Interviews
Exclusive Joe Casey Interview
[Date: April 10, 2001]Joe Casey is currently the Writer on the "The Adventures of Superman" comic books.
The Superman Homepage would like to thank Joe for agreeing to do this interview, and for fitting it into his busy schedule.
SH: Can you please tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
JC: I'm the writer of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, as well as UNCANNY X-MEN, WILDCATS and "Codeflesh" for DOUBLE IMAGE.
SH: When and How did you become a Comic Book fan?
JC: My parents bought me a Spider-Man reprint when I was five, probably to shut me up. I guess it worked, but it also set me on a course of life.
SH: When did you first decide that you wanted to work on comic books?
JC: Probably when I read my first comicbook, way back when. I've always been strangely attracted to the medium, probably because of the endless possibilites it contains.
SH: Where did you go to college?
JC: Spent sometime at Memphis State chasing girls, taking frequent naps and occassionally attending classes. At some point, I just stopped attending classes...
SH: How did you go about becoming a comic book writer? What was your first big break into the industry?
JC: Two things: Doing no-money, b&w creator owned work for small publishers, and James Robinson recommending me to the big publishers.
SH: Would you recommend that others join the comics industry?
JC: I recommend comics to anyone as an entertainment option. As a career choice... it's a tough racket, not for everyone. Luckily I have the proper amounts of emotional damage to prosper in this field.
SH: In your opinion, is the comics industry still a strong business?
JC: It is for me. But the industry and the medium are two separate things. The industry might have its ups and downs, but the medium will remain forever strong.
SH: Who's your favorite comic book hero?
JC: I don't think I have one. I look at them all as characters with potential for being a creative outlet.
SH: What comics do you personally read?
JC: Not many. I look at 'em all to keep up with the industry. Don't read too many as a fan anymore.
SH: What version of Superman is your personal favorite (Comics, TV, Movies)?
JC: The Fleischer Bros. cartoons and the first film [Superman: The Movie].
SH: Can you let us in on any up-coming Superman storylines you are working on or will soon be working on?
JC: The big war is coming this summer... the biggest Superman story in years. It will literally change the face of the DC Universe. Within that story... the return of Doomsday. Plus, Superman vs. Darkseid!
SH: You picked up in the middle of the run with the "Lost Souls/Satanus" storyline. How much of this storyline did you bear the brunt of the responsibility on... i.e. how much of this was cleaning up after DeMatteis and how much of it was your original idea?
JC: The final issue -- the ending of the story -- was all mine (for better or for worse). I didn't want to know how DeMatteis would've ended it. I just picked up the ball and ran it in for six points.
SH: It seems that the team is not afraid of reinventing Superman, as is witnessed in "Return to Krypton"... what is your opinion about this change, how much input did you have, and what do you think is the farthest that Superman should be taken in your run (i.e. death, destruction of landmarks or countries, power altering, discrediting Superman, toying with his marraige, etc...)?
JC: Anything that provides a cool story is okay with me. Returning to the "Silver Age" version of Krypton provided a great, original, visual location as well as a story to mine some real emotional depth with the character. So, when things like that are in play, I say anything should be possible.
SH: What is the most difficult aspect of working with a team to create something personal with a character, and what is the most helpful?
JC: We all get along extremely well, so it's been nothing but fun. I hope this group of writers hangs around Metropolis for years to come. We push each other creatively in the most positive ways, and we support each other's individual visions, as well.
SH: How did the position of Superman writer come about for you? Who contacted you?
JC: I've known Eddie Berganza (Super-editor supreme) for a few years, off-and-on. We've talked before about working together, and when ADVENTURES became available, he got in touch with me. I've been good friends with Joe Kelly and Jeph Loeb for a few years each, so that was definitely in my favor, as well. I'm grateful they all had faith in me and wanted to work with me.
SH: Other than Superman, what else are you working on at the moment? What plans do you have for the immediate future?
