Bob Layton Letters

LETTER OF THE MONTH!

Mr. Layton,

I just had to respond to a comment your made regarding Future Comics in the February "letters to the editor" on your website. I quote: "We were making a deliberate effort to return to a simpler form of storytelling, in order to attract those whose have dropped out from reading comics and/or a mass market audience. Now, in retrospect, that may have been a wrong decision." For the record, I was among your target audience because I stopped reading comic books in 1986, shortly after "Crisis on Infinite Earths" ended. For me, your efforts were successful. Freemind and Metallix were the very first comic books I purchased since 1986, and I bought every issue. I *enjoyed* "80's style" storytelling very much and was delighted to see "good clean fun" return to comics. I was very disappointed when Future Comics went under, however, by that time I had begun looking at some other new comics by DC/Marvel/Dark Horse and had realized that there were actually quite a few good comics being produced today. Today, I subscribe to about 14 monthly titles, and I have Future Comics to thank for bringing me 'back into the fold'! As you might imagine, I would definitely be interested in the printing of *any* additional Freemind or Metallix stories on your website, and even seeing the characters resurrected at (gasp!) another comic book company. I would also love to see what Peacekeeper was going to be like!

Thanks again for showing me that comics could be fun again.

Sincerely,

Tim Thomas

Dear Tim,

You're going to get your wish, my friend.

On this month's News Page, I'm featuring the first installment of the only Future title that didn't see the light of day--Peacekeeper. I'll be presenting it in three installments, along with some behind-the-scenes designs and extras.

It makes me happy that we were able to get someone interested in the medium again and I genuinely appreciate your kind words in that regard.

I wouldn't count the Future Comics characters out quite yet. Time will tell--but there seems to be renewed interest in them these days.

If any of my readers are interested, all back issues of the Future titles are available through me. Just drop me an inquiry via e-mail.

Thanks for writing in, Tim.

Hello Bob,

My name's Chris, I'm 20 years old and a big fan!
I was flipping through some Iron Man comics today (he is my all time fave character) and re-read my fave IM issue ever, volume 1, #231, which you drew.
Your work is awesome. I wanted to tell you that I was 4 years old when that issue came out and I remember just loving it as my dad read it to me. Especially the splash page that shows off the new armor.
I just wanted to say Bob thanks. You are one of my inspirations and fave artists. And thank you for all the enjoyment and entertainment that I have gotten, and still get, from your work.
Sincerely,
Chris Gronlie

Dear Chris,

Hey--what a great Dad you have to read comics to you when you were little. I hope you let him know how much you appreciated it--and how much David Michelinie and I approve in his taste in comics!

Dear Bob:

I recognized your unmistakable work in a few fairly recent issues of Captain America (you even got to work on the Crimson Dynamo again, whose Mark III armor I recall you designed) that a friend of mine had. That led me to tool around on the internet for stories about you, as I hadn't seen your name in the mainstream comics market since Valiant went under. I found your website and perused it with interest.

As one of (I suspect many) the Iron Man fans who yearn for you and David Michelinie to return to the fold, I read your opinions concerning the current direction of the character to be a revelation. I'm sorry to say I haven't read the book in years and agree with your assessment that Kurt Busiek and Sean Chen were the last Iron Man creative team to do a halfway decent job on the title, although even their work was hit and miss. As such, I was very disappointed to hear that things never really worked out concerning you and Dave returning to the character you both love. What really galled me was that I LOVED the concept for your and David's Iron Man: The End one-shot. Although I don't expect I'll ever see that story in print, I was able to get a glimpse in my mind's eye of what I always thought should happen: Tony Stark marrying with Bethany Cabe. To me, Beth was the best supporting character in the Marvel Universe, not to mention the perfect match for Mr. Stark (as a sidebar, I must admit I was very perplexed that you and Dave didn't bring her back during your second run on Iron Man, but that was your prerogative. Of course, if you don't mind sharing your thoughts on why you decided against bringing her back, I'm all ears!). So it was great to see her back, even if she was 60-70 years old.

Since the chances that you and David will be working on Iron Man any time soon are slim to none, I will have to satisfy myself with some selected old favorites and my own imagination, which, I assure you, is quite active when it comes to Iron Man stories. I can only wish you (and David) the best of luck in whatever endeavors you pursue and say I truly enjoyed and admired your run on my favorite comic book character. Excelsior, eh?

P.S. If you have the time, I do have two questions (besides the one about Beth)-- one serious and one whimsical:

1. On your website, you mention that Iron Man needs a re-start, a do-over, because things have gotten so out of control, so far afield from the essential qualities of the Tony Stark character. I couldn't agree more with the premise, but I was wondering how you would go about doing that, should you ever be given the creative freedom to do it. Would you literally start over, from Day One, retelling/retooling Iron Man's origin and reintroducing characters for the first time, as if nothing that had happened before had occurred? It would seem to be a shame to lose all those great stories, including the ones you and David worked on. Also, wouldn't you have to re-start the entire mainstream Marvel Universe as well?

