Interviews with writers & artists who create comic books and graphic novels
Episodes
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Danny Fingeroth joins Creator Talks to discuss his latest book A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee.
Danny was the group editor for Spider-Man comics in the 1980s, wrote Deadly Foes of Spider-Man, Lethal Foes of Spider-Man, Dazzler, Venom: Deathtrap - The Vault and the entire 50 issue run of Darkhawk in the 1990s.
We discuss how Danny began working at Marvel for Larry Lieber, his mentor and the brother of Stan Lee. Danny also was the reprint editor for Marvel Comics and explains what the challenge was working with reprints.
What was the first Marvel Comic Danny read, and how do barber shops connect with his comic reading?
What is the challenge to writing a good Spider-Man story?
When we talk about A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee, we discuss how Danny addressed co-creator credit, how Lee collaborated with Steve Ditko, and how Stan Lee's own life was reflected in the cast of Spider-Man comics.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, among the questions I ask Danny are what would be his island book, his beverage of choice, how Danny wants to be remembered and who was Stan Lee to him.
Please rate and review Creator Talks on Apple Podcasts
To order A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee
Thursday Dec 12, 2019
Thursday Dec 12, 2019
Don Glut is a prolific writer and director. In the 1970s Don wrote stories for Warren's Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella, as well as Marvel Comics Captain America, The Invaders and Kull The Destroyer, just to name a few! Currently Don is working on making another horror motion picture and is currently writing a plethora of horror tales for Warrants black and white horror magazine The Creeps.
Don is "killing it" with his horror stories in The Creeps and is fortunate to be collaborating with some amazingly talented artists who capture the spirit of the old Creepy and Eerie black and white mags.
Don's latest film Tales of Frankenstein was recently released in October on Blu-Ray. We talk about the making of this mid-budget horror film to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Don included some classic horror actors the movie and this four-part horror anthology is not to be missed by fans of Frankenstein.
I sat down with Don in person while visiting Las Vegas to discuss how he first discover Frankenstein and the influence Universal and Hammer horror films had on him as a youth. We also talk about how he started writing for Warren Publishing, working with Michael Nesmith of The Monkees on his Penny Arkade album, writing for Gold Key and Marvel Comics.
Plus I Kick Back With The Creator and ask Don the show's signature fun questions to learn more about him.
It's a Giant-Sized thriller podcast not to be missed!
Please rate and review Creator Talks on iTunes
Tales of Frankenstein Blu-Ray on Amazon
Wednesday Nov 27, 2019
Wednesday Nov 27, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving! This podcast drops a day early to thank my loyal listeners.
My special guest is Stephanie Phillips writer of The Devil Within (Black Mask Studios) and Descendent (Aftershock). She is launching a five part series beginning December 4th The Butcher of Paris (Dark Horse Comics). It features art by prior Creator Talks guest Dean Kotz (Warlords of Mars Attacks).
The Butcher of Paris is a true crime story set during World War Two in Nazi occupied Paris. Marcel Petiot committed a series of murders in the City of Lights, and Detective Georges-Victor Massu and his son Bernard are on the case to find Petiot before the Nazis.
Stephanie explains why she undertook months of historical research, and decided it was time to start writing the story. She explains why she needed to interview family members to help craft this tale of mystery and murder. Of course we had to talk about the talented creative team working on the series and why they were right for the job,.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, learn what grinds Stephanie's gears, how she measures success and what can be done to make comics better.
Please rate and review Creator Talks on iTunes
About writer Stephanie Phillips
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
Alan Davis is well know among comic book aficionado's as a writer and artist who has worked on nearly every major super-hero character in his decades spanning career. Some of Alan's best work as a writer and/or artist includes Captain Britain, Batman and The Outsiders, Avengers: Prime, Fantastic Four: The End, Excalibur, and X-Men.
Alan is writing the brand-new four-part Avengers/Defenders cross-over titled Tarot. He's is collaborating with long-time friend and French artist Paul Renaud.
What was the genesis of Tarot? How does Alan approach team books so that he has voice of the characters right and gives each their moment in the spotlight?
How did the old black and white comic strips Alan clipped and saved influence his artistic style? Which ones should comic lovers and artist take note?
Did How To Draw Comic The Marvel Way lead to his first professional comic work? What changes to making comics since Alan first began working in the industry does he find most challenging?
When I Kick Back With The Creator, learn what was for Alan "the one that got away" Warning comic book collectors, keep a box of tissues near by, this one is going to break your heart.
Please rate and review Creator Talks on iTunes
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
Writer Meredith Finch, best known for work her on Wonder Woman, Rose, and Xena catches up with Creator Talks to enlighten us about her Kickstarter for The Book of Ruth. The classic biblical story is refreshed for a more contemporary audiences set in Texas during The Great Depression.
Kickstarter has designated it as a “Project We Love”.
Nevada local and graduate of SCAD Colin Dyer provides the art for this beautifully illustrated black and white graphic novel. And there are also several additional cover options to choose from contributed by comic pros such as Jason Fabok, David Finch, Billy Tucci and Lee Weeks.
Why did Meredith decide to have her book crowd funded rather than published through Cave Pictures, which published her last mini-series The Light Princess?
Meredith also discusses writing her other series now on sale The Age of Conan: Valeria mini-series for Marvel Comics.
Valeria first appeared in Robert E. Howard’s final serialized Conan story Red Nails published posthumously in Weird Tales July through October of 1936.
What does Valeria’s share in common with Meredith’s other characters she has written?