JC: Well, like I said... UNCANNY X-MEN, WILDCATS and "Codeflesh" in DOUBLE IMAGE. These are all obviously ongoing works.
SH: How long do you anticipate you'll remain on the Superman books?
JC: As long as they'll have me. I can't imagine getting tired of telling Superman stories. There's too much good material... too much potential there... to even think about leaving.
SH: Who would you like to see play Superman on the big screen in another Superman movie?
JC: I think the first movie stands as the definitive cinematic statement. Do we really need another one...?
SH: What do you think of the Superman Homepage?
JC: Looks good to me. Just like the character, it's got integrity.
A few "off topic" questions:
SH: What bad habits do you have?
JC: None.
SH: What is the best advice anybody ever gave you?
JC: "Always deny the existence of any bad habits".
SH: Who would you most like to sit next to on a long airplane flight?
JC: Based on personal experience... Jeph Loeb, of course.
SH: Who would you least like to sit next to on an airplane flight?
JC: Anyone in coach.
SH: What is the one thing you can't live without?
JC: Oxygen, I suppose.
SH: If you were down to your last $10 how would you spend it?
JC: I wouldn't. Do I want to be broke?
SH: Thanks for allowing me to interview you!
JC: My pleasure.
This interview is Copyright © 2001 by Steven Younis. It is not to be reproduced in part or as a whole without the express permission of the author.
Interviews
Introduction
The Superman Homepage has had the pleasure of interviewing various Superman Comic Book creative people about their work.
Question and Answer Interviews:
- Interview with writer Marv Wolfman about Man and Superman: The Deluxe Edition (November 2019)
- Interview with artist Claudio Castellini about Man and Superman: The Deluxe Edition (November 2019)
- Interview with artist Joe Staton about working on Superman properties over the years (November 2019)
- Interview with Christopher Priest about the Superman vs. Deathstroke story in Deathstroke #8 (November 2016)
- Interview with Sterling Gates about the 'Adventures of Supergirl' digital-first comic book series (January 2016)
- Interview with J. Michael Straczynski about Superman: Earth One - Vol. 3 - Writer J. Michael Straczynski talks to us about the third volume in the Superman: Earth One graphic novel series (February 2015)
- Interview with Jim Krueger - Writer Jim Krueger talks to us about his The Dark Lantern story in the Adventures of Superman comic book title (November 2013)
- Smallville: Season 11 Interview with Bryan Q. Miller - Writer Bryan Q. Miller talks to us about his work on the Smallville: Season 11 comic book title (October 2012)
- Supergirl Interview with Mahmud Asrar - Artist Mahmud Asrar talks to us about his work on the monthly Supergirl comic book title (July 2012)
- Superman/Batman Interview with Joshua Hale Fialkov - Joshua Hale Fialkov answers our questions about The Secret 3-part story in Superman/Batman #85-87 (July 2011)
- Supergirl Interview with Sterling Gates - Sterling Gates answers our questions about where Supergirl is headed post War of the Supermen (June 2010)
- Supergirl Interview with Sterling Gates & Jamal Igle - Adam Dechanel chats with the Supergirl comic book team about the Maid of Might (March 2010)
- Behind the Scenes of the Super Friends - Four part indepth look at the Super Friends comic book title with artists J. Bone and Stewart McKenny (February 2010)
- Interview with Landry Q Walker and Eric Jones - The writer and artist discuss Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade (May 2009)
- Interview with Elliot S! Maggin - Legendary Superman writer and novelist discusses his career (January 2009)
- Interview with J. Bone - Artist discusses Super Friends comic book (November 2008)
- Interview with Mark Bagley (September 2008)
- Interview with J. Torres - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #18 (September 2008)
- Interview with Jake Black (May 2008)
- Interview with Cary Bates (June 2008)
