How did you first become involved with
2099?
Joe:
I was looking to get some work at Marvel Comics, so my
friend Kenny took me into the Marvel offices one day to
introduce me to some editors and show my work around. The
first visit I remember was with Bobbie Chase. She liked my
work and offered me a test for the Incredible Hulk, which I
thought was pretty cool. My next visit was with Joey
Cavalieri, who was the 2099 editor. He looked at my art and
said something like "why would you do a test? I will give
you work right now." So that was how it all started! I did
six issues featuring Spidey 2099 total.
Did you draw anything for 2099 that was
not published (stories, alternate covers for Spider-Man 2099)?
Joe:
I remember two covers for two inventory stories, two
character designs and one page from Spidey 2099 #29 where
the Flipside character design was changed. I also have quite
a few sketches for the covers I did. I enjoy doing covers
quite a bit, and will often do about 6-10 idea sketches for
each one, just to mess around with different concepts.
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Unused cover to
"Night of the Impaler" by Joe St. Pierre |
When taking over art chores on a book
which had already been running for a certain length of time (in
this case about 2 years) how do you prepare for it? Do you look
at back issues or were you provided with style guides for the
characters?
Joe:
It's been a while, but I seem to recall reading the previous
issues of Spidey 2099. I have to say I was pretty focused on
drawing the Peter Parker Spider-Man at the time, as he is my
favorite comic character. So style-wise, I drew Miguel the
way I would draw Peter Parker, I drew Spidey 2099's webs
McFarlane style, that kind of thing. I guess it paid off, as
I ended up drawing quite a few Spider-Man comics after my
2099 issues.
Do any of your issues or covers stand
out in your memory? Favorite / Least Favorite?
Joe:
I had a great time with the inventory issues. One was written by Jonathan Peterson,
which was a Phantom of the Opera-type story where the
villain was the Man-Spider. I thought they were terrific
stories, done in one, with plenty of Spidey action.
What recollections do you have about
working with Peter David?
Joe:
I remember a scene in issue #27 where Miguel is driving in a
Batmobile from the 1960s TV show. That was quite a blast to
draw, especially in a Marvel Comic! In the comic, I tried to
graphically follow the sequence in the TV show where the
Batmobile starts up and rides out of the Batcave to Gotham
City. I also worked with Peter on an issue of Aquaman over
at DC.
What recollections do you have about
working with editor Joey Cavalieri?
Joe:
Joey Cavalieri gave me my first gig at Marvel, so I will
always owe him one for that. Thanks, Joey!.
Did you work closely with your inker,
Jimmy Palmiotti?
Joe:
I knew Jimmy from my Valiant days. We both worked there at
the same time, though not on the same books. It was a
pleasure to work together on something.
Your issues introduced several new
villains, Flipside, the Corporate Headhunters, and Travesty.
What do you recall about the creation/design of the characters?
Joe:
I recall Flipside starting off as a trickster character,
kind of impish, like Mr. Mxyzptlk or Bugs Bunny. The
character was revised to appear more like a reverse
Spider-Man. My favorite villain that I designed and
introduced was Vlad the Impaler, a cyborg assassin who
looked like a hi-tech vampire. His ribs were sharpened into
points, and his rib cage opened up like a bear trap to
crush/impale his victims. COME ON! How COOL IS THAT?! Vlad
debuted in one of those inventory issues, which became the
lead story in 2099 Unlimited #9, I think.
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Unused page from
Spider-Man 2099 #29 featuring the original design
for Flipside |
Character sheet for
the unused Flipside design. |
Were there any challenges or difficulty
unique to working on Spider-Man 2099 as opposed to other comics
you worked on?
Joe:
There are days when I feel like I was born to draw
Spider-Man. I would say the challenges would not be with
Spidey, but with those other characters I am less familiar
with.
Why did you leave the book?
Joe:
I recall Joey deciding to go with another artist, and I
moved over to the Spider-Man offices, where I got to live
out a life-long dream, drawing the Peter Parker Spider-Man.
Very special thanks go out to Glenn Greenberg and Tom
Brevoort for that opportunity.