How does Meredith's approach add more nuance to Valeria's character and reveal the reason behind her expertise with the sword?
As I bring the interview to a close, Kick Back With The Creator as ask Meredith what grinds her gears, does she have regrets about “the one that got away” and what does she wish she knew when she was younger that she knows now?
Please rate and review Creator Talks on iTunes
About the Book of Ruth Kickstarter
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Happy Halloween! Phil Hester returns to talk about his collaboration with Jeff Lemire on Family Tree through Image Comics. What is it like collaborating with Jeff? What has a comics veteran like Phil learned from Jeff about story telling and pacing?
We share memories of buying packs of comics at large retail outlets, coverless comics and the best hope for comics to continue entertaining and captivating young readers' imaginations.
Phil and I also catch up on the fate of his cancelled Blood Blister series (Aftershock), his contribution to DC's Secrets of Sinister House #1 2019 Halloween Special and, finally, the release of The Wrench Omnibus published through Omaha Bound.
We continue our Kicking Back With The Creator questions covering what really grinds Phils gears about some people working in the comics industry, his own regret and proudest accomplishment working in comics.
Thursday Oct 17, 2019
Thursday Oct 17, 2019
If you have ever picked up recent copy of Detective Comics, followed Green Lantern or DC's Futures End, then you have cast your eyes upon the stunning inks of Mark Irwin.
A graduate of The Kubert School, Mark has worked as Art Director for Heavy Metal Magazine, Customer Services Manager for Wildstorm Comics, and Art Director for Upper Deck. Currently Mark is a freelance inker and Senior Editor for Insight Comics.
Mark shares his recollections about growing up reading underground comix and coverless comics he received as gifts. He recalls his years at The Kubert School, how he landed his first paying job while still in school, and ending up as Heavy Metal Magazine's Art Director upon graduating.
Throughout his career, Mark has picked up a great deal of experience and knowledge about being an editor and art director. Now Executive Editor of Insight Comics, Mark talks about some of the most successful titles they have published and what is planned for 2020.
Mark is also a huge fan of the rock band Rush. He explains their connection to one of Insight Comics graphic novels.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, we learn how surfing became Mark's favorite way to rest and relax, what is his island book, beverage of choice and how he measures success.
Closing Music: Red Barchetta Rush
Thursday Oct 03, 2019
Thursday Oct 03, 2019
Tom Scioli shares his knowledge and deep appreciation of Marvel's First Family the Fantastic Four. Tom reveals his plans for the two-part Fantastic Four Grand Design.
We discuss Tom's first work on the FF contributing to Erik Larsen's Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Comic Magazine!
Tom also explains why Publisher of Image Comics Jim Valentino paired him Joe Casey for his homage to Jack Kirby Godland.
What Thing piqued Tom's interest in the Fantastic Four? Which FF story was his favorite and which does he believe is the most underrated?
If Tom could created his own Fantastic Four villain...would he?
Listen in amazement as Tom recalls some of his favorite Fantastic Four What If? stories and lobs some cool ideas for future FF stories!
When we Kick Back With The Creator I ask Tom, if it were possible, what would he ask Stan Lee and Jack Kirby about the Fantastic Four?
And how would Tom like Marvel to handle a Fantastic Four Lee and Kirby story reprinted in the collected Treasury edition of Fantastic Four Grand Design?
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Jeff Parker joins Creator Talks to discuss the conclusion of his 12 issue series James Bond Origin published through Dynamite Entertainment.
What boundaries did Jeff set for writing Bond’s origin and how did he build on references made in the Ian Fleming novels?
How did he avoid the trap of writing a story that simply paid “fan service” and who are Jeff's favorite actors who portrayed 007?
Next, we dig into Jeff’s latest series John Carter Warlord Of Mars Attacks, also published throughDynamite Entertainment. How did Jeff and series artist Dean Kotz develop the look of John Carter, and how did Jeff decide to explain the process of Carter’s teleportations to Mars? We also talk about the Disney movie John Carter (2012) and what would have made it a commercial success.
Of course we had to talk about the Batman ‘66 series Jeff wrote! We discuss some of the issues around licensing character likenesses, going beyond villains who appeared in the television series, and how difficult it was produce those DC2 digital issues!
Kicking Back With The Creator, I find out what was Jeff’s favorite birthday, beverage of choice, island book, and about his experience while in Las Vegas. We’re talking the Fremont Street Experience and tacos folks! Wahoo!
Please rate and review Creator Talks on iTunes
Thursday Sep 05, 2019
Thursday Sep 05, 2019
Super-Heroes have become modern mythology.
What are some of the enduring myths of ancient cultures and why do they still connect with modern audiences?
My guests Caleb Palmquist and Greg Anderson Elysee answer these questions and in a new anthology now on Kickstarter Modern Mythology: A Hero’s Journey
This all-new 160+ pages of soft cover book features 17 stories by 29 talented creators, plus pinups by additional independent comic book artists. It is also packed with facts about the myths in the book including information about the cultures, histories, and storytelling traditions from which they come.
Greg is the writer of the 14-page story Is'nana the Were-Spider with art by David Brame.
He talks about growing up reading Black and Africa-American superhero comics. What did those writers get right and what did they get wrong?
Greg provides some background on Is’nana and the other books he has written about this hero.
When I Kick Back With The Creator the spotlight is on Greg as we learn how he likes to rest and relax, beverage of choice, island book and more.
Please Rate and Review Creator Talks on iTunes
Learn More about the Kickstarter