2. As the creator of X-O Manowar and the co-creator (along with David) of the Iron Man armor that immediately followed the Armor Wars… an honest answer: who would win in a fight, X-O Manowar or Iron Man? Sorry, I know I know it's a lame question, but curiosity overcame me.

Very truly yours,
Jin-Ho Chung
Attorney at Law

Dear Jin,

So many of our detractors on the various message boards claim that, if we came back to the Iron Man title, we wouldn't bring a new approach to the series--calling us "Old School". Well, I'd rather belong to that designation than the 'flavor-of-the-month' club. eh?

And--they couldn't be more wrong and I give you the Bethany Cabe character as an example. David and I wanted to approach our second run of Iron Man differently than the first and we had done all we felt we could with her in the first series. Additionally, we needed Tony to be unattached, since many of the new sub-plots revolved around the Kathy Dare/ Rae LaCoste triangle. (although we never got around to finishing the Rae/Madame Masque storyline)

The truth is (and David and I have had numerous conversations on the subject) that we would approach the series from an entirely new angle, if we were ever to do the series again. Not because we need to prove something to our detractors, but because we are obligated, as self-respecting creators, to 'push the envelope' with our concepts and not simply rest on the laurels of our previous achievements. Was the Armor Wars the same as the alcoholic/Justin Hammer storyline? Nope.

If I were to approach the series again, I'd probably explore sides of Tony Stark's psyche that haven't been addressed yet. I believe that the need and desire for power (political, personal and physical) is a theme I'd like to examine with the character.

As far as retooling the book, David and I had to do that each time we took over the creative helm. So why should a third time be any different?

And the answer to you last question is: Iron Man beats X-O every time. Brains over brawn, my friend.

Thanks for writing in, Jin.

Hi Bob,

Just a quick note to say that your package of art has arrived safe and sound here in the Great White North.

Anyway, although it is a cliché in the comic art collecting community to say that "it looks way better in person", that phrase most definitely applies to your commission. I love all the extra little details that you put into the piece - even the Comics Code approval! You went above and beyond what I expected (and what I paid for!)

When I do my next website update, I'll be adding a "Bob Layton" page to my gallery, complete with a link to your site and a glowing review of your services, of course.

Thanks again. I look forward to more dealings with you in the near future.

Best,

Brian Sagar

Brian.

I'm glad you enjoyed the commissioned piece I did for you. I have to say, it was challenging. Once I saw your website and the quality of the other drawings by some of the top pros in the industry, I felt obligated to give it everything I could.

I think everybody who enjoys good comic art should take a look at Brian's site at: www.TwoinOne76.com

Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to be in such great company, Brian.

Mr. Layton-

Happy Anniversary.

I've enjoyed your work for decades- the stories and art never feel old, and luckily- neither do I. I've passed the torch to my daughter- Kristen, 9, (I call her Tiny, ‘cuz she's tiny.) who especially loves the Doctor Doom vs. Iron Man stories. (She even has my old 'Mego') She doesn't read the new 'Ultimate' or regular Iron Man comics though, they don't catch her attention and the stories 'Bore me more than being in the library at school'.

Being an author myself, I have a great deal of respect for your writing as well as your art- anyone that can come up with a monthly story is a literary god in my book. I'm sure you've heard this a million times- but thank you so much for the great stories. I'm 38 and the memories, both old and new (X-O was great), are just plain fun.

Tiny and I look forward to anything you put out in the future.

Sincerely,

Nick Kisella

Dear Nick and "Tiny",

I was very touched by your e-mail and proud to have become part of a 'Kisella family tradition'. I hope Tiny enjoys the autographed Armor Wars trade paperback and the Iron Man sketch that I sent her. She sounds like a terrific kid, Nick.

Bob,
1. I’m a HUGE fan of your Hercules work, but I’m wondering if I have everything you’ve produced featuring the Prince of Power. The following is a list I’ve compiled. If I’ve missed anything, I’m hoping that either you or any other Herc fans will help me complete my collection.

HERCULES, Vol. 1, 1982; four-issue mini-series.
MARVEL AGE #4, 1983; Layton interview, Layton Hercules cover.
HERCULES, Vol. 2, 1984; four-issue mini-series.
THOR, Vol. 1, 1985; Layton story inks and cover art.
MARVEL TALES, Vol. 1, #197, 1987; story: “The Bet!”
MARVEL AGE #65, 1988; Layton interview, Layton Hercules cover.
SOLO AVENGERS, Vol. 1, #11, 1988; story: “A Farewell -- With Arms.”
HERCULES, PRINCE OF POWER: FULL CIRCLE, 1988; graphic novel.
MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS, Vol. 1, #’s 39, 40, and 41, 1990; three-part story: “All in the Family.”
HERCULES, PRINCE OF POWER, 1997; trade paperback collecting the two, four-part mini-series (with, oddly, a W.C.Wyman wrap-around cover).

