Jesse McCann Interview: The Conclusion

Jesse Leon McCann is a New York Times bestselling children's author and comic book writer, working with Bongo, DC, Scholastic, and other publishers. http://hometown.aol.com/jleon2001/myhomepage/ He's currently working on writing Krypto for DC. This is the concluding installment of a two-part interview.

PC: What precisely is your role at Bongo these days?

JL: Oh, same as it ever was-- a freelance writer and good friend to Bill Morrison, the creative director, and Terry Delegeane, my editor. We've been working together for a decade.

PC: I suppose the Simpsons' comics writers must follow the new episodes of the show pretty closely... Does the show show any sign of ending? I've heard rumors about a movie lately...

JL: I do, and I think they've been, by and large, very funny and creative throughout all 17 seasons. The show has been picked up for at least 19 season, and the movie is no rumour-- it's coming out in 2007.

PC: I suppose it catches my interest because, well, it's a group of comics based on a TV show. That's something special these days... It's funny, but it seems to me that Buffy is the next closest contemporary comparison.

JL: Buffy could be considered so, yes. And Joss has gone on to write comics, too!

PC: How will the movie affect the Bongo comics, do you suppose?

JL: It's been my experience, closely related to comics sales as I am, that movies based on comics don't raise sales of comics that much at all. A movie based on a TV show probably won't affect comic sales, either. Now, when the first Batman came out in 1989, that was an exception. Lots of sales on ancillary products there.

PC: Why did that make such a difference?

JL: Batman was a big deal at the time because no one had done anything with the title since the 1960's TV show. Casting, and advance looks at the movie's art direction caused a frenzy with the fans. Sales followed the frenzy.

PC: Okay, so it was about the characters already having a background in the culture.

JL: Absolutely. Batman was and is greatly loved.

PC: Okay, since we've segued back to DC, let's discuss your new Krypto project.

JL: I have to say that I am overjoyed to be working on a project that combines both my inclusion in the annals of comic writers who've been allowed to write part of the Superman family of adventures; as well as being aimed at my favorite audience, kids. Krypto is a great character because he, too, arrived here as an alien from another planet, who found friendship and has vowed to protect his new home from evil.

PC: I suppose the entire tradition of super-pets came about as a way to keep these superheroes interesting to kids...

JL: Yes! Because it is set in the DC Universe, any and all things relative to Superman can-- and do -- happen. The science, outer space realities, crazy villains-- all are possible in KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG. In fact, in the first book, both Superman and the Joker make cameos. And-- like I always do when writing my scripts-- the story should appeal to older readers, too. Sort of like Warner Brothers' classic cartoons.

PC: Hm... that's another interesting point... the science. That's a natural byproduct of having a silver age concept like the use of Krypto...

JL: The science is a wonderful element. I have StarLabs and Lexcorp to work with! That means time travel, interdimensional travel and so on. Not to mention red kryptonite! With red kryptonite, anything is possible.

PC: So have you read a lot of Superman comics involving Krypto in preparation? Or is this more of a fresh conceptual start...?

JL: I'd have to say a fresh start. I read the original origin story of Krypto, and watched a bunch of the TV show, but that's about it.

PC: Let's expand to all things Super for a moment. The movie is finally coming out (again), there'll be new writers on Superman in his Post-52 world... Justice League is still on cable, in reruns if nothing else... Do you have an opinion or even follow all of this?

JL: For me, it's impossible to follow it all. As a writer, I tend to not want to. I might be more influenced than I like. And I leave it to me editor at DC to tell me if I'm straying away from, or too close to, other Superman family storylines. As for the movie-- I can't wait to see it! I love superhero movies.

PC: I will say that I was surprised at how much DCU lore goes into Krypto the TV show...

JL: We've got Batman's dog, Catwoman's cat, the Joker's Hyenas and Lex Luthor's iguana already to work with. I'm not privy to what's coming up on the show, but they have great writers with great imaginations. There is a team of mutts from space who right wrongs throughout the universe, and Krypto and Streaky are members. What a great show it is, and I was gratified when I spoke to children at a school yesterday, that they all knew who Krypto was from the show!

PC: That was a question I almost forgot to ask you -- you said you were speaking at the Alta Vista school, and I wanted to hear more about it -- especially since now you've gone and done it.

