comic strips, never really read comic books except Richie Rich, Casper, etc. as a kid. Never got into the super hero books much.

9. Right now what are some titles you are really enjoying?

Honestly, I have so little time, I don't really keep up on anything.
Usually I'll find stuff at the bookstores and buy collections. Also really enjoying webcomics now.

10. Now that you are writing are there any artists or projects you are dying to get your hands on?

I tend to lean toward non-mainstrean (superhero) books. I like doing these fringe books, so I just keep trying to come up with new things in the Marvel U to play with.

11. How did you get into Lettering?

I got an internship at Marvel in college, was hired when I graduated and one of my friends taught me how to letter. I had studied type and graphic design, so it seemed a natural fit. I moved into the lettering department and a few years later I went freelance and have been ever since.

12. You created the fonts Marvel uses digitally now, can you explain what that means?

All the fonts anyone uses on a computer were created using a font-creation program like Fontographer. I've made a large amount that look like hand lettering and sound effects. Me and the people who work for me use them to letter the Marvel comics you know and love.

13. For a split second, when you were doing that, were you worried you would be out of work?

Well, I created the fonts for myself and my team. Marvel has licensed a few of them, but I've had a very good relation with Marvel and they have always done well by me. So, I don't think I was worried much.

14. With the increased use of digital media for lettering, inking, coloring and effects do you think any of the craft or artistry is being lost in comics?

Nope. I just think they are new tools. It's the people who use them and how they use them that make the difference. Just like computer animation is only as good as the people making the films, some people can do great work in comics on the computer and others can just be bad. It's the people, not the tools.

15. Why do you think Larsen wanted you to letter Dragon so long the traditional way?

He loves the traditional way. It's his right as a creator to do what he wants on his book. Just like on my webcomic, I letter it by hand, draw in brush and ink and do my Marvel work on the computer. On my work, I can do what makes me happy and so does Erik. I think he just happens to really like the organic feel of hand lettering and, personally, I think it goes better with his art.

16. People should really check out Misery Loves Sherman, can you tell us how this strip came about?

I've always wanted to do a daily strip and I've come close to syndication, but I felt that the opportunities in the newspaper market were drying up and I saw a lot of successful creators doing webcomics and felt that this may be the future of cartoons. So, I work on the idea, wrote it, drew it, got a webpage and started posting a strip every weekday. It's great in that the web cuts out the middleman--no syndicate, no editor, no distributor. Just you and your audience. Seems real pure.

17. Greatest comics strip of all time?

Krazy Kat, Barnaby, Pogo, Peanuts, Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbs.

18. With the decline of newspaper circulation, what do you think strip creators like yourself can do to get your projects out there?

Move to the web. I have plans to do my own kids book and instead of going to publishers right away, I'm going to post to the web and when it's done, offer it to publishers. Web strips seems to be growing and improving. The cream is rising to the top and the really professional creators are gathering audiences. It's like being a part of the original astronaut corp. This is the ground floor.

19. You have been doing stories about Franklin Richards for some time now, how did you get that going?

A number of years ago, I pitched the idea to Marvel's publisher and it was rejected. I mentioned it to C.B. Cebulski a year later and they loved it and we got started on it. At first Franklin was a back up feature, but people seemed to like it enough to warrant a full comic and we've been going strong since.

20. Do you think comic strip sensibilities are appreciated by the "capes" comic book audience?

Not really, but the goal of Franklin is not to go after the people who already read comics, but those who don't. It's designed to get children reading and parents having something they can read with them. We, as an industry, have to reach out to new markets to keep growing.

21. What are the greatest influences on your work over all?

Charles Schulz, Walt Kelly, Berkley Breathed, Bill Watterson, Erik Larsen.

22. What are the chances of an all Greek creator comic coming out from DC(Wonder Woman) or Marvel(Hercules)? Don't you think that would be crack the internets in half huge?

It could happen--wait I write, draw and letter Franklin. Does that count?

23. Back to Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers(because it is AWESOME!), is it set in continuity?

Yup.

24. Chances of a series of events starring the Pet Avengers like Marvel has been doing with their Galactic characters since Annihilation?

Anything is possible. If Marvel feels it's something they want to publish, it will be done.

25. Any parting advice for the guys and girls out there who dream of being a being a comic creator?

Stop trying to break into Marvel or DC and create your own work. Use the web--it's much cheaper than paying for printing. When you're good enough, the Marvel's and DCs will be grabbing you.

Please check out more of Chris' strip at http://www.miserylovessherman.com/ it is constantly hilarious and make sure to pick up Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers9because it's AWESOME! :) out in May from Marvel Comic.

Aris Asks Jamal Igle

Jamal Igle has been drawing comics for 15 years and is currently artist on Supergirl for DC, he also teaches and lectures on comic art at the Art Students League in NYC.

1. Most people don't realise how long you have been a professional comic artist, when did you start drawing comics professionally?

About 1993, I guess. That's when I got my first regular assignment for a small publisher called Majestic entertainment

2. You graduated from New York's Art and Design High School and teach at the Art Students League, how important is formal art education to drawing comics?

I recommend it actually. I was always told that you have to know the rules first in order to break them and i think that's true. With superhero comics especially, there is such a reliance on knowing anatomy, perspective, and observation. You can learn to draw comics on your own, which is what happened to me. However, learning how to draw properly first was the best thing I could do for myself as an artist.

3. What were the first book you read that really made you a comics fan?

It was an issue of Captain America, I couldn't tell you the number but It was drawn by Paul Neary.

4. Creator's who's work influence your love of comics and art?

Steve Rude and Dave Stevens.

5. The work you are doing on Supergirl is awesome, how long do you see your self continuing on drawing duty?

I'll be on the book for a bit longer, there are some things being discussed but it's too early to discuss.

6. Would you say this is the best work you have put out so far?

Artistically i think Supergirl is the best work I've done so far.

7. On the average how long does it take to do one page?

Depending on the detail anywhere between 4 and 12 hours

8. You have a wonderful family, do you have your studio in your house? What are the challenges of working from home?

Yeah, i actually sectioned of a corner in the living room. With a 1 year old it's better for me to work at home so we have a babysitter during the day until 5 pm, I take over, feed the baby, give her a bath and put her to bed. I cook dinner for my wife and we relax for a bit. when Karine goes to bed I sometimes work during the night for a few hours. I try to spend as much time as possible with Karine and Catherine.

