FROM WIKIPEDIA: Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is a United States comic book writer, screen and television writer as well as television and motion picture producer. A three time Eisner Award Winner and five time Wizard Award Winner, Loeb has found tremendous success at both Marvel and DC where he has guided such diverse characters as the X-Men and Superman as well as Batman and Spider-Man. He is known for his extensive use of narration boxes as monologues to reveal the inner thoughts of his characters. Much of his most celebrated work has been in collaboration with artist Tim Sale. In 2003, Loeb teamed with superstar artist Jim Lee to create the year long mystery Batman: Hush, the highest selling DC comic in over 10 years. Hush, which spawned three lines of toys, posters and calenders, sat at the #1 spot for eleven of the twelve months it was in publication. The following year, Loeb launched "Superman/Batman" which toppled Hush's success. It is the only comic book title with a single writer for 25 consecutive issues working with a rotating group of artists, Ed McGuinness, Michael Turner, Pat Lee, Carlos Pacheco and Ian Churchill. In 2005, Loeb spun Supergirl out of Superman/Batman with artist Ian Churchill. Another phenomenon, Supergirl launched as the most successful single female character in nearly ten years.

As of September 1, 2005, Loeb will begin an exclusive contract with Marvel. He is "working out the details" with how he will continue the newly launched Supergirl series. His first series will be Volume 3 of The Ultimates, with Joe Madureira on art.

DF: You've had a great deal of success re-introducing older characters in a fresh new way in comics (Daredevil: Yellow, Hulk: Gray, Spider-Man: Blue) and with Smallville and now with Supergirl. What is different about this NEW Supergirl from past ones?
JEPH LOEB: I'm trying to be very respectful of what's past, but the biggest difference is that in the minds of everyone in the DC universe, there never was a Kara Zor-El. She got ret-conned out by CRISIS. Now, whether or not I agree with that -- and what's the point of still arguing it twenty years later -- the opportunity arose, largely due to timing and Dan DiDio, that she return... for the very first time.

Under any circumstances, this isn't your grandfather's Supergirl. She's very much a teenager who is trying to find her place in the world. She is incredibly powerful -- so much so we haven't really seen the extent of that, coupled with there's a great deal of mystery about her and her origins. And as we'll be seeing, not all of it so good.

My feeling was to get her to know the DCU and let the DCU get to know her, the first six issues are something of a world tour. She's on one mission -- but not necessarily aware that she's being manipulated into an entirely different mission. Some of that becomes clearer in #3 and then sort of blows open in #4.

There's been some talk about how sometimes it feels like she's a guest star in her own book, but our hope is to get as many people as we can to expose themselves to this new character. It is very, very difficult to launch a single female lead in a book -- there hasn't been one in the top five -- much less the top 3 since Witchblade and that's now ten years ago. I'm not sure why -- there are some terrific single female characters -- particularly in the DCU. But, to get to that audience, yes, that's why we brought in the JSA, The Titans, The Outsiders and eventually, the JLA. But, keep in mind, if you've been reading about her since she first appeared in Superman/Batman 8-13, that was the where that arc was headed. It is the natural extension of that story.

DF: Kara has also had the chance to venture into a more main stream audience by becoming one of the main characters in Justice League Unlimited. How do you feel that your work on Superman/Batman helped bring that about?
JEPH LOEB: Oh, I haven't got the slightest idea. I love the show and think Bruce Timm and Alan B. are the tits, so whatever the hell they want to do is cool with me. My guess is that its pretty clear that the new design that Turner and I worked on is becoming the established SUPERGIRL for now and they wanted to keep up to date. Last time -- when it was the white t-shirt and mini-skirt -- the comic reflected the cartoon (which I also had a hand in with a big help from Peter David).

DF: In Superman/Batman 'The Girl from Krypton', Clark wants believe this alien girl is his cousin. Batman is skeptical. With the storyline wrapped up and Kara Zor-El now embedded into the DC Universe, is Batman still Skeptical? Does he have a right to be?
JEPH LOEB: Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they still aren't out to get you. Batman has some reasons to feel as he does about Kara -- whether or not they are accurate remain to be seen. But, given her story and how many holes there are in it -- innocent or not -- any detective would have doubts, don't you think?

