CraveOnline: One of my editors is a big fan of your run on The Flash. Do you have a favorite Flash storyline?
Mark Waid: That’s a good question. You would think. My answer actually, oddly enough, is not a comic book answer. My answer is having seen “The Flash” pilot for this fall, I am over the moon about how good this could be and about how much I like that. I’m looking forward to that Flash story in that incarnation more than I’ve looked forward to a Flash story in a long time.
What do you think it would take for DC to collect your Flash stint as an omnibus?
I have no idea. If anybody could answer that question, I’d be happy to help facilitate that however I can. I’d love to see that stuff back in print but as far as I know, there’s no plans for it. I’m as eager for it as anybody.
You’ve written almost every major comic book superhero at this point in your career. Are there any characters left that you want to get your hands on?
That’s funny, we were talking about that over the weekend. I’m not sure who is left. I’ve never written Iron Man with any sort of depth. I’ve not written as much Hank Pym as I’d like to write. I haven’t done a whole lot with the X-Men universe. There’s still a few places to noodle around, but to be honest, it is a very short list at this point because I’ve been very careful not to go back to things I’ve already done because I think that’s a recipe for disaster.
As someone who has been in the business for several years, what are your thoughts on the current state of the comic book industry?
I think this is honestly an incredibly vibrant time. I love the fact that Image has become such a player in such a short time. I love the fact that creator-owned comics are taking the world by storm again and I think that that makes comics healthier in general. I know as a guy who owns a comic store that I’m pleased to announce that Image is our second best selling publisher after Marvel very frequently.
Not every week but with some regularity and I love that because that’s a new audience we’re getting. That’s not the traditional superhero audience of people who’ve been reading comics as they were kids and that’s all they want. This is a whole new audience of people who come in because they’ve heard of that comic on television or in the movies or they just want to read something good.
How is your store, Alter Ego doing?
It’s doing quite well. It’s a great cornerstone for the community what we found. This idea that we’re able to build a sense of community with this comic store and get the word out throughout town here in Muncie, IN that this is a place you come not just to buy comics, but to hang out and talk comics and meet other people who are interested in what you’re interested in. We have events after the store closes some nights and we have special parties and special signings. I like this building of the community that comes with it.
You mentioned recently that you can write a comic book script within a matter of days. What’s the fastest script that you’ve ever written?
I once wrote an issue of Flash, 129 I think it was, I wrote it in one day except for the last page. I wrote 21 pages in one day, but I am so superstitious in the sense that I don’t believe any great comic can be written all in one sitting. I think you need to sleep on it, so I deliberately didn’t write page 22 even though I still had plenty of time that day. I wanted to sleep on it. My fear is that the faster you write something, the more likely you are to go back to it when it’s in print and go, “Oh, boy, did I miss more opportunities” or “Boy, did I make a lot of mistakes.” One day, I could do it in one day if I absolutely had to.
Any closing thoughts for your fans?
Just I really appreciate everybody’s support. I really do. All the people who’ve come to us and said, “We love what you’re doing with Thrillbent. We love everything you’re doing with the digital format. What can we do to help you support this? What can we do to show our support?” I’m taking you up on that offer. Come to Thrillbent, put down your $3.99 a month which is the price of one print comic a month and we promise we’ll reward you a dozenfold in return.