9. What character or title are you dying to get a shot drawing at DC?

You know, until recently I hadn't considered him, but I wove to try and do an Aquaman book.

10. As a professional artist are you ever intimidated by other artists?

I'm in awe of some artists, but never intimidated.

11. Can you give us any idea what's next for Jamal Igle at DC?

Something big but I can't discuss it right now.

12. You have drawn a variety of characters over the last 10 to 15 years, which title has been the most challenging?

G.I.Joe. I realized that sometimes you can be a fan of something as a kid , and not wanting anything to do with it as an adult. It was two of the most painfully awful issues I've ever drawn.

13. When you come on a title, do you actively try to tweak the character design or leave your own creative stamp on the character?

It depends, With Firestorm the changes were already in place when Stuart Moore took over the book, so I was allowed to change the costume. With Nightwing I tried to stick very closely to what was already established for the look of the character.With Supergirl I actively tweaked what I thought didn't work for the character design wise, again with DC's approval and encouragement.

14. Who would win in a fight....Supergirl, Mary Marvel or Powergirl?

Oh that's a tough one, but I'd give the edge to Supergirl.
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15. What do you think can really be done editorially to reduce late comics? Can it be helped?

Not really, and I don't think that's the answer most people want to hear. Things happen, people get sick, people quit, some artists just aren't as fast as others.People Jim Lee or John Cassaday are late because they have other things going on outside of comics. It's just the way it is.

16. Do you think digital comics will ever completely replace floppies?

Eventually but not in the time frame some people think they will.In order for it to happen, it would have to be an across the board change to all of the publishing industry. Everyone, magazines, newspapers, prose books would all have to go paperless at the same time and you'd have to have an inexpensive E-reader that people would be satisfied with.

17. Are there any characters at Marvel, that given the chance you would love to draw?

Captain America and Daredevil.

18. Will Blackest Night crossover into Supergirl?

I don't know yet.

19. I have read a recent interview regarding some of your thoughts on creator owned projects, cost aside, you have to some ideas, any chance you will get to those eventually?

I'd like to think so. In some form or another, and It's just about the money.If I had the capital, You'd only see my once a year promoting whatever novel I was working on and then I'd disappeared into the woods like Big Foot

20. Is Supergirl an all ages book?

It's as much of an all ages book as Byrne and Claremont's X-men. it's violent in spots and there is some blood, although I try to keep it to a minimum.

21. If your daughter wanted to be a comic artist you would say?

I'd encourage her but I'd also let her know much work it is and how difficult it is to get into the business. It's doubly hard if you're a "Junior" like John Romita jr., Adam and Andy Kubert, or Leah Moore. She'd be unfairly compared to me or accused of being a recipient of nepotism.

22. Do you have any words of advice for some one reading this that has aspirations of being a comic artist?

Be patient, be open to suggestions and be a professional. Keep your commitments and your promises.

23. If you weren't drawing comics you would be....?

A Chef, maybe open my own restaurant.

24. By your estimation, greatest comic artist of all time?

Alex Raymond was the best, hands down.

Find out more about Jamal at his website and blog

http://www.jamaligle.com/

And Make sure to pick up Supergirl..fun, good, action packed comics.

Aris Asks Brendan McGinley

Brendan is a comic writer and founder of Bankshot Comics, and is currently working on Heist, Invisible, INC., And Dose. He also produces a webcomic called Hannibal Goes to Rome, which has been featured on Zuda and is currently on Shadowline Web Comics.


1. When did you start reading comics?

According to my family, comics were the first thing I read; someone left a copy of MAD within reach, and I've been committed to satire and sequentials ever since. But as an enthusiast, I guess when I was 10 or so, a friend took me with him to the comic shop. I'm not sure what I ended up buying. I think it was TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and SAMURAI CAT, which was actually a pretty good book.

2. What were the first books that blew your mind?

GRIMJACK was the first book I ever collected. That insane grin on the eponymous character's face whenever he'd get into a fight was bone-rattling. I remember thinking, "What kind of sicko smiles at these kinds of odds?" Of course, any psychopath would do, but what made GrimJack work was that he'd brood and cry and fight for folks he loved. I think that's an underrated book. It's like The Shadow and Philip Marlowe had a kid.

INFINITY GAUNTLET blew not only my mind, but even my classmates who didn't read comics. We had no idea who Thanos was, but he appeared to have no eyes and he just turned Wolverine's bones to rubber! I think that's a pretty good yardstick for a Marvel event villain; how brutally can he dispatch Wolverine? If the answer doesn't impress a 10-year-old, you don't get to write the summer crossover.

WILDCATS 3.0 and PLANETARY aren't the formative books of my youth, but they muscle their way on here because you can't keep them out. Has anyone else noticed the only superhero books to really advance the genre this millennium all came out of Wildstorm? The former's "corporation as superhero" angle informed INVISIBLE, INC. a lot.

3. Who are your favorite comic characters?

Just about everyone from LOVE & ROCKETS.

I really like Guy Gardner for his contrariness. That's a character who always loses. He's a jerk, nobody likes him, and being a hero costs him more than it gains. And yet he KEEPS ON TRYING. That's much more heroic and interesting to me than Superman, who's got a major stake in Metropolis and Lois Lane and the world at large. That's just a fellow tending his garden.

Now of course, that's not what Superman originally was; the idea behind it was great -- "Gee, if I had superpowers, I'd make everything fair!" But I've never been interested in Superman as a book because it's always about the world around Superman, and I simply do not care about Bibbo or the Newsboy Legion or Jimmy Olsen's acting career. Superman is a wonderful concept: a man who can overcome any obstacle eschews personal glory to improve the lot of others. That's heroism: "I'm Superman. How can I help?" All-Star Superman is great like that. Yeah, Guy Gardner.

The entire Giffen/DeMatteis era of JUSTICE LEAGUE was like a family to me in junior high. Good, clean fun comics.

