MIKE ALLRED: CATCHING UP WITH THE MAD MAN

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

In the coming months, Mike Allred is making a whirlwind tour throughout the comic industry. He checks in at DC with a featured issue of Solo in October, then hops over to Marvel to do a few covers and a little thing called X-Statix (we'll get to that), and then he comes back to home with another issue of the work closest to his heart, The Golden Plates.

With so much going on in his mind, you'd think this creator of Madman might be a little mad himself… right? Newsarama decided to find out the truth from the man himself just exactly what's going on.

NRAMA: First off in your upcoming grocery list of projects, how did you initially get involved with the Solo series?

MA: Mark Chiarello, the editor, told me about the project when he was first developing it years ago and asked me if I'd be interested. I told him "Heck yeah!" "Sign me up!"

NRAMA: Your lead story features Hourman, in what the solicitations describe as a story to “find out how much super-heroing a hero can do.” What is it about Hourman that draws you to him for this story?

MA: As a kid Hourman seemed cool (I was exposed to him through those 100 page super spectacular reprints) because all he had to do was take a pill and he was super for an hour. I could imagine a Flintstone vitamin could do the same for me. So. I'd take my vitamin and then run around the back yard in circles for an hour and call it a day.

For years I thought it would be kinda neat to have Hourman take his pill and then click off the hour with each panel representing a minute. This gave me the chance to make that happen.

NRAMA: Probably the most eyebrow-raising story in the issue is “Batman A-Go-Go!”. Can you tell us more about this story?

MA: Perfect example. As a kid I took the Batman TV series of the 60s very seriously. Of course now I realize how corny and goofy it was. But my affection for it is endless. So I tried to strike a balance by taking that version and making it somewhat serious, or a translation of how I saw it as a child.

Lee took my story and scripted it out for me to give it a fresh perspective since it was a story I planned on doing years ago as a prestige format one-shot but it fell through. So, he whittled it down to a 18 page script.

NRAMA: Your issue also features a Metal Man pin-up. Not many people would know this, but you were briefly signed up with Evan Dorkin to do a Metal Men series for DC. Although it unfortunately fell through, can you tell us what makes Metal Men so interesting to you?

MA: It was just one of those concepts that was saturated with charm and color; goofy fun on the surface, but also potentially deep with existentialism. I think therefore I am.

NRAMA:Doom Patrol vs. Teen Titans; arguably two of the most unique and diverse teams in the DC pantheon. How does this go?

MA: Yup, but also both were first drawn by the crazily underrated and under appreciated Bruno Premiani. One of my very very favorite artists. That story is a fan letter to Bruno and his collaborator Arnold Drake.

NRAMA: You're also doing a New Gods short entitled "Fourth World Wager". Were you reading the New Gods stories when DC and Kirby originally released them, or how were you introduced to them?

MA: My older brother, Lee brought those in the house when they first came out. I was too young to fully appreciate them beyond the powerfully energetic imagery. It was years later after Frank Miller sung their praises that I bit and was completely captured.

NRAMA: Rounding out the book is “Comic Book Clubhouse”, which promises to feature just about every DC hero imaginable. Who were some of your favorite characters to draw?

MA: And my favorites? Impossible. It changed depending on who I was working on. Robotman? Kid Flash? Orion? Wonder Girl? All of them.

NRAMA: With Solo you’re given a free reign on what and who you want to portray. But with such classic characters, how do you decide on the version of the character you illustrate?

MA: Easy. I almost always prefer the original concept of the character. Or in the case of Batman, the version I was first exposed to: Or how I perceived him to be.

NRAMA: Your brother Lee Allred is lending a hand for Solo; can you tell us about you and his relationship to comics, and what specifically he’s helping you out with?

MA: If it weren't for Lee I would have missed out on the greatness of comic books and the best creators making them in my childhood. He was the Wally to my Theodore. Our childhood was ripe with comic books, reading them and copying them. they were ever present. I don't know how Lee was turned on to them. But he definitely was my biggest influence.

When I became reintroduced to comics as an adult in the late 80s, I was bitten with the bug to try making my own again and this time Lee and I started a super hero series called They. We never got anywhere with it mostly due to my sub par skills at the time. Lee has since written several sci-fi stories for various digests and is now finishing his first novel. When I got the Solo invite and the opportunity to play with all my favorite DC characters, it seemed like the perfect chance to make the childhood dreams Lee and I had come true. So, he wrote and co-wrote some of the stories. It has resulted in one of the most satisfying and joyful collaborations in my life.

NRAMA: Switching subjects, we’re coming up upon the release of the fourth volume of The Golden Plates. What has the response been like so far?

MA: Surprisingly strong. I'm thrilled with how interested and open minded so many people seem to be.

NRAMA: As a Mormon you’ve already had extensive knowledge of The Book of Mormon, but has the process of adapting the story for The Golden Plates led to any revealed nuances of the story that you remember?

MA: It's mainly steeled up the specific revelations and their contexts in my mind. The flow of events has crystallized for me. Before, I was more familiar with specific stories and revelations without having a clear understanding of how they connected and connected to life as I know it.

NRAMA: How man volumes do you have planned for the series?

MA: I'm still confident it will be about twelve. Possibly as few as ten

NRAMA: One of the big stories coming out of the summer convention season is the return of the X-Statix. Did you and Peter have this planned all along, or was it something that came about later?

