Matt Wagner
Writer/Artist, Freelance (Comico/DC)
Working on: Batman/Grendel crossover; Grendel Tales (as creative director); erotic graphic novel
Wagner discusses the full arc of Grendel from its origins in the Comico Primer through its generational structure and the upcoming Grendel Tales anthology series, which he will oversee as creative director. He details the long-gestating Batman/Grendel crossover and the legal and financial complications surrounding Comico's Chapter 11 filing. Wagner also reflects on his artistic influences (Will Eisner's Spirit, Frank Miller, European albums, Japanese manga) and upcoming projects including a Three Musketeers adaptation for First's Classics Illustrated and an erotic graphic novel.
Dean Clarrain
Writer/Editor, Mirage Studios
Working on: *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures*; *Mighty Mutanimals* mini-series
Ryan Brown
Cartoonist/Editor, Mirage Studios
Working on: *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures*; toy design
Dan Berger
Inker, Mirage Studios
Working on: *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures*
A triple interview with the creative team behind Archie Comics' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures. Clarrain and Brown explain how they steered the book toward original, environmentally themed stories aimed at younger readers — including a Brazil/Amazon rainforest arc. Brown discusses designing TMNT toy characters and his admiration for Jim Henson's suit work on the movie. Berger describes coming to the book straight out of art school and his commitment to high-quality inking even for a kids' audience.
Dan Barry
Writer/Artist, King Features Syndicate (Freelance)
Working on: *Flash Gordon* newspaper strip
Part three of a multi-part interview, focusing on Barry's early association with Frank Frazetta (whom he got his first job at age sixteen), his working relationship with Harry Harrison during his years in Europe, and his extended ordeal producing promotional artwork for Dino De Laurentiis's Flash Gordon film — for which he was poorly compensated despite two years of work. Barry also discusses Alex Raymond, Lou Fine, Wally Wood, and Stan Lee's handling of the Spider-Man newspaper strip.
Bernie Mireault
Writer/Artist, Freelance (Slave Labor Graphics)
Working on: *The Jam*; upcoming Grendel B&W graphic novel
Joe Matt
Artist/Colorist, Freelance
Working on: Autobiographical strips (*SNARF*/Automatt); Grendel coloring
Patrick McKeown
Artist, Freelance (Comico)
Working on: *Grendel* #41–50
A group conversation centered on Grendel and independent/small-press comics culture. Mireault reflects on his Grendel run (#13–15) and an upcoming B&W Grendel graphic novel. Matt describes his autobiographical strips for SNARF (to be collected as Automatt by Kitchen Sink) and his plans to color the Batman/Grendel project. McKeown previews his upcoming Grendel #41–50 run, aiming for a Road Warrior/Lone Wolf and Cub aesthetic. The group also discusses self-publishing, creator ownership, and Canadian versus American comics culture.
Argues that polyethylene comic bags cause long-term acid damage to books and contribute to environmental waste, advocating instead for upright storage in comic boxes without bags.