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with Jeph Loeb
Interview
with: Troy
Brownfield
Considering
that we’re in the midst of the Halloween season, it’s only
fitting that we have as our Big Question guest this a man
who has appropriated the holiday as his own in the field of
comics. With frequent collaborator Tim Sale, he brought us
several Batman Halloween tales before giving us one of the
finest Batman stories ever, The Long Halloween.
That’s
not to say that his resume stops there. Far from it. Before
making a mark in comics, our guest wrote the screenplays for
hits like Commando and Teen Wolf. His comic writing credits
include Challengers of the Unknown, the sublime Superman:
Man for All Seasons, the Wolverine/Gambit mini-series (all
with Sale), X-Man, X-Force, and Coven.
Currently,
he’s writing Superman and finishing out Batman: Dark Victory,
the thematic successor to Long Halloween. He’s also about
to join Carlos Pacheo as the scripter of Fantastic Four. He’s
also one heck of a nice guy.
Ladies
and gentlemen, Mr. Jeph Loeb!
THE BIG Q&A
Q1. It's common knowledge among comics fans that you actually
had a well-established career as a Hollywood writer prior
to comics fame. How did you end up making the transition from
films to comics?
A1. In
an odd way. I was working on, of all things, a FLASH movie
at Warner Brothers. The producer, Stan Brooks, is a dear friend
and he introduced me to Jenette Kahn, the President at DC
comics. One thing led to another and Jenette asked if I wanted
to write a comic book. Well, it was like Santa asking if I
wanted to ride in his sleigh! So, I asked for Superman, Batman...er...
well, the list went on until we somehow got to CHALLENGERS
OF THE UNKNOWN -- not, my first choice, second or 11th choice
-- but it was COMICS -- and I thought that was so cool. It
took a long time to find the right artist -- and here's the
best part of the story, but Barbara Randall (now Kesel) introduced
me to a young artist named Tim Sale. And the rest they say...
is hysterical...er, history.
Q2.
Batman: The Long Halloween has got to be one of the finest
Batman stories ever. How did you develop the concept of the
13-part holiday-themed mystery, and did the unique nature
of the story make crafting its sequel, Dark Victory, more
difficult?
A2. I
never thought of Dark Victory as a sequel, but as a continuation
of the original story. We had taken the reader on a very dark
ride in The Long Halloween and we drove into a long deep tunnel.
About half way through, Tim and I got out and left the readers
in the car. It was time to bring the car back into the light
and that was the start of the journey. I wanted to tell the
story of how Batman survived the loss of Harvey Dent, what
happened to the crime families in Gotham City and the origin
of Robin and that's where we began. We set out to tell something
that was more... I don't know ... grand ... in its design
than The Long Halloween and I hope we succeeded. I think we're
all better at our craft -- everyone,Tim, Greg Wright our colorist,
Richard Starkings our letterer, than we were three years ago
and hopefully it shows in the work. So the challenge was to
make something BETTER.
Q3.
When you hear "Jeph Loeb" as a fan nowadays, it's hard not
to immediately think "Tim Sale" along with it. How did your
partnership develop?
A3.
Well, I've told the story of how we met above. But, the
partnership started with my acting like I knew everything
and Tim tolerating me! As the years have gone by, we've become
the best of friends and it is a true partnership. Now he knows
everything and I tolerate him!
Q4. Your work on Superman: Man For All Seasons and the monthly
title actually brought me back to reading Superman after an
absence of many years. How do you continue to find new approaches
to a character that has been in continuous publication for
over 60 years?
A4.
I'm glad you came back to the character. I hear that a lot
and that makes me smile. I am, first and foremost, a fan.
I collect comics and have collected them since I was ten years
old. I go to the store every Wednesday and I buy stuff I know
I'll get in my "box" from DC or Marvel by the end of the month,
but I want it NOW. So, I try and approach Superman the same
way I approach all my work. I try and tell the best stories
I can. Now, I'm not an idiot, so I surround myself with the
best people I can. Look at the artists I had to work with
over the years! Tim Sale, Ed McGuinness, Joe Madureira, Jeff
Matsuda, Ian Churchill, Steve Skroce, Chris Bachalo, Adam
Pollina... I'm sure I'm fogetting somebody who I adore (!)
