This year at C2E2, I had quite a few opportunities to sit down with creators and chat about their current and upcoming works. Over the next few days we’ll be rolling them out for your enjoyment.
Up first: Steve Niles from “Criminal Macabre”, “30 Days of Night”, and “Simon Dark” fame!
You just wrapped up the “Criminal Macabre / 30 Days of Night” crossover. Was it fun to bring those two properties together?
Steve Niles: Yeah, it’s a rare opportunity for a creator to crossover his own characters, and it’s an IDW / Dark Horse crossover too, which is cool. And the series is over, so I guess I can talk about the ending. It was a great opportunity to have one of my characters kill another one. I’m really happy I got to end “30 Days of Night” on my own terms.
You’ve done some short stories for “Dark Horse Presents”. Was it tricky to write 8 page chapters, or did it come easy?
SN: I really enjoyed that method and I’m actually trying to mimic in in my longer stories. In shorter ones, they have to be compressed and tight. There’s no room for fluff or wasted space. And I really like how well they read when all the chapters get put together. I’m trying really hard to mimic that feel in my 22 page books now.
I loved “Simon Dark.” It was one of my favorite books when it was being published. Has DC shown any interest in bringing him into the New 52? Would you be interested in writing such a thing?
SN: No, not at all. I’ve tried to bring him back, and they won’t let me. I love him too, but he’s just out there drifting. Hopefully, someday, something will happen.
If they brought him back without you, would you read it?
SN: Depends on who was writing and drawing, like anything else, but I’d give it a chance. I’d love for him to be a part of the DCnU.
One of the things we talk about often at Multiversity is how artists seem to come second to writers today. Why do you think that is?
SN: That’s just the way things go. In the 90s, Image was art led, and I’m glad people are focusing on creators on either side. This kind of thing goes back and forth, and it’s a good thing.
We live in a very connected world today with social networking. Does this feedback (positive and negative) with fans and critics affect you as a writer?
SN: I’ve learned to ignore the negative. There’s too much of it out there, and I’ve developed a pretty thick skin. I ignore reviews pretty much completely. Positive input is always welcome. I like to keep things positive, and I like it when others do too.
What are you working on now, and when should fans look for it?
SN: Next week, I have “Chin Music” with Tony Harris coming out at Image. I’m also soliciting “Breath of Bones” at Dark Horse, it’s a World War II Golem story. I’m releasing an anthology called “Tome” with 44 Flood, and “Lust” with Ben Templesmith. There’s also “Disciples” with Christopher Mitten coming as part of the second tier from Black Mask.
You had a book called “Creator Owned Heroes” which was well loved at Multiversity, but was short lived. If you had the chance, is there anything you’d do different with the book?
SN: I wouldn’t change a thing about “Creator Owned Heroes”. The only trouble was retailers. They wouldn’t accept it as a comic because it had interviews in it. They all saw it as a 26 page magazine.
Ok, last question. What’s the strangest thing to happen to you at C2E2 this weekend?
SN: Everyone’s been fun, sweet, and friendly. I haven’t been to cons for a while, so all the ones I’m going to this year are new for me.
Strangest thing, though? I came up Friday for the “Tome” party, and I when I was putting on my suit, a button popped off. I went down to the front desk and got a sewing kit, but I don’t sew. I just wandered around the lobby of the Hyatt holding a button and a sewing kit looking lost, and then I ran into Amanda Conner and she sewed it back on for me. Amanda Conner was like my mom for a few minutes.
