APRIL 2005

Mr. Layton,
I am a member of the Valiant Comics.com message board community and I would like to apologize for my fellow members behavior. You are a founding father of one of my most beloved comic universes and it deeply saddens me that you are not a part of the site that is trying to "keep the torch burning" as it were. I know John Taddeo is trying to get the rights to the Valiant characters later this month and pray you will be a big part of that universe once more if he wins.
I hope that I have not done anything personally to offend you. I place links to your great website there every once in a while when I see something I think is cool that I want to share with the community. I have not "bashed" any of the creators of Valiant there, but I have expressed how I like some of them more than others.
Please do not punish the many for the deeds of a few. I beg you to reconsider the withholding of Valiant-related things you find in your vault, as many members over there, myself included, greatly enjoy the "what ifs" that come from your finds.
Thank you for all the great memories. Hopefully, you will be able to share your vision with us again shortly with the Valiant characters at Assassination Entertainment,

(NAME WITHHELD BY BOB)

Bob,

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that some of my "brethren" seem to be so bent on jamming a hot poker up your ass every time you try and share something with us about your time and experiences with Valiant.
While I can understand the enthusiasm and deep appreciation that some of us have, it's not cool to continually bash ONE person over the breakdown of an entire company.
As for the finger pointing and endless debate surrounding the demise of my favorite comics ever, I could care less...you, Jim, Steve, Jon, Fabian, Triumph...that's not what interests me as a fan. I was (and still am) a fan and lover of the WORK that was put out. It's real easy for someone on the outside without full knowledge (or sometimes any knowledge whatsoever) to armchair quarterback the whole history of Valiant Comics. Its easy as Hell to sit back 15 years later and say "you should've done this" or "why did you do this instead of that?" as opposed to understanding that the LAST thing you wanted to happen was what eventually played itself out. These people act like it was some sinister plan that you hatched in order to bring Valiant down. Personally, I think they've been reading too many comic books.(lol)
I guess the bottom line is this...don't be upset with us all, Bob. I don't expect you to change your mind and that's not why I'm writing. I'm writing to let you know that there are Valiant fans out here who judge you based on the incredible work and talent you brought out of those around you. I sincerely hope you realize that not all of the Valiant community is standing with pokers in the fire waiting for you to come share.
Sometimes the best creative ideas arise from confrontation and tension...I've seen it time and time again in music. As a musician yourself, I'm sure you can relate to that, as well. All of what was going on in the background (in this fan's humble opinion) is what gave Valiant it's fire. Without that creative strife, I don't think the books would've been nearly as good as they were.

And most of all, thank you for standing up for yourself and refusing to be intimidated or labeled by those people who continually try and poke you in the chest and get in your proverbial face about Valiant. I respect that a lot, Bob. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to hear the same disinformation over and over again.
It's a testament to the talents and abilities of everyone involved with Valiant that 15 years later it can still provoke such strong emotions... whether they're properly used or not. You guys did something special...something that had a far-reaching impact, so much so that even today the fan base is just as devoted and passionate as they were in 1994.
Thanks again, Bob...and once again, sorry.

(NAME WITHHELD BY BOB)

Hi Bob-
Your April Fools joke was great!
It started a commotion on the Valiant Board today, until I let everyone in on your overlooked April Fools page by clicking on the title!
That was a good one!
Best regards---

Steve Girdler

Bob,

Is the ‘one bad apple spoils the bunch’ an April Fools joke?

Please say ‘yes’.

John Taddeo

Dear John,

"Yes."

Mr. Layton,
I just wanted to let you know I loved your review of the issue (Ultimate Iron Man #1).

I quit reading Iron Man years ago, a couple issues into Quesada's lame "Sons of Yinsen" arc and I've never gone back. I've always kept an eye out for something promising but 5 years later, I still have yet to buy an issue (I had every issue up to that point, including all the T.O.S. issues). I'd like to say that it's because your work on the character spoiled us (which, I guess it did) but really, the book has sucked for this entire period of time (and now we get multiple sucking titles). Not only that, but the armor is god-awful in all the books now, too.

Anyway, thanks for making the character great and I'm sorry for what they've done to him recently. Hopefully, when they get rid of Quesada, they'll start doing Iron Man right again.

