A Comic Book Historian’s Guide to the Diverse and Vital Interviews at Comic Book Historians

One of the most exciting ways to study comic book history is by hearing the stories of the people who shaped it. At the Comic Book Historians website, founder Alex Grand—joined at times by co-hosts such as Bill Field, Jim Thompson, Mike Alderman and Filippo Marzo—has amassed a remarkable library of interviews that chronicles the medium’s rich heritage. From Golden Age legends to modern innovators, from artists and colorists to writers and editors, this collection offers a singular mosaic of how comics evolved, who inspired those changes, and why these stories resonate so strongly today. Below is a historian’s guide to the diversity and importance of these interviews, illuminating how they piece together the ever-unfolding narrative of comic book history.

1. Bridging Generations: Preserving the Early Eras of Comics

Golden Age & Pre-Silver Age Perspectives

David Armstrong’s Remastered Golden Age Interviews (2022): A landmark effort where Platinum/Golden Age Historian David Armstrong spoke with creators from the era of the 1930s thru the mid 1960s that launched superheroes, westerns, and more. These interviews, updated and remastered by Alex Grand, preserve the voices of pioneering storytellers and give modern fans a glimpse into an often-overlooked period.
Stan Lee Interviews (1970s): The Comic Book Historians site features vintage interviews with Stan Lee—some translated from 1974 in Lucca and newly discovered from 1976 in West Germany. These archival conversations are particularly significant, as they capture Stan Lee’s perspective when Marvel was still relatively young in its explosive growth. For historians, such firsthand accounts deepen our understanding of the Marvel Age’s ethos.
Frank Thorne Interview (2019): Starting his career in the later 1940s onto becoming a Bronze Age creator best known for his distinctive art on Marvel’s Red Sonja, Frank Thorne’s interview illuminates the sword-and-sorcery trend of the 1970s.
John A. Mozzer’s 1973 Interviews: These historically significant interviews with Jack Keller, Hal Kinney and five of Jim Steranko’s associates (as reprinted or archived on the site) illustrate how comics journalism thrived in fanzines long before the internet.
Steve Ditko Family Interviews (2023): Featuring Pat & Patrick Ditko, these rare conversations about Steve Ditko provide an intimate portrait of one of comics’ most enigmatic creators, famed for co-creating Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. Nephew Mark Ditko also weights in on Who Was Steve Ditko.
Brett Dakin, Lev Gleason’s grand-nephew and author of American Daredevil, explores his uncle’s radical Golden Age publishing legacy
Jonny Harvey draws on his Harvey Comics family lineage to illuminate how kid-friendly icons helped define mid-century comics.
Jesse Simon, grandson of Joe Simon, Jesse Simon preserves the Captain America co-creator’s Golden Age innovations and offers fresh insights into his family’s impact.

2. The Silver and Bronze Ages: Shaping the Modern Superhero Mythos

Marvel’s Expanding Universe

Roy Thomas Biographical Interviews (2019, 2023): As Stan Lee’s handpicked successor at Marvel, Roy Thomas helped guide characters such as the Avengers and Conan. His interviews detail the transition from Lee’s era, the challenges of broadening the Marvel line, and the behind-the-scenes production changes during the Bronze Age.
Jim Starlin Biographical Interview (2024): Starlin’s cosmic storytelling—from Captain Marvel to Warlock and Thanos—redefined superhero narratives. His reflections on creativity, editorial influences, and the philosophical elements behind Marvel’s cosmic sagas provide a window into the era’s innovative spirit.
Jim Steranko Interview (2024): Visionary comic book artist, writer, and graphic designer who revolutionized the visual storytelling of Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with cinematic flair, surreal elements, and bold pop-art influences
Jim Shooter Biographical Interview (2021): DC Silver Age writer and Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief from the late 1970s through the 1980s, Shooter’s guiding hand touched Secret Wars and numerous editorial policies. His conversations reveal the tensions and triumphs of expanding Marvel’s line, culminating in the direct market’s Golden Age of the 1980s.
Don McGregor Interview (2020): introduced social commentary and rich characterization in titles like Black Panther and Killraven, redefining Marvel storytelling in the 1970s.
Rick Marschall Interview (2018) covers his time as editor of the Marvel Magazine Line of the late 1970s.
Larry Hama (2022): Charting Hama’s early career and editorial approach, including the creation of G.I. Joe, showcases how comics tapped into toy licensing, forging a synergy of storytelling and merchandising.

