Hi Mr. Layton,

I just found your website and it is really impressive. I'm writing you because as a child (I am now 39) your Iron Man books were my treasured possessions. My childhood was filled with adversity and I always felt like you and the other pros on the book were writing and drawing and coloring those stories for me personally.  Your work was a beautiful diversion from a very bleak childhood experience. I would save up .35 every month and wait at the corner gas station to get my monthly fix of Iron Man.

I want to thank you (and I wish I had David Michelinie's email...) for being a friend and an inspiration. I now write comic scripts, that have not been published, and I hope to someday inspire other peoples' dreams as you have fueled mine. I hope to re-purchase all those comics that I lost from my collecting days, and share them with my little boy, (he's a newborn named Thomas.)

Thank you so very much for your dedication and your incredible talent.

Your friend always,

Jaime Ramos

Dear Jaime,

I was very touched to receive your kind letter. I'm still amazed when people write and tell me how the things that we do as cartoonists and storytellers affect their lives. I guarantee you that none of us, who work in the comic industry,  ever think about that as we're sitting down to create new stories and new art.

Occasionally, I get reminded that the things we do can have an impact on people's lives and I also recall finding solace in the work of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Stan Lee during the troubled days of my youth. We creators sometimes forget that it's not simply an entertainment medium. Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Captain America were probably as influential a role model as any real person in my life! I'm honored that you took the time to write me and that David and I created some fond memories for you.

Please give Thomas the opportunity to have that same 'sense of wonder' that you had, Jaime.

Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughtful missive.

Mr. Layton,
First, thank you for all the wonderful comics you have worked on in the past years. What I am writing to you today about is Future Comics. I wrote you a couple of years ago about starting a Future Comics fan site.  In response, you said it probably wouldn't get many hits because FC only had a small following at the time.  I also asked what was available that I didn't have.

Well here it is a couple of years later (and two twin girls later) and I am e-mailing you again.  I have about 45 long boxes with all of my Marvel and DC and others that I am selling and getting rid of, but the ones I can't part with are my collection of Future Comics. So, I will be going from 45 long boxes to one small box and still be very happy. I have all the issues listed in the Future Comics store. Last time I wrote, you mentioned you had some ashcans or promo comics.  Are any of these still available?  Also, are the posters or T-Shirts that were advertised still available?  I have looked on eBay with no luck for those. I saw the Ultra Pro information today and will be tracking those down this weekend.

At one time, my dealer had a trading card and catalog from Future Comics. Are any of these left?  I would appreciate any thing "Future" related.  I would gladly pay for anything you have and be happy to include whatever shipping would cost.  I found 'The Artist's Choice' website and will be ordering some original art from there. I noticed that not all issues are listed-- is there another place I can check for Freemind original art? I hope I not asking too many questions, but I am just excited about re-reading my Future Comics and hopefully getting some new things to look at.  Again, thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks!!
Jamie Dooley

Jamie,

I'm always thrilled to hear from a true Future Comics fan!

As I've stated many times, I really don't think we had the opportunity to get a wider audience for the Future Comics material. It's a shame, because it was a very fun time for all the creative people involved. As I promised you in our private response, I'm going to reveal a few things to you and make your day in the process!

First of all, the Future Comics properties are far from dead. Even now, we are hard at work developing one of the characters as a major motion picture. Also, I have some backlog of material that has never seen print which I plan on releasing sometime in the  future, including unpublished issues of Freemind and Metallix.  And, lets not forget that Metallix, Freemind, Deathmask and Peacekeeper now grace the packaging of Ultra-Pro Collector products.

Because of your incredible devotion to our independent efforts, I'm going to send you a 'care package' featuring a Future Comics poster, T-shirt (if you e-mail me your shirt size, of course), ashcans and a page of original art from one of the books. All this will be coming your way, provided you continue to hold the Future Comics torch high and keep spreading the word. Don't forget that back issues of all the Future Comics are available right here on this website.

Dear Mr. Layton:
I really enjoy your work. I was curious if Marvel is going to collect your entire body of work when it comes to "Hercules" (call it "Marvel Visionaries: Bob Layton - Hercules"). I know they've reprinted the first two limited series, but you've done more much, work on that character. One of my favorites from my youth was the back-up in "Solo Avengers" where he fought some soldier named Butcher T.  Do you remember all the other "Hercules" work you've done?
Also, where did you go to college? Curious. I read that you're returning to "Iron Man" with David Michelinie. That's good to know. I got your "Demon in a Bottle" and "Armor Wars" stuff in my library.

Those WERE Shellhead stories.
 

