Off the Record...

Steve Niles has been around. He's been in the comics biz for 15 years, but is just now getting really noticed for his work on Spawn, and his new series, Fused! We had a chat with Steve about what it's like to work with Todd McFarlane, some of his upcoming projects and why it's no big deal Marvel now has curse words and boobs.

After cutting your teeth with Fantaco and Eclipse, your big break was working with Todd McFarlane Productions. Besides the higher-profile, was there a huge difference in your day-to-day work?

Yeah, I actually have day-to-day work and it doesn't involve asking people if they'd like a bag with their purchase. One of the biggest changes is having to organize my time. If I let days just happen, I'll wind up on the phone all day and get no writing done. I have to carefully plan my time. That's been the biggest effect. Well, that and my swelled, out-of-control ego.

Well, no one would blame you for having an ego, since you’ve been around for 15 years in the comics business. However, with your recent "overnight success" with the Spawn titles, do you still get people asking you if you are new to the biz?

All the time. People drop by my website and they see my bibliography and they're like, "What the hell?! How long have you been around!?' And this is usually quickly followed by, 'How old are you, 70?!' I have mixed feelings about this. It's great to be getting attention all of a sudden, but there's also the side of me that's like, what the hell took you so long!

All joking aside, I love the fact that my recent work is getting some attention. It's very gratifying that people are enjoying what I write.

You described Spawn as "a creature of constant evolution." What would you say has been the biggest change in Spawn since you have been writing the character?

I'm letting the evil come out if Spawn. I think there is a big reason why Al Simmons was chosen to be the Hellspawn and it has to do with the fact that he had a killer’s soul. In the next few issues (#12 and on) Ben and I are going to pit Spawn against his own lack of definition and it's going to be up to him, what road he chooses and what he chooses to become.

Do you think that may be tough for Spawn, since he has mostly had choices made for him, and seems to prefer to dwell a little in self-pity?

Not tough at all. The opposite actually. I want to move Spawn away from self-pity and more towards realizing his potential as an unnatural power.

You mentioned at the end of HELLSPAWN #11 that "big things are brewing for Spawn and Hellspawn." Can you tease the readers with what you meant by that?

Well, how about a love interest? That's right. Sounds strange and it is, but odd things are brewing in the Spawn world. There's this Dead Girl character that's been floating around for a while now. She will be the main focus of the storyline that begins in #12.

A new love interest for Spawn? I’m sure that will get the fans talking! Speaking of controversy, there has been some (okay, a lot) of buzz with the use of Miracleman in the pages of HELLSPAWN. Has that come to any resolution yet? Are you tired of talking about it?

No comment. And yes.

Regarding HELLSPAWN, you said that the story has an ending and that you would like to carry the series until it can be resolved. Would Todd kill you if you told us how long before you foresee the series coming to an end?

I think I might have been talking about Spawn: the Dark Ages (which I did conclude) or maybe Fused. Spawn is Todd's baby. Only he knows how it ends and he ain't talking.

What can you tell Spawn fans about "Spawn: Book of the Dead?" From what I have read, it's a deluxe hard cover book that tells the history of the Spawn universe. Can you reveal in more detail what the readers can expect and what your part in the whole project was?

What I like about SBOD is that it can be read by anybody. It is a prose history of the entire Spawn saga. This was Todd's idea. SBOD stated out as a standard character checklist, but he wanted something that would be more substantial and definitive. With Todd's blessing I sat down with everything Spawn I could get my hands on and digested it and what I came up with was a short novel, of sorts, with illustrations by Ash Wood that really push the limit. I think SBOD is the perfect book for the non or virgin Spawn reader to pick up. I think people will be surprised.

Is SBOD more for the fan who wants to know more about Spawn, or will longtime fans gain some new perspective, as well?

My hope is for both. I think longtime fans will enjoy how the whole story is threaded together.

You're currently working on a screenplay for Spawn 2 with Todd. What can you tell us about that and when do you think production would start?

Todd and I have turned in a draft. Now it's in the hands of the studios. We're waiting for word what the next stages will be, but we're very excited.

Can you tell us anything about what the plot is (at least this draft)?

If I do Todd, Don Murphy and Sony will have my toenails pulled out.

You once said, "Nobody gets scared reading a comic. What horror does best in comics is crawl under your skin and take you on a slow trip through a dark side you never thought possible. Horror works best when it lingers and makes someone look over their shoulder when they're walking from their car to the house." Do any of the stories you write ever make you look over your shoulder?

Not really. I only get scared watching the news.

You have admitted that there are less kids reading comics nowadays, however you have also stated "Diversity is the only thing that can save comics." Do you think the comic industry is doing the right thing by publishing more and more "mature" comics and devoting less and less titles to attract kids to comics? Could there be shortsightedness by over-supplying products for the current, older audience, rather than trying to ensure new comic readers in the future?

