NEWSARAMA'S JIM STARLIN INTERVIEW, PART 1

[MattBrady]

Not only does he create and write heroes, but Jim Starlin is a hero. Earlier this week, we let you know that Starlin was up for reader questions – that is, any topic about his work, comics in general, or…anything, and he’d (ideally) answer.

The questions rolled in, and frankly, we here at Newsarama HW figured Jim would picks and choose his questions.

Wrong.

He took ‘em all, adding his name to the hall of fame that includes Brian Bendis and Geoff Johns. Without further ado – let’s get rolling on the interview with Jim Starlin that you created.

For more Starlin-y goodness from earlier this week, click here for Jim talking about Kid Kosmos Kidnapped, and here for Jim talking about Mystery in Space.

Web Hobbit
Hey Jim! I'm a BIG fan of your work especially the Marvel Thanos/Warlock stuff. I like a lot of other folks hated to see you leave Thanos. Was your split with Marvel something you see as a "permanent" situation (at least with the current Editorial regime) or is there some hope for us Starlin-Marvel fans that you could soon return to Cosmic Marvel sometime post the Annihilation Event?

Jim Starlin
At this point in time I do not see myself working for Marvel on any project. Events, that occurred during my last stint on Thanos, make it difficult for me to even consider such a move. Besides I have another Kid Kosmos Graphic novel on the planning board and am currently starting on a rather large project for DC Comics, which will come out some time next year or the year after.

J. Wilson
Will there ever be a continuation of the Dreadstar story or have you said everything you wanted to say already?

Jim Starlin
I have one more Dreadstar story I’d like to do. But at this time there are no plans as to where or when I might get around to working on this tale. I don’t think I’m quite ready to yet do this final Dreadstar story.

Unknown
Pick a question, any question, Mr. Starlin. Though if you answer them all, I won't mind.

1.) Why did you start writing comic books?

2.) Why do you gravitate toward space-stories with a quasi-mystical theme?

3.) Will Captain Comet and the Weird be the only two main characters, or will there be others?

Jim Starlin
1.) I like to say that I started writing my own stories in self defense. I was asked to draw a few fill-in pages on a Marvel title. The scene had a character (who was having trouble with his girlfriend) kicking over a trash can in disgust. He then says, “Look what that woman has driven me to! I’m turning into a litter bug!” I decided I could do better than that. Roy Thomas was kind enough to give me a shot at scripting and it went from there.

2.) Space stories are my preference because they don’t require you drawing either horses or cars. But seriously, I tend to head into outer space because many of my stories involve cultural or political themes and setting them in alternative realities makes it easier to tell the tale. This way you get to avoid dead ends that real life might lead you to. The quasi-mystical slant mostly comes from the fact that the majority of my work is in the heroic fantasy genre. With super heroes you can either go with the dumb brute model or the thinking/mystical archetype. I prefer the latter.

3.) Comet (not Captain Comet) and the Weird are the main characters. In Comet there are several supporting characters from the old Hardcore Station series: Chief Justice Max, Eye, Entreplaneteurs Inc. and of course Hardcore Station itself.

CylverSaber
Hi Jim, just to follow up on one of the questions asked above, on his message board, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort said that your reason for leaving Marvel had nothing to do with the Thanos series itself, and that you publicly criticized Marvel following your departure. However, I don't recall this. Could you expound a bit on what your problem with Marvel was?

Jim Starlin
This is ancient history, as far as I’m concerned. So all I’ll say is that my departure from Marvel involved Adam Warlock, who was appearing as a supporting character in Thanos.

350z
I thank you in advance for your time and attention, and I look forward to your responses from the questions that are selected. Here are mine:

1. Will there be any reprint material from the Cosmic Guard miniseries in the new project?

2. Do you have any plans to revisit Breed? If so, then when?

3. What are your feelings about current storytelling techniques (both writing and artwork--"decompressed storytelling", "photo-tracing", et. al.) compared to earlier time periods (late 70's, 80's and even the 90's)?

Jim Starlin

1.) No, Kid Kosmos Kidnapped is an original 144 page graphic novel (not 122 as reported earlier). It’s all new material. The Kid Kosmos: Cosmic Guard collection, which will be coming out some time in the next few months, will have all the Cosmic Guard material, plus several covers for the Kid Kosmos Kidnapped series that never came to fruition. We decided to go the graphic novel route and so the covers became filler material for the Cosmic Guard collection.

2.) There are four issues of ‘Breed III in various states of completion. At first, we couldn’t get a publisher interested in it after Malibu Comics went under. There’s been some talk of collecting the whole ‘Breed tale into one large graphic novel. Time restraints on my part, make it impossible to be more specific than that. There should be some “dynamite” news in the future.