Tony McIntosh

Dear Tony,

You're not alone in your disillusionment over mishandling of the Armored Avenger. The outcry from fans is growing steadily each month as Marvel continues to fumble the ball and bastardize the legacy of one of their most unique characters.

I'm not sure what any of us can do, other than making our opinions known by not buying any Iron Man comics in protest.

As a former company executive, I know that the bottom line is always--sales. If enough of us quit buying the books, they'll be forced to make radical changes in their editorial approach to the property or flat-out cancel the title. Either choice is preferable to what being published currently, in my opinion.

Mr. Layton,

Thank you for my autographed copies of the ashcan editions of Freemind #8 and Peacekeeper #1! They were fabulous reads and reminded me of what I enjoyed so much about Future Comics. Here's hoping that these characters and stories see the light of day again. It's just such a shame that Peacekeeper never even saw print. Issue #1 was really entertaining. Any chance of a summary of where the plot was heading in the Future titles? In particular, that cliffhanger in Freemind #8 is killing me!

Thanks,

Tim Thomas

Hey Tim,

That's a good idea!

I'll speak to David Michelinie and see if we can post his unpublished plots here. Either that, or maybe we can convince him to write an article

that summarizes where each title was heading.

Also, there is still some unpublished art in the vaults to Metallix (#8), Peacekeeper (#2) and Freemind (#9), as well as two, fully-completed issues of Deathmask (#4 & 5).

I'll see what I can do to get some of that material posted here in the coming months.

Fair enough, Tim?

Bob

You ever manage to slip the "Babyface" nickname hung on you at Marvel 'lo those many years ago? Who tagged you with that? Shooter or Stan, or someone else?

Bob, if this <website> is ALL you're doing to earn a living (that explains your speed), isn't there an editor out there willing to hire you for something? How about those movies, man? Isn't anything panning out? If they make movies like MASK II, Lord knows there's plenty of room for more quality ideas.

Final question, when I'm at your site, and you have art for sale with "minimum bids" I click the link...it takes me to Spencer's site...but then HOW does one bid? It’s not very clear once you're there what to do.

Thanks for your time as always.

Best,

Larry Clay

P.S.Here’s a few pics of you from previous cons and a couple of you and Dick.

The one of you in the glasses was the younger, brasher, cockier Bob Layton. I think this was in Milwaukee, May of’ ‘93, for a Capital City Distributors’ Retailer Conference.

Bob signing at the Capital City Distributors’ Retailer Conference in 1993.

Larry even got the beautiful

Mrs. Layton in a shot at

Heroes Con ‘99

Heroes Con ‘99 with

DICK GIORDANO & BOB

MORE DICK GIORDANO & BOB

at Megacon 2000

Larry,

It was Tom DeFalco (Jim's second-in-command at the time) who penned the moniker "Babyface Bob" on me.

Time will insure that the nickname fades, my friend.

It's unfortunate, but having been involved in creating two comic book companies--in direct competition with the major publishers, has resulted in my being somewhat road blocked from working in mainstream comics. Although there isn't an actual 'blacklist' or anything as sinister as that, the general attitude is negative when it comes to those who have spoken out publicly against the Big Two.

Plus, It's no secret in the biz that Joe Q at Marvel hates my guts for taking him of Ninjak during his Valiant days. The last time I worked there, Joe tried several times to fire my ass (back when I was inking Capt. America and Avengers) before he finally succeeded.

So-- this is the bed I've made for myself in the comics industry.

I accept it.

Besides--mainstream comics suck these days.

The movie stuff is going well--but the wheels of progress move very slow in Hollywood. In the case of the largest project we have going there, it has been an entire year since the planning started and our producers are only now at a point where we're gearing up to go to the studios with the pitch.

Until a rights deal with a studio gets made, everyone involved works gratis. No loot until the deal is signed.

David Michelinie and I have several other projects under consideration out there, as well--but (like all of the deals) it's real slow going.

In the meantime, I do commissions and pick-up the occasional freelance job. And, to be honest--I kind of like where I am right now, working directly for my die-hard fans.

Life could be a lot worse, Larry.

