Creator Talks Podcast

My guest Veilbor Stanjavic, aka Well-Bee for Marvel's X written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger.  Well-Bee grew up in Serbia during the 1990s and he shares how difficult it was during that period of the country's history. We discuss how he managed to get into comic despite their sporadic distribution during the war years, talk about his father's Western comic book collection, and going to school to study art.  Well-Bee was not always encouraged to pursue his dream to be a comic book artist and we find out why.  What comics did Well-Bee enjoy reading? How was he introduced to the Earth X comic books and how did he brake into comics professionally? I close the interview Kicking Back With The Creator and ask Well-Bee the fun questions I ask all my guests.  Please rate and review Creator Talks on Apple Podcasts  More About Well-Bee

Let's get away from all the Covid-19 talk and go back to happier days for my fun interview with artist Bob Q.   This one is sure to lift your spirit! Bob is currently working on Captain America (Marvel Comics) and Red Sonja (Dynamite Entertainment). Besides that he is the got-to-guy when publishers need to get the art on a comic book done and done right. Bob has also illustrated other series including Lone Ranger: The Devil's Rope, James Bond Origin, and Green Hornet 66 Meets The Spirit for Dynamite Entertainment. We talk about a cool museums we have visited, how L.A. has changed since Bob moved there many years ago and the comic conventions we had planned to visit this spring which are now being rescheduled.   I discuss with Bob some of his other projects, including his creator-owned work and the art he designed for a unique brand of coffee. We also talk about two other projects  Bob's Drawing Challenge on YouTube and as a helping hand behind-the-scenes for Ms. Q's podcast Boos and Brews. I wrap up Ki

Sam Johnson is back to tell us how to get on board the Geek-Girl Kickstarter running through March 31st 2020for issues 6 & 7. Wait, there's more. A plethora of special variant covers, a trade collection of previous issues and digital editions offered as well.  And you don't even have to leave you house to get 'em!  Geek-Girl has been part of the independent comic super-hero landscape for over 10 years. What is the secret to Sam's success? Hint: there is no substitute for planning, promotion and hard work. Just for fun we also talk about Brexit, the woes of technology and  some of the mainstream comics Sam is currently reading.  Please rate and review Creator Talks on Apple Podcasts  About the Kickstarter Tights n' Capes

J.M. DeMatteis joins Creator Talks to tease us about his upcoming Star Trek one-shot Hell's Mirror available March 18th through IDW.  We learn about working series artist Matthew Dow Smith and what else may be on the horizon for these two creators.   J.M. shares his throughs about the Original Star Trek Series and seeing the great William Shatner perform at a Star Trek convention.  Also discussed is J.M.'s CW Seed animated story Deathstroke "Knights and Dragons" and his upcoming animated adaptation of Superman: Red Son. Get J.M.'s thoughts on writing characters with whom he was not initially familiar and how that challenge further developed his writing skills. J.M. talks about the character with whom he is most familiar, Spider-Man, and which story he wrote was his favorite. Hint: it was not Kraven's Last Hunt, this story is not available as a trade.  Want it to be? We tell how fans can help make that happen! Christopher also talks about one his favorite Captain America stories featuring Deathlok. J.M.

Nicola Cuti had a creative carrier that spanned over 50 years. He wrote hundreds of horror stories for Warren Magazines Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella.  Nick was also the co-creator of E-Man published through Charlton Comics. In addition, he was created Moon Child, Starflake, and Captain Cosmos.  Nicolas Cuti left our world on Friday, February 21st 2020, after a battle with cancer.  This interview with Creator Talks took place on the evening of Friday, January 17th and Sunday morning, January 19th 2020.  During our interview, I learned how Nick first became a storyteller out of necessity as a young boy. Nick shares how he made his first break into comics with the story Grub and favorite horrors stories he wrote for Warren Publishing. What was it like working at Charlton Comics in the early 1970s and how did the development of E-Man come about with co-creator Joe Staton? We also talk about his cult sci-fi classic Spanner's Galaxy illustrated by Tom Mandrake.  Nick recalls many of the people he has the p