2. If METALLIX had endured as an on-going title, would you and David Michelinie have further explored the nano-technology aspects of the Metal X armor? Seems to me that the nanotech was moved to the background in the initial issues.
Personally, I'm somewhat shocked and disappointed that true-blue Michelinie/Layton Iron Man fans didn't fully embrace METALLIX. Ironically, Metallix would have been the successor to Iron Man in the ill-fated IRON MAN: THE END!

3. A belated thank-you for X-O MANOWAR, Vol. 1, #’s 66, 67, and 68 -- issues you wrote to close out the original, classic run. I finally scored copies after all these years. The best part of this story arc was the “time loop” concept, which built upon the continuity you established as the writer of issue #’s 7-10. Upon reading and rereading these books, I’m immediately reminded of what a wonderful character Aric was, how cool the X-O armor still is, and your passion for the title.
It must have been difficult for you to write #’s 66-68, knowing that the X-O character was soon to be FUBAR-ed by Acclaim.
Question: Did you have any input into the X-O/Iron Man crossover, or had you already severed your association with Acclaim/Valiant by that time (1996)?

4. MARVEL AGE #31 (1985) reported that you, John Byrne, and Al Milgrom teamed up to produce the now-classic red and silver Iron Man armor, which soon debuted in IRON MAN #200 (1985). You, of course, are credited with the final design. Questions: How did it come to pass that three fellows not working on IRON MAN at the time got the nod to dream up the new armor, and was it your idea to deviate from the traditional red & gold color scheme? Notes: One of Milgrom’s initial designs became the Iron Monger armor, while a Byrne offering that sported a helmet much like the original gray Iron Man armor was incorporated into his renderings of the red and silver armor during Shellhead’s visits to HULK and FF during Byrne’s runs. Milgrom’s rendition of the red and silver armor became familiar to fans during his lengthy stay as penciler on WEST COAST AVENGERS (a series that I’m happily and thankfully rediscovering as absolute AMBROSIA compared to the pretentious crap that is “Avengers” these days).
Thanks, Bob! Your site is ever an oasis from the utter and abject hopelessness of mainstream comic-book chaos and disparity.

Mike Kalibabky

Mike,

What would I do without my #1 correspondent and his monthly hoard of questions? I hope I never find out, pal.

Let's get to it:

1. That's about it on the published Herc stuff, Mike, except that there was an earlier trade paperback which compiled the first mini-series, published in 1988. There was also a French version of the second Hercules mini-series (apparently, the French love the Lion of Olympus as much as they do Jerry Lewis). Good job on putting together that list. By the way--no one at Marvel asked me to do the cover to the HERCULES, PRINCE OF POWER 1997 trade paperback. I would have been more than happy to have done it--especially given that the cover was somewhat sub-par.

1988'S HERCULES: PRINCE OF POWER TRADE

FRANCE'S HERCULES TRADE PAPERBACK

2. If METALLIX had endured as an on-going title, we were definitely going to explore different aspects of the armor. It would have been revealed that the element that made the armor unique had some ties to the Deathmask character. The same quantum energies that gave the Mystic Marauder his abilities also powered the Metal X armor through a unique metal belonging of both characters. And, as we would have revealed in time, the essence of Gil Sanderson's psyche was imprinted onto the Metallix armor at the moment of his death. But, "was it live--or Memorex" was going to be the quandary our characters would have had to face.

3. Actually, Acclaim pressured me to write the Iron Man/X-O crossover, but I steadfastly refused on several grounds. One reason was that the development of the game was rushed and I was positive that it was going to be a turkey (and it was!). Secondly, I felt I had built my reputation with a solid body of work on Iron Man and this project was not the way I wanted to return to the character. I felt I owed it to my fans not to lend my name to a project that was a basically an exploitation of both characters.

4. That sounds more like Marvel hype than the truth to me, Mike.

My recollection of the circumstances surrounding the creation of that armor is that Al Milgrom and John Byrne had both took shots at a redesign of ol' Shellhead, but neither of their concepts met with editorial approval. At that particular time in my career, I was hesitant to go back to anything Iron Man related, since I was trying hard to establish myself as a writer on other Marvel characters. After a little cajoling, my old pal, Mark Gruenwald, convinced me to work up a new design with a slight Samurai influence. The result was that Silver and Red Iron Man armor.

See you back at the 'oasis' next month, Mike. Thanks for the usual great questions .