5 Quick Questions with Darwyn Cooke

Darwyn Cooke was born in Toronto. He published his first comics in New Talent Showcase in 1985, but he eventually became a magazine art director, graphic and product designer for 15 years. He went into animation in the 1990s, working on the 'Animated Series' of Superman and Batman, as well as 'Batman Beyond' and Sony's 'Men in Black: The Series'. He finally returned to comics in 2000, when he did the graphic novel 'Batman: Ego' for DC Comics. He subsequently freelanced on titles such as 'X-Force', 'Wolverine/Doop' and 'Spider-Man's Tangled Web' for DC.

In 2001, he revamped 'Catwoman' with writer Ed Brubaker. In 2004, he wrote and drew the Eisner-Award winning 'DC: The New Frontier', a miniseries covering the gap between the golden and silver age of comic books in the DC Universe. He additionally contributed to the 'Solo' anthology and in 2006, he teamed up with writer Jeph Loeb to work on a 'Batman/Spirit' crossover. Cooke also took on script and artwork on the new monthly 'Spirit' title. As a scriptwriter, he wrote 'Superman Confidential'

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Breaking in.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Mike Alfred, my pal.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Captain America or the old school Spectre

4) Who are your influences?

Alex Toth, Jack Kirby, Frank Robbins

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Batman - He should shave & keep it in his pants
Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Gene Ha

Gene Ha is an American comics artist best known for his work on books such as Top 10 and Top 10: The Forty-Niners, with Alan Moore and Zander Cannon, for America's Best Comics, the Batman graphic novel Fortunate Son, with Gerard Jones, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, among others. He has also drawn Global Frequency and has done covers for Wizard Magazine and Marvel Comics.

Gene has currently won three Esiner awards.

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Definitely my work with Alan Moore. That’d be the Top 10 series and its prequel, The Forty-Niners. Alan is one of the most brilliant writers working in any medium. His stories are hard hitting, but not predictable or crude. He knows how to surprise other pros while entertaining the kid in us. I love drawing a well written story.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

My favorite was DC Editor Archie Goodwin. Early on in my career, he offered me a short story with any writer we could nab. I asked him to write me a story. He put a lot of explanation in that script explaining why he told the story the way he did. I learned a lot from him. It came out in DC Showcase ’95 #11.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I don’t care what character I’m drawing. If I’m working with a great writer who cares about the character, I’ll care too. If its hack work there’s only so much even a great artist can do to save the story. So with that said, I’d love to do a comics version of Dashiell Hammett’s The Glass Key and it’s hero, Ned Beaumont. It’s a great hard boiled detective story. There was a bad 1935 movie version, a still mediocre 1942 movie, and the Coen Brothers’ Miller’s Crossing took concepts from it. I’d like to do the definitive visual interpretation of that novel.

4) Who are your influences?

Great painters like da Vinci, Sorolla, Monet and Velázquez. Great illustrators like Norman Rockwell and Mark English. Great comics creators from my childhood like Bill Sienkiewicz, Matt Wagner and Bill Watterson. Younger creators like Bryan Lee O’Malley and Frank Cho.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

In my opinion, a character that dies should stay dead. Bringing them back is usually a mistake. It means that readers will never take your stories seriously in the future. Jean Gray and Barry Allen are the obvious examples. I wouldn’t have wanted it, but they’ve done a pretty good job bringing Barry back. The way they brought back Jean was an insult to the readers. She was never the Phoenix, she was in suspended animation in a healing pod under Jamaica Bay, NY all along. Hurray! They shouldn’t have done it.

Check Gene's website at http://www.geneha.com/
Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Butch Guice

Jackson "Butch" Guice started working in the comics field in 1981. He did inks for Warlords of Light and Galexia Magazine at Astral. He then did artwork for 'Crusaders' and 'The Southern Knights' at Guild. He joined Marvel, where he cooperated on the titles 'Micronauts', 'Avengers', 'Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme', 'Indiana Jones', 'Iron Man', 'New Mutants', 'Alpha Flight', 'Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.' and 'Thor' throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. He was also present in 'Nightbreed' published under the company's Epic imprint.

He has worked with writer Mike Baron on First Comics titles like 'Badger', 'Nexus' and 'The Chronicles of Corum'. At the start of 1987, Guice contributed to the 'Southern Knights' series, published by Comics Interview Publications.

Guice has also worked extensively DC Comics, doing among others a long run on 'Superman' in Action Comics, but also on 'Batman', 'The Flash', 'Ressurection Man', 'Agent Liberty' and 'Birds of Prey'. In addition, he did the 'The Terminator: Endgame' mini-series for Dark Horse. He also drew 'Eternal Warrior' and 'Bloodshot' for Valiant Comics, and 'Sliders: Narcotica' for Acclaim.

Guice left DC in Spring 2001, and went to Crossgen Comics. There, he became the penciller of the 'Ruse' series, about a supernatural detective. When CrossGen folded a couple of years later, Guice returned to DC to draw for 'JLA: Classified' and 'Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis', as well as Wildstorm's 'Storming Paradise'. He also returned to Marvel as an artist on 'Captain America' and 'Ultimate Origins'.

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Honestly, it would be continuing to have a full and active career in the industry after 28 years. My childhood dream20was to draw comics -- either strips or books -- so everyday I get to do that is incredibly rewarding, business warts and all.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

There are quite a few people who could answer that question, but this really is impossible for me to narrow down to just one. I've been extremely blessed over the years with the opportunity to work with some incredible talent, people such as Mike Perkins, Steve Epting, Chuck Dixon, Archie Goodwin, Steve Ditko, John Buscema, Paul Smith, Bob Layton, Roger Stern ... and many others who I hope will forgive me for not specifically mentioning them.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Werewolf By Night. Not the answer you would expect I guess, but I was devoted to that book as a kid. I finally had the opportunity (during my time at Acclaim) to tell Don Perlin just how much joy and inspiration his efforts brought to a young wanna-be comic artist. Doug Moench, if you read this, I'd like to say the same to you. Thanks for it all.

4) Who are your influences?