On the link question:

Spencer Beck is my friend and agent for most of my original art sales. Generally, the procedure for bidding on my art is to click on the green link at the bottom of each gallery piece that's for sale. That will take you to Mr. Beck's "The Artists' Choice" website, where you then click on Spencer's e-mail link and drop him a line to let him know that you're interested in a piece of art. Or--you can simply e-mail me and I'll forward it to Spencer Beck myself.

But, you're correct that it might be a bit confusing. I'll talk to Spencer and we'll try to come up with a better system for collecting bid on art work next month.

And thanks for sharing the pics with everyone.

Mr. Layton:

I just stumbled across your website and felt like I had to write you a letter.

My name is Mat Nastos and I am a pro comic book and storyboard artist (and film writer/director). I've worked on comics, off and on, for 14 years or so and I've worked on around 100 films and over 300 TV episodes. The reason I am writing is because you are one of the reasons I became an artist. I met you when I was a kid (you and Bob Wiacek, who later on was a teacher of mine at the Kubert School) at a Creation Convention in Houston, Texas. Hercules has just come out and I wandered by your table. You looked at my drawings (I think I was in 5th grade) and gave me some kind words (and an Iron Man sketch!). I never ever forgot that. I still have that sketch and you are still a huge inspiration to me. I've always been bummed that I've never had a chance to meet you again (I used to hang out in the Marvel Bullpen and do work, but that was in the mid-late 90s and after your time there).

I don't know if it means anything to you, but thanks for inspiring me to live me dream. Take care.

Mat Nastos

Dear Mat,

On the contrary--it means a great deal to me to receive an e-mail like yours. As a comics creator, I've attended hundreds of conventions over my career and I don't always get the feeling that I've accomplished much by doing so. The fact that the short time I spent with you had any sort of impact on your career is the highest form of flattery an artist could hope to receive. I've always felt that the people who have met with success in the business have an obligation to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to write me.

And--never give up on your dreams, Mat.

Mike's Monthly Missive

Bob,

It appears that John Taddeo, creator of ZOOM SUIT and Assassination Comics, might have acquired the rights to the old Valiant/Acclaim characters! So if you¹ll allow me to be a bit presumptuous, I¹d like to play 'What If?' in terms of your possible involvement in an X-O MANOWAR re-launch. You did state publicly that you would be interested in returning to one of the Valiant Universe¹s more popular heroes.

1. If Taddeo¹s purchase of the Valiant/Acclaim is true, will you be making a pitch for a new X-O series? And, will you pitch to write, pencil and ink?

Mike,

As usual, you've come up with a plethora of interesting questions on a single subject (it's your gift, I suppose.)

I'll do my best to answer them as succinctly as possible:

1. I have said, on more than one occasion, that I would definitely be interested in re-addressing X-O Manowar, in some capacity.

For the record--I have NOT committed to ANYTHING specifically. If I were to go back to doing X-O, it would have to be, at least, scripted by me. X-O Manowar was my baby. I brought him to Valiant.

I'm the one who wrote the majority of that character's early (and most popular) adventures. So, it's only natural that I should be the one to write it, if a re-launch was ever to occur.

And, contrary to some of the message board posts concerning a possible Valiant re-launch, I have been very adamant in my refusal to work with Jim Shooter under any circumstances-- for any amount of money.

2. If you pitched only to write a new X-O series, who would you suggest as penciler and inker? I personally LOVED Mike Leeke¹s and Tom Ryder¹s work on the original run. In fact, I¹d consider them the definitive art team... along with yourself as writer. I also enjoyed Bart Sears¹ artwork as well. His and your two-parter in issues #14 and #15 featuring an X-O/Turok team-up was superb. Never before had the two characters been depicted as such consummate tough guy bad-asses.

2. I really don't have a preference for penciller on X-O. There were several terrific artists who graced the pages of the title in it's day. As far as I'm concerned, I would work with any of them. (However, Tom Ryder was always a personal favorite of mine and someone who I believe captures what the Visigoth Vigilante is all about.)

3. Would Aric of Dacia once again don the X-O armor? At the end of the original X-O MANOWAR series, in a time-loop story arc, issues 66-68, you, as writer of the this arc, left Aric right where he began in issue 1#, smack dab in the middle of a spider alien spacecraft orbiting Earth. Now, if the character of Aric once again is used in the re-launch, would you continue the Spider Alien concept or head down a different path... and what might that path be?