I think if kids come back to comics they'll come because they sense excitement and enthusiasm from readers and creators. Obviously gearing books towards kids has been a complete failure. I think this in an excellent opportunity for creators and publishers to get together and acknowledge the fact that most comic readers are adults and give them what they want to read without dumbing down the material. For me this whole thing is a little odd because I've been doing this type of material for years. Now all of a sudden Marvel has curse words and boobs and everybody's running around like the sky is falling.

I really don't think it's shortsightedness. I think Marvel in particular is trying to stir the shit a little bit for attention, maybe even cause a little trouble. Nothing like telling a kid he's not supposed to read something to get him stampeding for the newsstands, right? Luckily what's coming out of it are some pretty good books, so for now I think we all just wait and see what happens.

You have mostly dealt with suspense and horror. After reading FUSED #1 (published in February by Image), it looks like you are branching out to more of a super-hero genre. Do you enjoy leaving the world of horror every once in a while?

I love writing anything and everything. I got sort of pigeon-holed as a horror writer, and I don't mind one bit because I AM a horror freak, but it certainly is nice to try my hand at some other material.

What can you tell the fans out there, who may not have picked up a copy of FUSED #1, what it is all about?

FUSED is about a normal man who gets caught in the crossfire of an old rivalry between a government agent and an aging scientist. The result is a horrific series of events that traps the man inside a robot suit thingy and adventure ensues. Where the story veers off is in what it DOESN'T do. This is a story about a person, so even though there will be action, I never want to forget that focus.

What are your ultimate plans for FUSED? On-going series?

I'd love to do Fused for as long as we can. This will entirely be up to the fans. If the sales stay up there, I'll keep going. I have the material. I know where Fused will be going for the next year or more. I hope I get to tell the stories.

Is FUSED primarily a Steve Niles concept? Or, did anyone help you design the characters?

I'm not an artist, so all I could do was describe the characters as best I could and then make comments on the artists depiction. I had descriptions and concepts in my head (and paper) and I feel those ideas have been realized, so I guess the answer is yes. Geez, what a blow-hard I am. I could have just said yes.

As far as you know, is FUSED’s main character, Mark Haggerty, the first main character in comics with a mechanical claw for a hand? (And, no, I don’t think Capt. Hook counts!)

As far as a lead character I think Mark is the first with a prosthetic hand.

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.

FUSED: More Iron Man or Robot Man: Robo-Cop.

Late night or early day: Both.

Suspense or Horror: Horror. Suspense if for actors and directors who are embarrassed to say horror.

Big screen or rent. Rent.

Play with toy or keep in box: Open, and display.

Robotic claw for hand or TV remote: I never get the remote.

Fly or drive: Drive.

Telepathy or Flight: Look into my eye.

First Print or TPB: First.

Conventions: Too much fun or too much work: Too much funk.

South Park or Simpsons: South Park. I like the dirty words.

Cell phone or E-mail: E-mail my cell phone number.

Sleep in or make deadline:Deadline!

Spawn (the first movie): 2 Thumbs up or down: Nice try.

Squeeze in the middle or at the end: Pump.

Comics or Screenplays: Screenplays from comics.

World Series or Super Bowl: NBA Finals.

Lou Ferigno or Adam West: Adam West.

Buffy or Vampirella:Night Stalker.

CREDITS

Comic Books

30 DAYS OF NIGHT. Idea+Design Works. June 2002. Creator/Writer

9-11 (Vol 1.) Dark Horse Comics/Image Comics. 2002. Contributing Writer.

FUSED # 1. Los Angeles, CA. Image Comics, 2002. Creator, Writer.

TODD MCFARLANE PRODUCTIONS/ IMAGE COMICS

SPAWN THE DARK AGES issues 15-28

HELLSPAWN issues 6-current

SPAWN issues 105, 106 (2 part story)

SAM & TWITCH # 27

IMAGE COMICS/TODD MCFARLANE PRODUCTIONS. Los Angeles, CA/Tempe, AZ. 1999.
Feature articles and animated series episode guide that appeared in various McFarlane publications including Spawn, Kiss: Psycho Circus, and Curse of Spawn. Writer.

CUBE, Los Angeles, CA. Trimark Pictures, 1998. Original comic based on the film CUBE for promotional distribution at the Sundance Film Festival. Artist Paul Lee. Story and Script.

"HAIRBALL: A CAL MCDONALD MONSTER MYSTERY." Dark Horse Presents (No. 102-106). Milwaukee, OR. Dark Horse Comics Inc, 1996. Original comic series. Illustrated by Casey Jones and Bruce Patterson Writer.

"ICED." Dark Horse Presents (No. 101). Milwaukee, OR. Dark Horse Comics Inc, 1995. Original short comic story. Illustrated by Paul Lee. Writer

"S.R.O." Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor. Milwaukee, OR. Dark Horse Comics Inc, 1995. From a short story by Harlan Ellison. Adapter.

KING OF THE DEAD. Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1994. Five-issue original series. Writer.

"TWILIGHT AT THE TOWERS." Rawhead Rex. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1993. Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

RAWHEAD REX. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1993. Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

"NEW MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE." The Life of Death. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1993. Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: LONDON. Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1993. Two-issue series spinning off the ideas originated by George Romero and John Russo. Co-writer, with Clive Barker.

