Fabian Nicieza
Writer/Editor, Marvel
Working on: *X-Force* (scripter); *New Warriors*, *Alpha Flight*, *NFL Super Pro*, *Adventures of Captain America*; editing *Barbie*, *ALF*, *Bill & Ted*, *Damage Control*, *Wonder Man*
Nicieza explains why he accepted a dialogue-only scripting role on X-Force alongside plotter Rob Liefeld, describing the book's tone as inspired by real accounts of teenagers in wartime — grim, cynical, and action-heavy compared to his character-driven work on New Warriors. He discusses his dual role as writer and editor of Marvel's "eclectic" line (*Barbie*, ALF, Bill & Ted, Wonder Man, Damage Control), arguing that cultivating young and female readers is essential to the industry's future.
Charles Vess
Writer/Artist, Freelance
Working on: *Books of Magic* #3 (DC); *Skade* graphic novel (Editions Zenda); *Macbeth* for Classics Illustrated; *Taboo* #4 story (Part 2 of 2)
In part two of his interview, Vess discusses his artistic influences (Hal Foster, Arthur Rackham, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth), his work on Sandman #19 staging A Midsummer Night's Dream for the real Oberon and Titania, and upcoming projects including Books of Magic #3 for DC, the dark Nordic graphic novel Skade for a French publisher, and Macbeth for Classics Illustrated.
Bill Campbell
Actor, Disney / Hollywood
Working on: *The Rocketeer* (film, starring role as Cliff Secord)
Campbell, star of Disney's The Rocketeer, discusses his background as a former art-school student who originally wanted to illustrate comics before pivoting to acting. He describes the casting process, the physical demands of the role, practical flying sequences in the film, and his admiration for Jennifer Connelly as co-star Betty. He confirms Timothy Dalton plays the villain and shares genuine fondness for classic comics artists including Jack Kirby, Russ Heath, and Joe Kubert.
Gene Colan
Artist, Marvel
Working on: *Black Panther*; self-inking all future work (Part 2 of 2)
Part two of Colan's career retrospective focuses on his relationships with inkers, naming Tom Palmer as his best collaborator, and also praising Frank Giacoia, George Klein, and Syd Shores. Colan explains his preference for working at one-and-a-half-up scale, his use of blurred/multiple-image panels inspired by photography and film, and announces he will self-ink all his future work going forward. He also speaks warmly of his return to Black Panther at Marvel with writer Don McGregor.
Reader Paul Power clarifies credits on the CI #89 Rocketeer cover (pencilled and inked collaboratively at Neal Adams' Continuity studio); reader Don Markstein (CI typographer) writes in support of a prior editorial on children's literacy, arguing that letting children read comics they enjoy — including TMNT — produces better readers than forcing "dull classics" on them.