A friend browbeat me into reading Joe Kelly's DEADPOOL, which is terrific -- extending the character to cartoon genius. The issue where they invaded an actual Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man is the funniest comic I've ever read. I mean essentially, Deadpool is Daffy Duck right at that point where Merrie Melodies became Looney Tunes -- sometimes he's a kid on a sugar buzz; sometimes he's a greedy jerk. I like Slapstick for similar reasons; they'd make a good team-up, wouldn't they?

I like the Punisher, who I think has more depth than most folks are willing to recognize. The problem is those damned movies always try to make the attack that killed his family personal and the subsequent vendetta about revenge. They just don't understand that when for a man able to survive anything, random violence IS personal. His gift becomes his curse because he had a picnic in the park. Why has no one let Garth Ennis have his way with a film script?

I like villains; I like Magneto and Venom and Sinestro -- evil twins always make the best foes, because they're instantaneous foils. Sinestro especially. Geoff Johns has done a terrific job building on what Giffen & Jones started.

4. Who are your favorite creators?


Well, I could say Alan Moore and Grant Morrison, but what MORE could I say? They're absolute titans. Warren Ellis and Garth Ennis will show you how to be a better person through perversion; I'd say those two helped me develop as not just a writer but a human being. I marvel at Geoff Johns' ability to turn in 100 scripts a month with no dip in quality.

On that point, Mark Waid, John Ostrander and Peter David never get enough good words written about them. Both are terrific plotters who know how to pin motive and emotion onto their structural points. I know that sounds highly technical, so here's what I'm getting it: they will never cheat you. They know how to make your jaw drop, they can make you care about a D-list character's supporting cast, and they'll mix some tears and laughter into the story.

Brian Azzarello, he's aces -- bloody knuckles, broken noses and bent morality.

Gerard Jones -- when he's on (MOSAIC, AMERICAN SECRETS), there's absolutely nobody better.

I have no idea what artists are out there anymore. I assume they're all great and I continue to wish I could draw like Adam Hughes or Frank Cho.

Evan Dorkin -- I'm jealous of his humor and his art. Man, I love his stuff. Hold on, I have to go read CIRCLING THE DRAIN.

Winsor McCay's been a huge influence on me. That's most evident in a couple stories not yet seen. His grave's not far from my house, and I've visited it a couple of times.

5. What are you currently reading?


Whatever my roommate brings home and stashes in the bathroom. Most of it's garbage.


6. You think $3.99 comics will kill the floppy?

You're asking the wrong Quixote. I designed a $5 indie comic at 56 pages with no ads and I still couldn't get it on the shelf. If Marvel can sell it, bully for them. Otherwise, I think they're looking at trades. Except aren't trades slowing down in bookstores now? That'll happen when you collect everything, whether or not it deserves it. I really can't believe neither company has begun a big push for original online content yet.

7. What is Bangshot Comics?


Bankshot is whatever I'm working on. "Brendan McGinley" is a lot harder search term to spell correctly. I guess you could call it an imprint or a studio or a very expensive hobby

8. What are some of the comics you are currently producing?


HEIST -- The world's greatest supervillain is so good at his job the heroes have no idea he exists. That is, until he's hired to steal an omnipotent artifact from their headquarters. It starts off a James Bond fantasy and goes to grievous places. Andres Ponce draws this, and Rocio Zucchi colors it to look -- oh! So fine. Josh Elder nods at my plots and shakes his head wearily at my dialogue.

INVISIBLE, INC. -- Ever wonder why supervillains don't try to take over the world anymore? A reporter discovers they pulled it off decades ago. This one is probably my favorite to craft, but the toughest to write, because there's so much conspiracy theory that zips so neatly into comic book cliches -- meaning I get to turn over things accepted as true with sinister implication. Tomas Aira handles all the art.

HANNIBAL GOES TO ROME -- The true story of the Carthaginian general who took elephants over the Alps told from start to epic finish. This is is running over at Shadowline, so if you like it, tell them in the message boards you want to see it in print with a big Image logo on it.

DOSE -- A compendium of humor and wit (maybe), featuring special guests and also a 30-foot-tall Dudley Do-Right battling a manga vixen in mecha armor. How now can you refuse? Seriously -- come for the Molly Crabapple guest pages, stay for the Victorian product advertisements.

And a bunch of projects that want artists of one calling or another: SHE'S FAMOUS NOW; REAPING PROFIT; ICONOGRAPHY; CITIZEN X: THE MISSION; STAR-X and a collaboration with Alex de Campi.

9. Are you building a continuous comic universe, or do all the titles exist in their own world?


Continuity is the enemy at this point. Who needs more of it? Comic fans have plenty of it if that's their thing. It's no longer a cool thrill if Thor appears in the Hulk, it's just part of the soap opera.

I wouldn't even be writing superhero comics if I were trying to establish that kind of open-ended, ongoing stuff. I figure there has to be other readers like me, who still love superpowers, but are just weary of the melodrama. I want a beginning, a middle and an end. I want change and development and characterization.

They just did a Spider-Man story called "Brand New Day" in which Peter Parker sells part of his soul to the Devil to preserve his aging aunt and ditch his supermodel wife. I mean, is there a better metaphor for comics and their continuity? Diving proudly into the sand headfirst to preserve the past at all costs, defying the natural order and common sense! SPIDER-MAN's supposed to be about growing up, and part of growing up is accepting that everyone passes in their time.

So no, I'm not dragging any characters back out if I don't think there's something they need to do. There might be a couple of more HEIST stories in Geist, but I don't want to overuse the character.

Now if it fits and if it were a thrill, I'd guest-star a little bit. You could put the case out there for, say, Iron Will from an upcoming project called ICONOGRAPHY to appear at the end of HEIST, and I tinker with the idea. But neither one of those characters could share a universe with INVISIBLE, INC. because they're just very different worlds. No one's controlling the heroes in HEIST and no one's a bastion of wit and style in INVISIBLE, INC.

But don't worry -- everything's self-contained. I'm not asking the reader to stray.



10. Which is the best?

Ha! Probably HEIST. It's the easiest to write. It's fun and breezy till it's not, and then the trap is sprung.


