By Brian Hofacker



From Ant-Man to Zabu, Paul Tobin has written just every character in the Marvel Universe. His work includes a mountain of Marvel’s All-Ages books, including Marvel Adventures and the upcoming All-Ages Spider-man and Super Heroes series. Paul also shot the spotlight back on Millicent (Millie the Model) Collins and her daring and sleuthing gal pals of the runway in the fashionably fun series Models, Inc. now Hercules: Fall of an Avenger and the World War Hulks all have Paul’s name attached.

You know the characters…. Now let’s meet Paul Tobin!

DF: I am…

PAUL TOBIN: I am a bald guy with a mustache who writes comics, and solves crimes of the heart with the aid of his trusted pet spider, El Bronco.

DF: You’ve done a lot of work for Marvel’s All-Ages titles; how do you find writing for all-ages compares to writing for the rated T+ audience?

PAUL TOBIN: I really don't pay all that much attention to it, frankly. I have stories I want to tell, and I tell them, working within certain guidelines. And I've always looked at "all ages" to mean, "Written for everyone," rather than "written for young readers." No matter what line I'm writing for, my mindset it to write for me... and make it accessible for everyone.



DF: Your name is in the credits for World War Hulks #1; what do you have going on there?

PAUL TOBIN: I had the opportunity to play around with Samson... show a little more of what makes him tick, and just where all that ticking might be leading. The scope of the "Hulk" material is really exciting of late, and it's fun to be a part of it.




DF: Secret Wars is a pretty important book for a lot of readers. How was it revisiting that series in Spider-Man and the Secret Wars?

PAUL TOBIN: It was an incredible ride, for me, as a guy who read Secret Wars when it first came out. And I can remember having questions, wondering what certain characters were doing, what was going on behind the scenes, and wanting to linger longer on certain moments. Writing the series was a chance for ME to be the guy who answered some of those questions I had so long ago... to open up the scenery, to kick down the backdrops, and linger on the classic moments. I'm glad that people are enjoying the ride along with me!



DF: What made you decide to work in the comic book industry?

PAUL TOBIN: A lifelong love of the medium. I was reading comics when I was four. They gave me a whole universe to explore, a universe with constantly expanding boundaries and endless worlds and realms. I honestly believe comics taught me how to be a good person... that great power demands great responsibility and that, therefore, any power at all demands some responsibility.




DF: Best part of working in the comic book industry?

PAUL TOBIN: Immortality for the good scripts I write.

DF: Worst part of working in the comic book industry?

PAUL TOBIN: Immortality for the bad scripts I write.

DF: Favorite comic book character?

PAUL TOBIN: Hulk is my longtime favorite character, but Spider-Man is my favorite to write. Spider-Man just has a broader range of emotions he can convey, and a larger selection of possible stories to tell. I'd love to work with Daredevil. Similarly, I'd have to think Batman would be great to script... especially with the huge corps of supporting characters, such as Catwoman, Robin, and... of course... Ace the Bat Hound.



DF: Who is your least favorite comic book character?

PAUL TOBIN: There's no such thing as my least favorite character. I've long said that as a writer, if you've taken the helm of a comic, and there's a character in YOUR book that YOU don't like, then it's YOUR fault. It's YOUR responsibility to meld a character into a likable form.

DF: What’s your favorite Saturday Night Live skit?

PAUL TOBIN: I love a lot of Andy Samberg's work, but that video where Natalie Portman sings about what a badass she is, and curses like a sailor, that spoke to me on a primal pleasure level. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8e6-IeQ0aw

DF: Coolest thing you own?

PAUL TOBIN: Hmmm. I'm a collector at heart, so I have stacks of golden age comics, and most of the key Marvel books, and my wife and I have a large collection of original comic art... many pages from EC comics, including a Johnny Craig cover, and originals by Kirby, Eisner, Wood, an original Torpedo page by Jordi Bernet, an original Hugo Pratt, many many many others. I also collect antiquities, and it's cool to handle coins that might have been held by Alexander the Great. Also have a fair amount of ancient Chinese potteries, some Pre-Columbian pottery, a 3000 year old dagger, etc. As far as picking The Single Coolest Thing I Own, I'd have to go all poetic and say, "a good life."

DF: If you could eliminate one movie from existence, what would it be?

PAUL TOBIN: Not sure, but it would probably star Mel Gibson.