It's important to me to separate my likes from my influences. My likes are extremely wide ranging -- everyone from non-mainstream artists of today (such as Paul Pope or Beck y Cloonan) to mid twentieth century illustrators (like Al Parker and Mead Schaeffer). However, as much as I enjoy that work and might truly wish otherwise, it would be dishonest to say they have had any genuine influence on my own work. The artists I've actually studied (once I got enough working smarts to even attempt to decipher what was going on beneath the surface finish) -- the people I really looked hard at for lessons on how better to improve my own work, would be mostly the old comic strip guys -- artists like Milt Caniff, Noel Sickles, Alex Raymond, Roy Crane, Harold Foster, as well as illustrators such as Austin Briggs or Robert Fawcett.

I'd love to be good enough to be even half the artist Robert Fawcett was, but reality has proven to be a harsh mistress in this case.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

In the immortal words of Mark Waid, my former collaborator on Ruse: "I've got nothing."

Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Mike Allred

Mike Allred is most famous for his long-running MADMAN series. Most recently he's collaborated with his wife Laura and Neil Gaiman on Metamorpho in Wednesday Comics.

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions during the Montreal Comic Con.




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Getting Published!

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Darwyn Cooke, since he's sitting right next to me.

3) What character have you never worked with, would you like to do & why?

Machine Man. It's a Jack Kirby character I've never played with. And Barry Windsor Smith lit him up. Love him!

4) Who are your influences?

See Madman Atomic Comics Number 3.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

All should be changed back to the original creators' conceptions.

Check out Mike's website at http://www.aaapop.com/main.php Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Todd Dezago

Todd Dezago is a dynamic personality. A trained thespian and a not-so-trained juggler, he began writing comics in 1994 on the highly popular X-Factor. Todd soon found himself working on many of the X-Men and Spider-Man books and is probably best known for his quintessential run on Sensational Spider-Man and the high-adventure fantasy Tellos with pal, Mike Wieringo. He currently works on several of the Marvel Adventures books as well as his creator-owned title, The Perhapanauts, with artist, Craig Rousseau. Todd says, “Comics are fun! Read some everyday!”

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Oooooo--that's tough. In mainstream comics, I'm very happy with my run on Spectacular Spider-Man with Mike (Wieringo). I'm also fiercely proud of my two creator-owned titles; Tellos--again with Mike, and The Perhapanauts with Craig Rousseau.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Mike Wieringo. We were on the same page from the moment we first met/our first phone conversation. We had fun on whatever we worked on together and always tried to surprise one another in how we got there. I have a very similar relationship like that now with Craig on The Perhapanauts.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Batman. And the Joker. I'm a huge Batman fan, but not entirely enchanted with what they've been doing with him over the past few years. There are many different "flavors" of Batman and I'm thinking it's time to see some of the other aspects of The Dark Knight again.

4) Who are your influences?

God...everybody I've ever read or seen. I think my stories are inspired by many of the artists I've enjoyed throughout my life as much as the writers. Though I consider them friends of mine, Mark Waid and Kurt Busiek are two of my all-time favorites. Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Denny O'Neil, Doug Moench. And not so much influences as incomparables--Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Huh...these days it seems like so many are changed and then changed back a few years later that that question answers itself! If you don't like the way that your favorite is being portrayed these days, just wait a minute...That said, Ethan Van Sciver and I have had a major plan to update/revamp/validate Plastic Man for years, but either Ethan's too busy or DC isn't ready for it...maybe someday...

Check out Todd's Perhapanauts at http://www.perhapanauts.com/ Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson’s stunning cover art for titles such as Detective Comics and 100 Bullets earned him the 2002 Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist.

Johnson’s graphic treatments have graced the covers of 100 Bullets since the beginning of the series, which ends in February 2009. In addition, Johnson worked on the critically acclaimed DC Elseworlds miniseries Superman: Red Son, which was nominated for a 2004 Eisner Award for Best Limited Series.

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Probably doing all the covers for 100 Bullets. I don't think I've ever done ANYTHING that long in my life. 10 years

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Once again, I gotta go back to 100 Bullets and say that Brian Azzarello was a dream to work with. But I also have to give credit to the editors Axel Alonso and Will Dennis for not only not getting in the way, but supporting my crazy cover ideas. And of course, Mark Chiarello for giving me the chance in the first place

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I get this question a lot. The answer is none. I'm more interested in the project and what I'm going to be allowed to do on it. Some of my best work has been on books that nobody cared about and vice versa.

4) Who are your influences?

Everybody and everything. It's constantly changing. As a teenager, it started out with Byrne and Golden. But that list has grown so big it's hard to say any one artist/style has driven me into a definable direction.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

If you had asked me that question about 10 to 15 years ago I could tell you. But to be honest, that stuff doesn't really factor in my way of thinking anymore. I can tell you it was fun changing Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman into Russians. Plus it's cool putting my own design stamp on Punisher right now. Hell, I guess I did something right on his skull logo because they're making t-shirts sporting the graphic.

Check Dave out at http://devilpig.deviantart.com/ Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Liam Sharp

Liam Sharp is a British comic book artist, writer and publisher working mostly in the US marketplace.

Liam made his debut in the late 1980s drawing Judge Dredd for 2000ad. He later moved to Marvel UK, where he drew the best-selling Marvel UK title ever, Death's Head II. Thereafter he began working mainly in the United States on books as diverse as the X-Men, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Venom, Man-Thing (for Marvel Comics), Superman, Batman, and The Possessed (for DC Comics and Wildstorm), Spawn: The Dark Ages (for Todd McFarlane and Image) and Red Sonja for Dynamite comics.

Liam has also worked on more mature themed books for Verotik, drawing Frank Frazetta's The Death Dealer, and a strip originated by Stan Winston called Realm of the Claw.

In 2004 Sharp set up his own publishing company, MamTor™ Publishing, with wife Christina. This saw the launch of the critically acclaimed and award-winning anthology Event Horizon, and the prestigious collaboration with Mother (London) Advertising, Four Feet From a Rat, which appears as a quarterly comic in Time Out magazine.

Liam recently finished the controversial DC Vertigo title Testament with best-selling novelist and media commentator Douglas Rushkoff, and is currently drawing the comic adaptation of the seminal Xbox game Gears of War.

Liam also worked on designs for the movies Lost in Space, Small Soldiers and the animated series Batman Beyond.