11. Hannibal? How did you come up with this?

Hannibal is inescapable when you're studying Carthage, which I was doing for CITIZEN X. I wanted a world where Carthage won the Second Punic War, and though I was going to dodge Hannibal, the really aggravating thing with fictional histories is it's MORE work than actual history -- it's not enough to just say "Ok, they didn't have saddles at this point in history," you have to figure out "Do they have guns? It's only 400 years later. Have they already made contact with China? Is that feasible? They have glass, they have naval ability, they're traders...what's that lead to first?" You have to figure out what could reasonably happen next by researching the entire world.

I suppose Hannibal was a bid for sanity amid all that. If I don't have the time period down by the end of that story, I don't deserve to finish CITIZEN X.

Besides, try though you might to dodge him, Hannibal is too impressive to ignore! I figured if I didn't slap that epic down with a talented guy like Mauro Vargas drawing it, someone else would, and they wouldn't use nearly as many awful puns -- so it had to be done.

12. Why didn't you do a comic about a Greek historical figure?

Because Frank Miller already did 300 and let's face it, Hipparchia's better off as a stage play. And your story's still being written, my lad.

13. Do you think there is a market for online comics?

I'm betting on it. HANNIBAL got more reads the first hour of Zuda than I've sold copies of DOSE to date.

14. Do you think digital comics will ever replace the floppy?

Yep. At least as a majority.

15. How do you find artists to work with?


I assume you mean "Where?" rather than "What's it like?" but I'll answer the second to give you the first -- a lot easier now that I'm finding guys via word of mouth in the Argentine comics community. They've never let me down: great talent, lots of enthusiasm, rates both parties can live with, and they all support each other. I spent 2003-2007 getting burned by artists from elsewhere who'd produce a few great pages in a flurry of commitment and then vanish -- sometimes with my deposit. But the boys from B.A. (and lady Rocio, whose art is literally unbelievably gorgeous) have never let me down -- not once.


16. Is it difficult to produce a finished comic?

I'd say it's more difficult than you'd expect to get one finished, but as easy as you'd think to get any of the elements done. It's difficult to make a GOOD comic, which I only say with certitude because I've already made some really mediocre ones. You can proofread it a hundred times and you still won't notice certain typos till you have the first print in hand. The web makes it easier to amend that, which I intend to do with some of the purple prose dragging down the middle of INVISIBLE, INC.'s first issue.

17. Some words of advice for the kid out there who wants to write comics?


Start doing it, give yourself extra space, and don't worry about trying to make it great. Worry about making it GOOD. Greatness is the product of inspiration, but goodness is the result of technical prowess. Everybody gets a few great ideas, but how many people learn to write a concise, slickstream-smooth, organic piece of information engineering that truly delivers on its premise within a few short pages?


Don't take it too seriously; even if you're the next Shakespeare, worrying about living up to Shakespeare will only paralyze you. Just get it done first. Shakespeare isn't great because he writes lofty poetry or even clear poetry; Shakespeare's great because he makes people think and feel.


Trust me, you can always revise; I'm still trying to improve and expunge my awful executions of good ideas from college.


Make some smart friends with enough of a mean streak to tell you what doesn't work.


And bear in mind this advice comes from a man with years in and dollars out on double-niche comics for the discerning conspiracy theorist/superhero fan. You should probably ignore everything I said and churn out heartless airport bricks like Michael "ZOMG Sciencebomb!" Crichton. There's a lot more money in that, and then you can buy me drinks.


18. What did you think of Kirkman's challange to comic creators, is it better to go independent?


I think it's better for Kirkman to go independent. I think it's better for a lot of people to have health insurance.


Neither one is actually better; he's just offering some advice on how to maximize your return and not get sheared of your life work's success. Nothing wrong with that. It helps to be a very good and prolific writer like Robert Kirkman. But if you're not at least one of those, why are you trying to get into a brawl for market share like this one?


19. Do you want to work for Marvel or DC?

I have. They paid me in comic books. That was as an intern, but from what I understand, the salaries are worth almost as much. I'll stick with construction.

But yeah, a little. I want to make money writing, I'd like to have health coverage and readership and somebody else doing all the marketing and print work so I can focus on the stories. I keep a file of story ideas that only work for their characters, but I'm not wasting time plotting them out. I'd rather work on second- or third-tier characters where you can really experiment and do something new. But as far as that kid's dream of working for those companies being the ultimate goal of any career, I'd rather be something besides that guy who had a pretty good run on CAPE-MAN.

20. You are working with Andres Ponce on Heist. How long until he gets snatched up by the Big Two?

I'm worried about that myself. I have a knack for getting collaborators swiped out from under me by bigger publishers. Andres, on loan to Mirage, is well overdue, and I know he'll be pushing his potent penciled pages around San Diego.

Here's a funny story -- you know I met Andres through the Millarworld boards. I really liked his art, hit him up for a collaboration, and the poor devil's been working with me ever since. So that was...2004, I think, and I was at Wizard, where they encourage you to read everything that's coming out so you can write knowledgeably about it. So I grab a handful of books that night, and go home to my freezing home in the wilds of Rockland.

And my house is literally freezing. I'm lying in bed under three covers, wearing a winter jacket, but reading comics because they're the only element in this story that keeps it from becoming a Jack London tale, and I DON'T WANT TO DIE.

So Jay Faerber -- he did the brilliant thing with NOBLE CAUSES of keeping the superhero soap opera, but eliminating the brawl side of it, so all you got was like...DYNASTY with lasers and it sounds crazy, but it was sharp and he made it work -- Jay Faerber has this new title called Firebirds. And I really dig the art, especially the costume design. This is great stuff.

So who's the artist? Oh, it's that fellow I just lured into my keyboard clutches during lunch.

And that's how Andres saved me from freezing to death, so I figure the least I can do is stall his career with junk like STAR-X.

21. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully done with all these beasts I've borne on my back all millennium. It'd be nice to take a vacation at some point between now and then.But as long as I'm eating well and still with this gorgeous, wonderful woman I guess I'm winning.

22. If you weren't doing comics you would be...?

Successful?

