Off the Record...

Todd Dezago loves to have fun… and it shows. From his quick-wit with the young speedster Impulse, to his fantasy world of Tellos, to simply doing an interview, Todd’s sense of humor shines through. Just don’t mention his part in the whole “Spidey-Clone” storyline, or how annoying Strong Guy was, and you should remain on his good side. We, on the other hand, didn’t know that…

A lot of writers out there have had to break in to comics through smaller, lessor-known titles and publishers. When you started writing comics back in 1994, your first official credit was an X-title for Marvel (X-Factor)! Did you really luck out, or is there some story of how you got to that point?

I really lucked out. That's the absolute truth. At the time, the comics Boom was still kinda going, both Marvel and DC (among others) were racing to get as much out there as possible--because EVERYHTHING was selling! If you put the word X-Men on a Pop-tart they'd think it was a comic book and buy it! It was crazy.

I had gone to school was Scott Lobdell years before and, after chasing my Acting career around for a while, I decided to come back home and pursue other interests. Scott said that I'd always had some cool story ideas back when we were in school and urged me to write up a proposal or two. Not wanting to ride in on anyone's coat tails, I did write up some pitches, but took them to DC instead, intending to 'do it myself'. I sent in submission after submission only to be met with rejection letters. Most were the standard form letter, but a couple Editors took their time to give advice on what my stories were lacking. I think I learned a great deal from that.

Eventually, I broke down and sent one proposal into X-Factor Editor Kelly Corvese, who taught me so much more and assigned me an inventory story for X-Factor. In the meantime, JM DeMatties decided to leave the book and Kelly ushered me in as the new Writer. We were already a few issues into it when Bob Harras went nuts saying that nobody just walks in off the street and writes an X-book?!?, and so had John Moore come in to write the plots. I continued scripting, which they felt I was strong at, but was soon getting lots of work from the Spidey Offices and so I just shifted over there.

I always like to impress upon people, especially aspiring Writers, that I was very lucky. It was right place, right time, I mean, the industry was so strong then, and I don't think that that avenue of 'getting in' has been open for a loooooong time.

" I do believe that these constant events and crossovers have killed a lot of books, IMPULSE included. IMPULSE #89 will be our last issue."

Back in 1998, you had introduced the fans to Young Justice with your 2 part mini-series "World Without Grown-Ups." In it, you also created a new villain called Bedlam, who had the power to separate the adults and kids of the world into two different Earths. Whose idea was it to bring him back for the new DC Comics cross-over "World Without Young Justice?"

Bringing Bedlam into this (somewhat contrived) crossover was my idea--mostly 'cause I didn't really know any of the other Young Justice villains. None of them really had any motivation that I thought would work. I was familiar with Bedlam and thought that there was a bit of potential there if we brought him back. I wrote up several outlines for the crossover (which was suggested to us by Editorial), and after they re-wrote that a few times...

What can fans expect from this cross-over?

(Laughing) Another contrived crossover ! I think all of us tried to have fun with it--I think that's the only way you can approach these things--but I do believe that these constant events and crossovers have killed a lot of books, IMPULSE included. IMPULSE #89 will be our last issue. It's a bit ironic though, that we were told that we had to do this crossover to save IMPULSE (and SUPERBOY), only to have them cancel the book before the crossover even comes out.

You have had your share of writing cros-overs throughout your career. There were the "Phalanx Covenant" and "Legion Quest" ones among the X-titles back in 1994, the "Revelations" cross-over in the Spidey books (Clone-stuff) back in 1996 and, more recently the ones you mentioned in Impulse. Is writing a cross-over story easier, since you have a lot laid out for you, or more of a pain, since it takes you away from the story you have been building?

It’s frustrating. Over the past few years, as I've tried to maintain storylines and subplots in the book, I've been continually frustrated by these 'sales events' and crossovers that we've been forced into, destroying any rhythm that any of us might have established in our respective books. I've seen letters recently saying that storylines feel rushed and incomplete and the truth is, they are!! In 2001 IMPULSE had to participate in Circle of Fire, Superman: OWAW, The Last Laugh, and the 'stand alone' stories in December. It's crazy.

I have been involved in some events that have actually been fun, but those were presented to us waaaaay in advance so that we could be ready for them and hopefully use them in our story arcs.

