After many years of happily reading John Romita Jr.’s work on Wolverine’s “Enemy of the State” Arc, Spider-Man and Kick-Ass, I was thrilled to be able to interview John Romita, Jr. (or JR. Jr.) for Marvel’s return to a bright, new day with the “Heroic Age.”
I caught up with the delightful John while he was working hard on the Avengers. It seems this is one man who can draw and answer in-depth questions at the same time.
As always he was humorous, insightful, and well…in need of a nap. Read on, true believers, and enjoy the latest from the desk of the modest legend himself.
The Flickcast: Marvel takes the entire Avengers line of titles into “The Heroic Age.” You’ve been paired up with Brian Michael Bendis on the core “Avengers” title; is your opening run contained to the first arc or two, or do you plan on being involved for the foreseeable future?
John Romita, Jr: In the first year I’m doing it [Avengers] for a minimum of 2 arcs and I’m enjoying myself. If the book is still doing well, I’ll do it for a second year. It’s so difficult, though, that I may not survive the first year— it’s intense work.
I have to finish 25 pages in the next 17 days. So, after doing Avengers, I may want to sleep for a year. But doing the Avengers with Bendis is an amazing experience. If I get through the year and I’m still healthy enough, I will do another one.
TF: What are the benefits and challenges of drawing iconic characters like Thor, Spidey, Iron Man, Wolverine, and Captain America vs. drawing characters you create?
JR: Oh, that’s on a strictly selfish scale, it’s much more fun to do a character you create because you create them and there’s a lot of gratification for that, but working on iconic characters is like driving your father’s classic car, it’s spectacular and fantastic, but it’s better off when it’s your own.
Sure, you could go to your local multiplex and watch the big screen, action packed Spider-Man movies featuring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and directed by Sam Raimi. Or, you could just sit back, relax in the privacy of your own home and enjoy some cool Spider-Man action online via your computer.
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