James "Jimmy" Palmiotti is a writer and artist of various comics. He has extensive inking credits, and is widely regarded as one of the industry's best; he has often inked the work of Joe Quesada, notably on Ash (which they co-created, along with Painkiller Jane) and Daredevil (esp. the 'Guardian Devil' arc penned by Kevin Smith).

As a writer, Palmiotti is known for Hawkman and The Monolith for DC Comics, as well as 21 Down and The Twilight Experiment for their Wildstorm imprint (often in tandem with fellow writer Justin Gray). He has also written for videogames, notably The Punisher, which he co-wrote with current Punisher scripter Garth Ennis. A Palmiotti/Ennis-scripted Ghost Rider videogame is in the works, to tie in with the upcoming movie starring Nicholas Cage.

Palmiotti is married to another comics artist, Amanda Conner.

RED SONJA: ONE MORE DAY (RANDOM FILL)

DF: Jimmy, you have a wide range of experience in advertising, production, editorial, film, media presentation, scriptwriting, video game production and art development for such companies as Marvel Comics, DC Comics, THQ and Nike. You've had the chance to tackle all forms of media production, any challenges you haven't taken on yet that you really want to?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Yeah, be given enough money to stay home and write exactly everything I want to create and not worry about sales and the day to day business of it all. After that, I would like to create a property, write a screenplay for it and direct or produce it. I know that is asking a lot, but I am getting closer each day to that happening We are in the land of countless opportunities, it would be a crime not to pursue them

DF: Is there any comic book property that you wish you could go at?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Yes and no. I do like taking on something like Jonah Hex and the Daughters of the Dragon, but the reality is that my favorite assignment always starts with someone asking me "hey, you got any new characters or ideas?" With Gatecrasher, Ash, Painkiller Jane, 22 Brides, Beautiful Killer, The Monolith, 21 Down, The Pro, The Resistance, Twilight Experiment and New West… the challenge never gets old or uninteresting to me and probably never will.

DF: You always seem to be creating comics in tandem with either Justin Gray or Amanda Conner, when working on a project do think head butting or compromising produces the best product?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: A little of both. You will always butt heads and think your idea is best out of the gate, but to tell the truth, when you work with brilliant talent like Amanda and Justin, they really bring something to the table. Amanda has an amazing storytelling ability and sense of humor, and Justin has not only a great work ethic, but the man is a one person world book encyclopedia of knowledge. I am impressed by these talented people each and every day. For the life of me I have no idea why they hang out with me…lol. I love spending time with both of them, doing anything… the work part is fun as well.

DF: Your latest project for DC has taken you to the WILD WEST with Jonah Hex, can you explain a little of who this character is?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Jonah Hex is a simple bounty hunter in the old west right after the end of the civil war. A man with no roots and a specific idea in his head about what is right and what is wrong. He is a man that lives on instinct and just the sight of him can bring fear to those who intend wrong doing. That said, I think he is one of the more interesting characters created in the 70's and feel very lucky to be given this opportunity.

DF: Where is your new series going to take Jonah Hex?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: I would love to say to hell and back, but I think Justin and I are going to be taking the readers on a ride with Hex that's going to be a rowdy adventure each and every month. We have so many ideas that we want to do, we just hope it sells enough and gets an audience that can support the title for years.

DF: Another one of your current writing duties have taken you into the world of Hawkman who, as a hero, has lived for centuries and already has his fate predestined. However, your run of Hawkman seems to be pulling away from the pre-destined fate of Hawkman and Hawkgirl, by having the pair NOT fall in love and also by Hawkman recently dying at the hands of someone other then his predestined murderer, Hath-Set. Is this what you are trying to do…break the chain?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: We are doing what we think was a natural place to take the book after Geoff's run and making it our own. The last few issues we have put the characters through hell, but as readers have learned by now, we have our reasons and in the end we want to bring the hawks into a new phase in their relationship issues 47-49, we go places that they have never dared go before. More than that I cannot say.

DF: With Carter Hall's death and with Golden Eagle picking up the mantel of Hawkman, you've really put Kendra Saunders into the lead of this book as evident by retiling the book Hawk'girl' for issue #42. What do you see as Kendra Saunders strengths? Her weakness?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Kendra is the soul of the title and she, I think, is the smarter of the two. Carter reacts, Kendra thinks and then executes. They really make up two parts of a very interesting whole. She is not a weak character by any means.

DF: You've had no problem writing very strong women from 21 Down's FBI Agent Mickey Rinaldi, Tilt and Alice from Monolith, The Pro, Kendra Saunders and now in a one-shot Red Sonja: One More Day. Do you enjoy the dichotomy of female characters taking such a strong stance in battle?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: All the women I know and admire are as strong as any male I know… and I think the rest of the world is still catching up with the idea that women and men are all equals. I live in a city where I don't see the battle of the sexes still going on as much and am happy about that. I personally love writing the female characters because they have better communication skills and are more in touch with their emotions and are not as afraid to show them. Each of the characters listed above are very close to me and especially someone like Mickey, Tilt and Alice, that Justin and I created from scratch, have become more than fiction to us. I

DF: Where can we see Red Sonja going, as an individual, in your on-shot?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Sonja is asked by a former friend to get involved in his battle and inspire along the way… a tall order that only a character like Sonja could ever manage. She takes control, bests men far bigger than her and is a driven fighter. This is a war book where we see the warrior side of Sonja's brain in action.

DF: If Red Sonja existed today, what do you think would be her career path would be?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Madonna. I think she would be someone like Madonna… always experimenting with her art, taking control of her business and trying to conquer the world. Even if you don't love Madonna, you have to respect her drive and ambition.

DF: If you could pit Red Sonja up against any other female character, real or fictional, who would you want it to be?
JIMMY PALMIOTTI: Fighting Sonja? Hmmmm, well, after the last question, why not Madonna…they can both wear next to nothing and sword fight…man, that's hot. What did you expect me to say? Mother Teresa?

For more information on Dynamite Entertainment, including more Army of Darkness and Red Sonja product, please visit the Dynamite Entertainment website at www.dynamiteentertainment.com Check out DF's selection of Red Sonja Comics and Collectibles here!

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