Comics Interview — Issue #063

Baron discusses writing The Punisher as a gritty, realistic crime strip with no need for superheroes, drawing inspiration from true crime books and news events; Carl Potts chose him based on his work on The Badger. He describes the Punisher as an existential, obsessive-compulsive character whose psychological cost is self-imposed, and notes that Marvel repeatedly shot down his more extreme story ideas. Baron is also working on a Punisher graphic novel titled The Intruder, the Nexus #50 milestone issue and The Next Nexus mini-series, Ginger Fox for Comico, a new DC series called The Butcher, and English scripts for Hong Kong kung fu titles from Jademan Comics.

Potts, editor of the Punisher line and writer/layout artist on Punisher War Journal, explains that the character's appeal lies in the theme that revenge creates a never-ending cycle and functions as the Punisher's self-punishment for failing to protect his family. He speaks at length about his mentoring of new artists — including Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, and Jon Bogdanove — and his use of cinematography principles to teach comic-book storytelling. He details upcoming storylines, reveals that three Punisher graphic novels are in progress, and notes that a Punisher movie was being scouted in Australia.

Lee, a Princeton psychology graduate who stumbled into comics only two years before the interview, recounts his rapid rise: self-taught from library anatomy books and back issues of Comics Interview, he landed a try-out story from Archie Goodwin and Carl Potts at his first ever convention, then completed eleven issues of Alpha Flight before moving to Punisher War Journal. He shares practical advice for breaking in — showing work face-to-face at conventions, using a mirror to spot anatomical errors (a tip from Terry Austin), and tracing published art to understand construction.

Warner gives a blunt assessment of the mainstream comics industry: Marvel and DC reward mediocrity and have no genuine standard of quality, and creators who repeatedly return to work-for-hire on corporate characters while talking loudly about creative freedom are hypocrites. He explains why he chose Dark Horse — personal relationships with Richardson and Stradley dating back to APA-5, and the company's commitment to less conventional work. Warner discusses upcoming projects including a Predator mini-series, the next Black Cross series My War, and a co-writing collaboration on Pit Bulls with John Arcudi.

A libertarian editorial arguing that freedom is inherently unsafe and that attempts to legislate safety — whether through gun control or drug laws — are ultimately futile, closing with a paraphrase of Benjamin Franklin on liberty versus safety.

A reader praises the previous issue's Gene Colan interview, expressing particular fondness for Colan's Iron Man work in Tales of Suspense and wishing the interview had been longer and more in-depth.