Interview to Norm Breyfogle

Q: This may be the most topical question to start an interview with, but... which were the first comic-books you read and who were the authors that influenced you at the beginning or your career?
A: I dug superheros and horror most. And Mad magazine. Probably because of the TV shows I particularly took a liking to Superman and Batman and remained mainly a DC fan, but I also read a lot of Spiderman, Daredevil, and many other Marvel titles. I was big on Conan and Tarzan for a while, too.

I tended to follow artists, though, rather than titles, and as I grew up I more and more often followed creators rather than title characters.

As far as artists go, Neal Adams was my first big influence, and was the first artist that made me want to draw comics for a living someday. Then I noticed and started following the work of Joe Kubert, Nick Cardy, Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson, Jim Aparo, Irv Novick, Dick Giordano, Bernie Wrightson, Alex Nino, Carmen Infantino, Bill Sienkiewicz, Gil Kane, and many, many more ... basically all the bright lights of the 60s and 70s. Frank Miller was one of my last big influences before I turned pro.

Of course, I was influenced by many other artists outside of comics, as well, including Norman Rockwell, Burne Hogarth, Ralph Steadman, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, and, in fact, all of the history of art. I always loved Greek classical art, neoclassicism, impressionism, and abstract expressionisn (action painting) the best.

As for writers, I’d include the following from both inside and outside of comics (comics writers first): Dennis O’Neil, Alan Moore, Alan Grant, Gerard Jones, Len Strazewski, Grant Morrison, J.M. Dematties, Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid, John Ostrander, Chuck Satterlee, Chuck Dixon, Mike Baron, Mike Friedrich, Pat McGreal, Rick Veitch, Steve Englehart, Steven Grant, Brian Bendis, and many more I’m forgetting right now.

Outside comics: Ken Wilber, Issac Asimov, Rudy Rucker, H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clark, Gregg Bear, Richard Matheson, Ayn Rand, Alan Watts, Joeseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Walt Whitman, Ray Bradbury, Friedrich Nietzsche, and many others ... when it comes to authors I tend to follow ideas rather than writers’ names. A list of individual books I’ve loved would be more pertinent.

Q: Which is your work that you're most proud of?
A: The shortest answer to that is “Metaphysique” (malibu’s Bravura line in the ‘90s) because I wrote it, illustrated it, and I own it, as well.

Other than that, it would be some of Batman work, like “Birth of the Demon” (the fully painted origin of Ras Al Ghul, written by Dennis O’Neil), or “Batman: Dreamland” (writen by Alan Grant). I also really dug my “Prime” work ...

To tell you the truth, though, what I’m most proud of at the moment is the Science Fiction novel I’m writing (I’m over halfway done now), or some of my poetry.

Q: With Alan Grant, and with John Wagner too, you created a lot of new rogues for Batman. Which is your preferred one? Is there anyone of them that you dislike?
A: Love ‘em all, but some more than others. My favs: The Ventriloquist (because he’s such an iconic and classical horror character rip-off), The Corrosive Man (because he’s so fun to draw), Cornelius Stirk, a.k.a. The Fear (because he’s such a modern Terror).

I think Kadaver’s a pretty weak villian ... funny, but weak.

So ... who am I forgetting?

Q: Do you feel that Alan and you have got enough recognition from DC for all the characters that you added to the Batman universe?
A: Hell, no!

Q: Do you stay in touch with Alan Grant and John Wagner?
A: Allan Grant, a little. Not John Wagner.

Q: Do you have any plan to work again with any of them some day? Maybe a new Anarky series?
A: Alan and I would be more than happy to do more stuff for DC, if they’d like us to. I still consider them my main professional home.

Q: The third Robin debuted while you were drawing Batman, but it was designed by Neal Adams. Would you had liken to have the opportunity to redesign it yourself? What differences would you had made?
A: I did design a # of different versions, as did a # of differnent artists. Neal Adam’s design was chosen. However, Robin’s “R” symbol is apparently inspired by my design, and I was the first one to suggest that he carry a staff, to equalize the odds when he’s fighting adults.

In some of my designs Robin had no cape but wore a jacket instead.

Q: After some years drawing Batman you started working in Prime for Malibu... How did you changed from drawing such an important character like Batman for a big company as DC to draw an unknown character at the moment like Prime for a small company? Did you feel that you got to bring a change in your career?
A: Malibu Comics offered me a great signing fee and they offered to publish my own comic, sight unseen (which turned out to be Metaphysique). It took a lot to draw me away from DC and Batman. It was a high point in my career, and the change from drawing a dark and human-level character like Batman to an over-the-top blockbuster like Prime was exhillarating.

Q: The rights for Prime and the rest of Malibu characters currently are property of Marvel, and it seems that they haven't any plan to bring them back. What do you think about that? Would you like to draw Prime again?
A: I’d love to. Ask Marvel why they aren’t making use of all the Ultraverse characters which they bought; I don’t understand it. Prime was a hit and could be again for sure!

Q: After Prime you created your creator owned book: Metaphysique. What do you think about this experience?
A: It was released right when the comics market was crashing, and as a result its sales dropped to the point where I couldn’t continue it, but at least I did indeed finish the six issue story arc I’d planned to, and I’m very proud of that series. It awakened the writer inside me.

Q: Is there any plan to bring back the character?
A: If there is, it’d be my plan, since I own the character. But no, no such plans at this time.

Someday, though ...

Q: Do you think you will write and draw some other book some day?
A: Maybe. When I finish and publish my novel I’ll probably also design it as a comic book ...

Q: You are currently drawing Of Bitter Souls for Speakeasy. Could you explain us what it is about and how do you feel about it?
A: It's actually now being published through Chimeara Studios.

I’ve described Of Bitter Souls with the phrase “cajun Ghostbusters with Matrix style,” but it could just as easily be referred to as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Fantastic Four” or somesuch. Basically its about four very imperfect human beings who are conscripted against their wills by a mysterious New Orleans pastor to aid him in his battle against the evil paranormal forces in and around New Orleans. Chuck Satterlee is drawing from New Orleans’ actual history of spooks, vampires, zombies, werewolves, serial killers and all kinds of boogeymen and assorted demons and weirdos to tell our stories.

Buy it and read it for the intriguing, character-driven stories, the flowing storytelling, or because you’ve never seen me draw so many monsters, or because Chuck and I plan on sticking with this title. I’m already up to issue five in the art, I’ve already painted the cover painting for the trade paperback which will collect the first 6 issues, and we’re both in peak form and having a ball!

Q: Until the moment you have done more works for DC than for Marvel. Would you like to have the opportunity to do more work for Marvel in the future? What Marvel characters would you like to draw?
A: My top choices would be The Hulk (the ultimate muscled blockbuster), Spiderman or Daredevil (for their humanism and acrobatics), and Doctor Strange (for all the special effects and otherworldliness).

But I’ve always enjoyed any character I’m working on.

Q: What DC series in which you haven't worked yet would you like to draw, if you were given the opportunity?
A: The Flash. I really think I was born to draw that character, because of my fluid depiction of movement on a comics page.

Q: Do you read DC comics currently? If you do...What are your thoughs about Infinite Crisis and the recent events at the Batman titles?
A: Not up to date on that stuff; sorry.

Q: Finally, the question that all your fans want to ask you... when are going to draw Batman again, or at least a series for DC?
A: Ask DC. My answer is: whenever they ask me!