23. Are you a better cook or writer?

Sadly, writer. Anyone who's sampled my writing can pat their stomach protectively. What's even sadder is I've been drawing twice as long as I've been writing, and I'm still a better writer than artist.

That said, I made ras-el-hatoun lamb shanks last week and these "Doom / Tuck" inks I can live with, so maybe one day I'll be a good writer.

24. If you make it big in comics, and Hollywood comes calling do you think you would ditch comics completely?

I don't see the need to split it, but I also don't see Hollywood chucking well-deserved scripting opportunities at any of these decades-deep talents even to adapt their own properties.

25. If you were directing Hannibal: the Movie, who would you cast in the lead?

I'd just want to see someone who can capture that ultimate leader, a guy who slugs it out in the trenches then leaps onto a horse, gives a stirring speech, and really could lead men into the mouth of Hell. And then he has to have a thick foundation of intelligence, craftiness and humor to convey humanity underneath the demands of state.

Idris Elba's good at everything he does. Let him have it.

Interrested in seeing more about Brendan's projects follow the links. Great stuff.

http://www.indeliblecomics.com/

www.tinyurl.com/hannibalrome

Aris Asks Nicola Scott

Nicola Scott is currently drawing Secret Six for DC Comics. And if you ask me kicking all kinds of a$$!

1. Have you always wanted to draw comics?

Nope! Didn't even know they existed until my late teens. I spent my twenties pursuing an acting career, occasionally considering drawing comics, but I didn't decide until I was thirty.

2. Who were early influences?

George Perez, Kevin McGuire and Adam Hughes.

3. Did you actually watch the Linda Carter Wonder Woman show?

It was the first TV show I remember watching. I remember because I was sitting there with my sisters and all my cousins, all girls and older than me, and they all thought it was boring and I thought I'd discovered religion.

4. The first thing I remember you doing was stuff on Drew's Halloween Man. How did you start working with him?

Hanging in the Millarworld Creative Forum. It was going through a pretty sparky phase, loads of really talented people posting often. During that time I contributed to the Halloween Man Christmas mash, like heaps of others did, and it kinda kept going after that with really nice working relationships and friendships between myself, Drew, Russell, inker Mike Furth and colourist Jesse Farrell.

5. You also did some work at Dark horse and Image, what titles did you do there?

A few issues of Star Wars: Empire and their '05 Free Comic Book Day issue that tied in with
Episode III. At Image I worked with Jai Nitz on his original series "Season of the Witch"

6. How did you get the gig on Birds of Prey?

I had met Gail Simone at Paradise Con in Toronto, in '06, and we got along really well right off the bat. She had seen some of my work on-line previously so when I saw her again at San Diego Comicon a few months later, she let me know that there was a fill-in issue of Birds looking for an artist. I met editor Mike Carlin and he said he'd seen my work and heard of me and said "Let see how this goes". It went pretty good.

7. You are currently blowing the doors off Secret Six, are you enjoying it as much as we are?

Are you kidding me! If you're reading the title you know how much fun the series is AND I GET TO DRAW IT!! Every time a script comes in I'm rolling around on the floor, laughing my ass off. It's a blast!

8. Who is your favorite character from Secret Six to draw?

The great thing about The Six is that they are all so different. Different body types, body language, mannerism and attitude. That makes drawing all of them a pleasure but I really dig drawing Ragdoll 'cause I can do anything with him and, by his very nature, is meant to be completely hilarious and horrendous to look at.

9. Any thing you can tease about up coming story lines?

Wonder Woman might be showing up. HOW EXCITED AM I!!!

10. Who would win in a fight Halloween Man or Junior?

Halloween Man I think. He can't die because he's already dead. Major advantage!

11. How long does it take for you on the average to pencil a page?

I try to aim for a page a day but with a team book, often with a number of characters per panel, it tends to work out to five pages every six days.

12. Do you prefer drawing from panel detailed full scripts or very open plots?

Don't mind really. Heaps of detail gives you heaps to work with.

13. Gail Simone writes Secret Six, she also is writing Wonder Woman, I know that's a book you really want to draw, any chance of that happening?

I'm pretty sure Gail will be on Wonder Woman for a while and I'm sure it'll come up at some stage. I'm actually at a point now where I don't feel the rush to get on it. It'll happen.

14. You and Amanda Conner are the only two female pencilers I can think of, do you think if you had to fight her in a cage match to draw Wonder Woman, could you take her?

Amanda is little and cute and sweet and I'm a big scary bitch. Do the math.

15. Are there any other characters you would like to draw?

I love the whole Bat Family and I love the whole Super family so anything there would be groovy. I like to bring out the personalities of characters so it's really more interesting being paired with a writer that does the same. I could be happy drawing anyone if they're written well, while drawing a badly written Superman would be depressing.

16. Any chance of doing any Marvel work?

Dunno. Maybe one day. If they ask me.

17. Marvel character you would love to draw most?

Spider-Woman.

18. Any advice you can offer to some one who wants to draw comics for a living?

Get serious about pursuing it as a career. You need to think of it as a job, not a hobby. That means finishing what you start, constantly producing and having a fair idea of where you might fit into the biz or what niche you can carve for yourself.

19. Is there ANY difference you can tell being a female artist in the comic industry?

Nup!

20. Do you have a stalker?

Not at the moment. Offering?

21. Do comic artists need formal training?

Nup! But they do need to be open to learning from others and from their own experiences.

22. If I told you I would kidnap Dan Didio and make him offer you Wonder Woman, you would say?

You're going to need a lot of chloroform.

23. If you weren't drawing comics you would be......?

Drawing superheroes on anything that happened to be in front of me.

24. What are your thoughts on comics shipping late?

Annoying but sometimes unavoidable.

25. Do plan on tackling any creator owned projects?

Eventually. My husband has a OGN coming out later this year. I worked on the teaser for it that he used to shop around for a publisher (this was back before I was working for DC). The teaser will be printed in the final book. It's called "Torn" and it's coming out from Frozen Beach.

If you aren't reading Secret Six, you should really pick it up. Consistently awesome, great characters and scripting and wonderful art by Nicola. There really isn't an excuse not to put it on your pull list.