I have nothing against the occasional crossover, I've really enjoyed some of them over the years, and I do understand what they do for 'business', but there are just too many of them these days and as they try to find some way to save a constantly floundering industry, I just don't think tricking the Readers into buying more is a good thing.

"IMPULSE had the potential to be unique--and more importantly, fun--and I woulda loved to have had a chance to do that!"

You’ve been on Impulse for over 3 years. We’ve seen a lot of changes with Bart, Max, and the rest of the gang while you have handled the writing chores. Are you sad to see the book being canceled?

I've recently said that I haven't really been that satisfied with my run on the book. Though there are a few issues here and there that I'm proud of, I never really had a chance to do what I would've liked to do with it. When Mark originally created the IMPULSE, it was meant to be a sitcom, a humor book with a superhero in it. Somewhere along the way though, DC made it into just another superhero book and I really think we've got too many of them. IMPULSE had the potential to be unique--and more importantly, fun--and I woulda loved to've had a chance to do that!

Sometimes you have had full writing credit on books, and others you have shared plotting with other writers. Do you enjoy working with other writers, or do you prefer to handle the story alone?

In most cases I like working alone--or rather, as the sole Writer. In comics I feel, that you're never working alone and I try as hard as I can to make each book a true collaboration of Words and Art. I always try to talk to the Artist that I'm working with to see what kinds of stories they like, what kinds they want to tell, what characters they dig--if they're happy with what they're drawing it shows on every page, in every panel!! Mike Wieringo and I talk about a story for a long time before we get into it! We loved Spider-man and truly had a singular vision when we worked on him. And Tellos, of course, was our chance to create an entire world--and we talk about that still!!

Writing though--I have worked with some other people and have enjoyed it each time. It's a great way to learn new writing techniques and approaches. I think I learned a great deal from the Spider Meetings we'd have with Howard Mackie, JM DeMatties, Editor Ralph Macchio (a great Teacher and a great Writer in his own right!!), and Tom DeFalco (who I've probably learned more from than anybody! Thanks, Tom!). These were great meetings and I feel that they made the Spider books fun (despite the fact that we were still trying to get the stink of the 'Clone Saga' offa us...!)

You and artist Mike Wieringo have made some pretty darn good comics together over the last five years. In 1999, you guys went to Image and co-created Tellos, a cool high-adventure/fantasy series. What can you TELL US about TELLOS? ( I just had to say that!)

Well, a lot of this has already been said, but; from the moment Mike and I started working on Sensational Spider-man together, we knew that we were, heh... kindred spirits, that we were of one mind in our love for comics and the kinds of stories we wanted to tell. Comics had been, at that time, afflicted with the 'grim and gritties' and we just wanted to bring back that sense of light-hearted fun and adventure that drew us to comics--and especially, Spider-man--when we'd been kids.

I think we did okay...When the Spider-books were being re-vamped or re-launched or whatever they heck they called it, we proposed doing a series that would kinda update the Spider-man legend, make it more current, more hip, and hopefully be a way to introduce new Readers to a great character. Marvel said that they weren't interested. Of course, a few years later, Ultimate Spider-man, well...you do the math...(Can you imagine how cool 'Ultimate Spider-man' woulda looked with Mike's pencils...?!). We pitched new versions of The Black Cat, Nova, New Warriors, and several other new ideas (an early version of Tellos being one of them) to no avail. Oddly enough, several of those projects actually came out later that year...?

Anyway, Mike and I wanted to do our story anyway and, over the course of several phone conversations, we built the world of Tellos and the ten-issue story arc that would tell our first tale. It had stuff that Mike threw in, stuff that I threw in, and stuff the two of us just were on the same page with. The rest is Tellos history...

There seems to be a pretty big fan following. You even have your own web-site (www.tellos.com). Are you surprised by how much the fans have embraced this world?

Absolutely!! We had no idea. But I have to say right here that those Tellos Readers, especially the ones that hang around at Tellos.com, have become a Family to us, to each other. I have never felt such support, such caring and concern from so many people that I've never met in person. (I can't wait to meet them all! : ) When you go to the Message Board and post there, you're post is usually greeted with loads of welcomes and positive feedback. I can't tell you how thrilled Mike and I are with our Tellos Family! And I guess that's 'cause Tellos is such a nice place to visit.