Respectfully,
Kurt Anthony Krug

Dear Kurt,

I'll try to run through a quick list of all the Hercules: Prince of Power stories that I've done over my tenure at Marvel. Besides the two, limited series, I did the "Full Circle" graphic novel, three issues of Marvel Comics Presents, Marvel Tales (featuring a five-page future Hercules mini-story) and the aforementioned Solo Avengers story. I haven't heard of any plans from Marvel to compile all my Hercules stories into one big book, but I won't resist it if they want to do it! I loved writing Hercules and it was one of the benchmarks of my career. I'm still 'chomping at the bit' to do "Hercules: The End" at some point. I wrote an interesting treatment for it that shows the lighter side of death and dying!  Don't ask me how I'm going to pull that off, but you know I will.

I did not attend college, having come from a relatively-poor background. I was fortunate enough to work as an apprentice to two of the great comic artists of our generation, Wally Wood and Dick Giordano. Much of my writing education was absorbed by association with scholarly scribes such as David Michelinie.

Most of my formative years, I simply read a lot and tried to teach myself as much as possible. 

Thanks for your kind words.

Mr. Layton,

First off, I have to be one of your biggest fans!  We met once at Wizard World Comic Con and we grew up just a couple miles away from each other in the east side of Indianapolis.  Boy, has it changed!  What remains my pride and joy are your runs on Iron Man!  I cannot believe what Marvel has done to our gold and red Avenger.  It just sickens me to no end.  And--to do this to Iron Man with his movie coming out next year?!  Still, the whole idea that Captain America dies a TRAITOR--!  As far as I am concerned, Marvel has hurt the older generation of collectors and many of us have stop buying their comics.   

But, this is why I am writing to you:  Not to long ago, I was reading at Newsarama that you and David Michelinie where going to do an all-new Iron Man mini-series.  Is this still a go and if so, is there a date for me to look out for it?  I so miss your Iron Man. And, I dearly loved your Hercules mini-series.

If, by the grace of God, my characters ever do get published, I would so be honored for you to draw some of the covers-- if not the inside art, as well.  I have been working on them for over 15 years and I'm happy that they haven't published yet.  My most recent work is far better.  At least, a couple of publishers are calling me back now, so who knows?

Well, thank you for taking time out for me and I hope you and David can grace some paper again with your Iron Man Magic!

Sincerely,

Kerry Parks

A huge fan!

Dear Kerry,

Always great to hear from a fellow Hoosier. It's been sometime since I've been back in Indiana, I'm sure things have changed quite a bit from when I lived there in the early 70's.

As you've probably read by now, David and I will be back with two, new Iron Man projects for Marvel in 2008. The first will be the final chapter in the Iron Man/Doctor Doom/Camelot trilogy, tentatively titled, "Legacy of Doom." That series will be co-plotted by the two of us and pencilled by none-other-than Ron Lim! The other project is Iron Man: The End! That project is slated to come out sometime in 2008, as well. We're currently negotiating for the right penciller on the job and, as soon as that happens, I'll be getting straight to work on it. David Michelinie has already finished the script, so we're just waiting for a 'go' from our editor, the charming  Molly Lazer.

Good luck with your own comic career. When you do get published, please send me a copy--I'd love to read it! And, who knows-- perhaps we'll get a chance to work together somewhere down the road.

Bob,

In October 2006, Wonder Woman Day raised over $15K (that's FIFTEEN-THOUSAND) for a pair of Women & Children's Shelters in Portland, Oregon. The combination of an auction of over 100 original art pieces, plus collectibles, autograph signings, and photo opportunities meant a spectacular turnout.

On October 28, 2007, Wonder Woman Day II will take place, again at Excalibur Books in Portland, Oregon, and again as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The lead charity benefiting from the event will be Raphael House of Portland with other charities to be named. All donations will receive a receipt from the charity for tax purposes.

Signed up to do artwork for the event so far are Alex Ross, Adam Hughes, and George Perez… Will YOU contribute a piece?

If you can do an art piece for the event, please let me know ASAP, so that I can put your name on the poster and in pre-publicity. 

I won't need the art until around October 1st, but we need time to publicize this online (some bidding will take place online pre-event). There ARE a few guidelines, which I will send once you confirm.

If you want to see what others did last year, go here:

There were some great color and b/w pieces, some cover recreations, some cartoony, some dramatic…

Thanks for reading, and I hope to have you as a part of this Wonderful day!

Best,

Andy Mangels

Dear Andy,

As many of my readers know, I'm always more than willing to lend my hand to any worthy, charitable cause. I believe that those of us, who have been blessed with so many opportunities, have an obligation to return something back to the people who have supported us throughout our careers.