DC and the Rise of Creative Voices

Mike Royer Interview (2018): Known as Jack Kirby’s favorite inker, Royer’s memories of inking the “King” at both Marvel and DC highlight the differences in editorial policies between the Big Two. For fans of the Bronze Age, Royer’s viewpoint is indispensable.
Howard Chaykin (2019): Renowned for edgy storytelling and graphic experimentation, Chaykin’s interview peels back the layers of the direct-market surge in the 1980s and the rise of creator-driven content.
Hendrie Weisinger on Mort Weisinger (2019): Superman’s Silver Age caretaker, Mort Weisinger, looms large in DC’s editorial history. Hearing about him through his son’s lens not only humanizes this commanding editor but also helps us understand DC’s house style during the 1950s–60s.
Neal Adams Interview (2018): Neal revolutionized superhero artwork with a dynamic, realistic style on Batman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow, all while fiercely advocating for creator rights.
Joe Staton Interview (2020): Known for merging a classic cartooning foundation with narrative innovation, co-creating E-Man and shaping DC’s roster from the 1970s onward.
Barbara Friedlander (2020): Silver Age Romance writer and Associate Editor of DC Comics reveals the inner workings of the bullpen.

3. The Modern Era: Marvel, DC, Image Comics, and Independent Voices

Birth of a New Industry Paradigm

Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld Interviews (2024): As pivotal Image Comics founders, McFarlane and Liefeld helped spark the 1990s creator-owned revolution. Their interviews detail early Marvel successes (Spider-Man, New Mutants, X-Force), the bold leap to independence, and the cultural ripple effect that shaped comics merchandising and media adaptations.
More Image Comics founders: Erik Larsen championed creator rights through his long-running series Savage Dragon and Whilce Portacio introduced an edgy style on books like Wetworks, heavily influencing 1990s superhero design.
Indy Comics turned mainstream creators: Co-creator of Nexus and Badger, Mike Baron and Crime Comics writer Chuck Dixon infused indie comics with genre-blending stories and also redefined Marvel and DC’s vigilante titles. Steve Rude co-created Nexus, capturing the spirit of Silver Age optimism with a refined, modern flourish. Jimmie Robinson channels provocative satire and social commentary into his creator-owned series Bomb Queen.
Transmedia writers: Alex Segura merges crime fiction instincts with comic narratives, crafting character-driven mysteries in both prose and panel form. Screenwriter-turned-comic creator, Tony Puryear brought cinematic storytelling and socio-political commentary to Concrete Park.
DC Comics creators: Tim Sale’s bold, shadow-laden artwork—epitomized in Batman: The Long Halloween—established a signature visual tone in modern superhero comics. Dave Gibbons is famous for innovative visual storytelling with Watchmen displaying distinct influences and creative leaps that modernized the medium. With explosive detail on Batman Incorporated, Chris Burnham’s art combines kinetic pacing with offbeat humor, pushing post-2000 superhero styles. Jerry Ordway is known for his penciling and inking work on a wide variety of DC Comics titles, including the continuity-redefining Crisis On Infinite Earths, Power of Shazam and the 1989 Batman film Adaptation. Mark Chiarello was former artdirector and editor at DC Comics.
Marvel Comics creators: Ron Lim’s sleek, detailed lines powered cosmic sagas—including Infinity Gauntlet—and shaped Marvel’s 1990s epic look. Collaborating on titles like Ghost Rider, Mark Texeira and Jimmy Palmiotti injected gritty action and a streetwise edge into 1990s Marvel. Jim Cheung’s clean, expressive line art on series like Young Avengers helped define Marvel’s 21st-century superhero aesthetic. Melding classic Marvel storytelling with new twists, Ron Frenz guided top-tier heroes through pivotal arcs in the 1980s and ’90s. Peter Sanderson’s meticulous archiving for Marvel formalized the Marvel Universe Handbooks. Bob Hall, co-creator of the West Coast Avengers for Marvel Comics, who’s also worked on such series as “Armed and Dangerous” and Shadowman, which he both drew and wrote for Valiant Comics. Danny Fingeroth was interviewed multiple times on his editorial and writing experiences at Marvel and even discussing broader cultural topics (like Jack Ruby). These interviews spotlight a voice who straddles the line between editorial, scholarship, and pop culture commentary.
Licensed media: Dan Parsons blends cinematic flair and meticulous inking, especially notable in his imaginative work on Star Wars comics.

4. Diverse Roles: Colorists, Inkers, Editors, Historians, and Scholars

A key strength of Comic Book Historians is its spotlight on every aspect of comic creation—not just the marquee pencillers or writers.

Colorists & Letterers: From Anthony Tollin, to José Villarubia to Tom Orzechowski, these behind-the-scenes wizards discuss the evolving technology and aesthetic standards of the industry.
Editors & Publishers: Tom Brevoort (Marvel VP), Tom DeFalco (former Marvel Editor-in-Chief), Carl Potts (Editor, Artist, Professor), Paul Levitz (former DC President)—each interview reveals how editorial choices can shape not just storylines but entire industry movements.
Academics & Historians: Conversations with Kim Munson (on comic art in museums), Professor William H. Foster III (on African Americans in comics), and Ken Quattro (on invisible Black creators) elevate comics from “funny books” to essential pieces of cultural and historical scholarship.
Illustrators: Dan Brereton produced notable work in the comic book field including wok for X-Men, Justice League, and his own Nocturnals and Giant Killer.
Inkers: Tom Palmer was among the most celebrated inkers (and sometimes penciler/colorist) in comics, especially on Marvel titles like The Avengers and Doctor Strange. Josef Rubinstein is a prolific and influential comic book inker celebrated for his extensive work with Marvel and DC—most notably inking countless iconic characters in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.
Comic Book Dealers & Distributors: Bud Plant reshaped the fan-retail landscape in the 1970s, spearheading direct-market distribution and specialty comic shops. Steve Geppi standardized the modern distribution model and transformed how comics reach fans thru Diamond Comic Distributors.
Publishers: Gary Groth co-founded The Comics Journal, elevating critical discourse and championing alternative voices in comics. David Anthony Kraft wrote cult-favorite Marvel arcs and established Comics Interview, bridging the gap between fandom and professional journalism.