Aris Asks Rob Guillory

Rob Guillory is the talented artist currently working on Chew with writer John Layman due from Image Comics in June. He is also working in the field of children's book illustration, and on Teddy Scares for Ape Entertainment and Shortbus Superstars!


1. How are the Chew pages coming along?

They're coming along great, man. I've penciled up to Page 14 of Issue 4 and am currently inking Page 5 of Issue 3, so they're rolling.


2. How did you get involved with Chew?

Well, it was either good karma, divine intervention or dumb luck, really. A few weeks before, I'd just wrapped a short project for Tokyopop (that was never published) with writer Brandon Jerwa. Brandon had apparently enjoyed working with me, so when Layman began looking for artists for CHEW, I was the first guy he thought of. Layman cold-emailed me the day before San Diego Comicon 2008, sent me the premise and first script, and I was blown away. I read everything on the flight over, met John the next day and the rest is history. I feel very fortunate to be the guy bringing this to life. The stars aligned, I guess.


3. Can you tell us a little bit about the project?

Sure. Well, the short version is: An avian flu pandemic has killed several million people. As a result, the US Government, in a post-9/11-like panic, institutes a poultry ban and makes the FDA into the most powerful federal agency there is. Our story is seen from the perspective of Tony Chu, a new FDA agent who is also a psychic who has visions depending on what he eats. So if he eats an apple, he'll see all its history, where it came from, the pesticides and processing it was subjected to. Likewise, if he eats something more grotesque, like human flesh, he'll see aspects of the person's past. He uses this ability to solve cold cases.


4. You are handling all the art chores, except lettering, how long does it take you to do an average finished colored Chew page?

Hmm. Well, it kinda varies depending on complexity, but I can knock out 3-4 pages a week if I have no side-projects.
5. Do you actually like the story?

I absolutely love CHEW. I've got to be Layman's #1 fan, I think. But again, I've had the pleasure of reading the first 5 issues worth of script, so I see what's really there. Let me say this: No one knows what this book REALLY is. Sure, they've read internet blurbs about it and whatnot, but that's just the surface. There's more to this than cannibalism. That's just the hook. This story is about the conspiracy behind the deaths of several million people. Think about that, because at it's core, it's about one question, I think: To what lengths would you go to find the truth?


6. How is working with John Layman?

Well, John has this reputation of being this crazy guy, and that's fine. But I think a lotta times that there's a fine line between insanity and brilliance, and this time I think Layman's crossed over to something really original.Working with him's been the best experience I've had working with another creator. He's a pro and an all-around good dude. I consider him a friend. Another thing that I think makes this book special.

7. Don't you think his cat fetish is weird?

My wife and I have 2 house cats, so...

8. Chew sounds and looks great, I believe John's first arc is 5 issues, What are your plans for Chew after that?


We'd like to go as long as we can with it. John's got around 25-30 issues in mind, and I want to be the guy to draw this story from beginning to end. No fill-ins.





9. Have you always wanted to draw comics?



Well, I grew up with comics, always drew them as a kid, but didn't ever think I could make a living doing them until about my second year of college. I made a run for it, and here I am. I think I was born to tell stories in this medium.

10. What was your first art job?

Umm... Well, the first paying gig I had was a 5-year run doing 2 weekly comic strips for my college's newspaper. Didn't pay much, but it was an excuse to keep pushing my comic work on a regular basis. Plus, I learned how to meet deadlines.

11. Is it important for comic artists to take drawing classes?

I think taking drawing classes can be incredibly important, but I also feel it's invaluable to just be as broad and well-rounded as possible. If you draw, try painting. Or sculpting. Or poetry. Whatever. Creativity is creativity, and you'll be amazed at what will inspire new growth. And on top of classes, taking the time to do individual study is crucial. If you can't motivate yourself, no one can.

12. What is Shortbus Superstars?

Shortbus Superstars is a creator-owned comic project that I created with Image writer Mark Andrew Smith (of Amazing Joybuzzards fame). It's a long story, but it's been in flux for a while because of life, basically. One of the downsides to labors of love like Shortbus Superstars is that they don't pay the rent, sometimes. It's on the shelf for now, but it's something I want to return to eventually.

13. What else are you working on?

I have a couple personal projects that I'm scripting. One is a space blaxploitation, another is a horror story. A private goal is to do a modern-day comic translation of the Bible, believe it or not. Picture Jesus wearing Chuck Taylors. Yeah... I went there.

14. Any work on the horizon from the Big Two (Marvel or DC)?

Who knows? I'm just getting warmed up.

15. Have you actually ever made sweet Monkey love?

Hells yeah. I pity anyone who has not.



16. What comics are you currently reading?

I really don't read a lot of comics these days. Honestly, I just don't have the patience for a lot of the crazy uber-continuity in the Big Two anymore, so I just stick to standalone stuff or trades. I just read Walking Dead Vol. 1 the other day, though



17. You have your pic of the litter, what comic books currently published would you love to be working on?

Hmm. I dunno. Something out of continuity. Like a Luke Cage/Iron Fist 80s throwback special. I just want free reign over whatever I do.

18. Influences on your art?




Too many to list them all. In comics, I grew up with John Buscema and John Romita Sr. and Jr. In animation, I was always a huge Warner Bros. cartoon guy, so I think that has some influence on the expressiveness of my art. Jim Mahfood was a huge influence when I first started moving to break in. Guys like Jim, Dave Crosland and Mike Huddleston where like acid to my young, Marvel-bred mind. They opened my eyes to the wealth of possibilities in the story-telling medium. And of course, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Steve Ditko and Dave Gibbons were big inspirations.


19. Do you think digital comics are the way to go?

Maybe. For me, they'll never replace the printed page

20. Besides John Layman, is there another creator you would die to work with?



Warren Ellis is the only guy coming to mind, for some reason. Transmetropolitan and Nextwave are personal faves.



21. If you weren't drawing you would be...?

If I was lucky, writing. But realistically, I'd probably be beating my head against a wall somewhere.


22. Advice for the kid who dreams about becoming a comic artist?




mailto:F@$ critics. Do what you love and what completes you.



