How did you and Pat get the assignment
of taking over Ravage 2099?
Tony:
Pat and I were in N.Y. with Marvel... Punisher 2099 had done
well and we were at a planning meeting (far as I can
remember). Stan Lee was there and mentioned the character -
he was keen to get shot of it to someone who would do a
decent job. We said yes and I took over after the first few
episodes..
What recollections do you have about
working with the artists on Ravage : Grant Miehm, Joe Bennett?
Tony:
None, really. With a few exceptions, I've never really got
on with artists... 'Though I'm sure Grant and Joe are great
guys - I did my bit, they did theirs. Having said that, I've
only two pieces of comic art on my walls: a Slaine original
and a fine print of Ravage.
What recollections do you have about
working with Editor Joey Cavalieri?
Tony:
Nice fellow, as I remember... American management: they are
all much the same. Like movie producers, minus the bullshit.
Why did you leave the 2099 books?
Particularly Ravage; you and Pat wrote all of the post-Stan
Ravage issues except the very last issue. Were you aware that
the book was going to be cancelled?
Tony:
I didn't write the last one? Ha! Ha! Anyway, it became clear
to all involved that the 2099 universe had stopped laying
golden eggs. Things wind up fairly swiftly with Marvel when
the gravy stops flowing... Reasonable; they are a business
like any other. I liked Ravage: he got to say and do some
cool shit. There was always lots of other work and those
guys have lots of writers. There were no bad feelings that
I'm aware of.
What recollections do you have about
working with the artists on Punisher 2099: Tom Morgan and Simon
Coleby?
Tony:
I remember really liking some of the Punisher
art. Who's? Dunno. As I recall, they both really got behind
what our Jake was all about.
Were you happy with the status quo
change in Punisher 2099 caused by One Nation Under Doom story?
Or would you have preferred to keep Jake as a vigilante?
Tony:
I've never cared about any of that. To me, the whole joy of
writing a character is in solving the issues that I present
him/her with. The same pleasure is to be found in solving
the issues that the publisher or editor or main writer or
any other interest presents to my story flow.
Any favorite character, cover, or story
from your time on 2099?
Tony: Nah. All just stories for
cash, mate. I had a personal affection for Ravage because of
the polemic he allowed me to indulge in and Jake gave Pat
and I a lot of fun.