Todd McFarlane
Writer/Artist/Publisher, Image Comics
Working on: *Spawn* (with guest writers Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Dave Sim); Batman/Spawn crossover; *Violator* mini-series
McFarlane discusses Image's break from Malibu, his strategy of bringing in high-profile writers (Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Dave Sim) to write Spawn as a response to critics who said he couldn't write, and reveals the then-unannounced Batman/Spawn crossover — the first time in 50 years Warner Bros. allowed Batman outside of DC. He outlines plans for a Violator mini-series and explains Image's ownership structure: creators own everything they create, but not the "i" logo itself.
Jim Valentino
Writer/Artist/Editor, Image Comics (Shadowline)
Working on: *Shadowhawk II*; *1963* anthology series (ed.); *Normalman Ninth Anniversary Special*
Valentino details the Shadowhawk mystery (identity deliberately withheld, to be revealed in Shadowhawk II), explains the upcoming Images of Shadowhawk monthly with rotating creative teams starting with Alan Grant and Keith Giffen, and shares extensive detail about the 1963 retro-homage series featuring Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, Rick Veitch, Dave Gibbons, and others. He defends Image's impact on creator rights industry-wide.
Rob Liefeld
Writer/Artist/Publisher, Image Comics (Extreme Studios)
Working on: *Youngblood Strikefile*; Youngblood/Valiant *Deathmate* crossover; *Supreme*; *Brigade*
Liefeld recounts Image's explosive launch and surprise at becoming the number-two comics company, candidly admits the first year involved too many excuses about lateness and pledges to improve, and discusses the Youngblood/Valiant Deathmate crossover. He talks about his "Extreme Dorm" of young talent and his belief that creator rights in comics are finally catching up to those in music and sports.
Paul Neary
Artist/Editor-in-Chief, Marvel UK
Working on: *Overkill* anthology; *Death's Head II*; *Hell's Angel*
Neary traces his career from Warren Comics and British fanzines through Marvel US (*Captain America*, X-Factor, Wolverine graphic novel with Alan Davis) to his current role as editor-in-chief of Marvel UK. He discusses how Marvel UK was integral in launching British talent (Alan Davis, Alan Moore, Steve Dillon, Dave Gibbons), and the new Overkill fortnightly comic housing Marvel UK's original British superhero universe.
Vince Fago
Writer/Artist/Editor, Freelance
Working on: Children's music book; Macintosh computer art projects
At age 77 and retired from the industry, Fago recalls his career spanning animation (Fleischer Studios, Terrytoons), his four years as editor at Timely Comics filling in for Stan Lee during WWII, a decade on the syndicated Peter Rabbit strip, and a $1-million contract producing 100 Classics Illustrated-style books using Filipino artists. He reflects on the Marvel Method of plotting and the Wertham hearings' limited effect on his freelance work.
A lengthy reader letter from William Chadwick responds to the Star Trek theme of issue #110, digressing into praise for the Edgar Rice Burroughs interview and comic-cultural commentary.