"DAMN." Kill Me Slowly. Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1993. Prose fiction in erotic horror anthology. Writer.

THE YATTERING AND JACK. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1992. Adapter. Will Eisner Comic Industry Award nominee for best graphic album, new material Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

"HOW SPOILERS BLEED." Dread. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1992. Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

"DOWN SATAN." Dread. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1992. From a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

TAPPING THE VEIN. Book 5. "Down Satan." Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1992. From a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

SCAB. Nos. 1-2. Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1992. Two-issue horror series. Writer.

FLY IN MY EYE EXPOSED. Washington, DC/Forestville, CA. Arcane/Eclipse, 1992. Contributors: RickGeary, J.K. Potter, Matt Howarth and Clive Barker. Compiler & editor.

UPTOWN ZOMBIES. Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1992. One-shot horror mystery. Writer.

DANGERBRAIN. Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1992. Comic versions of two original short stories. Writer.

SON OF CELLULOID. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1991. Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

REVELATIONS. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1991. Graphic novel from a short story by Clive Barker. Adapter.

I AM LEGEND. Books 1-4. Forestville, CA. Eclipse Books, 1991. Four issue adaptation of the classic novel by Richard Matheson. Adapter.

DAUGHTERS OF FLY IN MY EYE. Washington, DC/Forestville, CA. Arcane/Eclipse, 1990. Jon J Muth, Matt Howarth, D'israeli and Eric Talbot. Compiler & editor; contributor.

M. Books 1-4. Washington, DC/Forestville, CA. Arcane/Eclipse, 1990. Art and adaptation by Jon J Muth. Project Originator & Editor.

FLY INSIDE THE EYE. Washington, DC. Arcane Comix, 1990. Sampler insert specially produced for Science Fiction Eye magazine. Compiler & editor; contributor.

SATURDAY MOURNING FLY IN MY EYE. Washington, DC/Forestville, CA. Arcane/Eclipse, 1989. Contributors include: John Bolton, Ramsey Campbell, Bill Wray, John Shirley and J.K. Potter. Compiler & editor; contributor.

FLY IN MY EYE. Washington, DC. Arcane Comix, 1988. Anthology of horror comics, stories and art with contributions by Clive Barker, Steve Bissette, Matt Howarth, Ted McKeever, John Bolton and others. Publisher & editor; contributor.

CLIVE BARKER PORTFOLIO. Washington, DC. Arcane Comix, 1988. Set of six full color lithographs of the covers for the British editions of his Books of Blood. Publisher.

BAD MOON Washington, DC, Arcane Comix, 1987. Original magazine-sized graphic comic. Writer.

Books

SAVAGE MEMBRANE. Idea+Design Works. June 2002. Creator/Writer

"THE FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND." Albany, NY. Fantaco Enterprises, 1996. Original short novel. Cover and illustrations by Paul Lee. Writer.

CLIVE BARKER: ILLUSTRATOR. Washington, DC/Forestville, CA. Arcane/Eclipse, 1990. Collection of art by Clive Barker. Idea conception & editor.

WORDS WITHOUT PICTURES. Washington, DC/Forestville, CA. Arcane/Eclipse, 1990. Collection of prose and poetry by leading comics writers and artists including Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Ann Nocenti, Jon J Muth, Charles Vess. Editor.

SPAWN BOOK OF THE DEAD. Todd McFarlane Productions. Tempe, AZ. 2000-2002. Complete story of Spawn mythos. Text By Steve Niles. Art by Ashley Wood.

Magazines

KISS Magazine Volume 3. Todd McFarlane Productions. 1999. Original features article "Inside Detroit Rock City" and interview with Paul Stanley. Writer.

Ozzy Osborne Magazine Todd McFarlane Productions. 1999. Original feature biographical article "Diary of A Madman" and interview "Picking the Brain of Ozzy Osbourne". Writer.

Music

GRAY MATTER
Food for Thought - 10 songs, recorded November 1984. Dischord Records.
Take it Back - 6 songs, recorded August 1985. Dischord Records.
Food For Though/Take it Back - combined CD with #21 & #48 plus 3 songs
Thog - 12 songs, recorded summer 1992. Dischord Records.
THREE
Dark Days Coming - 10 songs, recorded June 1987. Dischord Records.

Motion Pictures

Spawn 2 (a.k.a. Spawn 2: Dark Justice), Sony Pictures/Todd McFarlane Entertainment, Script co-writer (with Todd McFarlane)

Television

Spawn: The Animated Series. 1999, HBO, Complete season three episode guide, including press, promotion and online materials. Writer.

Internet

UNIVERSAL HORRORONLINE. Universal City, CA. Universal Studios. 1999. Various feature articles, interviews, and reviews on new and old comics, film, video games and toys. Writer.

Toy Story Web Adventures Disney Interactive, 1997. Original interactive web site adventure story and contest. Producer Scott Pettit. Script writer, and page designer.