23. Facebook or MySpace?

Facebook, I guess. MySpace is like this generation's Tower of Babel, man. If I see one more Miley Cyrus MySpace ad, I'm pulling my own plug.




For more of Rob's art work please visit his blog http://www.robguillory.com/



And make sure to support Chew out in June from Image Comics. Check out the http://www.chewcomic.com/ for updates!!!

Aris Asks Andres Ponce

Andres Ponce is currently working on pages for Tales of the TMNT and Heist(with Brendan McGinley). And has worked on Jay Faerber's Flamebirds from Image Comics.

1. Who is Andres Ponce?

Penciler, sensible human being.

2. How did you get discovered?

Jay Faerber´s fault! I think that I saw a post of Jay on a forum looking for new talent.Jay gave me my first shot with a pin-up on his Noble Causes. Later we did more stuff together in the form of a pair of short stories, completed a NC mini for him when the penciler couldn't do it and a One Shot.

3. What are you working on right now?

Currently I´m doing Tales of the TMNT #61, and, slowly, HEIST #2. Maybe something with Jay in the future.

4. What else have you worked on?

I started like an inker on the Graphic Novel called Diorama, inking my friend Dario Brizuela. Later came all the Noble Causes stuff and the Firebirds one shot. All that from Image. After that, jump to Mirage where I did Tales of TMNT #32 and the April:TMNT movie prequel.Also I did 10 page stories for a TMNT magazine from the UK. Here in Buenos Aires I did story boards, stuff for ads and I wrote for 6 years kiddie comics for a magazine.

5. Do you think the internet has been good for comics?

Yes, I think.

6. Which characters are you dying to draw?

Outsiders, Green Lantern Corps, maybe Superman...and…Aquaman. I´m a DC guy, you see.

7. Are there any creators you think you really want to work with besides me?

Oh, that´s a hard one :)….I love the work of Peter Tomasi and John Arcudi. Arcudi´s Doom Patrol and Aquaman were great to me. Brendan McGinley and me on Guy Gardner.

8. What are your favorite comics right now?

Green Lantern Corps, because has Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, love his art there. Outsiders, because the original team is back. Ender´s Game because I liked the story in the novel and I´m a huge Pascal Ferry fan. Shark-Man because has gorgeus art and is fun. Anything with Doug Manhke in it. Anything with Frank Quitely in it.

9. Words of advice to aspiring comic artists?

Keep drawing! Never stop! What project has been your favorite to work on?I think that Star-Crossed with Brendan McGinley. It`s unfinished :P

10. Who is the toughest Ninja Turtle to draw?

Leonardo, because I always forget to draw his straps.

11. Do you do commissions?

Yeah! I do commissions, is fun and help to pay the bills.

12. Do you like to ink?

I love to ink!...I rather love to ink others pencilers than myself.

13. Who do you think would ink you the best(besides me)?

Another hard one :)…I don´t know, my inking is made mostly with a brush. Any inker with a brush, I guess.

14. If you weren’t drawing comics you would be…?

I´d be working on my last job, I guess. On a Library.

15. How is working with Brendan McGinley on Heist?

Is Great! a lot of fun. Brendan is an excellent writer. He´ll be a star, sooner or later.

16. Are you worried about the value of the dollar?

Of course!

17. How long does it take you to do the average page?

One day.

18. How do you get anything done with all the distractions?

It´s a daily fight. A never ending fight. I always lose.

19. Do you consume energy drinks?

Only coffee, tea and mate cocido.

20. What three things would you want if stranded on a remote desert island?

A Porn Star, a sun-powered I-Pod and a picture of my parents.

21. Do you think you draw sexy women?

I try at least :)

22. Priya Rai is very hot…is she hot enough to make you wife her, quit doing comics and settle down with 3 kids and a job at the factory?

I´m sorry for Priya but I´m useless for manual works. Barely I can use a hammer. A factory is out of question. If Priya allow me another job? Quitting comics? Hmm….

For more of Andres' art check out his blog @ http://andresponce.blogspot.com/

Aris Asks Chris Batista

Chris Batista has been drawing comics professionally for 15 years. His pencils have been seen in Steel, Spaceknights, Legion, 52, Robin and is currently working on Last Days of Animal Man with Gerry Conway due out in May from DC comics.

1. Do you think that black book full of Star Wars and G-Force drawings will ever resurface?

I will never see that sketchbook again. I wasn't even a professional at the time. Why the hell would you steal a non pro's sketchbook. Bastard...

2. When did you start drawing?

I've been drawing far as long as I can remember.

3. How did you break into comics?

I took a course taught by Klaus Janson at SVA. He got me an interview at Marvel and I got an 8 page X-factor script.

4. Have you ever been intimidated by some one you thought was a better artist?

The list is way too long for those artists that intimidate me.

5. What was it like working on Steel?

Very Scary. My first series. I was still very raw and didn't know a damn thing about how tough it is do a series. You gotta start somewhere.

6. Do you think most fans understand the work it takes to finish a fully penciled comic page?

I think some do realize what it takes but most don't have a clue what it takes. Whatever is needed, the artist must provide. Trips to the library, endless hours on Google.

7. How long does the average page take you?

Every page takes it's own amount of time. Some go very fast while others can be so damn slow. Crowd scenes can be a drag if you're not drawing the same person over and over.

8. What do you think about comics that ship late?

It's a harsh reality. Sometimes it's for a good reason. Look at Bryan Hitch. The amount of effort is clear. Other times, not so much.9. I am big Rom fan, looking back what do you think about the Spaceknights series?

Spaceknights broke my heart. My original pitch was very dense and heavily Sci Fi. I wasn't allowed to write it and they weren't going to give me my choice of writers (DnA). The writer that was chosen just didn't get what I was going for. It came across as very corny and dated. I wanted badass aliens and advanced alien cultures. I wanted to push the envelope. I was crushed every time a script came in.

10. If you weren’t drawing comics you would be?

An actor or a prostitute. Kinda the same thing I guess. There is also a career at Burger King waiting.

11. If I were to tell you, you draw the best G-force, you would say?

I would have to get in line after Alex Ross.

12. Who is your favorite member of G-force?

Toss up between Mark and Jason.