Liam's critically acclaimed first novel GOD KILLERS: MACHIVARIUS POINT & OTHER TALES was published in 2008 with a second edition in 2009.

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Man, I've been so lucky I couldn't say any one thing. I started out assisting one of my heroes, the great Don Lawrence - who was knighted in Holland, sadly posthumously, where he's a national treasure - even though he was an Englishman through and through. I drew Dredd for 2000ad, a magazine I grew up on. I created the design for and drew Death's Head II which was the biggest selling comic ever to come out of the UK. I've drawn the Hulk, the XMen, Spiderman, Batman and Superman. I drew the Verotik comic of Frazetta's Death Dealer... all of these things were milestones, and far beyond any expectations I ever had for myself. It's nuts, really, looking back on that.

My most creative time was on Manthing I think, with J.M DeMatteis. We had an amazing time on that book, and again, Manthing was a character I loved as a kid. I also got to work on a book with brains - Testament with Douglas Rushkoff for Vertigo. For whatever reason I've found myself a drawer of monsters and muscles, which really doesn't reflect who I am, so Testament was important because of that.
But my GREATEST achievement would have to be the formation of Mam Tor Publishing with my wife Christina and art collector John Bamber. Event Horizon was produced during a fallow period for me, a time I thought I might have actually run my course career-wise (comics can burn up the best of us!) but Mam Tor gave me a chance to come back somewhat re-invented, and it let me spread my wings a little creatively, and also do some writing. We're publishing novels, artbooks and working with agencies like Mother (London) on projects I would never have been a part of had we not taken that chance. Event Horizon also launched a few careers, and that is enormously gratifying. It's been a busy career!

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Honestly, it's just not possible to say. It's like I don't have a favorite musical style or band, or type of clothing or color. I don't have a favorite anything because it changes all the time! I've loved different people and creatives for different reasons - De Matteis for his generosity and for letting me be part of a team, a real contributor to the story. Rushkoff for his wonderful, visionary content. ALL the guys who contributed to Event Horizon for their selflessness, goodwill and passion - and for trusting me. And, of course, Don Lawrence, who was my comics father.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Conan! And lord knows I've tried to get their attention! Somebody tell them to see sense! It's so OBVIOUSLY the book I was born to work on. LOL!>

4) Who are your influences?

Man, where to start - Don Lawrence, Moebius, Serpieri, Corben, Frazetta, Druillet, Bilal, Manara, Fabry, the Biz, Jim Lee, Sienkewicz, Al Williamson, Wrightson, BWS, Jeff Jones, Bolland, Liberatore, Wally Wood, Kaluta, Toppi... I could go on forever! You can never stop learning from the masters!

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I made the Rhino a good guy in Death's Head II, which was fun. I have no strong feelings on this really. I'd only really think about it if I was writing a story about them, which hopefully I'll get to do more of in the future!

Check out Liam at his web site at http://www.liam-sharp.com Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Dan Fraga

Dan Fraga is an American comic book writer and artist. He was hired by Image comics in 1991 and worked on many titles for the company.

Dan has has worked on many of comics other top books including Spider-man, Wolverine, Superman and The X-men franchise.

In 2003 Dan left the comics business to pursue his interests in other storytelling media. His credits include working on the movies Transporter 2, Fantastic Four 2, One missed Call and Dragonball, with more on the way. Dan currently spends the majority of his time working as a visual consultant and 2nd unit director for music videos and commercials. Career highlights include designing sets and storyboards for artist such as Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Usher, Gwen Stefani,Jamiroquai, and T.I.

Expect to see more comics work from Dan in 2010 with two new creator owned titles from Image comics.

Dan currently resides in the Los Angeles area.

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

My greatest accomplishment in comics? I'd have to say being hired by Image comics in 1991. I had just graduated high school, with dreams of drawing comics. I was hired only a few months after that. I was so very lucky to have been at the right place at the right time. Image comics was being formed during those months and it was my fortune to experience it as it was happening. I am very grateful for those experiences.

As with any artist, I still strive to do great work and always work towards being better at what I do. I plan on returning to comics next year with two creator owned projects. It's been over 7 years since I've been on the comics rack. I'm not sure people will even remember who I am. I've been busy learning a lot of storytelling techniques while working in film and TV. I hope to bring that knowledge with me, and apply it to my next comics projects. Perhaps a few years from now, my answer to your question will be about these books.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Beau Smith. We did a series called Berzerkers back in '96. I enjoyed working with Beau because of his ideas and his spirit in which he conveyed them. Beau loves what he does and it's obvious when you work with him. That kind of energy is what I look for in a collaborator.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Batman. My favorite Batman is Frank Miller's Dark Knight version. That's the kind of Batman world and criteria that I want to play with. I want to know more stories that take place in that reality. I'd like to write and draw some of those.

4) Who are your influences?

I'm going to break it down into two categories: 1991-2003 and 2004-present.

1991-2003: Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee, Art Adams, Jack Kirby.

2004-Present: Michael Golden, Eric Canete, Sean Gordon Murphy, Zaffino,Topi, Chaplin, Quincy Jones, Walt Stanchfield.. Many turn of the century cartoonists.. Johnny Gruelle, Arnold Roth, Joost Swarte, Windsor McCay, Russell Patterson… on and on..lol!

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Robin / Nightwing. Because I know what it's like….

Check Dan out at the following websites:

http://imdb.com/name/nm1683464/
http://gallery.me.com/danfraga#100020
http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=2032
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=560233552 Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions With the Luna Brothers

The Luna Brothers, Jonathan and Joshua Luna, were born in California and spent most of their childhood overseas. They returned to the United States in their late teens.

Writing and drawing comics since they were children, they both graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with BFAs in Sequential Art.

The Luna Brothers are the creators of ULTRA, GIRLS, and THE SWORD (Image Comics). Their works also include SPIDER-WOMAN: ORIGIN (Marvel Comics), written by Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed.

Ultra, was a miniseries published by Image Comics between 2004 and 2005. Girls was also published by Image and ran, between May 2005 and April 2007. Their latest venture is a limited series, again for Image, called The Sword. It started in October 2007. It is intended to last for about two years.

