Steven Grant
Writer, Freelance
Working on: *Punisher Graphic Novel: "Return to Big Nothing"* (Epic), *Whisper*, *Twilight Man* (First Comics)
Grant discusses his approach to the Punisher Graphic Novel: "Return to Big Nothing", describing the Punisher as a "clinical psychotic" who is emotionally dead but not a mindless killer. He also explains his decade-long effort to get the original Punisher Limited Series greenlit at Marvel, his philosophy that the character cannot be reformed without ceasing to be the Punisher, and his co-founding of WAP (Words and Pictures), the freelancer communication network organized with Frank Miller and Steve Gerber.
Mike Zeck
Penciller, Freelance
Working on: *Punisher Graphic Novel: "Return to Big Nothing"* (Epic); Punisher portfolio (Editions Deese); Spider-Man/Kraven Saga epilogue
Zeck traces his career from Charlton horror work and Wally Wood's studio through his runs on Master of Kung Fu, Captain America, Secret Wars, the Punisher Limited Series, and the Spider-Man/Kraven Saga. He discusses his design of Spider-Man's black costume, his frustrations with Secret Wars under Jim Shooter, and his artistic approach to the Punisher — modeled partly on Clint Eastwood's Josey Wales — and his hands-on involvement in coloring the graphic novel.
John Beatty
Inker, Freelance
Working on: *Punisher Graphic Novel: "Return to Big Nothing"* (Epic); upcoming *Ragman* (DC), *Hangman* (Archie Comics)
Beatty recounts how a fan letter to Mike Zeck launched his career, describing his years inking Zeck's pencil xeroxes before breaking in professionally at DC and Marvel. He covers his time on Justice League of America, Captain America, Secret Wars, The 'Nam, and Adventures of Superman, including the famous anecdote of John Byrne giving him a $100 haircut in exchange for inking Action Comics. He expresses excitement about the graphic novel and mentions upcoming work on Ragman and a Hangman mini-series.
Phil Zimelman
Airbrush Artist, Freelance
Working on: *Punisher Graphic Novel: "Return to Big Nothing"* interiors and cover (Epic)
Zimelman explains his airbrush technique — gesso, frisket masking, and acrylic paint — and traces his career from T-shirt design in Florida to airbrushing the original Punisher Limited Series covers and posters. He discusses his work on the graphic novel's flashback sequences, his preference for painting over others' pencils (especially Zeck's), and his views on comics coding and censorship, arguing strongly against any form of content restriction.
Brief introduction setting up the issue's theme: the original creative team behind the Punisher Limited Series returns for the Punisher Graphic Novel: "Return to Big Nothing", and each member argues their version is the definitive take on the character.
Reader correspondence including a note from former CI editor Bill Chadwick critiquing issue #67 (correcting a misspelling of Yeats), and a letter from typographer Don Markstein marveling at an Advance Comics solicitation that replaces nudity with violence to create an "all-ages" version of an adult comic.