The Casey Tapes: a Joe Casey Interview
by Antonio Solinas

 

     Hi Joe, your work is very well known in Italy. Do you want to introduce yourself to our readers?

     Well, if my work is very well known, is it necessary for me to introduce myself? Hello... I'm Joe Casey. I write comic books. And other stuff, too.

     During the course of your career, you have written a lot of stories. Is there anything you still haven’t been able to do?

     Plenty. And I plan on doing them, too.

     In recent years, you have had a very “schizophrenic” approach, writing very popular superhero titles side by side with really intellectual comics that dealt with the deconstruction of the superhero mythology. Do you want to elaborate a bit on this?

     If I were only writing one type of comic book exclusively, I think I might go crazy. Writing different things in different genres, going from work for hire gigs to creator owned series and back keeps me sane. I got into comic books to push my imagination to the limit so that's what I've been trying to do.

     How do you switch between more “mainstream” and “alternative” projects?

    I guess it's just the way my brain works because I've never seemed to have a problem doing it. It comes from a need not to be pigeonholed and so far it's worked pretty well.

     You are a very outspoken person. Did you ever feel penalised by this?

     Sure. It happens to anyone who doesn't sit down, shut up and tow the company line (whatever that might be at the time). But, again, I got into this to be my own boss and set my own rules. Sometimes that means speaking out and not taking any shit. If that brands me as "outspoken", I guess I've earned it.

     Since you are very outspoken and not scared to speak your mind, what do you think is the wrongest thing happening in comics right now?

     Let me put it this way... I'm sure the guilty parties know who they are.

     You have a column on comicbookresources.com, called The Basement Tapes. How do you see the relationship between comics and the web?

     For me, writing strictly for the Net is just another form of 1) self-expression and 2) entertainment. If it's not at least one of those things, then it's not worth doing.

     Talking about your column (which I find excellent), have you ever written anything that has pissed someone else off?

     I'm sure I have. But, then again, the truth often hurts, doesn't it...?

     Did you ever tame the opinions you express on The Basement Tapes to avoid controversy?

     Never. However, if you read the column closely enough, you can see that I'm a lot more calm about things than I might've been a few years ago. Matt Fraction has taken on the role of angry activist. These days, I'm more the voice of reason. Not always, of course...

     Ok, let’s raise controversy, then. When I went to the Bristol Comicon (the one you attended), I was quite relieved to see a lot of normal looking people, as this means that people that could be starting bands or other “normal” (i.e. non-geeky) activities, are showing interest to comics. I was happy because I think that comics need more “normal” people and less geeks. Sadly, this does not seem to be the case in Italy. What about the US situation?

     It's about the same as the UK, I'd say. Frankly, I'd prefer it if the so-called "geeks" were still the majority. I'm much more comfortable around them than I am the "normal" folks. Fuck normal, I say! I certainly wasn't normal when I was a kid so I can certainly relate to the outcasts out there. And I love 'em. They really care about this stuff as much as I do.

     Let’s talk about your comics. You used very “comic” techniques in The Intimates, as opposed to those writers who seem to be trying to write “movies on paper”. What do you think of that?

     When I want to write movies, I'll write a screenplay and sell it to Hollywood. Comic books should be comic books. Nuff said.

      Still on The Intimates. On The Basement Tapes, you hinted at dissatisfaction about the way things ended for the series. Do you want to add anything?

     No, I said my piece in the column. That was enough.

      Let’s go back to Wild C.A.T.s, a series that did not get all the praise it deserved. How did you feel when it got closed?

     Bummed, but that's the way it goes in the industry these days. I'm not naive to the realities of sales and I hope that Grant Morrison kicks ass with his Wild C.A.T.s. I know I'll be reading it. Doesn't even matter who's drawing it.

     With Wild C.A.T.s and The Intimates you tried to change the perspective on superheroes, while with Gødland you seem to be doing a straight Kirby-type cosmic saga. Did you get tired of “revisionist” superheroes, or is just another aspect of your personality as a writer? What do you want to achieve with Gødland?

     Gødland is just as subversive as anything else I've written. I've just been more clever about it. But, more than anything else, Tom and I want Gødland to be a thrill ride for people. Just pure entertainment eye candy from start to finish.

     During your career, you worked with many different publishers. Which one did you feel more akin to your mentality?

     Any publisher that 1) hires me and 2) lets me do what I think is best for the job I'm doing. Those are the publishers I'm most in tune with.

     You worked with so many amazing artists. Have you got a soft spot for anyone in particular?

     I've got great affection for any of my collaborators who have busted their ass to make me look good. They know who they are.

     Do you still read comics? Which authors or series do you follow regularly?

     I read them all the time, but I don't know if I'm a fan of anything the way I was before I went pro. At this point, the writers I follow tend to be good friends of mine. Grant Morrison. Ed Brubaker. Joe Kelly. Steve Seagle.

      What are your current projects, besides Gødland?

     Lots of Marvel projects at the moment. Iron Man: The Inevitable, six issues with art by Frazer Irving, Fantastic Four: First Family, another six issues with art by Chris Weston and Avengers: EMH2, and eight-issue sequel to last year's Earth's Mightiest Heroes, with art by Will Rosado and Tom Palmer.

      Do you know anything about the European comics scene? What about Italy?

     Not as much as I'd like to. From what I understand, the Euro comic scene is quite healthy with a diverse range of material. Frankly, I'm envious.

     The trademark question we always ask: what would be the three comics a genuine comic fan should have on his shelf?

     Whatever three are their favorites. Opinions differ, but everyone has those specific comics that they really connected to. Those are the ones they should have on their shelf.