Comics Interview — Issue #067

Main Topics: Robert E. Howard sword-and-sorcery adaptations (Conan, Kull, Red Sonja), independent creator-owned comics, DC Comics editorial strategy and character revamps, Marvel Comics production and design

Contents
  1. Roy Thomas
  2. Ron Randall
  3. Mike Gold and Ann DeLarye-Gold
  4. Dawn Geiger
  5. "Up Front" — Guest Editorial (Henry Vogel)
interview Roy Thomas
Interviewed by Lou Mougin
Roy Thomas Writer, Freelance (Hero Comics/Marvel) Working on: *The World of Robert E. Howard* anthology series (Hero Comics); proposed *King Kull* graphic novel
Part two of a wide-ranging discussion covering Thomas's decade-long run on Conan the Barbarian at Marvel: acquiring the Howard license, working with Barry Smith and John Buscema, adapting Red Sonja and Elric, and the difficulties of the Fire and Ice animated film with Ralph Bakshi and Frazetta. Thomas details his new licensing deal with Glenn Lord for the Robert E. Howard estate and forthcoming adaptations for Hero Comics' The World of Robert E. Howard anthology, including "Marchers of Valhalla" (art by Nestor Redondo) and "The Gods of the North" (art by Mark Beachum). Note: the tape of the interview's conclusion was lost; a follow-up installment was promised.
interview Ron Randall
Interviewed by Andy Mangels
Ron Randall Writer/Artist, Freelance (Dark Horse/DC) Working on: *DragonLance* (DC); upcoming *Trekker* special (Comico)
Randall discusses the origins and development of his creator-owned Dark Horse series Trekker, a science-fantasy bounty hunter comic featuring a tough female protagonist named Mercy. He reflects on his career path through the Kubert School and his DC work (*Barren Earth*, Arak, Warlord, Swamp Thing), contrasts creator-owned versus work-for-hire, and previews his current assignment pencilling and inking DragonLance for DC and an upcoming color Trekker Special for Comico.
interview Mike Gold
Interviewed by Peter Sanderson
Mike Gold Editor/Director of Development, DC Comics Working on: *The Flash*, *Green Arrow*, *The Question*, *Wasteland*, *Doom Patrol*
Part one of a conversation with DC's Director of Development covering the critical and commercial reception of DC's recent editorial initiatives: Gold expresses satisfaction with The Flash and Green Arrow revamps and The Question, and reflects candidly on the missteps with Doom Patrol and Sonic Disruptors. The pair also discuss the evolution of comics conventions from their decade co-running the Chicago Comicon, noting increasing professionalism, shrinking sense of wonder among attendees, and the superior intimacy of small shows and store appearances.
interview Dawn Geiger
Interviewed by Dwight Jon Zimmerman
Dawn Geiger Designer/Production Artist, Marvel Comics Working on: *Marvel Age* design; superhero model appearances
Geiger, designer of Marvel Age and occasional Marvel superhero model (Firestar, Spider-Woman), talks about breaking into Marvel through the production department, her preference for advertising design over paste-up work, and her frustrations with editors who leave little creative latitude. She recounts her costumed public appearances and a harrowing small-plane flight returning from a toy-store event, and expresses a desire to eventually move into advertising account management.
article "Up Front" — Guest Editorial (Henry Vogel)
Vogel argues that letterers and editors are the most overlooked contributors to comics, crediting CI editors David Kraft and Dwight Zimmerman with improving his own writing on X-Thieves and Southern Knights.