DF INTERVIEW: ROBERT KIRKMAN

(From Wikipedia) Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his work on Image Comics' series The Walking Dead and Invincible.

Kirkman's first comic book work was self published, through the publisher Funk-O-Tron. This series was Battle Pope (2000) produced with artist Tony Moore, an intentionally offensive super-hero parody.

That work led to his next work being published by Image Comics, starting with the six issue series Tech Jacket (2002) with artist E.J. Su.

Next came Invincible (2003), (initially with Cory Walker, later with Ryan Ottley on pencils) the story of the adolescent son of the world's most powerful super-hero, who developes super-powers and starts his own career as a super-hero.

Shortly after the launch of Invincible Kirkman and Tony Moore began The Walking Dead (2003), an ongoing series set in a world inspired by George A. Romero's zombie movies. Moore stopped doing the interior art with #7 and was replaced by Charlie Adlard, who took over immediately at #8.

These two series have met with critical and commercial success, with Kirkman's work on Invincible especially leading to him being offered more mainstream super-hero work by Marvel Comics.

His work for that publisher has included Captain America (in 2004), a one-shot in the Marvel Knights: 2099 series, the Jubilee limited series, the restarted Marvel Team-Up anthology (in 2005) and the Fantastic Four: Foes mini-series.

In February, 2005 Paramount Pictures announced that they have bought the rights to produce an Invincible feature film, and that they have hired Kirkman to write the screenplay.

He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his short story scheduled to appear in the upcoming Tales of the Army of Darkness.

DF: You started off your career by bringing us great titles such as Battle Pope, Brit, the world of Invincible and The Walking Dead. What's your secret to coming up with such different ideas for story telling?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: I like to do different things, it keeps things fresh. I've really just been doing whatever I've wanted to do in every case. I haven't wanted to do the same things so far. I've yet to try and cash in on a successful book by trying to do more books just like it. I don't think that would be any fun. Although, I must note... keep your eye out for The Running Dead--it's going to be a huge hit.

DF: With the popularity of TV series like Smallville, Lost, The Sopranos and many others, would you ever consider making The Walking Dead into a ongoing Television Series? If so, who would you like to see play Rick?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: If they came calling I'd answer the phone, no doubt about it. Nothing solid has formed on that front as of yet. I'm certainly not opposed to it. As far as who I'D like to play Rick, I'd go with someone unrecognizable for the most part. I think Richard T. Jones would really do a good job. He doesn't exactly LOOK the part, but the show Judging Amy is a guilty pleasure of mine and he's got GREAT emotional range on that show. I think he'd do good. Another good candidate would be Lee Tergeson from OZ and other things.

DF: I've noticed at Cons that you have a hardcore fanbase, have you ever used a fan in one of your stories?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: I don't know that I'd say "HARDCORE" I mean... they don't really show any penetration. They're more of a late night Cinemax fan base. No... I really haven't. I've used NAMES before--I do that all the time actually. But y'know, I don't think I've ever specifically had one of them drawn into a book. I'd totally accept bribes, though.

DF: Now that you have successfully broken into the Marvel Universe, did that change any plans that you had with your own creations? Are you doing new creator-owned series, or is the focus more on playing with Marvel's characters?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: I'm happy at Marvel right now. That said, I'm coming up with new ideas for creator owned stuff every week. I've got a drawer full of stuff ready to get moving as soon as my schedule opens up. I'm not out of ideas or anything. I'm just backing off, having fun in the Marvel sand box, and one day, I'll do some more creator owned stuff at Image. Right now, though, I'm happy to focus on Walking Dead and Invincible. It really is quite fulfilling to be up in the 20s with both books.

DF: With your upcoming storyline in Marvel Team-Up, you're bringing in Mark (Invincible) Grayson to the mix. Was that your idea or did Marvel approach you to bring him in the loop?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: It was something I suggested as a joke that Joe Quesada seemed to like. I'm as shocked as you are. It's going to be a cool issue, though, I promise. It'll tie in with the regular Invincible quite a bit and I thinks it's going to be a fun read for fans of BOTH books.

DF: Marvel brought over Bendis and his title, Power's to their new ICON line of comics. You're a big supporter of Image, but now you're doing a cross-over with Invincible on Marvel Team Up. Is this an inkling that you may be next to join in and bring your titles to ICON? Is Marvel allowing you to use Spider-Man in your Image monthly comics?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: I love Marvel and I love Image. I'm just not a one company guy. They don't seem to mind the fact that my clothes smell funny when I come home late at night or the fact that the other companies lip stick is on my collar. They'll get a little upset every now and then when I scream out the other company's name during... you know, but other than that. They're totally cool with me being at the two places at once.

DF: Army of Darkness is said to be one of the greatest cult classic films of our times. Our friends at Dynamite are making a comic and presenting a special “Annual” that you and many others have joined up for. What is the experience like taking over the writing chores of good ol' Ash for this short story?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: My senior year of high school, I had a VHS copy of Army of Darkness (this was when Evil Dead 1 and 2 were out of print and unavailable) and I would go home EVERY DAY and watch that movie until I fell asleep. So for like six months I watched that movie EVERY NIGHT. I love Bruce Campbell, I love Sam Raimi, I love Rob Tapert, and I LOVE Army of Darkness. Hell, I even love Ted Raimi and Ivan Raimi. Getting to write a nugget of ol' Ash's adventures--a dream come true. I'm excited.

DF: If you were stranded on a deserted island, with a portable DVD player that had enough power to watch one last film, what would that film be and why?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: I'd say Army of Darkness, but y'know what... I've pretty much got that one memorized. Probably The Hudsucker Proxy (Co-written by Sam Raimi who also acted as second unit director and also had Bruce Campbell in a small role). Partly because I think it's the best comedy ever made and partly because it would really cheer me up. Which, y'know... would come in handy if I was stranded on a deserted island.

DF: Last but not least, I was told that the best advice to give someone who is beginning a writing career in comics, is to write what you wanna write. What do you think of that advice and what's the best advice you would give someone?
ROBERT KIRKMAN: If you suck, give up. If you're really good, it'll all work out. But then again... most of this game is all down to luck, which is why I'm here. So I guess what I'd say is just keep making comics. Don't write scripts and turn in submissions... MAKE COMICS. Publish them yourself if you have to but get them published. Then you're at least accomplishing SOMETHING while you're learning.

Check out our complete selection of comics and trades by Robert Kirman right here!

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