3.) Storytelling, like all art forms, is subject to evolution and change. There’s no time period which I would point to and say “that” is how it should be done. There are numerous individual artists and writers I could point to as positive examples of storytelling. Still more I could cite as bad examples. Someone once claimed that 90% of everything produced is garbage. I have no reason to disagree with this sentiment. I search out what I think is good and avoid the rest.

DPG
Love your work! Sounds silly but you are one of the few Professionals that get their own long box in my collection. You, Frank Miller and Byrne (be nice!)

Here's my question:

Do you miss the old days of Marvel when everything seemed so new and amazing? You know the Epic, Warlock, Dreadstar days?

Not that things are bad now though.

Jim Starlin
I have to admit I miss the free flow of those old days. When I started in this business I could talk to an editor (at one of the Big Two companies) about a project in the afternoon and start working on it that night. Now there are so many levels you have to go through before anything is approved that you might have to wait many months before you can get started. You can easily lose interest in a project during this wait.

wchoco23
Have you wanted to revisit the Weird since the end of the miniseries? If not, what made you want to come back to write the character?

Jim Starlin
Yes, I suggested doing the Weird to Dan Didio some time last year. I didn’t happen then. But when we lost Adam Strange in Mystery in Space (because of events occurring in the 52 series) the Weird and Comet were brought in as replacements.

SyVyN11
Both parts of MiS look and read good from previews, so I'll be picking it up.

Now for the question:

Are there any characters in the DCU (non cosmic) that you want to work on?

Batman: The Cult remains a thrilling read.

Jim Starlin
There have been a group of characters (cosmic) that I have long wanted to work on and am about to begin doing so. But, no, at this time I can’t say anything more about the project than that. Non cosmic? Might like to take another shot at writing some more Batman stories down the line.

Rodrigo Baeza
In an interview posted last year in a Spanish website (http://www.tebeosfera.com/Documento/...lin/Jim_1.htm), you mention that you were informed that you won't be able to get work at Marvel until you apologize to Joe Quesada, but that you don't know what you're supposed to apologize about. Has that situation changed during the last year? Do you have an idea of what the problem with Quesada was?

Jim Starlin
Yes, I was informed I need to apologize for something I did before I again get any work up at Marvel. But I have no idea what I should apologize for, so...

greenflameuk
Any chance that Kyle Rayner (Ion), or any other Green Lantern's will show up in Mystery in Space?.

Jim Starlin
Not to my knowledge. I’m leaving MiS after issue #8, which I’m finishing off even as I answer these questions. Only have about five pages of Weird pencils left to do. I like to work way ahead of schedule. There’s nothing I dislike more than deadline pressures.

delawarejoe!
Mr. S - it was a pleasure to meet you at Wizard World Philly - and the only creator I have more of in my collection is Jack Kirby. Loved Cosmic Guard and looking fwd to KK and MIS. That said --

What are the chances (given your current work on DC titles) that we might see some "Fourth World" Starlin? I would think this would be a perfect match, and you have done some in the past - a nice long run ala Simonson's Orion would be heavenly.

Jim Starlin
As I mentioned earlier I have a rather large job scheduled for DC Comics. So that pretty much precludes me taking on any long-run series for DC or any other company. I’m actually going to have to sneak in pages of Kid Kosmos between chapters of this job.

Tycho
Hello, Mr. Starlin. I adore your work and am so glad to see that you have upcoming projects. Simple question: which of your own stories are you most proud of?

Jim Starlin
An easy question to answer. I’m still proudest of The Death of Captain Marvel, followed closely by various Dreadstar stories, Warlock, Kid Kosmos Kidnapped, the Thanos Quest and a series next-to-nobody ever read, called Wyrd, the Mystic Warrior (still available through Slave Labor Graphics):

Warlock
I'm a huge fan, I've been collecting comics for years, and I as far as Im concerned the Warlock saga of the mid-seventies is the greatest epic ever told in comics. Given the time period, and the comics code authority, I'm astonished they let you publish all the Messiah stuff! How did you get away with it?

Whatever happened at Marvel... Quesada needs to make amends because the treatment of Thanos, as well as all things cosmic, is not the same without you. He's your big, rocky, evil baby and the best villain of the Marvel Universe. The first six issues of Thanos were spectacular... I'd love to see more of that.

Looking forward to the new stuff.

Jim Starlin
Didn’t I used to draw you?

The secret of my success along those lines had a lot to do with the fact that Roy Thomas was the sole editor up at Marvel at that time and was terribly overworked. I took advantage of the situation and turned my jobs in at the very last moment. That way there was no time to change anything. But I still had to deal with the Comic Code. The year Warlock came out the Comic Code only cited seven violations that the publishers had to change. Four of those seven changes were in Warlock.

Eldritch
Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain America?

Ha-ha. Just kidding.

I don't have a question so much as a request. I'm a HUGE fan of your work with Adam Warlock, and was hoping you could maybe share an old story, or bit of "inside information" regarding the character and your work with him. You know, just something we in the general public might not know.