They currently reside in the Washington D.C. metro area.



They agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Jonathan: I'd say my greatest achievement in comics was getting Ultra #1 published with Image Comics. It was a life-long dream to get into comics and that's when it came true.

Joshua: My answer is pretty much the same. I just feel very fortunate to be able to make comics for a living.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Jonathan: Obviously Josh. We're very in tune and complement each other well. Very synergistic.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Jonathan: Batman. He's just a normal human being. But he's considered to be a superhero.

Joshua: None at the moment, really.

4) Who are your influences?

Jonathan: Biggest influences somewhat chronologically: Jim Lee. Adam Hughes. Bryan Hitch. Hiroaki Samura.

Joshua: I can’t really pinpoint specific influences without sounding inaccurate, mainly because I’m mostly inspired by random bits and pieces of just about everything I come across.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Jonathan: None. They're all fine as they are. And considering we create our own stories, I don't have a strong desire to do that.

Joshua: Same here.

You can check out the Luna Brothers' series The Sword, on-going in stores now, and at their website at LunaBrothers.com

Brian Isaacs
Executive Editor/Owner
Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with ChrisCross

ChrisCross (born Christopher Williams) is a comic book illustrator, known mostly for his stints pencilling Milestone Comics' Blood Syndicate and Heroes also Marvel Comics' Captain Marvel and Slingers.

Williams attended New York City's School of Visual Arts in the early 1990s. While doing so, he caught his big break doing work for the DC Comics imprint, Milestone Comics, which sought to publish a line of comics aimed at attracting a more multicultural audience.

He has also worked on other series such as Firestorm and The Outsiders for DC comics. He is currently working on a series of hardcover graphic novels for a France-based company named Humanoids Publishing and has returned to the States to continue American comics, starting on Midnighter #11.

He has also been hired to do illustrations and storyboards for commercials and magazines.



ChrisCross agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Getting in there and staying there and being relevant. I'm the deluded type. I never thought about how hard it would take to get in. i just made my mind up that if i wanted something i had to make myself good enough to get it. I still haven't changed that kind of thought process. Believing that God would make a way didn't hurt either. Heck, i don't think i'm slowing down either.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Now that's kind of hard to say. Joe Casey thinks like i do. But i've worked with Peter David, Christopher Priest and Keith Giffen.... Ivan Velez back in the day... i worked the longest with Peter. They all have something to offer in their own ways and the reason we all made memorable projects is because we pushed each other, for the most part. Joe Casey is kicking my behind all over the place. More than Christopher Priest did. But i don't mind. I figure they know that i can handle anything they throw at me. It's kind of like getting the PS3 for the first time. WIth a Sony Bravia 52 incher. IF they make that size. :D

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I've never worked on Fantastic Four. I would like to see what i could do with that book. Nor have i drawn Captain America or SHAZAM!! I would love to draw those for obvious reasons.. that being i grew up reading those books and it would be great to have a footprint in those books. Spider-man would be another book. You can do a lot of great animated action with him. NO one moves like Spidey.

4) Who are your influences?

Too many too mention. Let's just say most of old Marvel, a lot of anime and manga artists.... Usually anyone that i see has a great knack for doing a particular thing that helps me figure out something that i'm have difficulty with. Then i add it to the fold.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Believe it or not, a villain. Crusher Creel would be a cool character. I think there's a lot you could learn from him. He's seen a lot and probably one of the few characters that has battled Thor and Hulk and... heck, the AVENGERS, and came out smelling like a rose... so to speak.

I say Crusher. Mostly cuz i love the name. :D Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions With Francis Manapul

Francis Manapul is the acclaimed artist of DC's new series Adventure Comics. He has also illustrated Superman/Batman, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Tomb Raider, and Witchblade, as well as a French graphic album Sept Guierrieres for Editions Delcourt.

Francis was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in Toronto, Canada. Fueled by the comics he read as a child (Superman in particular), it was his discovery of Jim Lee's early work that inspired him to pursue a career in comics. Other influences include Marc Silvestri, Darwyn Cooke, Michael Turner, Tim Sale, Eduardo Risso, Enrico Marini and Massimiliano Frezzato.

Today he's enjoying his ride with Geoff Johns on Adventure Comics, and is continuously trying to improve his skills...at poker. He also enjoys an In-n-Out burger—or two or three.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

There's still a LOT that I want to accomplish so this question will sorta remain unanswered. I'm not even sure if I can answer this 20 years from now as goals always change and the list gets longer. I will say though that I'm most proud of the fact that I was able to break in and make a career out of it.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

At the moment, I'm really enjoying working with Geoff Johns. He really took the time to listen to the kind of story I like to tell and the how. When I read the script to the first issue of Adventure Comics #1 it really felt like it was written for me. He really captured the type of aesthetic that I like and it just felt natural from the start. I've also enjoyed working with David Wohl on Witchblade he really taught me a lot, I just feel bad for him having to work with me at such an inexperienced stage of my career. I also enjoyed my collaboration with Joshua Ortega on Necromancer, he's one of the most unique minds I've met, and never a boring moment! And of course I can't forget about my constant collaborator, Brian Buccellato, we've worked together for years now and I think he's probably the only colorist that could stand all my notes. Our work together on Adventures is a real learning experience since we're both "changing" it up, so it's experiencing some growing pains but that's cause we're always aiming to hit it out of the stadium rather than base hits. And I think we're starting to do that now.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I checked off 3 major ones within the past 6 months which is fantastic, that being Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Others that I've enjoyed reading as a kid and would love to draw are the Flash, Wolverine and of course Spider-Man. I'd really love to take a longer crack at Batman, and Superman those two characters really dominated my childhood.

4) Who are your influences?