"My Mom saw Koj and Jarek (above) and said 'Calvin and Hobbes.' But I think it was my Niece, who was like 5 at the time, who looked at him and said 'Tigger'. "

It seems that you went from an on-going series to doing one-shot specials. Is that by design, or just in reaction to the state of the comics industry and sales?

Yeah. The Industry is very depressed these days and, while I think that a regular monthly book could be supported in this market, we just weren't business men. We just wanted to do comics. We've learned a lot from the experience and I think we know what we need to do, but to initially launch our next Tellos story arc, it's gonna set Mike and I back about $20,000--money that we don't have right now. We're getting there, but self-publishing, even through Image (who helps a LOT!) it's still quite costly. The one shots are to tell some little side-stories that have been banging around in my head, give a chance at publishing some work for some of our friends, and keep the Tellos name out there until we can do the next arc. And the next. And the next...

Is Koj (the man-tiger from Tellos) related to Frosted Flakes’ "Tony the Tiger" or the Exxon Tiger?

No. Originally, my Dad saw Mike's original design for Koj and said the Exxon Tiger. My girlfriend, Dani, said Tony. My Mom saw Koj and Jarek and said Calvin and Hobbes. But I think it was my Niece, who was like 5 at the time, who looked at him and said 'Tigger'. Actually, I think she's the closest...

You have a knack for writing about kids, and from their perspective (Impulse, Jarek from Tellos, the kids in Young Justice). You really capture their attitudes, speech patterns, silliness, as well as their frustrations. Are you still a kid at heart?

Duh! (laughs quietly)

"Strong Guy was my favorite character in that book and I didn't write that plot... that's when the X-Men started to take itself much too seriously."

Yeah, I am. I'm always the one that gets yelled at (and sometimes 'timed out') when I'm at the dinner table with my Niece and Nephew. It's their fault though!!! I didn't do nothing!! Mom!! She was looking at me!!! Stop it!! You're not the boss of me!! I'm not your friend then...

Are their other types of genres that you would like to try your hand at?

Oh, absolutely!! Mike and I both. I'd really love to have a crack at Batman--a nice run with the Dark Knight...I have plenty of ideas for that guy!! I'd like to do some crime noir, and Mike and I were trying to pitch a one-shot Western to DC but were told that Readers don't care about Westerns anymore. I know that I'm known for light-hearted adventure, but I'd really like to try some horror and some Vertigo stuff...

In X-Factor #111, you finally got rid of that annoying Guido "Strong Guy." Was there a collected cheer from around the world when you did that, or did people send letters saying they want him back?

Be very careful here. Strong Guy was my favorite character in that book and I didn't write that plot. John did, but I do know that Bob Harras was the one that wanted him gone--said that the X-Books were too important to have any comic relief. The Beast stopped making jokes, Strong Guy was sent into space, and that's when the X-Men started to take itself much too seriously. I love a good balance, I mean, even Citizen Kane has a couple good one liners in there! I was already gone when the response came in regarding Strong Guy's leaving, but I was told that they weren't too happy...

You’ve worked with some very talented artists over the years: Wieringo, Jan Duursema, Roger Cruz, Harold Ramos, Mike McKone, Jeff Matsuda, among others. Who out there would you like to work with in the future?

I wanna work with EVERYBODY!! As I said earlier, I think that comics is one of the only art forms where there final result can be a true collaboration. I could give a plot for a Batman story to both Craig Rousseau and Ringo and the end result would be two totally different stories!! And I consider these to be two guys I'm 'on the same page with'. So I wanna have the opportunity to create with all those great Artists out there...Lemme at 'em!! (laughs stupidly) But I guess you want names...okay...

Just because I'm a huge fan, I'd love to do a Batman story with Kevin Nowlan! He is just truly amazing and a real Artist's Artist. Every Artist I know just gushes over Kevin's work! He's incredible! I'm also very good friends with the Master, Walter Simonson, and, while I definitely do not consider myself worthy, I would love to do a story with him! I can learn so much from him in just 5 minutes on the phone! He is, simply put, the BEST!