PS: Loved Dreadstar and Breed, as well. Looking forward to Mystery in Space.

Jim Starlin
Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain America? The Hulk.

When I finished with Captain Marvel I had turned him from a warrior into a mystic. Adam Warlock was a mystical messiah. Where to go from there? Decided to reverse course and turn him into a suicidal paranoid/schizophrenic, which was the way I was feeling at the time. I’ve always used my work to examine what is currently going on in my own life. It’s cheaper than going to a shrink. The Death of Captain Marvel was a great way of working through my own father’s death.

silogramsam
Thanks for taking these questions.

First, why a new Captain Comet, or is it the same guy in a new body?

Second, will we see your Starman (Prince Gavyn)? I always liked that character and was glad to see him in the Rann/Thanagar War.

Third, will we see any of the established space characters - I know most of them are set in the future but when has that ever stopped a good writer - Ultra appeared in the R/T War and he's supposed to be living in future. I'd love to see the Knights of the Galaxy for instance.

Fourth, are there plans to make Mystery in Space a long term monthly or does it depend on sales?

Lastly: two words: Space Ghost

Jim Starlin
1.) Don’t want to say much about this. It would ruin the story for those who want to dive into MIS without having story points revealed beforehand.

2.) No, Starman won’t be appearing in MIS. Was rather surprised and pleased to see Starman (in the costume I designed up for him) in the R/T War.

3.) Star Hawkins makes a brief appearance in MIS #2.

4.) As always it depends on sales. But DC feels they have a hit with MIS and are already talking about what comes next. No, I can’t tell you what they have planned. I do, Dan Didio will kill me. No, seriously, he’ll do me in.

5.) Who’s he?

niveKswoB
Will the Weird be an updated version of the character to fit in with new earth or will it be a continuation of the mini-series?

Is there plans to put of THE WEIRD limited series in trade?

I still think your COSMIC ODYSSEY story was fantastic, any chance you will try your hands a the Fourth World stuff again?

Jim Starlin
1.) The Weird is a continuation of the original character but, as you’ll see, it’s not Earth he pops up on. I mean, the title of the book is Mystery in SPACE!

2.) Dan Didio tells me that there are plans to trade paperback the original Weird miniseries.

3.) I’m pretty well booked up on work for the next year or so but you never can tell what might happen in the future.

JoeGKushner
Being an artist as well as a writer, do you sometimes find it difficult to work with others in that their vision, either writing or illustrating, doesn't match what you have planned?

Jim Starlin
Yes, there have been a few stories I had to draw that were like pulling my own teeth, the writing was so bad. But there have also been some terrific stories others have written for me, like Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, Ron Marz and a few others.

I’ve been more fortunate with artists who have drawn my stories. Bernie Wrightson and Ron Lim are two I have worked long term with that have always been a pleasure, for very different reasons. I have run into the occasional penciler who’s weak in the storytelling department. Those are painful memories to recall. You always want to work with someone who works with you, not against you.

DPG
Another question:

After your long career, how do you manage to stay interested in what you do? I know with my career, I get burnt out all the time. How do you keep going and still manage to create great work?

Jim Starlin
Every assignment or project is something new. The right job gets your juices going every time. The only time I have trouble is at the end of a long job. Right now I have only about five pages left to pencil on the Weird segment of MIS #8. It’s remarkable the things I have found to do over the past few days to keep me from finishing off those last few pages. It’s especially bad this time because the next job on the schedule is one I can’t wait to sink my teeth into.

Predabot1
Wow! 0_0 He wrote, sketched, inked and coloured this entire novel?? That takes an awful lot of time, so there's gotta be a deep love of the art here. Now for some questions..

Mr Starlin:

What did you think about Marvels Epic imprint when it came around in the 80's, and most specifically the title called Epic Illustrated?

What is your personal, not professional, opinion on Jack Kirby? And did you ever meet him in person?

Thank you

Jim Starlin
1.) First off I think Archie Goodwin, the imprints editor, was possibly the best editor in the business. He knew exactly when to get his fingers into the mix and when to sit back and watch; a rare talent in editors. Plus Epic Illustrated and the Epic line of comics produced some of the best work of that time period. Remember Groo and Dreadstar came out of Epic.

2.) Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko were the two artists that inspired me more than any other artists when I was a kid. Al Milgrom and I once went to visit Jack out in California. I had met several other of my other idols by then and had found that many of them had feet of clay. Jack certainly wasn’t in that category. He was a delight to talk with and I went away from that visit flying on a creative cloud 9. By the way, Steve Ditko also turned out to be a great guy. I can pick ‘em.

T5universe
Would you ever be interested in doing a few stories with Legion Of Super-Heroes?

And if so, do a story about the Infinite Man?