Jim Lee was a huge influence on me wanting to get into the field of comics along with the rest of the Image explosion with the likes of Marc Silvestri, Rob Liefeld and Whilce Portacio. They were making some very exciting comics and before them comics felt sort of bland. Then out of no where these guys just came in and turned it on it's head. It was a very exciting time in comics visually. They really got me excited over comics. I also am very inspired by numerous international artists like Enrico Marini, Frezzato, Toppi. Currently I'm really enjoying the work of Darwyn Cooke, Tim Sale, Leinil Yu and way too many to list. I just love the art of comics and I buy a lotta books mostly for the art. I like art that inspires me, not so much influence. I think early on when I was younger I was very influenced by what I looked at, but now that I'm older and have a better idea of who I am and what I want to be, I just appreciate art that inspires me to get better.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

hmm.. this is gonna sound totally self serving..but I'd have to say Superboy. Not so much changing the character but more exploring him and bringing him to a wider audience. Geoff believes that Superboy is right up there as one of the greater characters at DC and I'm totally with him. Hopefully after it's all said and done we'll have accomplished something that would bring a wider spotlight on the character. Because it's just too cool to not be in said spotlight. That we'd like to try and change.

Check out Francis website at www.francismanapul.com Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Fred Van Lente

Fred Van Lente is the New York Times bestselling author of Incredible Hercules (with Greg Pak) and Marvel Zombies 3, as well as the American Library Association award-winning Action Philosophers. His other comics incldue Comic Book Comics, MODOK's 11, X Men Noir and Amazing Spider-Man.

Wizard magazine nominated him for 2008 Breakout Talent (Writer). Comics Should Be Good named Fred one of the 365 Reasons to Love Comics. He's been called "one of the most idiosyncratic and insightful new voices in comics."



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Doing ACTION PHILOSOPHERS wound up being a profoundly moving experience, both through the process of reading through all these great thinkers and their lives and ideas in order to do funny comics stories about them, and me being able to apply their wisdom to my life, and also through the astounding fan reaction artist Ryan Dunlavey and I continue to receive from it. To have people tell you that your comic literally changed their life is a very special thing and something I'll cherish always. To know that your work is being used to help students at the high school level, at the college level, and is being used at the U.S. military academy in West Point in cadets' ethics classics, is indescribably satisfying.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

I don't think it's fair to single out an artist because I've worked with so many wonderful ones-- Ryan Dunlavey, my ACTION PHILOSOPHERS co-creator, Steve Ellis, without whom I never would have gotten my start, now Dennis Calero, Rafa Sandoval, Barry Kitson, Kev Walker, Leonard Kirk, Khoi Pham, Scott Koblish, Michael Ryan, Clayton Henry, Francis Portela, Colleen Coover, Salva Espin, Andea Di Vito, the ladies of Gurihiru... I could go on and on and on. One of the great privlidges of working for a powerhouse like Marvel is being able to work with talent individuals all around the world, from Japan to Brazil to Italy to Mexico to the UK to Canada to Spain.

In terms of writers, what Greg Pak and I are doing together on INCREDIBLE HERCULES is some of the work I'm most proud of, taking the old Greek myths and adapting them to modern day. It's a great journey we've been going on together and it's one of the few books I've worked on where I feel like I'm as excited -- if not more excited -- to find out what happens next as the reader. The presence of a co-writer contributes to that thrilling sense of not-knowing.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I wouldn't mind doing a run on the mainstream Fantastic Four. I had a bunch of ideas during my run on MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR that weren't appropriate for a short-form kids title but would work really well in the MU.

4) Who are your influences?

Kafka, Dracula, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Shirley Jackson, The Wire, Kirby, Ditko, Lee, Jack "Jaxon" Jackson, Mad magazine, Two-Fisted Tales, Raymond Chandler, John Byrne's Alpha Flight, Gruenwald and Ryan's DP7, O'Neill and Cowan's The Question, The Sopranos, The Prisoner, the great historical fantasy novelist Tim Powers, Monty Python, Willingham's Elementals, Jules Verne, Flannery O'Connor, Woody Allen pre-1994 or so.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

The Chameleon. Why? Because he should be awesome. Read AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #602-604 and see if you agree with what I did.

Check out Fred's website at fredvanlente.com.
Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Larry Stroman

Larry Stroman is an American comic book artist best known for his pencils for Epic Comics' Alien Legion series and regular and guest drawing duties for Marvel Comics series including The Uncanny X-Men and X-Factor with writer Peter David. He is known for his heavy use of graphic design (which he was originally trained in), unusual and oddly geometric shaping and unusual perspectives. His style created a stylized, unique look for Alien Legion (vol. 2), as well as making his mark as a guest and occasional regular artist for more mainstream comics series.

Stroman and writer Todd Johnson co-created the million-selling Image comic Tribe, which is the largest African-American-created comic of all time.

Stroman did limited work throughout the last decade, such as Jim Lee's Wildcats Annual and Marvel Comics' Heroes Reborn: Iron Man. There has been renewed interest in Stroman, with a featured mention along with partner Todd Johnson in the Road to Independence book celebrating Image's ten-year anniversary.

Stroman returned to Marvel in December 2007 with the What If one-shot What-If X-Men: Rise And Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire, followed by the Black Panther Annual #1 with Reginald Hudlin and Ken Lashley. It was announced that Stroman will be working on X-Factor with Peter David, starting with issue #33. Stroman left the series after four issues to work on the highly anticipated Bishop mini series featuring Mark Farmer inks in February 2009.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Greatest achievement is Tribe #1 other than my run on X-Factor its the book I'm most known for. And its the biggest selling book I've ever done and its mine.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Todd Johnson. For a writer who's never written a book previous to Tribe #1 his ideas and input inspired me to push my self as a professional. I don't have a favorite artist there are way too many to mention.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

The Inhumans guest starring Black Panther and Devil Dinosaur. I still enjoy these characters.

4) Who are your influences?

Ma, Laurel, Joanna, Todd, Chaykin, and a lot of the independent comic and small press publishers.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I would change the Trapster back into Paste Pot Pete. I liked the paste gun.

Check out Larry's website at www.larrystroman.com.

Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Ian Churchill

Ian Churchill is a comic book artist who is currently working for DC Comics. His most recent project was Supergirl. Past duties included stints with Uncanny X-Men as well as the Deadpool: Sins of the Past limited series, in addition to a lengthy stay on Cable, the latter gaining him (along with writer Jeph Loeb) fan acclaim. Loeb and Churchill were to later team up to produce Coven and Lionheart for Awesome Comics.