My guest is none other than Evan "Doc" Shaner. Doc was the artist on issues of Adventures of Superman, Doom Patrol, Future Quest and The Terrifics.  Before he became exclusive to DC, Doc also drew Flash Gordon and Kings Watch for Dynamite Entertainment, Does Doc like being an exclusive artist for DC? Does he find it limiting? We talk about one dream project he would love to do for DC and a dream cross-over with another publisher. Doc has worked with several very talented colorist over the years. Why did he decide to color the twelve-part series Strange Adventures himself? He talks about working on the book with writer Tom King, artist Mitch Gerads and how he and Mitch's art will work together to tell the story.  We also talk about his favorite newspaper comic strips growing up and what he reads today. Why did Doc decide to switch his career path from playing trumpet to becoming an artist? And how did he get the nick name "Doc"? When I Kick Back With The Creator I learn what would be Doc's action figure

 Matt Mair Lowery returns to Creator Talks to let us in on what is happening with Lifeformed published though Dark Horse Comics.  We learn about on the online short story Party Crasher and the second volume of Lifeformed: Hearts and Minds released September 2019. What's new? Matt worked with two new collaborators on the short stories Adorable Orphans and Drones.  Both of these, as well as Party Crasher, will be available at Emerald City Comic Con 2020 art Matt's table. If you are going to the con, stop by Matt's table say hi and get these limited editions!  How does original Twilight Zone influence Matt's writing? We discuss the impact of this classic sci-fi series and why it is still relevant today. When I Kick Back With The Creator, Matt answers a few of my latest fun questions, plus find which moment was a turning point in his life.   Please rate and review Creator Talks on Apple Podcasts   More about Matt Mair Lowery   More about Lifeformed Hearts and Minds

Todd Nauck is feverishly working away on a new Gwen Stacy series and he joins Creator Talks to give us an update. The series is the origin of Gwen Stacy, before she met Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #31. Gwen Stacey is written by Christos Gage with interior art by Todd and covers by Adam Hughes. Issue #1 goes on sale February 12, 2020.   Will Spider-Man, his friends and foes appear in the series? Find out here! If Todd were to make a comic book of his origin story, what would he include? Todd and I discuss how he creates his comic art, his home studio and his YouTube channel.  We also talk about the reading, caring and feeding of our comics and collecting original art.  What special page of original comic art does Todd cherish?  When I Kick Back With The Creator I ask Todd what he likes for recreation, his favorite birthday, beverage of choice, and what advice he would give to young Todd Nauck. And what moment was a major turning point in his life?    All this is much more on this episode of Crea

Dave Chisholm earned a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music, a professional trumpet player and the writer/artist of Canopus being published through Scout Comics. The first issue of this four-part series is on sale February 12, 2020.  Canopus about an amnesiac astronaut,Helen Sterling,  who wakes up 3,000 light years from earth with a vague memory of an extinction level urgency to return to earth. Trying to return by collecting materials on the planet to repair her ship she encounters her memories in the form of monsters.  The comic has received praise from J.H. Williams III (Batwoman, Promethea Where We Live)  How did Dave connect with J.H.? Why did Dave decide to start making his own comics? What book did he read that changed the way he thinks? What moment was a turning point in his life?  And we Kick Back with the Creator to learn even more about Dave.  Please rate and review Creator Talks on Apple Podcasts About Dave Chisholm About Canopus    

Join host Christopher Calloway and artist Emily Pearson for the Creator Talks last podcast of 2019! Emily's first professional comic art assignments had her join forces with writer Vita Ayala on The Wilds and Pat Shad on Snap Flash Hustle (Black Mask Studios). Emily also contributed covers to Going to the Chapel (Action Labs) written by David Pepose. We discuss her next big project coming in 2020, Bonding, written Matthew Erman.  Bonding is part of Vault Comics new MYRIAD line which consists of middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) graphic novels. Emily contributed to two Kickstarters, which addressed physical and mental illness: Corpus and Everything is Going Wrong: Comics on Punk and Mental Illness. Why were these projects special to Emily? We talk about breaking comfort zones at comic cons and what are some of the ones coming up on the West Coast next year. All this plus: The real reason Christopher watched The Munsters as a kid, Going to California, Kicking Back With The Creator and Baby New Year