Jim Starlin
Have to admit I’m not a big Legion of Super Heroes fan. Yeah, I know I did a couple of stories involving the characters but I never really bonded with them. Don’t care much for the X-men either. Now everyone can be mad at me. Have no idea who the Infinite Man is. He anything like Kirby’s Infinity Man?

OM
...Three questions come to mind:

1) Do you have any plans of revisiting the three god-like characters you created at the end of Metamorphosis Odyssey?

2) How did The Weird come about in the first place? Seemed odd at the time for DC to go with a close-ended mini like that without the possibility of a continuing series of some sort, much less a sequel.

3) What would it take to get you to return to the Legion and save it from the evil grasp of Mark Waid?

Jim Starlin
1.) They would play a role in any final Dreadstar story I would do.

2.) The Weird was a story I approached DC with. Kind of hazy on how it all came together. I designed up the character so I believe I was playing around with the idea of drawing it. But then Bernie came along and asked if there was anything he and I could work on together. So I got replaced by a better artist. Same thing happened with the Cosmic Odyssey. I actually drew three or four pages of that one. Killing off a character at the end of a series is no big deal, especially if he was brought back to life to start off with. As I recall the Weird sold well enough but DC wanted Bernie and I to do the Cult next and the Weird just sort of got forgotten about.

3.) In the past I have been accused of being overly daring and foolhardy but even I wouldn’t dream of challenging the power of the Waid.

Laimbeer
1) Which DC and/or Marvel characters that you have never done would you like to write?

2) Are there any non-comic properties (television, movies, novels) that you would love to use in a comic book story?

Jim Starlin
1.) Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and the Martian Manhunter are two that I’d like to play with someday.

2.) No, don’t have time to do all the stories that are already floating around in my head. Besides movie and television tie-ins are a pain in the you-know-what.

ranger_one
1) Any idea if Marvel is ever going to compile your Warlock work ala Life of Captain MArvel. I've been waiting for this for years.

2) Any more Dreadstar? I was always waiting for the story when the "Infinity Horn" blowing people returned.

Thanks man, always liked your stuff.
(Why aren't you doing Green Lantern- no one does cosmic better than you. OK that's THREE.)

Jim Starlin
1.) Strangely enough Marvel doesn’t consult with me on their reprint and trade paperback plans. It seems like they’re reprinting a lot of my stuff lately but I have no idea what else might be coming down the tubes. As for Warlock, Marvel tends to do trades on characters that are currently popular and I fear most have forgotten my Adam Warlock after the revamped version of the character Marvel did shortly after my stint on Thanos.

2.) Answered this one earlier.

3.) Maybe somewhere down the line.

Matic
1] What do you think about the possibility of resurrecting Captain Mar-vell and would you be interested in working on the character again?

2] What series that you've never worked on before would you most like like to write /draw.

3] Why hasn't Marvel collected the Warlock stuff? [I want a hard cover!!] That stuff is like a bible to me =)

4] What next as far as creator owned stuff ? [After Kid Kosmos]

5] Why did you only do 6 issues of the Thanos series? What was the conflict with the editorial department that led to your exit from the series.

6] What body of work are you most proud of?

7] Any chance of ever seeing a Gamorrah solo series?

8] Which character would you most like to revisit? Thanos , Breed , Adam Warlock , Captain Marvell , Drax , Gamorrah, Dreadstar , or others?

9] Will the next chapter in Cosmic Guard [Kid Kosmos] be similar to the first? I noticed your style was more "cartoony" than usual and the series seemed more kid friendly than your usual stuff.

10] Any chance of seeing an all new creator owned limited "prestige format" series similar to Gilgamesh II? [Probably one of my favorite books...and also your most underrated project]

11] Can we see your unused designs for Captain Comet ? Any chance of seeing you do more pencils on the series in the future?

Jim Starlin
Whoa! Man, you’re way over the limit!

1.) Bad idea. No.

2.) About to start working on it now but DC Comics will pull out my toe nails if I tell you what it is. Second choice: Hal Jordan.

3.) No idea. Maybe write Marvel and suggest it. It would get a better response coming from you than from me.

4.) More Kid Kosmos.

5.) Check out the first answer in this article.

6.) Death of Captain Marvel, Dreadstar, Kid Kosmos, Warlock, Wyrd.

7.) Not from me.

8.) Dreadstar or ‘Breed.

9.) I, personally, see a big art difference between the Cosmic Guard and Kid Kosmos Kidnapped. The latter I think is an improvement. Kid friendly? Well, the hands and feet are a bit bigger...

10.) Nothing or the horizon except Kid Kosmos.

11.) I wanted to go in a radically different route on Comet’s outfit design. DC felt more comfortable with the old outfit. That’s why Shane Davis did the revamp on his costume. Maybe down the line I’ll show off my ideas on what Comet should have looked like and everyone will suddenly realize what an editorial genius Bob Schreck truly is. Seriously, looking back, my Comet designs weren’t all that good.