JL: The Alta Vista School in Redondo Beach, CA. is very progressive school, and they have once a year, a writer's conference where pro writers from many fields come and talk to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students about the job and hobby of writing.

PC: And how did that go for you... they were enthusiastic about it?

JL: It's a wonderful experience for me, and hopefully for the kids who signed up for my classes. They split the attendees into two groups, one 3rd graders, and one 4th/5th graders (because children do a lot of growing between their 3rd and 4th years, usually.) Some of the older kids took my class again. The younger students, of course were new. They were enthusiastic about comics, but I hope they also learned something to take with them. Alta Vista's program gives the kids a chance to talk to REAL writers at an early age. Of course they'll make their own mistakes if they choose a career in writing, but if we can impart advice on avoiding the stumbling blocks and add to their enthusiasm for writing, well, our job is done.

PC: Cartoon Network ROCKS America's culture right now. But it's cable. When I was a kid, I didn't have cable. I missed out on a few things. But these days... if you don't have cable, all you're left with is Idol, Housewives, and Lost. That's something that's really changed.

JL: Yes, cable reshaped the popular culture landscape, no doubt. If a person wishes, however, it can be so much more. The new "on demand" scheduling is particularly wonderful. Right before talking to you, I was watching a swell historical movie about Elizabeth I. And, since many of my books are based on Cartoon Network shows, I have to agree, it rocks!

PC: Now, did I hear that you have a second upcoming project?

JL: Yes I do, let me tell you about SMILES FOR DIVERSITY. A few years ago, a friend of a dentist in Salt Lake City was hurt in a hate crime. After that, he and some friends started a comic called SCRAPYARD DETECTIVES. Last year at ComicCon, the artist of SCRAPYARD approached me to write issue #3, which I did.The publisher is called SMILES FOR DIVERSITY, and the comics are FREE. It's an anti-hate comic, but it's also an adventure and it isn't all smaltzy with a heavy-handed message. It should be enjoyable for all-ages, but focused at kids, so they learn to not grow up hating other cultures and races. The artist, Bill Galvan is excellent! I'm telling you, I've worked with some great pencillers, and Bill is one of them.

PC: When will your issue come out?

JL: I'm not sure. But I think before ComicCon, since they'll have a booth there, and I'll be signing copis of the book for free. The thing is, I'm working with them to get the book in all stores for free, and I believe that'll include shipping, but I'm not positive about that. My hope is that retailers will order a bunch of these when SMILES FOR DIVERSITY calls, and give them out to their customers. The story is about a trio of kid detectives, who solve mysteries. I tried to make it as different from Scooby-Doo as possible. It's got more of a Mission Impossible feel to it.

PC: How so? Gadgets? More suspenseful?

JL: It's a little gritty and grim-- at one point you think a major character has been killed. Lots of gadgets, including a flying scooter, a spider-spybot and much more. Suspense? You bet!

PC: Wow, that is a little surprising.

JL: Why? The grittiness?

PC: Yes, a little.

JL: The kids work out of a scrapyard. Their lives are challenging-- they're all minorities, and one of them's in a wheel chair after a gymnastic accident, paralyzed from the waist down. So, life's definitely not all roses for them. But, like the best of us, they make the best of what they have to work with, and what they do is solve mysteries. I read the first two issues, and I had to admit that although their hearts were in the right place, some writing changes needed to be made. They agreed, so we fleshed out the characters a bit, gave them some conflicts. And most importantly in books as this kind, a sense of real danger. However, everything works out good in the end.

PC: Perhaps that's a good note to end on... did we forget anything?

JL: Well, for HarperCollins, there's the next SIMPSONS TV episode guide I'm working on, covering seasons 15 and 16. I've also done several things for Bongo that are coming up-- BART SIMPSON COMICS, and there's two new LIBRARY OF WISDOM BOOKS coming out soon, featuring Krusty the Clown and Lisa.

PC: What's the most important thing about writing work targeted at kids?

JL: Good question! First and foremost, a writer writes for themselves. So, it follows, that a writer must dig down and find the child in themselves (my wife will tell you with me, you don't have to dig very far.) When you've found that place, write what expresses your attitudes--everyone's got them--attitudes and opinions. Express your inner-child's attitudes, wonder, happiness, and you'll be writing well for children.