... but I'd really have to screw it up to screw it up with
that kind of talent. So, I'm very, very lucky and I never
try and forget that. I respect Superman. I know what he can
do for the reader and for the comic book business IF we respect
him. And we have FUN. That's the key. Eddie Berganza (Superman
Group Editor) GETS IT and that's most of the battle. And McGuinness.
Pure Joy.
Q5.
I just read that you'll be scripting the Fantastic Four beginning
with the December issue. I seem to recall you noting in a
Wizard interview that FF was a book you've always wanted to
work on. Any indication of what we might see as readers?
A5. Again,
hopefully, FUN. The F.F. are the first family of comics. They
are this wonderful dysfuntional family who are bickering one
second and then fighting to death for each other the next.
To clarify a bit, I am only scripting the book -- Carlos Pacheco
-- who was the OTHER main reason I agreed to take the book
-- is plotting and doing the artwork. He's beyond brilliant
and has the same passion as I have for the characters. So,
the stories are his -- I just get to polish his car. But,
I've finished two issues now and it's pretty grand stuff.
But, it is the Carlos show. He's the star. And we'll see The
Grey Gargoyle and The Negative Zone and a New Frightful Four
and all kinds of wild stuff. If you love the F.F. you'll love
where Carlos wants to take the book.
Q6.
As if Superman, Batman, and the FF weren't enough, you'll
be taking on Daredevil soon. What can you tell us about that?
A6.
Well, by the time I start Daredevil:Yellow, Batman will be
all done. So, my energies won't be too divided. DD: Yellow
is about the time where Matt wore the Yellow costume (DD Vol.
1 #1-6). We want to tell a story about the JOY of being a
hero. So much of what has made DD great of late (post Miller)
is the DE-construction of the hero. But, there was a time
when DD really enjoyed what he was doing -- sort of the Indiana
Jones of the Marvel Universe -- swinging around and really
gettting off on it. We want to bring that excitment to a story
about his early days.
Q7.
In the past, you've written for both Awesome Entertainment
and the X-office over at Marvel. What were those experiences
like?
A7.
When I was at Awesome it was a magical time. We were building
something and Rob Liefeld gave me a chance to be a PUBLISHER
when no one else would even think of it. And we were making
great books that people were just coming around to -- when
our financier pulled the plug. It was beyond tragic. I've
never lost something in a work environment that was so painful.
But, I learned an enormous amount and have applied that in
new directions. The X-Men office was equally thrilling in
its own way. I was in at the end of the last big rush -- The
Age of Apocalypse -- the creation of X-Man -- and working
with Scott Lobdell on bringing Cable and X-Force into the
Top Ten books again. We had a blast and then, again, things
happened -- this time with editorial -- where it wasn't as
much fun any more. So... I moved on. It was a very good decision.
Q8.
I saw you take part in the McLaughlin Group panel at Wizard
World in Chicago with Mark Waid, Brian Pulido, and Erik Larsen,
and my wife and I thought the banter between you and Waid
was hilarious. Tough question: who's funnier?
A8.
Larsen. Waid and I were just his sock puppets. :)
Q9.
Comics seem to be in a period of upheaval, with major moves
made almost daily. What's your reaction to the future of the
industry and what it might mean to small companies?
A9.
I think it's a great time to be in comics. When everyone is
wondering what will work, as a creator you HAVE to take chances.
I mean, Ed McGuinness on Superman? You think that just HAPPENS?
So, I couldn't be happier. I wish that the FANS would buy
more books -- really ravage the stores and that will happen.
It always does.
Q10.
Last question: when you wrote "Commando", did you ever think
that Alyssa Milano would grow up to be so hot?
A10.
Um... she was TEN. 'nuff said.
We’d like to thank Mr. Loeb for taking the time to be our guest
here at The Big Question! Be sure to check out his monthly work,
and I highly recommend The Long Halloween and Man For All Seasons.
I’d also encourage you to rent Commando (but if you’re really
into Alyssa Milano, you’re probably better off with Embrace
of the Vampire).
If
you have a suggestion for a Big Question guest (or if you’re
a entertainer with a project that you’d like to promote),
contact Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
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