He is also the current artist for the most recent spin-off of the Teen Titans comic series, Titans, (volume 2) which features the New Teen Titans of the Marv Wolfman/George Perez era.




He agreed to answer 5 Quick Question


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

I would have to say my greatest achievement in comics was getting hired in the first place! My big break came at a UK Comic Con where Bob Harras ( then EIC of Marvel ) reviewed my portfolio and pretty much hired me on the spot! I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time and now have been working professionally in comics for 17 years.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

The first writer I ever worked with professionally was Scott Lobdell. I enjoyed working with him and would like to do so again if the opportunity arose. My favorite writer to work with though has to be Jeph Loeb. We seem to think the same way and that translates to the comic page in a fun and exciting way. I also enjoy working with Richard Starkings who I think is an amazing writer and a sheer force of nature! Best letterer and graphic designer in the business too in my opinion. As far as writers I haven't yet worked with; I'd like to do something with Grant Morrisson and Robert Kirkman.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I would love to have had the chance to work on Miracleman/Marvelman. I used to have an old Marvelman annual when I was a kid and just loved it but with the way the rights are tangled up at present I guess that's not going to happen any time soon. Another character I used to love as a kid and still do is Captain Britain, If there was ever a chance to work on him with the old red 70's costume I'd jump at it!

4) Who are your influences?

Arthur Rackham, John Romita senior, Arthur Adams, John Byrne, Alan Davis, Michael Golden, Enrique Romero, Jim Lee, Herb Trimpe and the list goes on.....!

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

The villain that all comicbook creators would like to change......THE DEADLINE!
Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Marc Andreyko

Marc Andreyko is a comic book and screenplay writer, known for writing the 2000s ongoing series Manhunter for DC Comics.

Andreyko co-wrote the limited series Torso with Brian Michael Bendis, for which he was nominated for the Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize Awarded by the Audience and the Prize for Scenario (script) in 2003. He and Bendis are working with Paramount Pictures on a film adaptation of the work.

He co-created with P. Craig Russell, an Eisner- and Harvey-winning one-shot for Marvel Comics featuring Dr. Strange entitled What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen?

In 1997 he co-created (with Jay Geldhof and Galen Showman) The Lost, a Harvey-nominated comics mini-series which continued the story of Peter Pan in modern times, with the protagonist presented as an amoral vampiric boy prostitute.

He has written comics for other publishers, including Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, and Todd McFarlane Productions/Image Comics.

In 2004 he began writing DC Comics' Manhunter series, relaunching it with a third volume, in which he introduced the character of Kate Spencer and her supporting cast.

Recent work includes The Ferryman for Wildstorm, created by Joel Silver, with artist Jonathon Wayshak.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions.

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

"Greatest" is an intimidating word, but my proudest accomplishment would have to be Manhunter (thanks in no small part to great collaborators the whole way!).

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Can't just limit it to one. In my humble career, I have been continuously blessed to work with great folks. I mean, do you choose when you've gotten to work with P. Craig Russell, Jill Thompson, Jay Geldhof, Richard Corben, Joe Bennett, Brian Bendis, Jesus Saiz, Michael Gaydos, to name just a few!

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Cloak and Dagger - So much untold potential. I'd love to see if I could make 'em the marquee names they should be.

Titans/Teen Titans - The Wolfman/Perez era is such an influence, I'd love to get to actually play with them!

And if Bill Willingham ever needs somebody, I would KILL to do a Bigby Wolf mini-series!:) hint, hint, hint!lol

4) Who are your influences?

In comics? Lots: Will Eisner, Alan Moore, Bill Mantlo, Marv Wolfman, Stan Lee, Claremont and Byrne (X-Men and FF days), Scott McCloud, Jack Kirby, Roy Thomas, and dozens I'm sure I'm forgetting at the moment...

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I'd love to work on the Demon (in fact, I actually have a pitch almost ready to go!)

Dr. Strange needs some help, too. I would love to make him more involved with humanity. Maybe volunteer at a free clinic. Counter all the big magic moments with some of the banality of everyday life. Wouldn't it be nice to see Stephen go on a date? With a human?:)

But, I wouldn't want to make wholesale changes to any character. The real challenge is finding out what the character is about and making his/her/its past work for the stories you tell now (and ignoring the parts that don't). I'm not big into total ret-con, "everything you knew is wrong" sorta stuff. More often than not, it seems like lazy writing IMHO. Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Dustin Nguyen

Dustin Nguyen is a comic book artist who has worked for DC Comics and WildStorm since 2000. He has since worked on such titles as Jet with Dan Abnett, Wildcats v3.0 with Joe Casey, Batman with Judd Winick, Manifest Eternity with Scott Lobdell, and the latest revamp of The Authority, The Authority: Revolution, with Ed Brubaker. Recently, he was the artist on a six-issue arc of Superman/Batman entitled "Torment", with writer Alan Burnett.

With issue #840, Nguyen became the regular ongoing artist with writer Paul Dini on one of DC's flagship titles, Detective Comics. He enjoys playing Street Fighter.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

I'd have to say being able to make a steady living doing it- so far would be my greatest achievement, I'm very grateful for that.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Probably would have to be Derek Fridolfs who inks the books we're on, we broke in together, we see eye to eye and sort of have the same mindset for things creatively and professionally.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I'd like to take a shot at Power Power one day, they've always been my favorite team and I'd love a crack at a teen/kid book that has more family dynamics than the usual teen drama.

4) Who are your influences?

It has varied throughout my career, but the ones that have never changed has always been Travis Charest, Mike Mignola, and Hiroaki Samura.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I'd like to make killer croc a good guy, a misunderstood creature or some sort. Just kidding, but it'd be funny for a day.

Check out Dustin's site at duss005.com Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Duncan Roulean

Duncan Rouleau is an American comic book writer and artist, and is a part of the Man of Action collective of creators (along with Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Steven T. Seagle), who created the series Ben 10, currently airing on Cartoon Network.

Rouleau has illustrated a variety of popular American comic books for Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, and other publishers. He recently illustrated, and co-wrote, the 8-issue miniseries of The Metal Men in 2007 by DC Comics.