- Interview with Jack Briglio - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #14 (May 2008)
- Interview with Ken Pontac - Writer discusses Justice League Unlimited #44 (May 2008)
- Interview with Karl Kerschl (April 2008)
- Interview with J. Torres - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #13 (April 2008)
- Interview with J. Torres - Writer discusses Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #11 (February 2008)
- Interview with Fabian Nicieza - Writer on Superman comic books (June 2007)
- Interview with Danny Fingeroth - Writer of the book Superman on the Couch (May 2007)
- Interview with Jesse McCann - Writer on the Krypto The Superdog comic books (December 2006)
- Interview with Matt Haley - Artist on the Superman Returns comic book movie adaptation (November 2006)
- Interview with Ethan Van Sciver - Artist on Superman/Batman (September 2006)
- Interview with Mark Verheiden on taking over the writing duties on Superman/Batman (April 2006)
- Interview with Matt Idelson on taking over as Superman group editor (March 2006)
- Interview with Jeph Loeb on Sam and Superman/Batman #26 (February 2006)
- Interview with Roger Stern (December 2005)
- Interview with Marv Wolfman (November 2005)
- Interview with Gail Simone (May 2005)
- Interview with Greg Rucka (April 2005)
- Interview with Brad Meltzer [Identity Crisis] (January 2005)
- Interview with Glenn Whitmore (November 2004)
- Interview with Jeph Loeb (September 2004)
- Interview with Karl Kerschl (September 2004)
- Interview with Ron Garney (September 2004)
- Interview with Greg Rucka and Matthew Clark (May 2004)
- Interview with Ed McGuinness (March 2004)
- Interview with Brad Meltzer [Identity Crisis] (March 2004)
- Interview with Mark Millar [Superman: Red Son] (March 2003)
- Interview with Min S. Ku (September 2001)
- Interview with Jeph Loeb (May 2001)
- Interview with Joe Casey (April 2001)
- Interview with Mike S. Miller (September 2000)
- Interview with Denis Rodier (August 2000)
- Interview with Grant Morrison (December 1999)
- Interview with Mark Millar [Part 2] (November 1999)
- Interview with Mark Millar [Part 1] (April 1999)
Interviews/Articles:
- Superman vs. Terminator - A Chat with Fight Promoter Alan Grant. (January 2000)
- Superman: The Dailies (1939-1940) Graphic Novel Review.
- The Rebirth of Superman (Part 1) - Superman is reborn... again.
- The Rebirth of Superman (Part 2) - Eddie Barganza on taking the character in a new direction.
- The Rebirth of Superman (Part 3) - Jeph Loeb discusses writing the Man of Steel.
- Lex Luthor For President - Forget Superman. An updated Luthor's new enemies are Gore and Bush.
- Superman: Last Son of Earth - Steve Gerbern Interview - The writer discusses flip-flopping the Man of Steel's origin. (August 2000)
Krypton Club Interviews:
When Lois & Clark started production in 1993, there was an obvious relationship between the comic book people and the Hollywood people.
A trade paperback Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, was published, with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher on the cover. It included reprints of comic book stories that were the inspiration for Lois & Clark, helping to define the characters. Comic's included are: The Story of the Century (Man of Steel miniseries #2), Tears for Titano (Superman Annual #1), Metropolis - 900 mi (in SUP #9), The Name Game (SUP #11), Lois Lane (in ACT #600), Headhunter (AOS #445), Homeless for the Holidays (AOS #462), The Limits of Power (AOS #466), and Survival (ACT #665).
A number of comic book writers and artists had roles as extras in the episode I'm Looking Through You (Season one, episode 4). Their presence was immortilized in the Sky Trading Card #34.
Craig Byrne, president of the online Lois & Clark fanclub The Krypton Club, carried out a series of interviews with comic book writers. The interviews are reprinted with permission of the Krypton Club.
- Interview with Roger Stern (June 1995)
- Interview with John Byrne (June 1995)
- Interview with Mike Carlin (July 1995)