One of the things I’d like to do with this column is to interview indie creators in a different way. Rather than asking them to pitch their latest project to readers or ask them for the gazillionth time about their influences and breaking into the business, I thought I’d try to ask them some new questions. Because I’m introducing the concept, I’ve actually got two of these interviews for you today. First up: Steve Niles.
Mention the words “horror comics” to any comics fan and chances are that one of the first things to pop into his or her mind will be Steve’s name. Everyone knows about 30 Days of Night and Cal McDonald, and most know about Aleister Arcane and The Lurkers. Readers of Fused, Marvel Monsters: Monsters on the Prowl, Batman: Gotham County Line and The Creeper also know that he writes a mean superhero story too. You probably also know that he’s soon launching a Cal McDonald ongoing series called Criminal Macabre with Dark Horse, as well as a mini-series called City of Others with horror legend Bernie Wrightson.
Here’s what you didn’t know about him:
Who’s your personal hero?
George Romero
What do you always have at your bedside?
Water…and a gun.
What’s your retreat?
Reading.
Do you play a musical instrument?
Bass, but it’s been a while.
What’s your morning routine?
Wake up. Cry. Eat. Inject caffeine and stare at the computer screen.
What’s your favorite item of clothing?
Boots.
What’s your greatest artistic strength?
Never giving up.
What’s your greatest artistic weakness?
Slowing down.
What’s always in your refrigerator?
Red Hot
What’s your favorite food?
Carne Asada
Do you collect anything?
Comics and original comic art.
What’s your best memento from your work?
The pitch book Ted Adams and I used to pitch 30 Days of Night.
What are you always asked at parties?
“Can we see an invite?”
What do you always have with you?
Pack of Drum rolling tobacco.
What’s your favorite place in your home?
My office.
Do you have any hobbies?
Experimenting with antidepressants.
What do you obsess over?
Unfortunately, everything.
What’s the best recent gift you’ve received?
Box limited of Forbidden Planet from my sweetie. It came with a robot.
What’s your fitness routine?
I walk.
What talent do you covet?
Discipline.
What’s your evening routine?
Watch movies, read, play video games when I can…and work. There’s always work to do.
What’s the greatest misconception about your life?
That I’m rich. I am so not rich.
What movie have you seen more than any other?
Night of the Living Dead
What book have you read more than any other?
I Am Legend
What household chore do you absolutely hate to do?
Dishes, laundry, trash… um… all of them.
What obsolete item can you not part with?
My broken Kenner Alien toy.
What’s your travel routine?
Show up at ticket counter and cry.
What’s the worst thing about traveling?
The part when I’m away.
What superstitions do you have?
None.
What do you do to procrastinate?
I drive around. I make calls.
What’s your biggest self-indulgence or guilty pleasure?
Video games.
What gadget can’t you live without?
My PSP.
What’s your most prized possession?
My original Jack Kirby page from Fantastic Four #11.
What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Some crap SUV that I hate. When the lease is up I want a crap Hybrid SUV.
What’s your next big purchase going to be?
I’m saving for a house.
Which historical figure would you most like to meet?
Lincoln.
What are you going to work on tomorrow?
My self-esteem… and the next issue of Criminal Macabre.
December 19th, 2006 at 10:10 am
I would keep a gun by my bed too, if some crazy guy was screaming I took his girlfriend…
December 19th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Actually, Matt Busch has apologized publicly to Niles.
Which doesn’t make Busch any less of an idiot, or Niles look any less like Judd Nelson in that photo.
December 20th, 2006 at 2:57 am
Wow no mention here of the whole girlfriend swiping thing in the interview. Kind of odd. I wonder if he’s planning an encore. Maybe Busch’s car or shaving kit or someone else’s live in girlfriend. This time I hope it’s an editor’s at one of the big two. That would be SWEET!
I don’t know what comics Niles collects but I hope he has a pristine Namor, the Submariner and Marvel Supervillain Team Up collection and a real fetish for DC First Issue Specials and short seventies series like Kobra, Richard Dragon and Karate Kid. Also a embarrassing love of the DC titles Interface and New Guardians would be terrific. A hidden desire to complete his runs of Puma Blues and Zot! would be a nice way to round out his collecting profile.
I wonder if he will eat beets?
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Busch’s public apology was just another desperate cry for attention. And Niles has been writing some of the best stuff he’s ever done, so I applaud him for doing what makes him happy.