In 2006, Rouleau released his first original graphic novel, The Nightmarist, published by Active Images.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

As far as "greatest achievement" I suppose I should leave that to others to decide. I know that I am extremely proud of the work that I am doing presently From the graphic novel The Nightmarist to the Metal Men mini series and the book I'm doing right now The Great Unknown. I am also proud to have worked on both Uncanny X Men as well as Action Comics Superman.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Different people have taught me so many things. The other guys in Man of Action ( Joe Kelly, Joe Casey and Steve Seagle) are the ones that have constantly pushed me to do better. I was extremely proud to have George Perez and Terry Austin ink my pencils. The reason well - they are both legends.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I am really enjoying working on my own titles right now, and will probably concentrate on those for the time being. However having said that - I would like to get my hands on some Spiderman.

4) Who are your influences?

I'm unsure. I love Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Alex Toth to name a few. I don't think i draw like any of them however.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I think there are too many mutants in the world. I would like to go back and put a cap on that.

Check out Duncan at his site Manofaction.tv Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Elliot S. Maggin

Elliot S. Maggin is an American writer of comic books, film, television and novels. He was a main writer for DC Comics during the Bronze and early Modern ages of comics in the 1970s and 1980s. He is particularly associated with the character of Superman, where he worked on both Action Comics and Superman.

Maggin started working as a professional writer in his teens, selling historical stories about the Boer War to a boys' magazine. He attended Brandeis University, where he wrote a term paper titled "What Can One Man Do?" for a class during his junior year. When it received a grade of B+, Maggin disagreed with the assessment, remade it as a comic book script, and sent his script to DC Comics. It was passed around the DC offices, and Neal Adams chose to draw the script. Though the initial grade was not amended, Maggin became a writer for DC, selling his stories to fund a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Maggin is responsible for a number of innovations in the DC Multiverse. Two that continue to shape the worlds of DC are Superboy-Prime (later given greater definition by Marv Wolfman, Geoff Johns and others) and Lexcorp (later more fully developed by John Byrne and others).

In addition to the hundreds of stories Maggin wrote for the DC comics universe, he has also written television scripts, stories for film, animation and journalistic pieces. Many of them have continued to show his allegiance to comic book characters. He wrote two Superman novels, Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday. He also wrote the novelization of the graphic novel Kingdom Come based on the story by Mark Waid, and a novel featuring the Marvel mutant superhero team Generation X. He has occasionally sold scripts to non-print versions of superheroes, including Spider-Man (1994), X-Men (1992) and Batman: The Animated Series.

Besides his work in comics, he has received compensation for raising horses, skiing instruction, teaching at various high schools and colleges, writing stories for Atari video games, and working on websites. In addition to on-going freelance writing, he currently works as a developmental learning consultant for Kaiser Permanente.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

I like to think I put Superman back on track at a crucial time. I saved Superman. Cool, huh? At the time I started writing comics no one seemed much interested in the character. He was old stuff, and DC was institutionally perplexed enough with what to do next that they effectively put their flagship character in the hands of a couple of kids still in college. Mort Weisinger had just retired, leaving the character to his buddy Julie Schwartz who had very little familiarity with him until he did a good deal of research. Denny O’Neil had just finished a good run on Superman, but he just hated working with the character. He felt he had to de-power Superman in order to work with him, and that was kind of off the point so he didn’t have any idea of where to go next – other than back to Batman. Len Wein did some really good stuff, but he was more interested in making up new stuff than in plowing an already mature field. Cary Bates loved Superman, and the chemistry between us was such that we would compete with each other to do stories that were innovative at the same time as they stayed within the tradition of the mythology. We tried to approach the stories as a scholar would approach classical mythological themes, but we placed them squarely in the modern world. Instead of a magic castle or a gingerbread house we’d involve a subway or a skyscraper as a setting. The idea was to place the wonder in the world with which readers were familiar. I wrote a treatment for a Superman movie and had a hand in pushing the company to revive the character in other media. No one really considered my treatment for a film, but it lit a fire under the management to do something new with Superman. So eventually I expanded the treatment as a novel, Superman: Last Son of Krypton, which was marketed with the first Chris Reeve Superman movie. Oh, and I also made up the phrase “Last Son of Krypton,” which people seem to think has been tagged on the character as long as “Man of Steel.”

I must be in an effusive mood. I don’t usually talk about this stuff. Thanks for asking.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Obviously my favorite writer with whom to work was Cary. I didn’t really work with a lot of other writers. I’ve worked with some of the most significant artists in the field. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I have: Alex Toth. We did only one story together – a Superman-Batman-Luthor free-for-all -- but what I liked about what Alex did was that he was able to translate the intent of my script into the attitudes of the players. I always thought of these characters as just guys interacting with their world, ex officio, hanging out together. That’s the way they talked to each other, and when Alex drew them that was also the way they stood and moved. No one poses for the camera in an Alex story. The iconography is something that results from the circumstance, rather than the other way around. Very few artists are able to communicate that. Almost as few ever try.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Kull the Conqueror. Remember him? Kind of a second-tier Robert E Howard creation that had a short run at Marvel in the Seventies. Roy Thomas wrote it and I think John and Marie Severin did the art. It was kind of a little unassuming masterpiece. He was this barbarian freebooter who became king of pre-civilized Atlantis, a walking id who became the most powerful person on the planet. An uneducated Henry VIII. A smart George W Bush. There was great grist there. They made a movie later on with Kevin Sorbo, who was actually pretty good, but overall the movie bit the big one.

4) Who are your influences?

In real life, Julie Schwartz and a guy named Max Lerner who wrote a political column and some great books on American civilization. In my mind, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, Kurt Vonnegut, Homer and – a little bit – Scott Card. But don’t have a political conversation with that last guy; he’ll drive you up a wall.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Tough one. I think what I most like to do is change characters back. I like to bring them back to what originally made them successful, before people with outsize egos started screwing with them. I’d like to write the screenplay for yet another attempt to re-create the Hulk for the movies. Neither script got it right. You know what I’d really like to write? Topper. Remember him? He was a stuffy banker who was haunted by the free spirits of the wild, generally intoxicated couple who had previously lived in his house. It was a terrific television series in the Fifties and there have been several unsuccessful, ill-thought-out attempts to revive him, and there’s supposed to be a new movie next year with Steve Martin in the lead. That’s pretty good casting; I’m hopeful. I hope they’ll approach it less as a vehicle for Steve Martin – as they approached Clouseau – and more as an updated version of what worked really well back at the dawn of time. I kind of know how I think they should do it. I hope they nail it. Who else? I wish Kings on NBC had caught on. Had been given a chance to catch on. I’d love to take a crack at King David too. Now there’s an icon for you.