3. I would absolutely keep the Spider-Alien concept--considering that they became a lynchpin to the entire Valiant universe. I might explore their motivations and culture more than I did in the earlier incarnation, but we really couldn't have a return to what X-O Manowar was all about without those "Spaghetti Heads".

4. Why do you think fans were so attracted to Aric in the original X-O series? Certainly the “Conan in a can” notion played some role in the character¹s popularity. What key element would make readers connect with Aric once again?

4. "Conan in a Can" describes perfectly what the basic concept of the character was all about. I believe that part of the attraction to this character is the rite of passage he undertakes while attempting to survive in our modern world. We, as readers, get to experience Aric's growth and maturing that reflects, metaphorically, what many of us feel as we venture into the adult world.

5. Have you been mulling over new X-O armor designs, and if so, how will the new X-O rig be different from its predecessor? One design characteristic of Aric¹s original X-O suit that I always found curious was the clear faceplate -- especially since the armor was organic. Was this feature used for the express purpose of showing facial expressions or to just distinguish it from the faceplates of other armored heroes, such as Iron Man? Would the clear faceplate remain on the new armor? Any sneak peaks of armor designs you can share?

5. I might tamper with the designs a tad--but I'm very fond of the design that Barry Windsor-Smith and I originally came up with.

As far as the transparent faceplate is concerned: your body has a clear tissue on it, Mike. Check out your eyes in the mirror, pal.

6. Would you incorporate any unused story ideas or technology concepts from METALLIX in the new X-O run?

6. No. Metallix was a joint collaboration between David Michelinie and me. What happens to Metallix--stays in Metallix.

7. Who created the original rectangular X-O MANOWAR cover logo?

7. I believe it was Janet Jackson--Valiant's resident designer at the time. (But don't quote me.)

8. Valiant released an X-O novelty ring in 1993. (I got mine off e-bay awhile back!) Whose idea was it to release the ring? Very cool item, by the way.

8. Most of the Valiant merchandise was the result of a joint brainstorming between Jon Hartz, Steve Massarsky and me. I always liked to come up with gimmicks, within our stories, that could become iconic little merchandising gems--like the X-O ring.

9. Aric of Dacia was a Visigoth, which, according to the AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY: “A member of the western Goths that invaded the Roman Empire in the fourth century A.D. and settled in France and Spain, establishing a monarchy that lasted until the early 8th century A.D.”

But, why a Visigoth, of all things? On the

upside, Aric¹s heritage was the springboard for perhaps the all-time best X-O adventure --a masterpiece of storytelling--in issues #7-9, wherein Aric is sent back to his own time in a tale of Roman battles, family deceit, heartfelt romance, and personal tragedy.

9. Conan the Barbarian was set in a mythological setting of Hyboria. We had no such place in the Valiant universe, so we had to look into real world history to find where barbarians roamed the earth and the Visigoths more than fit the bill. And...what a swell bunch of ax-wielding zealots they were, Mike.

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed X-O Manowar #7-9. Those were my favorite stories of the lot, as well.

10. Who would you consider to have been Valiant¹s flagship character, X-O or Magnus?

10. Magnus--only because there had been an entire generation who had grown up reading Gold Key Magnus: Robot Fighter comics (myself included.) That being said, X-O Manowar was consistently our best selling comic--making it #1 as far as the company's priorities.

11. And speaking of Magnus, any update on your upcoming poster of the famous Robot Fighter?

11. Just last week, I finally signed the approved contracts with Dynamic Forces to produce the two limited lithograph prints of Magnus: Robot Fighter and Solar: Man of the Atom. The next step in the process was to create preliminary drawings for approval by the properties' copyright holder, which has been done. Once those are approved, it's simply a matter of creating the art. As soon as my part of the project is completed, I'll update everybody here on my website.

And, finally, the big question:

12. Do you think THE BAD EGGS might now make a comeback as well?
Thanks, Bob.

Mike Kalibabky

12. That'll be up to whoever winds-up with the rights and how much they can put up with my bugging them about it. I know that Uncle Don Perlin is dying to get his hands on those rascally raptors again. So, don't count the possibility out just yet.