DF: Have you ever gotten any funny fan mail?

PAUL TOBIN: When I originally started doing comics, way back in the 90's when I was doing indy work, the fan mail was a lot more fun. There wasn't much of an internet in those days, and people would actually craft gifts and send them along. I miss getting gifts... handcrafted necklaces made of superballs, small statues, original drawings, ladies underthings, mix tapes, etc. Now, I just get links to Things I Should Really See. Sometimes, of course, I really should.

DF: Best all time Saturday morning cartoon?

PAUL TOBIN: Jonny Quest. Nothing beats that opening montage.



DF: What’s your favorite comic book story of all time?

PAUL TOBIN: Hugo Pratt's "Corto Maltese" grand storyline / epic / adventure story. It speaks to me on a lot of levels...  and I found the beautiful simplicity of the art to be evocative of the actual spirit of adventure.... that sense that there must be  more out there, more lands to see, more women to kiss, a sense of passion. I also like the slice of life, "Monsieur Jean" stories by Depuy & Berberian. Beyond that, I love stories where Hulk fights Hercules.

DF: If you could ask anyone in history a question, who is it and what would you ask?

PAUL TOBIN: Oh, I'm tempted to "go big" and talk with Napoleon or George Washington or somesuch thing, but I'd probably just ask Toulouse-Lautrec if he wants to go hang out at the Moulin Rouge. Especially if we could convince Van Gogh to come along.



DF: Do you have any guilty pleasures?

PAUL TOBIN: I have a great many pleasures, but feel guilt for none of them.

DF: Read any good books lately?

PAUL TOBIN: I've been on a bit of a Roberto Bolano kick, and am enjoying his works. Before that, I think the last book that I read that really blew me away was Shirley Jackson's "We Have Always Lived in the Castle."



DF: Best/worst convention moment?

PAUL TOBIN: The best moment that comes to mind was quite a few years ago, long before I was a true comic's professional, and I met Curt Swan, and while we were shaking hands I suddenly realized that it was that very hand I was holding that had drawn Superman NINE BILLION TIMES, one of the truly iconic Superman artists. On a similar note, and also on the "good" side, I can remember being at a banquet for Will Eisner, and everybody was talking to him about the Spirit, and I told him that it was his graphic novels that really moved me, and he put his hand on my shoulder and told me that MY words had meant a lot to HIM. Wow.

And, of course, like everybody else, my worst convention memories all revolve around choosing the Wrong Toilet Stall.



DF: If you didn’t work in the comic book industry, what would you want to be doing?

PAUL TOBIN: Trying to get work in the comic book industry. Wait... is it cool to answer, "Being Conan?" Because if it is, that's my answer.

DF: What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

PAUL TOBIN: Custodial at the University of Iowa. Most of the time it was fine, but during one span there was a bathroom that overflowed Every Single Night... and it was my job to use the wet-vac and.... uhhh.... never mind... can we just talk about working the dance building late at night? That was MUCH better.

DF: Who (or what) inspires your work?

PAUL TOBIN: Impressionist art. Creators such as Pahlaniuk, Hugo Pratt, P. G. Wodehouse, Will Eisner, Brubaker, Jeff Parker, Raymond Chandler, Bukowski, Dashiell Hammett, Frazetta... SO many others. Also, music, women, cabaret, burlesque, even a long walk in the woods... anything that lends or adds to the spirit of life. 



DF: Are you on twitter?

PAUL TOBIN: Absolutely. Occasional sneak peeks at my works and frequent inanities can be found at http://twitter.com/PaulTobin

DF: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

PAUL TOBIN: Find your passion and give it a big kiss. Burn bright. Learn that failure is a necessary step to success. Also... tell editors that you would like to see Paul Tobin write comics forever. That's a very important step in anyone's life.

DF: Thanks Paul!!!

About Brian Hofacker: When not hitting the highway in his kick-ass El Camino or saving the world from space monkeys and zombies, Brian Hofacker works for Dynamic Forces and Dynamite Entertainment, conducting interviews and producing reviews of comic books. Brian also writes a (hardly) weekly column, “What’s in Brian's Bin” for DF, and a member of the review staff of the Lewis Carroll Society. If you would like to be interviewed or have product that you would like reviewed for Dynamic Forces, please contact Brian at brian@dynamicforces.com

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