Endocrine
I was wondering if you had any plans to return to writing prose novels. I have two of your novels (of which "Thinning the Predators" is my favorite), and really enjoyed them. Also hoping if there is a publisher interested enough in re-issuing your novels.

Jim Starlin
Nothing on the boards along those lines. I like words with pictures too much these days. Nothing planned on reprints, as far as I know. But I’m pretty sure all three novels can still be found though Amazon.com.

Jeff Albertson
Mr. Starlin, first off, thanks for all the entertainment you've given me over the years.

1) Prior to the Death of Jason Todd, was the decision to darken his character yours or dictated from above? If so, who made the decision?

2) In the 10 Nights of the Beast Storyline, was it your intention to have Batman let the Beast die? Did that aspect of the story get any notice from editorial before publication?

3) Do you have any sort of royalty agreement regarding Thanos, Gamora, etc? (I'd like to see Marvel release a Warlock HC like they did the Eternals, but I'd like to be reassured that you'd benefit.)

4) What happened with those first Dreadstar trades? I was so happy to see those stories reprinted in trade form -- until I saw the final product. I'm wary of buying any other collections sight unseen now.

5) What happened with the Legion of Super-Heroes Omega story? The first LSH you did was wonderful (Rubenstein is one of your finest inkers), the second I didn't enjoy so much -- the story seemed oddly paced, and the inking was inappropriate. (I wouldn't mind you doing more Legion, but I like the current Mark Waid series, so don't listen to OM about that.)

6) Any hints on where you would have eventually gone with OMAC? That was one of the big losses when the DC implosion hit, and when they finally printed some of the stories later, it again had inappropriate inking, and seemed to peter out before any sort of conclusion was reached.

7) Any interest in doing a team book like JLA or Avengers?

8) Anybody you'd like to work with, but haven't had a chance to yet?

9) Any dream project with existing characters?

10) Any dream project involving your own characters?

Sorry for so many questions, but I want to take full advantage of this opportunity. Thanks for considering these.

Jim Starlin
1.) Never liked Batman with a kid sidekick. As I recall my Jason Todd was pretty dark because I didn’t like having him in the story. Remember really pitching a fit when Denny O’Neil insisted I give him a solo story during my run on Batman.

2.) Always figured the Beast would buy it in the nasty fashion he did die in, tapped and alone. I don’t recall any negative reaction to it at the time.

3.) No, I only receive a small reprint fee on any books. Any movies or toys and I get zilch.

4.) The new trades coming from Dynamite Entertainment are full-color hi-grade reproductions. Have no fear. Buy two.

5.) The Omega story was originally a 64 page annual that got cut down to whatever it ended up getting printed as. Didn’t like the end product so much that I asked for my name to be removed from it.

6.) To tell you the truth I never had any long term plans on OMAC, was just sort of flying by the seat of my pants on that one. Al Milgrom, the book’s then editor, knew Kamandi was not long for this world and so I just made them up as it looked like they were needed.

7.) Writing the JLA might be cool.

8.) I’d like to write something for Bill Sienkiewicz someday. Always loved his art.

9.) My next project for DC Comics.

10.) More Kid Kosmos.

grphxkinaguy
Jim, how would you feel if Captain Marvel was resurrected?

Jim Starlin
Poorly.

Mr Steggie
Hey Jim,

Has there ever been talks to collect all the Warlock stuff in one volume, as a paperback or hardcover?

thanks!

Jim Starlin
Not to my knowledge.

Spade
Did I miss the 3rd and final installment of Breed?

Jim Starlin
No, I just couldn’t find anyone to publish at the time, other projects came up. But time permitting, it’s in the future and Dynamite will publish it when it’s ready.

Pilto
Jim: Do you have any plans for a follow up to your and Daina Graziunas excellent novel "Thinning the Predators?"

For those of you who haven't read it, it's a fantastic book. I finished it in two days.

Jim Starlin
Wish I could have written it that quickly. No, there are no plans for any words-without-pictures books.

mrhelm
1. Of all the characters you haven't written, who would you most like to tackle?

2. Considering your use of Hardcore Station in the upcoming Mystery in Space, do you still own the rights to those characters?

3. Do you have a lot of love for massively muscled alien guys? Between Thanos, Synnar, and the High Papal, I've always wondered.

Jim Starlin
1.) GL (HJ), JLA and MM (JJ).

2.) Yes.

3.) Don’t forget Mongul. Yes, the big guys are scary. But I’ve also done skinny bad guys. Check out Deacon Dark in the upcoming Weird series in MIS.

Musclebound
I'd like to say that I love your work, and I have been a huge fan ever since the Warlock reprints in Fantasy Masterpieces back in 1980.

My questions are:

1. Is there any chance of new Dreadstar material? And in addition, I LOVED the Dynamic Forces Deluxe Edition; are there any plans for a second deluxe edition covering subsequent issues??

