In June 2007 the Houston artist, writer, and publisher wrapped up his Strangers in Paradise comic book series after a fourteen-year run. He writes Runaways and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane for Marvel Comics, and he is now launching Echo, a new superhero series.
Has Echo been percolating for a while?
When I finished Strangers in Paradise, I thought I’d choose my next book from the files of ideas I’d collected over the years. But everything felt dated. So I began with a blank page, and Echo came together from an assortment of junk science ideas in my head. I wrapped that frightening stuff around this innocent young woman, and the story appeared in the contrast.
Any concerns that those junk science elements will alienate Strangers fans?
I’m hoping my readers know that whatever the boundaries of probability, my stories will always be about people. I think there’s more humanity in Stargate than in Silence of the Lambs.
What are the upsides—and downsides—of being your own publisher?
The upside is I get all the money . . . tens and tens of dollars. The downside is my wife and I have to do all the work. We’ve added people to the routine, but there’s no getting around it: Publishing is a lot of work, and there’s no safety net. Abstract Studio, $3.50 Read the full interview.