So, count me in!

All I need from you is the specific information concerning the type of art and specs and I will be thrilled to donate to the cause. I want to encourage those comic professionals who regularly read my site to contact Andy and sign up to donate to this worthy cause!

Thanks for thinking of me in this worthwhile endeavor, Andy.

Hi Bob,

Vic from Advanced Iron here. I read the interview with David Michelinie over at Comic Book Resources regarding the new Iron Man/Dr Doom story you guys are working on.

I had a question regarding it: WHEN does it take place? In the interview, David refers to Stark as the Head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and current events as well. So, does the story take place now, with the Extremis armor and post-Civil War or does it take place in the past, back in the classic armor era? 

I want to put a blurb about your story on the home page of Advanced Iron, but I'd like to have my facts straight.

Thanks,

Vic Holtreman

Dear Vic,

Blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb, blurb! (Just kidding--you said you wanted a blurb from me!)

Here's the basic premise of the story: David and I wanted our three Iron Man/Camelot adventures to interconnect visually, as well as in story content. So, we determined it would be better served to set the story back in the era of our second run of Iron Man. He'll be wearing the post-Armor Wars armor and the majority of the action will take place in flashback. However, to keep things contemporary, David and I came up with (what I think is) a clever vehicle, that takes place in present day, to frame the story in . So, you will get a little of both in the "Legacy of Doom" mini-series. It is Marvel's intent to eventually publish all three episodes as a single TPB, so the need for visual continuity was essential for us in creating this new adventure nearly 20 years after our last chapter.

Hey Bob,

Did I hear this right? Layton and Michelinie on Iron Man? Sweet. I'm sure you guys can make him less of a tool than he's been of late.

Frank Tra

Frank,

You heard right. We're going to make him  more like a Swiss Army knife!

Hey Bob,
I really can't wait for this upcoming Iron-Man stuff from you and David Michelinie!  They just did a story at Newsarama, but there was no preview art.  Preview art will sell this to retailers.  Look at the great reveal and preview that was given for the Millar/Hitch Fantastic Four.  That's how these new big sellers operate--they pimp their stuff online and promote it with preview art.  Dan Slott didn't really become more than a B list creator at best, until he started becoming very involved online, and now he's writing an Avengers title and Amazing Spider-Man.
I feel if you, Dave, and Ron Lim hit the talk show circuits heavy, and pimp this Iron-Man/Dr. Doom thing for all it's worth online (with art previews!), it'll raise interest, raise orders, and then raise eyebrows.  That will open doors for future projects at Marvel, and everybody wins when that happens.  David needs to stop-by online and say hello to all his many fans, too!

Larry (no last name given)

Larry,

Gee, dude! That's pretty much all I've been talking about on this month's letter page! In fact, if you check out this month's newly-designed News feature, you'll see the very first piece of preview art from our Iron Man/Doom mini-series by Rockin' Ron Lim. In the months to come, we plan on doing some serious promoting of these projects here on BobLayton.com.

Next month, I'll be doing an in-depth interview with Ron Lim about the series, as well as other aspects of his career. In November, I will be going one-on-one in a dialogue with Iron Man Editor Molly Lazer . And, in December, I plan on having a serious sit-down about the Armored Avenger with my creative partner over the last 30 years, the one and only David Michelinie! Throughout all three interviews, we will be displaying upcoming pages, designs, and concepts relating to this project as well as our other assignment-- Iron Man: The End.

Fair enough?

Hey Bob,

I wanted to also throw some praise your way on your inking work with Dan Jurgens a few years back on Captain America.  Though Dan had Art Thibert for a while, Cap took on more dimension when you began inking.  That was the last time, in my opinion, that Captain America was great--when it was you and Dan's work.

I also love that Dan will work with specific inkers to come up with a certain style, like Kevin Nowlan on Superman/Aliens, or the great Dick Giordano on the Solar arc in 1995.  I would love to see you and Dan come together on another project in the future.

Sincerely,

Heath McKnight

Heath,

I haven't heard from Dan Jurgens in a while. In fact, not much of a peep since we last worked together on Captain America back in the early part of this decade. However, I thoroughly enjoyed working on Dan's pencils. I think he's one of the more dynamic and clean storytellers working today. I've always thought that we meshed fairly well together, partially due to the fact that we have similar artistic influences.

I would never refuse an opportunity to ink Dan's pencils, but haven't heard much about what he's doing currently. If he ever decides he wants me to embellish him, I have ink brush firmly in hand and I'm ready to go! I'm always honored to partner with Dan artistically.