We continue to talk with comic book and television writer Jay Faerber, moving on to his creator-owned work at Image (especially Noble Causes), and then move on to his television writing, learning how it began, and answering some basic behind the scenes questions.
One of the times Robert Kirkman said “Yes.”
But not silent (I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself…)
Beginning my interview with comic book and television writer Jay Faerber, in this first section we discuss his pre-professional life, then his early works for Marvel and DC, including a stint on The New Warriors (featuring Speedball, so you know we’re focusing on that!)
If you want to know more about the characters in his New Warriors run, I did one of my scripted episodes about that run, which you can find here.
Our guest for the next few weeks, writer Jay Faerber (pronounced Fur-burr)
Don’t worry, Nova’s costume gets fixed by the end of the run…
Believe it or not, we do get a happy(ish) ending with this final issue.
The cover credits suggest Jay was correct in what memories he did have about this project.
In this final part of my conversation with Dana Simpson, we get the most personal, as we talk about a planned project of Dana to chronicle her gender transition, then we discuss different ways that has affected her life and other work, as well as get into some political discussion and gender theory.
How is Ozy’s jacket so cool?
How is this about Dana? Listen and find out.
Continuing our conversation with Dana Simpson, this second part (of three) focuses primarily on “Phoebe & Her Unicorn,” and how it’s changed over the years. Then we touch on a couple of other projects as well, one finished, and one left incomplete.
Fonts make a difference.
The first of multiple original graphic novels with these characters.
A little more serious fair(e).
Not a robot either (just throwing in a random “Good Place” reference.)
We start a new conversation this week, this time talking to Dana Simpson, creator of “Ozy and Millie” (now Ozy and Milo), and the NYT Bestselling “Phoebe & Her Unicorn.” This first part starts with her education, then her work on family-friendly “Ozy and Millie” and the political cartoon called “I Drew This.”
Head Unicorn herself, Dana Simpson
Normal? I don’t think so, but hey, who’d want to be that?
Walt Kelly was an influence? You don’t say…
First published almost exactly 19 years ago. Sigh. It’s just too true.
We wrap up my interview with Judd Winick by starting on his decision to bring back Jason Todd (the 2nd Robin) from the dead as The Red Hood, then move on to his work during the New 52 at DC, the animated shows he worked on, and finally get to his decade-plus work writing and drawing the Hilo series of books. But first, a remembrance for another comics book professional who left us too soon.
Graphic novel and original movie: Judd wrote both.
The Jeff Smith quote is particularly apropos, considering how he helped inspire the series.
The show that Judd created, mixing mythology and modern adventure. (Yes, he calls out Buffy as an influence…)
R.I.P. Peter David (wearing a “Multiple Man” t-shirt, another character he redefined)
In this 2nd of three parts of my interview with Judd Winick, we talk about his time on The Real World, the doors that opened and how he grew as a storyteller from writing about his experiences, leading to his comic book work for DC (and a little Marvel).
I can spend that extra three cents. Give me the lowdown, Frump.
I can’t recommend reading this enough. One of the great autobiographical works, especially in graphic novel form.
Yeah, he’s basically a superhero. But no tights.
Well, there’s that song stuck in my head for a while…
Starting at the very beginning of Judd Winick’s life, part one of this interview continues through to his college days, the value of an art education, and his early comic strip, “Nuts & Bolts.”
The Unflappable Judd Winick. (Seriously, there’s no flapping this guy)
A collection of some of Judd’s early work. Good luck finding a copy!
In this final part of my interview with Darick Robertson, we start by discussing his work with Garth Ennis and a couple of other writers for a second stint at Marvel, then move on to Happy and The Boys, the latter of which you’ll hear how Darick has been involved in the adaptation process. Finally we look to Darick’s future work, some of which actually involves going to his distant past.
Frank Castle, Vietnam War veteran. (From Punisher: Born)
Warning: This does not end well for Hughie (but worse for her…)
Well, more of a donkey/unicorn/pegasus hybrid (or donkey/alicorn hybrid if you really want to get technical).
In part two of this three-part interview, we mostly focus on The New Warriors run that was Darick’s first regular gig at Marvel, and then move into more of his creator-owned work, as well as discussing the differences between collaborating vs writing and drawing all on his own.
As mentioned in the pre-show introduction, please visit somanyofus.com to understand further why I felt it necessary to preface our discussion of his work with Warren Ellis.
The opening image I mention near the beginning of the interview.
Artwork from that same issue used in the original Marvel logo before the 2001 Spider-Man (among others).
From my personal collection, an image commissioned for me by Darick back in 1999, coincidentally combining the two main books we discuss in this episode.
In this first part of my interview with legendary artist Darick Robertson, we cover his early love of comics and drawing, how he got his first creator-owned comic book, Space Beaver, published, and how that led into his first bit of work for Marvel and DC.
The guest of honor, Darick, joining me in a Zoom meeting.
Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. Young Darick had good taste.
Fortunately, “Ten-Buck Comics” was just the company’s name.
The last of the rerun episodes, as I wrap up my interview with J.M. DeMatteis. We talk Moonshadow, the Bwah-Ha-Ha era of JLI, his animation work, and other parts of his career.
Before we start any new interviews (the first of which is already recorded…), we have a repeat of part 1 of my interview with legendary author J.M. DeMatteis, starting at the beginning and going through to the genre-defining “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” (Part 2 next week, or can still be found in the archives)
J.M. DeMatteis (Don’t worry. Proper pronunciation is the first question)
We wrap up the very first interview done at Welcome to Geektown, covering Evan’s work on Ultimate Alliance 2, his time as a professor, as well as listener questions.
In Part 3 of the Evan Skolnick interview, we start on his time at Acclaim during the comic book bust, then move on to his video game career.
Continuing the re-run of older interviews in anticipation of the new interview format of the show, here’s part two of my talk with Evan Skolnick, focusing on his time with Marvel, and especially as the writer of the New Warriors.
We’re re-running the interview episodes that have already aired in anticipation of the new interview format for the show. First up, Evan Skolnick: writer, editor, and professor of video games!
But first, an apology...
My first interview (well, for this podcast. My very first interview was with Megan Mullaly, but I don’t have those tapes)
An example of Evan’s self-deprecating humor, as he created Khaos, then sent him up the river in this roast…
A comparison of pre-computer coloring (left), and Marvel’s first computer colored book (right). Many more gradients, and that was just the start…
We conclude the conversation with writer J.M. DeMatteis, starting with his fantasy graphic novel, Moonshadow, then working our way through his career, including the Justice League, some animation, music, and others all the way up to his current projects.
If you’d like to take a look and possibly purchase any of the books in the DeMultiverse, you can do so here.
Pay no attention to the moon behind the curtain…
The cover that launched a seminal run…and inspired many, many other covers.
One of very few adaptations to credit Alan Moore with his permission.
A small sample of J.M.’s music.
The Mona Lisa smile.
A smattering of the dialogue Evan wrote for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2…
…bringing his comic book writer past together with his game writer present.
In part three of this multi-episode interview, Kurt continues his talk with comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick, getting into his video game work, after briefly discussing his time at Acclaim Comics and the comic boom and bust of the 90s.
That faaaaaace…
Just a few of the titles Evan has worked on. Check his portfolio for a full list.
Evan spoke for many a New Warriors fan when he wrote this dialogue about the “reality show” version of the team, in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2.