"I think I learned a great deal from the Spider Meetings we'd had... despite the fact that we were still trying to get the stink of the 'Clone Saga' offa us!"

Are their any other projects on the horizon for Todd Dezago?

I'd like to improve my Volleyball game and start up a cover band and tour the southwest...oh, you mean in comics...

Well, aside from some projects in the works at Marvel (that I don't wanna jinx by talking about just yet...) I have a few Tellos stories being worked on by various friends. And the project I'm most excited about these days is something I'm doing with the aforementioned Craig Rousseau (Impulse, Batman Beyond, and Tellos: The Last Heist!). We've been friends for a while and wanted to work together since before even that, and so have created a new book that we will most likely be publishing through Image. It's a little too early to spill too much on this too, but I can say that it's already been a blast to work on and so I'm hoping it'll also be a blast to read!

Okay, now is the time for "2099" portion of our interview. This is where I ask you 20 questions in 99 seconds. It’s basically an "either/or" type of response, but you can answer whatever first pops into your head.

Script or plot: plot--I'm all about the story structure. I think that's the most important. In many cases the characters will tell you what they should say in the script...

Barry or Wally: Barry. I grew up with Barry. I love Wally too, but...it's Barry.

Late night or early day: Late Night. That's when I work best--get my second wind. (and third and fourth and...) Also, I'm not much of a morning person.

Super Heroes or Fantasy: Fantasy. I love Superheroes too, but they're being beaten into the ground. I need some variety.

Big screen or rent: Big screen. See it all. Feel it all. Get the Audience experience. (But they'd better not talk. Please, people--this isn't your living room. I paid my 8 bucks to hear DeNiro, not you...)

Play with toy or keep in box: Play with toy!! Take it out and give it a life! Love it. Break it if that happens. Help that toy to follow it's toy destiny!

Cross-overs or One-shots: I'd rather have a good one-shot any day.

Fly or drive: Fly. I love to drive, especially with the right company, but flyin' is cool.

Run Fast or Flight: Flight. No question. Flight.

First Print or TPB: I'm slowly shifting (like many of my friends) to the TPB experience. There are some books I just gotta have in first print, but I have grabbed a TPB for a good 'do it all in one sitting' experience...

Cats or Dogs: I love all animals, but I've got to admit I'm a dog guy. I've got two of my own that are wondering when suppertime is right now. Is it now? I think it's now.

South Park or Simpsons: Simpsons. I can't believe they're still on and still so freakin' good!! I laugh out loud at least five times an episode. That's good! But South Park has definitely destroyed me from time to time. The movie was Awesome.

Cell phone or E-mail: E-mail. I don't have the cell phone yet, so I can't really be objective. I think I'd use it too much. And I live out in the middle of nowhere.

Sleep in or make deadline: I'd rather sleep in (I love to sleep and am quite good at it...), but I have pulled many all-nighters to get the work done...

Tony the Tiger or the Exxon Tiger: Tony. Those Flakes are...well, they're Ger-rate!

Squeeze in the middle or at the end: Yeah, I'm a bit of a Monica on some things...squeeze from the end.

World Without Spidey Clones or World Without "Strong Guy": Watch it, I said. I love that Strong Guy. And you would too if you could just open up your heart a little. Just let him in--he's a great character; kind and considerate despite the fact that he is always in constant pain. I miss him.

World Series or Super Bowl: Super Bowl. I love baseball in the Summer, but it's kinda slow, isn't it? Football--that's a man's sport in a man's season. They play in snow and rain and whatever. Plus, aren't the commercials during the Super Bowl the coolest?

Lou Ferigno or Adam West: Hmmm...Adam. He's just so funny. Lou is funny in a 'get out of my way' kinda way. When I was chasing my acting career I dreamed of doing a sitcom with Adam West and William Shatner as my Father and my Father in Law. It would be your typical stupid half hour sitcom, but would be an hour long due to all the dramatic pauses.

Buffy or Vampirella: Buffy!! Vampy got me hot when I was a kid, but Buffy gets me hot now!

WRITING CREDITS
X-FACTOR 103-113
SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN 230-240
SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN 7-33
JLA: World Without Grown-Ups
IMPULSE 50-89
TELLOS 1-10
TELLOS: Maiden Voyage
TELLOS: The Last Heist