Danny Fingeroth joins Creator Talks to discuss his latest book A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee. Danny was the group editor for Spider-Man comics in the 1980s, wrote Deadly Foes of Spider-Man, Lethal Foes of Spider-Man, Dazzler, Venom: Deathtrap - The Vault and the entire 50 issue run of Darkhawk in the 1990s.  We discuss how Danny began working at Marvel for Larry Lieber, his mentor and the brother of Stan Lee. Danny also was the reprint editor for Marvel Comics and explains what the challenge was working with reprints.  What was the first Marvel Comic Danny read, and how do barber shops connect with his comic reading? What is the challenge to writing a good Spider-Man story? When we talk about A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee, we discuss how Danny addressed co-creator credit, how Lee collaborated with Steve Ditko, and how Stan Lee's own life was reflected in the cast of Spider-Man comics. When I Kick Back With The Creator, among the questions I ask Danny are what would be

Don Glut is a prolific writer and director.  In the 1970s Don wrote stories for Warren's Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella, as well as Marvel Comics Captain America, The Invaders and Kull The Destroyer, just to name a few!  Currently Don is working on making another horror motion picture and is currently writing a plethora of horror tales for Warrants black and white horror magazine The Creeps.  Don is "killing it" with his horror stories in The Creeps and is fortunate to be collaborating with some amazingly talented artists who capture the spirit of the old Creepy and Eerie black and white mags. Don's latest film Tales of Frankenstein was recently released in October on Blu-Ray. We talk about the making of this mid-budget horror film to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Don included some classic horror actors the movie and this four-part horror anthology is not to be missed by fans of Frankenstein.  I sat down with Don in person while visiting Las Vegas to discuss how he first di

Happy Thanksgiving! This podcast drops a day early to thank my loyal listeners.  My special guest is Stephanie Phillips writer of The Devil Within (Black Mask Studios) and Descendent (Aftershock).  She is launching a five part series beginning December 4th The Butcher of Paris (Dark Horse Comics).  It features art by prior Creator Talks guest Dean Kotz (Warlords of Mars Attacks).   The Butcher of Paris is a true crime story set during World War Two in Nazi occupied Paris. Marcel Petiot committed a series of murders in the City of Lights, and Detective Georges-Victor Massu and his son Bernard are on the case to find Petiot before the Nazis.  Stephanie explains why she undertook months of historical research, and decided it was time to start writing the story.  She explains why she needed to interview family members to help craft this tale of mystery and murder. Of course we had to talk about the talented creative team working on the series and why they were right for the job,. When I Kick Back With The Cre

Alan Davis is well know among comic book aficionado's as a writer and artist who has worked on nearly every major super-hero character in his decades spanning career. Some of Alan's best work as a writer and/or artist includes Captain Britain, Batman and The Outsiders, Avengers: Prime, Fantastic Four: The End, Excalibur, and X-Men. Alan is writing the brand-new four-part Avengers/Defenders cross-over titled Tarot. He's is collaborating with long-time friend and French artist Paul Renaud. What was the genesis of Tarot? How does Alan approach team books so that he has voice of the characters right and gives each their moment in the spotlight? How did the old black and white comic strips Alan clipped and saved influence his artistic style?  Which ones should comic lovers and artist take note? Did How To Draw Comic The Marvel Way lead to his first professional comic work? What changes to making comics since Alan first began working in the industry does he find most challenging? When I Kick Back With The Crea

Writer Meredith Finch, best known for work her on Wonder Woman, Rose, and Xena catches up with Creator Talks to enlighten us about her Kickstarter for The Book of Ruth. The classic biblical story is refreshed for a more contemporary audiences set in Texas during The Great Depression.  Kickstarter has designated it as a “Project We Love”. Nevada local and graduate of SCAD Colin Dyer provides the art for this beautifully illustrated black and white graphic novel. And there are also several additional cover options to choose from contributed by comic pros such as Jason Fabok, David Finch, Billy Tucci and Lee Weeks. Why did Meredith decide to have her book crowd funded rather than published through Cave Pictures, which published her last mini-series The Light Princess? Meredith also discusses writing her other series now on sale The Age of Conan: Valeria mini-series for Marvel Comics. Valeria first appeared in Robert E. Howard’s final serialized Conan story Red Nails published posthumously in Weird Tales Jul