DF: Superman and Batman are opposite sides of the same coin. Which other set of classic superhero pairs would you want to do a DC story with? How about from the Marvel Universe?
JEPH LOEB: I've had the greatest run and most fun in the DCU that I think a boy could have. I'm incredibly lucky to work with such talented folks and I take none of that for granted -- having said all that, it is time to move on. My thoughts are totally about Marvel these days (with the exception of finishing off the work that is to come from DC) -- so pairs are not exactly on my mind. However, (and no innuendo, fanboys please), I think what Geoff Johns has done with Power Girl is fantastic and I'd like to do a Supergirl/Power Girl story that maybe takes place on Kandor. Nightwing and Flamebird, anybody?

Now, across the street? Jeez, I haven't even started yet. But, at least in the Ultimates, the Cap/Iron Man relationship is VERY interesting and for me, the closest thing to the Batman/Superman relationship. Uniquely so.

DF: Your run on Superman/Batman is coming to a close with the pair facing off against the Maximums, who seem to be a mirror image to the Avengers/Ultimates. Are the Maximums a preview of what we can expect from your Ultimates run starting next year? What can we expect?
JEPH LOEB: What? The Maximums remind you of the Ultimates? You gotta be kiddin' me?! Why would anybody do that?! You guys gotta lay off the wacky tobaccy! (laughs)

All I can say about the Ultimates is JOE MAD. He's gonna so rock the UU -- I can't wait. We've got a great team line-up building off of what Millar and Hitch have left for us and we hope to do that book proud. Usually when a new team comes aboard it's because it's broken and you're sent into to fix it. Let me be clear: There ain't nothing wrong with Millar & Hitchy's wonderful 24 issues -- other than I would love to read more. But, since they decided to loot the kingdom and leave for parts unknown, I grabbed the chair. Now, we'll see where it takes us all!

DF: What is the one Marvel property that you wish you could bring to television?
JEPH LOEB: Huh. Never really gave it any thought at all. The old Hulk series is still one of my favorites. I also think that Ant Man could be very cool in the world of CGI. I grew up watching a show called "LAND OF THE GIANTS" and it was all done in the camera, no CG. The ultimate little big man.

DF: Do you have plans to start your own original comic book ideas (creator-owned) now that you're off to Marvel? Possibly through Icon or Image?
JEPH LOEB: I never say never. But, for me, the fun of writing comics is working with the Icons. I don't want to sound all Hollywood-y, but I'm not sure that folks remember that I came from television (THE HITCHHIKER) and movies (TEEN WOLF and COMMANDO) and THEN moved into comics. This is looonnnng before Kevin Smith and the current hit parade. Paraphrasing Barbara Mandrell, "I was comics, when comics wasn't cool." It was always about being the fan, being the reader and it has to stay that way for me. And as much as I appreciate and am in awe of guys like Bendis who can make this stuff out of cheese cloth, I'd have to devote the same amount of time and energy to a television show or a movie. So, it's just easier on my brain to keep the two separated. Cousins, but not identical.

DF: Now that you've left the show, are you watching Smallville, or do you not watch the shows you work on? What else are you watching right now?
JEPH LOEB: Of course I watch Smallville. Everyone on that show is part of my family and in particular, knew and loved my son, Sam, who died last June at the too young age of 17. They even dedicated the first show to him, so they'll ALWAYS have my loyalty. I tend to watch what everybody else watches -- not unlike comics -- LOST, SOPRANOS, ENTOURAGE, JON STEWART, DEADWOOD, SUPERNATURAL -- and there's some off the wall stuff like HARVEY BIRDMAN and DRAWN TOGETHER that you just have to know to know. Seriously, though, I could watch ROBOT CHICKEN until my eyeballs fell out. That show just makes me laugh -- Seth and Matt are seriously demented and I love, love, love that!

Anyway, thanks for the time, and see you 'round the Ulimate Spinner Rack!

Be sure to check out DF's complete selection of Jeph Loeb's comics right here.

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