MA: Peter got the bug. I guess he felt Dead Girl's story hadn't been told completely. It broke my heart when I was first approached because I figured there was no way I could be involved with my schedule and being late on Volume 3 of The Golden Plates.

But after some back and forth, scheduling discussions, and the compromise of me doing the inks and covers, I'm able to play ball now. Everything is falling groovily into place.

NRAMA: Considering the way X-Statix ended with the changes in the Lady Diana storyarc, did you have some reluctance before you finally signed up for it?

MA: The "Di" incident hit me hard. Maybe even harder than Peter, but I doubt it. I just complained a lot louder after it took me out at the knees after drawing three whole issues and having them nixed. There's probably no moral to this story. I've been fully aware of the treatment of artists and writers my entire career. I've just been spoiled by enjoying most of my successes with my own creations and the freedoms that going along with that. And with the exception of that one crazy situation, my experience with Marvel, Axel, Joe, and all the terrific supporting players and co-stars was 100% killer. It's like winning a billion dollar lottery and complaining that the air conditioning isn't working on my private jet.

So, the short answer is, when I was asked if I'd join back in, I didn't have any reservations. I just had to figure out a way to make it work without messing up my other commitments. I'm excited to see how this plays out.

[tralfaz]

i now have new wallpaper, thanks allred

[Lex]

Allred's Solo issue should be wall-to-wall fun! I can't wait!

[Bill_Nolan]

What happened to the original cover of Solo?

- Bill

[WookieLove]

I haven't bought a "Solo" yet, but I'll be picking up this one. Allred is such an incredible artist. The DC clubhouse pic that's in the article is my new, sweet PC background. I really wish he would get a Spidey title; he was born to draw Spiderman. He and PAD on Friendly would have been perfect.

[Bill_Nolan]

From DC's site:



- Bill

[ALIEN_freak_jimbo]

Oh man! I can't wait! We're going to have oodles of ginchy Allred all year long!! DC should just give Allred his own SOLO book where he can do whatever he wants month-in-month-out!

Illustrating the Book of Mormon?
er, okeydokey!

[WookieLove]

Maybe the mayor of Quahog complained about the old cover...

[LazarusMan]

I'm no fan of DC proper, but his work I am always ready to jump on, just like Darwyn Cooke's. And a new X-Statix? Is this a new series, a return, or just a mini?

[Tom Daylight]

the original cover appears to include the banned-at-dc-for-some-ridiculous-reason yellow bat symbol.

[Loomis]

It may be tiny and in the background, but Mike Allred draws Green Arrow!

Woohoo!

Despite dropping almost all my titles recently, will definitely be looking for this one...

[mpg]

Originally posted by LazarusMan
I'm no fan of DC proper, but his work I am always ready to jump on, just like Darwyn Cooke's. And a new X-Statix? Is this a new series, a return, or just a mini?

x-statix is a limited series, dr strange on the cover with dead girl

it was billed as having guest appearances from all of marvels most famous dead characters!! ultra neat!!!!

[O.J. Flow]

Puurrrrrrr...

[jedifish]

This looks pretty cool. I may have to check it out.

[SeamusMcClernan]

Earth-2 Robin!!!

I'm not crazy! You all SEE him, right???

Crisis my ass!!!

[BlueThunderArmy]

Man this looks good.

And as much as I don't care about the Metal Men, Allred with Evan Dorkin would have been a blast.

[Mister]

Solo is the best DC Comics series right now, all fun; I hope it's collected in hardcovers or trades

[Supreme Convoy]

I can't wait for this Solo issue!

[johnnystorm]

ALLRED SHOULD DO ULTIMATES VOL 3...

Not Battlechasers guy... ugh.

[The Marvel]

They replaced the Batman cover?!?

What a rip-off.

[Sesshomaru]

ALLRED SHOULD DO ULTIMATES VOL 3...Not Battlechasers guy... ugh.

Please no !!! I wish Allred good luck , but i'll still hope he doesnt get any books i read , since i aint a fan of his art . no ill feeling toward him , nor hatred , i just dont enjoy his stuff.

[LazarusMan]

Originally posted by mpg
x-statix is a limited series, dr strange on the cover with dead girl

it was billed as having guest appearances from all of marvels most famous dead characters!! ultra neat!!!!

Thanks I will officially be picking it up. But then I have to ask, who all is actually dead in the Marvel Universe?

And yes, I am a lover of the Marvels. But I can still point out some glaring flaws. Does this mean like Uncle Ben, the Spider-clones, and Gwen and Arthur Stacy?

Or the thousands of villains that Wolverine and the Punisher killed?

[johnnystorm]

Originally posted by Sesshomaru
Please no !!! I wish Allred good luck , but i'll still hope he doesnt get any books i read , since i aint a fan of his art . no ill feeling toward him , nor hatred , i just dont enjoy his stuff.

Now that's a darn shame throwing away a perfectly good Allred complement.

[brawl2099]

Man I love this guy. I've only picked up two Solo issues thus far (Sale and Corben's, but I want to get Cooke's) and this one looks like #3. Sweetness.

When did Golden Plates #3 come out? Hrm.

My dream pick for Allred would be a Spider-Man LS. I really think that would be the greatest.

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by Bill_Nolan
What happened to the original cover of Solo?

- Bill

I'd like to know this as well.

Perhaps Allred opted to have it changed?

At anyrate, I can't wait for this. I'm buying two copies, one to read and the other to cut up and decoupage.

And I seriously can't wait for the new X-Statix.