Happy Halloween! Phil Hester returns to talk about his collaboration with Jeff Lemire on Family Tree through Image Comics. What is it like collaborating with Jeff? What has a comics veteran like Phil learned from Jeff about story telling and pacing?  We share memories of buying packs of comics at large retail outlets, coverless comics and the best hope for comics to continue entertaining and captivating young readers' imaginations.  Phil and I also catch up on the fate of his cancelled Blood Blister series (Aftershock), his contribution  to DC's Secrets of Sinister House #1 2019 Halloween Special and, finally, the release of The Wrench Omnibus published through Omaha Bound. We continue our Kicking Back With The Creator questions covering what really grinds Phils gears about some people working in the comics industry, his own regret and proudest accomplishment working in comics.    Please rate and review Creator Talks on iTunes To order The Wretch Omnibus More about Family Tree (Image Comics)

If you have ever picked up recent copy of Detective Comics, followed Green Lantern or DC's Futures End, then you have cast your eyes upon the stunning inks of Mark Irwin.  A graduate of The Kubert School, Mark has worked as Art Director for Heavy Metal Magazine, Customer Services Manager for Wildstorm Comics, and Art Director for Upper Deck.  Currently Mark is a freelance inker and Senior Editor for Insight Comics.  Mark shares his recollections about growing up reading underground comix and coverless comics he received as gifts. He recalls his years at The Kubert School, how he landed his first paying job while still in school, and ending up as Heavy Metal Magazine's Art Director upon graduating.    Throughout his career, Mark has picked up a great deal of experience and knowledge about being an editor and art director.  Now Executive Editor of Insight Comics, Mark talks about some of the most successful titles they have published and what is planned for 2020.  Mark is also a huge fan of the rock band Ru

Tom Scioli shares his knowledge and deep appreciation of Marvel's First Family the Fantastic Four. Tom reveals his plans for the two-part Fantastic Four Grand Design. We discuss Tom's first work on the FF contributing to Erik Larsen's Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Comic Magazine! Tom also explains why Publisher of Image Comics Jim Valentino paired him Joe Casey for his homage to Jack Kirby Godland.   What Thing piqued Tom's interest in the Fantastic Four? Which FF story was his favorite and which does he believe is the most underrated? If Tom could created his own Fantastic Four villain...would he? Listen in amazement as Tom recalls some of his favorite Fantastic Four What If? stories and lobs some cool ideas for future FF stories! When we Kick Back With The Creator I ask Tom, if it were possible, what would he ask Stan Lee and Jack Kirby about the Fantastic Four? And how would Tom like Marvel to handle a Fantastic Four Lee and Kirby story reprinted in the collected Treasury edition of Fantastic Fou

Jeff Parker joins Creator Talks to discuss the conclusion of his 12 issue series James Bond Origin published through Dynamite Entertainment.  What boundaries did Jeff set for writing Bond’s origin and how did he build on references made in the Ian Fleming novels?  How did he avoid the trap of writing a story that simply paid “fan service” and who are Jeff's favorite actors who portrayed 007?  Next, we dig into Jeff’s latest series John Carter Warlord Of Mars Attacks, also published throughDynamite Entertainment.  How did Jeff and series artist Dean Kotz develop the look of John Carter, and how did Jeff decide to explain the process of Carter’s teleportations to Mars?  We also talk about the Disney movie John Carter (2012) and what would have made it a commercial success.    Of course we had to talk about the Batman ‘66 series Jeff wrote! We discuss some of the issues around licensing character likenesses, going beyond villains who appeared in the television series, and how difficult it was produce those

Super-Heroes have become modern mythology.   What are some of the enduring myths of ancient cultures and why do they still connect with modern audiences? My guests Caleb Palmquist and Greg Anderson Elysee answer these questions and in a new anthology now on Kickstarter Modern Mythology: A Hero’s Journey  This all-new 160+ pages of soft cover book features 17 stories by 29 talented creators, plus pinups by additional independent comic book artists. It is also packed with facts about the myths in the book including information about the cultures, histories, and storytelling traditions from which they come. Greg is the writer of the 14-page story Is'nana the Were-Spider with art by David Brame.   He talks about growing up reading Black and Africa-American superhero comics. What did those writers get right and what did they get wrong?  Greg provides some background on Is’nana and the other books he has written about this hero.  When I Kick Back With The Creator the spotlight is on Greg as we learn how he l