2. I really really miss 'Breed. Will you revisit the character anytime soon?

3. Movies. Are there any of your concepts in development for the silver screen, or otherwise??

I am all over Mystery in Space. The Weird was a GREAT mini-series. Glad to see you were able to bring him back after almost 20 years! Very cool.

I haven't bought Cosmic Guard yet, but I plan on getting the entire run soon so I can be up to speed with the graphic novel. Keep up the excellent work Jim. I'd say you were a legend, but hey, you already know that. Thanks for all the wonderful stories that you've given us. I treasure them. Good luck in your future projects!!

Jim Starlin
1.) I believe Dynamic Forces is going to reprint the Metamorphosis Odyssey a month after Kid Kosmos Kidnapped comes out.

2.) Asked and answered.

3.) I understand there’s a Shang Chi movie in the works and I’ve been told that the new Ghost Rider movie made use of my race between Death and Ghost Rider in its story.

roblewmac
Hello Mister Starlin. The Death of Robin. Why a crowbar instead of something more exotic?

Sounds trite but I REALLY am a huge fan!

Jim Starlin
I simply wanted something crude and ugly to be the means of Robin’s end.

Agent69
Personally, I consider Metamorphosis Odyssey Book 1, serialized in Epic Illustrated, to be the best thing you ever did. Is there any chance of a color reprint? I bought the one by SLG but I was very disappointed by its size and quality.

Jim Starlin
Come November Dynamic Forces should be fulfilling your wish.

Darth Kramer
First, as a long-time comic book fan, it is because of discovering my uncle's old issues of Warlock and Captain Marvel that sucked me into my love of comics, so thank you for that!

Now, my question. Would you rather be remembered as one of the most prolific creators in the cosmic realm of comics with prominently expanding the cosmic mythos of the Marvel U as created by Kirby and Lee, or be known for getting to the heart of the characters and telling excellent stories, which is what makes your cosmic work so excellent. Thanos is one of my favorite characters. He has grand aspirations and has the power to get what he wants, but most of the time, his greatest enemy is himself, and in the end, he does it all to impress a girl. Also, with the Death of Captain Marvel, one of the most powerful alien characters around succumbs to the most human disease of all. So, while the stories are grand and universe-spanning in nature, it's the characters and their personal battles, not cosmic ones, that draw me in.

I'm looking forward to reading your upcoming works, but most of all, looking forward to meeting you at Wizard World Chicago. Thank you for all of the work you have created in the past, as well as what you have coming out in the future!

Jim Starlin
Never given it much thought about what I’d like to be remembered as. That seems like it’s kind of a futile exercise. Those closest to me will remember me for what I’ve said and done or not said and done. Those who read my comic work and remember it will probably soon pass not long after I do, relatively speaking. What I do is pop culture. It fades with time. If I truly wanted to leave something lasting I’d be building bridges of museums.

chr70
I'm from Argentina and a big fan of your work. What is the status of 'Breed? Thanks for everything.

Jim Starlin
Maybe all three parts as a collected graphic novel down the line. Time will tell.

CrankyViking
Hey, Jim! Fan since Metamorphosis, and gods, are we old!

1) Are you really that done with Dreadstar? I mean, PAD's had fun with it and all, but that's your baby, man. C'mon.

2) If Kid Kosmos goes well, will they let you write Superman?

3) Who has the louder shirt, Leialoha or Shaw!?

4) Domestic or Import?

Jim Starlin
1.) One more down the line when you least expect it.

2.) Been there, done that.

3.) Probably Steve.

4.) Definitely imported from Mexico.

Jason Bradley
I know I am going to love the Kid Kosmos Graphic Novel. So, in that breath, can we look forward to more forthcoming Graphic Novels starring Kid Kosmos?

P.S. I don't know if anyone picked up on it or not but in a recent issue of Powers by Brian Bendis he takes alot of elements from Cosmic Guard and uses them.

Also, is the Visual appearance of the Magus in any way influenced
by Rob Tyner of the MC5?

Jim Starlin
1.) At least one more graphic novel next year and more if the first three sell well enough.

2.) Really? I’ll have to spank.

3.) No.

Prozac Man
Are you going to make a Mystery in MySpace.com page to help promote the book, or do you think that would attract to many sexual predators?

Jim Starlin
What a great idea! I love sexual predators with a little salt on them.

zebop
Jim, I remember waaaaay back when you appeared in The Village Voice fighting for Jack Kirby's creator rights with Marvel. Do you feel it's a better time now for independent creators or has the system remained the same?

And just like everyone else has stated NOBODY "gets" Thanos like you do. When Thanos is done right he's the baddest bad-ass in the Marvel Universe. I'd love it if you and Marvel could work out your differences and make the magic happen again.