13. Was Keeop retarded?

He was special and would f@#% you up.

14. Who are some influences on your work?

Jerry Ordway, Michael Golden, Alan Davis, Yasuomi Umetsu, Kevin Maguire and many others. These are the main ones.

15. What made you finally ditch the shades?

My work with the government was finally done and I could just be a civilian.
16. You have done some great work over the last 15 years or so. What run or work stands out in your mind as your favorite (For me it’s Legion )?

It would have to be Legion as well.

17. You are working on Animal man, when is that coming out?

First issue hits in may.

18. Can you tell us anything about the project?

It's set 15 years in the future and Buddy is losing his powers. Then denial sets in. Gerry Conway will be writing.

19. How are your pages coming along?

Not as fast As I would like. I've been very nitpicky lately. I need to pick up speed like I've done in the past.

20. What’s next after Animal Man?

Maybe some Booster Gold. The editor and I have been talking over some ideas.

21. Who are some characters you would really love to get your hands on?

Mr Miracle, Shazam, Legion, Adam Strange.

22. Do you want to take a stab at a creator owned project?

I would really love to at some point.

23. Do you remember Digger bringing a machete to School of Visual Arts?

Love that that Digger.
24. Why do you think inkers and colorists are “unsung heroes”?

They are certainly not as recognized as they should be. I've got the amazing Dave Meikis on Animal Man. I've also had the awesome Cam Smith who's now slumming on Bryan Hitch.

25. What about letterers?

I will always remember John Workman during Walt Simonson's run on Thor.Just plain beautiful.

26. Where comics better in the mid to late 80’s?

Yes and no. The standards were certainly higher in terms of what was expected form an artist. Some of those old stories don't age very well. Some are just plain timeless.....Micronauts 1-12 anyone?

27. Any advice for aspiring comic artists?

Do your research. The more real your world is, the better your characters are going to look. It ain't fun but it's very necessary.

Aris Asks John Layman

And I kick off the interviews with John Layman. As you may know he has started pimping his upcoming book from Image called Chew. And it really sounds and looks fantastic. He also recently launched the website http://www.chewcomic.com/ make sure to visit as him and Rob Guillory will be updating and the art is really too delicious(I made a funny…delicious…Chew…get it?) to miss.

And in case you didn't know he was trained by the late great Bruce Lee himself(not really).

1. What's up with the Lego?

They are the single greatest thing in creation, and I have a collection that will blow your mind, and make you weep with envy.

2. John Layman in a sentence?

Layman!!!

3. What's Chew?

An upcoming image comic about a federal agent who gets psychic impressions from the things he eats, and consequently, he eats a lot of terrible things in order to solve crimes.

4. Are you sticking with that Logo?

More or less. Artist Rob Guillory has made some minor tweaks to it, but I’m pretty happy with it. It was designed by Tom B. Long of Tombgraphics, an ex-WildStormer and IDW employee who does coloring and design work. Whassamatter? Don’t you like the logo?

5. How far into Chew are you now?

Writing issue #6, Rob is penciling issue #4. Issue #1 comes out June 3rd, so we’re in pretty good shape.

6. When are you going to send out some preview pages?

Soon. In the meantime, check out http://www.chewcomic.com/

7. Why Rob Guillory?

Coz he is awesome, fast, a great storyteller, a phenomenal colorist and one smart dude.

8. 3 reasons we should pick Chew are?

1. Great art. 2. Great story. 3. And REALLY great lettering!

9. Chew takes off, what's next?

Keep it going until the end, which is at least 25 issues. Possibly more.

10. What else have you done?

Well, the thing that sold the most of Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness, but I’ve written Scarface, Xena, Thundercats, Gambit, Sentinel Squad O*N*E, Puffed, Bay City Jive, Armageddon & Son… and some other stuff. Oh, and video games like Metriod Hunters, Marvel Trading Card Game, Soldier of Fortune 3, and, currently, Champions Online.

11. Book at Marvel or DC that could lure you away from creator owned projects?

Eh. Nothing really, at the moment. I’d like to write X-Men, like to write Plastic Man. But enough to pull me away from Chew? Not a damn thing.

12. If you weren't working in comics you would?

Probably write video games, which is my day job. Though I’m also of the opinion I’d be a mighty fine trucker or caged arena fighter.

13. Word on internets is you lost a lot of weight...how did you do it?

Running three and a half miles a day, every evening while I watch a section of a movie, or a bit of TV.

14. Do you think you can keep it off?

Probably not, but I am trying. I am actually blowing off running to answer these stupid questions, so if I blow up, it’s your fault, dick.

15. Did it have anything to do with some comments on Millarworld?

I post there occasionally. I was one of the original members. Mark and I go way back, back to when I was an editor with him on Authority, back before he was a comic book superstar and darling of Hollywood. I enjoy posting on his forum. I kinda play a wizened mentor role to a lot of the mixed-up kids that post there, particularly on the politics forum. A lot of them don't really understand how the world works, so they look to me for guidance.

16. Who do you love more Reggie(cat) or Carter(son)?

Is that really a fair question?

17. With all your hobbies, how do you find time to write?

Most of the hobbies have been sidelined. The Legos have gone into storage, so they don’t get eaten, lost or destroyed by a two year old. I rarely play video games, where I used to routinely finish them— except for an occasional round of World of Warcraft, and I’ve got an enormous stack of comics I’ve been meaning to read, but haven’t yet gotten around to.

18. Married to Tom Peyer. Does Carter call him daddy?

When we visit Vermont he does.

19. Who is your personal hero?

Jim Henson, John Ritter and Phil Hartman

20. Best comic you have ever written?

Whatever is the most recent. In this case, Chew #5.

21. Boxers or briefs?

Freestyle, baby!

22. Creator you are jealous of?

I dunno. Everybody who is more successful than me in comics—and that’s pretty much everybody!

23. Creator you would stop everything to work with?

Maybe Frank Quitely, or John Cassaday.

24. Spongebob Squarepants vs. Bugs Bunny?

Both

25. Do you still have Obamamania?

Who doesn’t?

I look forward to your comments..and remember to check out http://www.chewcomic.com/