5 MINUTES WITH. MICHAEL AVON OEMING!

Mike Oeming is the co-creator of the Eisner-award nominated series, Powers, with writer Brian Michael Bendis. He's also been a driving force in such series as Hammer of the Gods, Bastard Samurai and his recently complete run on Thor

Oeming started his career at the tender age of 14 inking books for Innovation Comics. He then went on to ink titles like Avengers and Daredevil for Marvel Comics.

Recently, the prolific writer/artist/creator took 5 minutes out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions.

DF: Now that you're several months into your new relationship with Marvel publishing Powers via the ICON imprint, how're things going? Any regrets leaving image?
OEMING: Well, we haven't really left Image. Not only is all of our huge backstock there for Powers, Kabuki and other Jinxworld books, but my new creator owned books are there as well. Things are good at Image, we continue to have a good relationship with them, and Marvel seems to be a company that is going places :)

QUIXOTE NOVEL

DF: What's coming up in Powers? How much say do you have in the direction of the book?
OEMING: Its pretty much he [Bendis] just hands me the script and I draw it. We talk about story arcs and the general direction of the book, but other than that, everything is said in creative subtext. As far as the book, I probably have more input than I think, but Brian and I are so tied to the hip on this book I don't pay attention to it. I would be happy drawing only Brian's books from now on, way after Powers.

DF: Any word on the Powers movie?
OEMING: Movie word is re-write. They should just let Brian write it and I think all the concerns will disappear.

DF: How did your Thor gig come about?
OEMING: Basically Marvel was looking for some fresh Blood. It was myself, [Robert] Kirkman, and [Mark] Ricketts. Bendis introduced us to Marvel, they took a look at our work and hired us.

DF: What's your favorite Thor story? Thor Writer? Thor Artist?
OEMING: My favorite run on Thor is a cliché - Simonson. You'll see a lot of homage in my run to Walt, and obviously I love the Thomas/Buscema run.

DF: When did you decide that you'd like to try writing, as well as drawing, comic books?
OEMING: I've always wanted to tell my own stories, so becoming a full on writer was an extension of that.

DF: Any other Marvel books coming up that you'll be writing? Favorite characters at Marvel? DC?
OEMING: Yes, there are more plans on writing at Marvel. Right now I'm working on Beta Ray Bill. We are talking about other stuff. I really don't have favorite characters that pop out at me, I'm more interested in the stories. So if it's Catwoman or Hercules -- if I find a story - that's what I want to tell. Not the character.

DF: Any plans to go back to Hammer of the Gods? We are doing a trade of Hammer Hits China, with a new short story and a statue. The movie is coming along nicely, the first draft of the script is done, although I haven't read it yet.

DF: Sell the fans on Quixote, your new project coming from Image.
OEMING: 300 pages for Ten bucks :) Hundred of illustrations. It is an original story using the Quixote mythology as a backdrop. In the modern world, a madman who thinks he is the immortal embodiment of Don Quixote tackles real devils and monsters in the streets, alleys and rooftops of an American City. Guns, swords and monsters, what else can you ask for?

DF: How long has the Quixote project been in the works?
OEMING: It goes back pre-Powers, but the novel has been in the works for 2-2 1/2 years!

DF: And finally, what are you reading these days? Listening to? Watching?
OEMING: I'm reading a book on Shamanism called FIRE IN THE HEAD, listening to Proto Kaw, a pre-Kansas, Kansas Album and right now I'm watching myself type on a keyboard :)

We highly recommend you check out Quixote, which can be pore-ordered from DF here as well as checking out the fristv volume of Powers, available here and the collection of Oeming's Thor arc, here

You can check Michael out on the web at his very own website: www.mike-oeming.com where art for Quixote can be seen and he's even got an e-newsletter you can join for free.

See you next week, when we spend another 5 minutes with one of today's best comic creators.