Check out Elliot's own website at elliot.maggin.com Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Jay Faerber

Jay Faerber is a writer and comic book creator.

Faerber got his start writing comic books at Marvel and DC Comics in the late 1990s, where he worked on such series as THE TITANS, NEW WARRIORS, GENERATION X, and others.

In 2001, he launched his first creator-owned series, NOBLE CAUSES, which has gone on to garner much critical acclaim.

Since then, Faerber has carved out a niche for himself as a creator of independent comic books such as DODGE'S BULLETS, FIREBIRDS, VENTURE, and the upcoming DYNAMO 5. Faerber currently writes the series NOBLE CAUSES and DYNAMO 5, as well as the mini-series GEMINI. One day, hopes to find (or should that be "make"?) the time to write a mystery novel.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

That would probably be Noble Causes, an independent, creator-owned super-hero series that ran for over 8 years in a market that's not particularly receptive to super-heroes not published by Marvel or DC.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

There's no way to answer this question without offending all the people I don't name. It's like asking who your favorite sibling is. So I'll just say that I've been ridiculously fortunate in my career to work with a lot of great artists. Sure, there have been some I didn't particularly gel with. But those guys have been the exception, not the rule.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I can't manage to shake the desire to do something with Marvel's Alpha Flight. That's the first series I collected from the very first issue, so maybe it's simply a sentimental favorite. But I really think there's a lot of life left in the original Alphans.

4) Who are your influences?

In comics, it's guys like Fabian Nicieza, Mark Waid, Marv Wolfman & George Perez, Mike Grell, and John Ostrander. I'm also really influenced by novelists like Robert P. Parker, Robert Crais, and Lee Child, and by screenwriters like David E. Kelley, Stephen J. Cannell, Aaron Sorkin, and Joss Whedon.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I don't think there are any heroes or villains I'd like to change. There may be some I think have been taken too far away from their original concept, and should be changed BACK (like Alpha Flight!). But I can't think of any I'd like to simply change.

Check out Jay's website at http://www.jayfaerber.com.

Catch Dynamo 5 written by Jay and published by Image Comics.

And look for the upcoming Lilandra and Crystal digital comics from Marvel, at http://marvel.com/digitalcomics/ Read more...

Read More

5 Quick Questions with Carl Potts

Carl Potts is an American comic-book writer, artist, and editor best known for creating the series Alien Legion for the Marvel Comics imprint Epic Comics.

After contributing to such comics fanzines as the anthology Venture, Potts drew backgrounds and some secondary figures for a late fill-in issue of DC Comics' Richard Dragon: Kung Fu Fighter, being drawn by comics artists Jim Starlin and Alan Weiss.

Potts freelanced briefly until joining Neal Adams' commercial-art company and comic-book packager Continuity Studios. He was involved with storyboard and comp art for major New York ad agencies. He also produced finished-illustration for magazines and books for several years before joining Marvel's editorial staff in 1983.

At Marvel as an editor, Potts worked with such notable comics creators as Jon Bogdanove, Jim Lee, Mike Okamoto, Whilce Portacio, Steve Skroce, Larry Stroman, and Scott Williams early in their careers. He oversaw the development of The Punisher from guest star to franchise character, and edited such titles as The Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange, Alpha Flight, The Defenders as well as the newly created Power Pack and Strikeforce: Morituri.

After hours, Potts continued to write and produce occasional art for Marvel, and in 1983 teamed with Alan Zelenetz and Frank Cirocco to co-create the series Alien Legion, conceived as "the French Foreign Legion in space." Two ongoing series and several miniseries and one-shots were produced.

In 1989, Potts was named executive editor in charge of the Epic imprint, and about a third of the mainstream Marvel titles. Five years later, he became editor-in-chief of the "General Entertainment" and Epic Comics divisions.

After 13 years at Marvel, Potts left to become Creative Director at VR-1, a massively multiplayer online game company. He then worked with Gary Winnick and Cirocco's Lightsource Studios before become senior creative director of the New York City office of Agency.com. He also consults for publishing, entertainment and interactive clients including HarperCollins, Tokyopop, Mainframe Entertainment, The Learning Company and Funrise Toys.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

As an editor, I can probably boil it down to two. One, developing the Punisher from a second-string character into a publishing franchise that also spawned numerous licensed merchandise deals, games and major media productions. Two, finding and developing a lot of quality comics talent including Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Scott Williams, Larry Stroman, Chris Warner, Jon Bogdanov…

As a creator, creating Alien Legion would be the choice. An Alien Legion screenplay has been optioned to a major studio. Waiting to see if it’ll end up in front of the cameras. A new comprehensive set of trade paperbacks will collect all of the Alien Legion comics done in the past and work has begun on a new series as well.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Writer: Louise “Weezie” Simonson was a real pleasure to work with on Power Pack. Denny O’Neil on Last of the Dragons would be right up there too.

Artist: Jim Lee

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I grew up as a Steve Ditko fan. I only got to write/draw one Spider-Man story (for Marvel Fanfare) but that was with the black costume so I’d like to draw one in the traditional costume. I did get to write and draw an issue of Dr. Strange. I guess The Creeper and The Questions would be the other main Ditko characters I’d like to have a crack at.

4) Who are your influences?

Ditko was my first big comic book artist influence. Later Neal Adams and Steranko were influences. A lot of American Illustrators including Dean Cornwell, Norman Rockwell, Mead Schaeffer, etc. Many other influences too numerous to list.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

For the most part, the Punisher has been handled very poorly in the films. He’s a simple character. That simplicity, ironically, makes him easy to screw up. The Punisher films have also exhibited an amazing lack of internal story logic. I’d like to write a screenplay that fulfills the character’s potential for the big screen.

Check out Carl's blog at www.carlpotts.com Read more...

Read More