Jim Starlin
If anything I think keeping your creative rights is harder to do today than it was twenty years ago. Now no publisher will pay up-front money on a creator owned project. As for Marvel and I kissing and making up... I hope you’re not holding your breath on that one.

PhilipAMoore
I know Mystery in Space was going to about Adam Strange then things changed. I wondered is there a chance you would still write about him? Do you know if there are plans for him post 52? He is one of my favorite characters.

Jim Starlin
Mine to. Hopefully down the line I’ll get another crack at him. Post 52, I have no idea what Adam’s up to. In fact I don’t have a clue as to what he’s doing in 52. No one tells me anything.

[cyclopsfan]

Awesome Q&A. I've recently become a Huge fan of your stuff through chance by picking up an Infinity Gauntlet Trade. I've almost completed the tpb's from marvel, and wanted to figure out what other stuff you have done to collect next. This interview gave me a heap of choices. Thanks again for the time and answers!

[Nate28]

That was great!

I love how he says to bring back Captain Mar-Vell is a bad idea and i totally agree!!!!!

[tyopot]

i hope jim gets to work with bernie wrightson and dan green again. the weird book from '88 was coool.

[mr mike]

What a great Q& A!

I don't think creators realize the way they present themselves has an affect on the sale of their work. I'm not a huge fan of space stories but after reading this I feel like picking up some of his work.

He is a class act.

[cyclopsfan]

Originally Posted by mr mike

What a great Q& A!

I don't think creators realize the way they present themselves has an affect on the sale of their work. I'm not a huge fan of space stories but after reading this I feel like picking up some of his work.

He is a class act.

like he mentioned, marvel is reprinting alot of his work right now. I got started with Infinity Gauntlet. The first 3 pages had me hooked. If you want to start somewhere, start there, and then hit the Prequel to that story collected in Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos. I loved it, but it didn't have the magic of I.G.

Just my two cents.

Also, does anyone know if Mr. Starlin has a website? I googled it earlier but didn't find one. I'd be interested in a fan club, or website if anyone has info.

[OM]

Originally Posted by cyclopsfan

Awesome Q&A!

...Yeah, this was one of the more fullfilling Q&A's Matty's done, and it has AbZero to do with the fact that he actually passed on my questions *and* they got answered. Of course, hindsight being 20/20, it turns out the *real* question I should have asked was this one:

Q: Jim, a lot more years back than I think either of us care to count, Jim Shooter took your classic The Price GN and recolored it using a process he then called "revolutionary" as from what I recall the finished work was in living Black & White. Do you recall what that process was, and can you elaborate on this? I've found AbZero about how the process was done, as Shooter refused to go into details at the time, but the results have had me rather curious as to how it was done ever since I saw the finished product.

...Ah well, next time, perhaps.

[Sin Eater]

I always enjoyed Jim Starlin!

Can anybody tell me what happened between him and Marvel that's got him sounding like John Byrne when talking about them?

[Counterparts]

[quote=Also, does anyone know if Mr. Starlin has a website? I googled it earlier but didn't find one. I'd be interested in a fan club, or website if anyone has info.[/QUOTE]

www.starlin.com

I don't think it has been updated in quite a while.

[Vazquez]

Best Q&A I've read on this site yet.

Really? I’ll have to spank.

[Derek Ruiz]

Why has no one asked about what he thought about the return of Jason Todd....

[Vazquez]

I think he pretty much answered it with

Never liked Batman with a kid sidekick. As I recall my Jason Todd was pretty dark because I didn’t like having him in the story. Remember really pitching a fit when Denny O’Neil insisted I give him a solo story during my run on Batman.

Or if there still was some doubt

I simply wanted something crude and ugly to be the means of Robin’s end.

DC should let Starlin kill Jason Todd a second time.

[WebHobbit]

Awesome!

And my question was #1! Made my night.

Although I didn't like that answer.

[astronato]

that was very cool of Mr Starlin to answer all those questions.

I would buy the hell out a Jim Starlin Fourth World or Hal Jordan or Martian Manhunter book.

[K_Mang67]

I met Jim Starlin at a comic convention in Boston almost 2 years ago, and why he left Thanos was the first question I asked him.

He said that he had approached his editor [Tom Breveroot (sp?)] with the idea of doing a Warlock limited series to coincide with the Thanos regular series. The editor informed Jim that a Warlock limited series was already underway, and in fact, almost complete.

Jim was a bit surprised, and somewhat miffed, that Marvel would do such a thing, especially considering that he was already using Warlock as a regular supporting character in Thanos. He expressed his concern/problem with this editor, and was basically told, 'If you have a problem with that you can quit.'

To which Jim said to me, "I've always had a policy that whenever someone says that to me, I do it."

He then told me that he simply finished-up the pencils on issue #6, and left Marvel altogether. He was also quick to add that Thanos went from a Top 10 book for Marvel to cancelled six issues later.

