And now for something completely different. The powers that be here at the Atomic Office have asked for a kinder and gentle interrogation. And so I bring you Terry Moore, the man behind Strangers in Paradise, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, Echo and this week’s Runaways from Marvel. We will sit down and have a nice cup of tea and biscuits whilst I let Mr. Moore poke my poor assistant John with a cattleprod.
IG: How does it feel to be the cornerstone, nay the very foundation, of the female comic demographic? The mere mentioning of your name to a female is enough to remove the stigma that comes with the genre.
TM: That sounds painful. You know, the older you get, the more stuff they want to cut off you. It’s pretty gross when you think about it. …eh, what’s he doing?
JM: Don’t get too overzealous with that cattleprod. You don’t want the Batteries to run out.
IG: Did you have a natural ending for Strangers in Paradise or was it a chaotic rampaging monster that needed to be put down like a Rabid dog?
TM: Rabid. Another year and I would have been able to turn SiP into a global empire with theme parks, my own cable network and possibly a line of cologne. I pulled the plug before it became too successful.
IG: More Tea, Mr. Moore?
TM: No thanks, this bucket is plenty.
IG: Did you receive any fan flak for the ending?
TM: None. Every person on the planet agreed it was time to stop me.
IG: How hard is it to follow Joss Whedon on a book like Runaways? I mean he’s a huge name across several media. Was there any apprehension about jumping in to fill his gigantic shoes?
TM: Not until I was told I’d also have to assume his personal debts. Why does anybody need 3 yachts? …okay, he’s starting to make me nervous. You wanna…
JM: Don’t tase me bro!
IG: Is it hard to plot out comics without drawing them yourself? Do you do thumbnails of how the pacing should be? If so, will these doodles ever see the light of day?
TM: I do thumbnails sometimes, maybe for a page or two, but then I eat them. You’ll never get them.
IG: Pay no attention to John – he always bleeds from the eyes like that.
TM: Dude, spit the taser out! You’re not supposed to… Geez!
IG: What was it like giving up all your independence as a freelance writer/artist of your own works to the committee driven, forced storylines of a major comic powerhouse?
TM: Heavenly. Like being a love slave.
IG: Does your Exclusive contract with marvel cause any problems or conflicts with your own projects?
TM: Nope. I’m free to do whatever my heart desires at Abstract Studio. At the moment it desires Echo comics.
IG: Speaking of, how is Echo doing? Do you think your SiP fan base has followed you through this venture?
TM: I think so. Do you think Moses ever had days where he was afraid to look over his shoulder— what if nobody’s behind me? What if they all split while I wasn’t looking? …whoops! Oh man, you okay?
JM: Oh god – it hurts! My eyes!!!
IG: How does it feel to be the only one at Marvel who LOVES MARY JANE??? I mean, have you seen all the hate that has rained down on this poor girl? Is she so bad that her husband would willingly deal with the devil (who should be a Skrull) in order to save the life of his octogenarian aunt? Thanks from many fans come to you for your picking up this sleeper hit title. Why does Marvel Editorial think so little of Mary Jane?
TM: Hey, if she’s good enough for Peter Parker, she’s good enough for me. Marvel actually loves MJ. That’s why they asked me to take care of her. Back! All of you, back!
IG: Do you have to adjust your writing style to fit artist Humberto Ramos at all – or vice versa? Is there any static between the two of you, stylistically that is?
TM: I adjusted to the point of finally being able to request a drawing of anything I can imagine. He can draw anything. That’s very liberating for a writer. Here, draw all the windows in Manhattan blowing out. Thank you.
IG: I can’t tell is John still breathing? Not that I don’t have more flunkies where he comes from after all, but let’s lay back on that cattleprod a bit please. IG: Do you plan on delving any further on the Secret Invasion angle in Runaways?
TM: Secret what? I haven’t heard about this.
IG: Well sir I thank you for your time and I hope to see you again soon. Don’t worry I am sure that the blood will come out of your shirt.
Stay tuned readers for our next installment later this week.