5. Underground, Alternative, and Beyond the Superhero Mainstream

Trina Robbins Interview (2019): One of the pioneer female voices in underground comix, Robbins sheds light on a counterculture world often overshadowed by capes and cowls. Her reflections help tie mainstream superhero stories to broader feminist and underground movements.
Mary Fleener (2020) & Carol Tyler (2020): Each highlights an alternative/indie approach to comics—proving that while spandex may dominate in sales, autobiographical, comix, and experimental cartooning share an equally valid historical lineage.
Scott Shaw! (2020): Known for his comedic approach and animation style, Shaw’s interview is a reminder that “cartoons” can be as historically and artistically significant as the most dramatic superhero epics.
Craig Yoe (2024): Cartoonist and publisher known for his edgy sincere histories, Mickey Mouse art anthology, Joe Shuster Secret Identity discovery and Crumb-inspired Graphic Novel, Man & Woman + (2024).
Mort Todd blended satire with experimental twists from the 1980s onward as Cracked magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and later a Marvel/Epic contributor.
William Stout is a widely admired illustrator, concept artist, and paleontological reconstruction master who has expanded the boundaries of comic book and fantasy art.

6. A Platform for Every Angle of Comics Culture

Beyond the creators themselves, the Comic Book Historians interviews stretch into:

Transmedia Adaptations: Conversations on animation (e.g., Larry Houston’s X-Men cartoon, George Lowe & Bob Camp) and film storyboarding (e.g., Benton Jew) show how comic storytelling methods inform Hollywood.
European and International Comics: From Stan Lee at Lucca to Spidey BBC Radio interviews featuring Alex Grand & Zeb Wells, there is a global dimension reflecting how comics transcend national boundaries.
Fan Culture & Conventions: Whether it’s discussing the 2021 Ditko Convention, David Armstrong’s Golden/Silver Age video profiles at SDCC, or roundtable episodes involving fans-turned-pros, these interviews capture the spirit of fandom as a driving cultural force.

7. Scholarly Context: “Understanding Superhero Comic Books”

Throughout the site, references to Alex Grand’s book, Understanding Superhero Comic Books (McFarland, 2023, foreword by Jim Steranko), appear. These references add depth to the interviews, linking them with a larger scholarly framework. Readers and researchers can see how primary sources (interviews) correlate with academic analysis—bridging fan passion with historical rigor.

8. Why These Interviews Matter

Preservation of Oral Histories: Much of comics’ early documentation is scattered across ephemeral fanzines, partial audio recordings, or out-of-print journals. By digitizing and archiving these voices, the Comic Book Historians site ensures that the medium’s pioneers are remembered accurately.
Inclusive Perspective: Featuring an array of creators—writers, inkers, colorists, letterers, editors, publishers, historians, and fans—paints a fuller picture of the industry’s ecosystem, not just its headlining names.
Academic Resource: These interviews serve as primary source materials for students, researchers, and historians. They ground academic theories in real-world experiences and reflect on the intricate interplay of art, commerce, and fandom.
Cross-Era Connections: Hearing a Golden Age creator in dialogue with a 1990s Image founder, or an editor discussing 1960s Marvel while referencing 21st-century films, fosters a cross-pollination of insights and a dynamic sense of how comics evolve.
Cultural Relevance: Comics are no longer confined to specialty shops; they’re in blockbuster movies, streaming shows, and global pop culture. Understanding their creative lineage sheds new light on how major franchises like the MCU or DC Universe took shape.

Conclusion

The Comic Book Historians website is more than an interview hub; it’s an ever-expanding archive offering a panoramic view of comics’ past, present, and future. Each conversation—be it with a Golden Age artist or a modern-day editor—serves as another puzzle piece in the vast tapestry of comic history. For collectors, students, or casual fans, these interviews provide a rare chance to learn directly from the visionaries who penciled, scripted, and shaped the myths that now tower so prominently in 21st-century culture.

By giving voice to legends and lesser-known contributors alike, these recordings form a living library of the medium. They document its transformations, controversies, triumphs, and creative leaps, ensuring that the history of comics remains accessible, appreciated, and illuminated for generations to come.