It was pretty obvious to me at the time that Starlin was upset over what had happened and that he had no intention of apologizing to T.B. or Quesada, or anybody at Marvel. As he said then, and now, "I have no idea what I should apologize for."

And why should he apologize?

He's Jim Freak'n Starlin!!

He's right up there with the All-Time Greats. He belongs alongside those guys that directly carried the mantle for Kirby and Ditko, guys like: John Buscema, Gil Kane, and Neal Adams.

Quesada can't hold Starlin's jockstrap!

[khuxford]

Originally Posted by Jim Starlin

Laimbeer
1) Which DC and/or Marvel characters that you have never done would you like to write?

2) Are there any non-comic properties (television, movies, novels) that you would love to use in a comic book story?

Jim Starlin
1.) Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and the Martian Manhunter are two that I’d like to play with someday.

2.) No, don’t have time to do all the stories that are already floating around in my head. Besides movie and television tie-ins are a pain in the you-know-what.

Wow...seeing the answer to #1 makes me wish I asked the question.

DIDIO??? ARE YOU LISTENING??? Next time, put Starlin on this rather than Lieberman.

[khuxford]

I'm so glad that, when Jim was upset that Adam Strange couldn't be used, his editor didn't say, "well...if you don't like it...quit!" Because this looks like it is good.

[StripedTiger]

roblewmac
Hello Mister Starlin. The Death of Robin. Why a crowbar instead of something more exotic?

Sounds trite but I REALLY am a huge fan!

Jim Starlin
I simply wanted something crude and ugly to be the means of Robin’s end.

Damn I miss that crowbar.... They should bring that crowbar back and give it it's own limited series of just beating Jason Todd to death again...

[Batman1983]

Back when the Amazo issue hit stands I was already brain storming that a Joker comeback should include him sneaking up behind Jason [in a full blown war between Jason, Batman, Hush, and Black Mask (and all attached)] and ram the crowbar right through Jason's back and out his rib-cage... Cherry pick Earth that.

[PhilipAMoore]

Originally Posted by Jim Starlen

PhilipAMoore
I know Mystery in Space was going to about Adam Strange then things changed. I wondered is there a chance you would still write about him? Do you know if there are plans for him post 52? He is one of my favorite characters.

Jim Starlin
Mine to. Hopefully down the line I’ll get another crack at him. Post 52, I have no idea what Adam’s up to. In fact I don’t have a clue as to what he’s doing in 52. No one tells me anything.

I actully understand this one an will tell Adam Strang is currently wondering through space as a blind man being helped by Animal man and Fire Star its a great storyline being written by Grant morrison the reason dc would not want Adam in a series right away would be because all of a sudden the reader on 52 would say why read the book we already know Adam makes it out and gets his eyes back haven't you read misteries in space ? now it is alot more suspencful

good day

[sniperboy65]

Great interview! Jim Starlin in truly on of the great visionaries of the comic book industry. I love Jim’s creative passion whenever he does a project. It seems like the comic book industry is losing it sense of originality. I think there is currently a great creative void in the comic book industry which veteran craftsmen like Jim Starlin can fill. I commend DC for recognizing and supporting creators like Jim Starlin. I only wish Joe Quesada and Marvel would realize this too. Thanks Jim! I look forward to your every project.

[khuxford]

Originally Posted by StripedTiger

roblewmac
Hello Mister Starlin. The Death of Robin. Why a crowbar instead of something more exotic?

Sounds trite but I REALLY am a huge fan!

Jim Starlin
I simply wanted something crude and ugly to be the means of Robin’s end.

Damn I miss that crowbar.... They should bring that crowbar back and give it it's own limited series of just beating Jason Todd to death again...

That's funny. You do realize that the reason why so many people hated Jason Todd owes a lot to how Starlin wrote him? I'm not criticizing him for it, because I think it was good writing and explored a different possibility for a Batman sidekick. But Starlin didn't like the idea of Batman having a teen sidekick and wrote the kid darker and grittier, by his own admission in this interview. That's part of why people wanted him killed off in the poll.

[JoeMaggio]

Hey, Matt. I don't think ALL the questions were answered... mine certainly weren't.

Nothing posted after 5:00 PM on 7/11 was included. Why tell us we've got until Noon on 7/12 and then cut it off almost a day early?

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by JoeMaggio

Hey, Matt. I don't think ALL the questions were answered... mine certainly weren't.

Nothing posted after 5:00 PM on 7/11 was included. Why tell us we've got until Noon on 7/12 and then cut it off almost a day early?

read the title of the article.

MattB

[Predabot1]

Hallelujah! My assessment of Epic Illustrated was correct. ^^

That story of meeting your idol and finding that he really does fill the shoes was pretty heart-warming.

Now.. One day I'm going to have to dig up some work of Mr Starlins from the net that I like and colour..

Thanks for the replies Mr Starlin.