Jimmy Palmiotti

Interview with Jimmy Palmiotti
By Mark Fenton

Jimmy Palmiotti, if you read comics then you know his name. Daredevil, Jonah Hex, and Powergirl – are some he has worked on. When he isn’t writing established characters, he is creating new ones such as: Monolith or The Pro.
Check Jimmy out for yourself at his website – Paperfilms.com

1) What made you decide to work in the comic book industry?

I was working in advertising for years before and was bored, so I took a real hard look at what made me happy and doing work with comics seemed to be it. I quit my job and worked helping Mark Texeria do backgrounds on Ghost Rider and the Punisher till I was able to pick up work on my own. Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.

2) What are you thoughts on the state of the comic industry today and into the future?

Well, I think its ever changing and books are going to get harder and harder to sell the way they are done now. We have always been a niche market, but I see those numbers dwindling unless we change our ways. I seem to be always swimming upstream with the books I am working on…but I have faith that the marketplace will change for the better. Digital presentation is the way to go for the international market and I guess eventually here. That, and the idea that maybe its time for books to switch to all graphic novels and less 22 page stories. With Random Acts of Violence, a book I have out April 28th from image, we went right to graphic novel and set the price on it lower than the big two would ever do, to test the market. We shall see.

3) Of all your work in comics, is there one thing that stands out above all the others?

In my mind, THE MONOLITH series Justin and I worked on with the amazing Phil Winslate stands out a hell of a lot to me personally. I think that its up to the readers to decide what does and doesn’t. its too early in life for me to look back in a way.

4) You have been writing Jonah Hex for awhile now, did you have any input into the film that is coming out?

Justin and I were sent the scripts, we visited the set…and when you see the movie, it will be obvious we influenced the film.

5) With your exit coming up on Powergirl (issue #12 the last) what do you have in the works that you can tell us about?

We have three series we are sitting and waiting for dc to move forward with and Amanda has a vacation planned where she is going to focus on covers and then dig in and do a creator owned book with us. I really can’t say more about the other work till its officially announced.

6) You have created a lot of properties, do you prefer to create over using previously established properties?

Yes, each and every time. I love a lot of the characters that are out there, but working on my own is much more satisfying…even if they sell a whole lot less…lol. The ideas for new characters hit me on a daily basis…so I really wish I could afford to do more than a few. One day I will find a smart rich investor that wants to own some characters to throw some cash at me to do just that.

7) Being one of the most personable and accessible (Twitter, Facebook, Conventions) people in comics, do you have any advice for people trying to break into the industry?

Never give up…be nice and kind to people and understand when you get some good advice, really take it to heart and apply it. understand that working in comics means working as a team and never take others for granted. Other than that…go to school as much as possible to learn your craft.

Are there any artists/writers that you haven’t worked with that you would jump at the chance to work with?

Would love to write something with/for Mike Mignola…the Hernandez brothers and a number of artists…especially Joe Kubert. Every time I see Joe I give him my work to read. Don’t know if he does…but I try.

9) If you were entered into the comicbook hall of fame would you go as an inker or a writer?

Writer. As an inker…I feel its one of the jobs that I have done and did what I could…but as a writer, I am creating worlds and volumes of work. I’m hoping my writing output kicks my inking outputs ass at some point. If I never ink another drawing by someone else, I could live with that. I don’t mind working over myself though.

10) Finish the sentence – Jimmy Palmiotti is

Sick of his hay fever, forever pushing his latest projects and in love with Amanda Conner and happy.