Tom DeFalco seemingly ended 2003 on a high note, with the announcement that Spider-Girl has been renewed through issue 81 (as detailed here). SBC recently caught up with the fellow who has been writing comics for more than 20 years, many of those years involving Spider-Man and/or Spidey’s relatives. We also got a chance to discuss his recent Phantom (Valley of the Golden Men) work for Moonstone.
Tim O’Shea: To what do you ascribe the fact that Spider-Girl has been renewed through 81?
Tom DeFalco: Spider-Girl is a light, fun, accessible comic book that features a very likable hero who really is a hero. May Parker is someone that you can really enjoy spending time with.
TO: Is it the grassroots support of the SG message board?
TD: The grassroots support from the SG message board has been fantastic. Those fans have managed to keep Spider-Girl alive. They never gave up on the title. Not even when Marvel canceled it and told me there was no hope of ever bringing it back. Spider-Girl lives because of her fans!
TO: Is the new Marvel publisher Dan Buckley a fan of the series?
TD: You would have to ask Dan. I personally think anyone who likes super hero comics could grow to love Spider-Girl if they just gave her a chance.
TO: After the first time Marvel almost canceled the book, did you ever envision you would make it to issue 81?
TD: Absolutely not! When Spider-Girl was first created, she was only supposed to run 12 issues. The entire MC-2 line--Spider-Girl, J2 and A-Next--were supposed to be sold as individual issues to the direct market and newsstands and 3 in a bag to the Wal-Marts and K-Marts of the world. Each title was only supposed to run 12 issues and then 3 new titles would replace them. At the last minute we decided to continue Spider-Girl for a second run of 12. The company later told me that Spider-Girl would be canceled with Issue #17...and you know what followed.
It's funny. I've been writing this title for over 5 years and have never believed it would last beyond a few more issues.
TO: Of the characters that appeared in the once much larger M2 universe, which do you wish you still had a chance to write on a monthly basis?
TD: I really had a great time writing J2. It was a veryyyyyyyy odd title.
TO: How much fun did you have dabbling in the world of Moonstone's The Phantom ("Valley of the Golden Men")?
TD: I had a great time. I enjoy testing my writing muscles with different genres and characters.
TO: What other genres might your enjoy testing your writing muscles with if they were available?
TD: I would love to do some Sword & Sorcery comics and a visual modern day spy/cop/detective drama or situation comedy would also present some interesting challenges.
TO: What is the appeal for you to writing The Phantom?
TD: The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician were the first comic heroes that I ever read. I followed their adventures in the newspapers long before I discovered comic books and I've always been a fan.
TD: It is a typical Phantom story by way of Edgar Rice Burroughs. It deals with Diana in danger, a mysterious civilization, modern day pirates, and a pivotal clues buried within the ancient chronicles of the Phantom. HOO-HA!
TO: If the chance arose, would you be interested in writing The Phantom or any of the other Moonstone properties on a regular basis?
TD: I would love to do more Phantom material. I also wouldn't mind a shot at Boston Blackie, The Saint or a lot of other great mystery characters.
TO: With Boston Blackie, were you familiar with the character's long history in radio, movies and TV, or was your introduction to the character via Moonstone's use of the character?
TD: I have copies of many of the old Boston Blackie movies and radio dramas, but I am afraid that haven't read the Moonstone graphic novel, yet.
TO: What is on the creative horizon for 2004?
TD: In the world of comics, I just have Spider-Girl on my plate at the moment...but that could always change with the next phone call.
TO: Are you developing any new series pitches for 2004?
TD: I always have an idea or two tucked away. I either end up using them in comics or I usually find another outlet for them.
TO: Are there any ideas you'd like to toss out to fans to generate interest and maybe get the associated powers that be to take heed? Why I ask that latter part, is it seems to me you could offer a Tom DeFalco idea to the Spider-Girl message board and short of you asking to be elected president, they'd make it happen for you. You've clearly developed a loyal following and it’s not something many creators in this often fickle market can claim.
TD: While you present a very interesting idea, I would feel like I was trying to take advantage of the fans. Besides, I really don't think we have that kind of relationship. The fans have gathered together because they love Spider-Girl. She's the real star, not me. Just because someone likes Spider-Girl, it doesn't mean that they would like a horror or mystery or even another super hero comic book written me. Some readers loved A-Next but hated J2. I'm not the kind of writer who has a style that carries from one project to the next. I deliberately try to bury myself in the world and character that I'm writing about. I want the readers to be focused on the character and his/her story, and not the writer. I hope my Phantom story reads like a real Phantom story--even if it means that some of my Spider-Girl audience may not like it. While I hope that some of the readers like the quality of my work enough to follow me to other projects, I never take them for granted.
SBC Audience Participation
After this interview ran, a reader e-mailed me with a question, I passed it on to Tom and he was kind enough to answer. If there's ever a question I don't ask that you'd like answered, drop me an e-mail and we'll see what we can do.
SBC Reader Question: What is the status of his former Image titles, Randy O'Donnell is the M@N and Mr. Right? Last I heard he was going to tpb those books? I really liked that Randy book. Kirkman's Invincible reminds me of that in a way.
TD: With a little (no make that A LOT of luck) I may have some big news about Randy and Mr. Right in April or May of this year...and I plan to look for someone to publish both titles in the coming months.
