A Conversation with Roy Thomas

Interviewed by Mike Robinson on September 15, 1999

Roy Thomas began his career in comics in 1965 with Charlton Comics. Weeks later, he was hired away by Stan Lee. Seven years later, Roy Thomas was editor-in-chief of the industry's new sales leader, Marvel Comics. Becoming disenchanted with so much emphasis on the business, as opposed to the editorial, aspects of the position, Roy resigned from his post as editor-in-chief late in 1974. Highlights of his years with Marvel: Roy authored and edited Conan the Barbarian, The Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and practically every noteworthy Marvel title. He was instrumental in the birth of the All-New, All-Different X-Men and in Marvel securing the rights to Star Wars. Roy Thomas created the popular element adamantium (curiously absent from the periodic chart), gave life to martial-arts mainstay Iron Fist, and adapted Red Sonja into a front-line feminist superstar.

Later at DC, Roy authored the critically acclaimed All-Star Squadron, Infinity Inc., and Arak, Son of Thunder, working with wife Dann in creating or co-creating characters like Arak, Firebrand, the Tarantula, and practically every member of Infinity Inc. More recently, Roy has authored the media juggernaut Xena's adventures for Topps and the relaunch of Red Sonja for Cross Plains Comics.

He graciously took time out from his busy schedule to speak with Heroes and Dragons recently.

Roy, Alter Ego recently debuted as a solo magazine from TwoMorrows Publishing. Can you give us an overview of your first two solo issues?

Our first solo issue [of Volume 3] was released in mid-September. The first five issues of Volume 2 were released as a flipbook with Comic Book Artist. Because of a weird quirk, Alter Ego Volume 3 # 1 came out 2 or 3 weeks ago, before CBA # 5 with the Alter Ego Volume 2 # 5 in it. Although issue # 1 was 84 pages, with Alter Ego Volume 3 # 2 and upcoming issues, we've upped the page count 16 pages, to 100 pages! I'm real happy with Alter Ego at its 100-page length. That's the format I wanted in the beginning.

Any upcoming theme issues?

I don't ordinarily want to go looking for "themes," but the second issue featured a lengthy article about the creation of the Silver Age Atom. We were amazed at the amount of documentation on the Atom's creation; documentation that doesn't exist for most characters of that time like the Flash or Green Lantern.

Issue # 2 also sports an interview with Larry Lieber, who besides being Stan Lee's brother and the writer for the Spider-Man comic strip, was also Stan's original scripter for Iron Man and Ant-Man and several of the major Marvel books. Larry's a very influential Silver Age writer who hasn't received enough attention. Plus, we've got an interview with Jack Burnley, the original Starman artist, who also drew the Superman and Batman strips in the '40s. Back issues are still available!

With everyone else this year celebrating the 60th anniversary of Batman, Alter Ego # 3 will feature some lesser-known, but just as noteworthy, anniversaries from 1939: The creation of Captain Marvel and Marvel Comics # 1 featuring the first appearances of the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner. Since that was the start of Marvel Comics, I think that is as important as the creation of the Batman in the history of comics. As an added bonus, I've got some unpublished Wonder Woman artwork that we'll feature as well.

Anything upcoming about Charlton? Talk about "lesser-known." There is little in print and next to nothing on the Internet about Charlton ... .

I know what you mean! There hasn't been that much released about Charlton. John Cooke [editor of Comic Book Artist] and I both plan to give Charlton some attention. I have an interview with the artist Pete Morisi of Charlton's Thunderbolt fame that will include lots of great illustrations and unpublished art. Jon and I have secured an interview with Dick Giordano, who was editor of Charlton's "Action Hero" line with Ditko's Blue Beetle and Captain Atom.

There isn't much published about Atlas either, for that matter, though Alter Ego # 2's Larry Lieber interview makes mention of the Atlas Comics Group from the '70s. TwoMorrows Publishing hopes to do more on Atlas, Charlton, Tower, and some of the other companies in the future. Some of this material might be featured in Comic Book Artist, some of it in Alter Ego.

I could go on and on, but I don't want to give anyone else any ideas. Just rest assured Alter Ego will be an eclectic comics magazine.

We should keep watching. Comic Shop News recently reported that Red Sonja is getting a relaunch and a fresh look. Can you fill us in?

I've just finished co-writing the first issue with the artist Steve Lightle for White Plains Comics. I'm really pleased to see Red Sonja coming back.

There are rumblings of another Red Sonja movie.

Well, I've heard interest in a TV series, much like the syndicated Conan series that was out about a year ago. Red Sonja was featured in one episode of that show. I think the producers plan to recast the part of Red Sonja for the new project. The woman cast in the role for the Conan episode wasn't exactly right for it. That doesn't mean the producers couldn't change their mind and do a movie instead. I am not in direct contact with the producers right now.

I've heard that Rena Mero, Pro Wrestling's Sable, has been mentioned in the same breath with this Red Sonja project—

That's the name I heard in connection with the TV show.

Rena Mero couldn't hurt the project. She-Devil with a Sword and an unstoppable PR machine!

I am to benefit financially from it, so that would be nice. I earned a little from the first movie [featuring Brigette Nielson] even though it was a "bomb." Most of my revenues came from spin-offs, licensing, and books at the time. I'm hoping this time the producers will do a little better job of it, and we'll all do well. I haven't been asked to be involved in the project directly as of yet.

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