By Bob Barnes
DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter
DFG Comics has posted an advance preview of Spy Comics (vol. 4) #2. DFG President and Co-Publisher, who is writing and drawing the company's flagship title had this to say: "We're pleased to offer this preview to our faithful fans. We realize that we had fallen behind schedule and are doing everything in our power to get things back on track." It had been suggested that delays are the result of various legal proceedings against the company by disgruntled former staffers. When asked about his rumour, Mr. Graves said, "There is nothing farther from the truth. The demands of writing/drawing/editing a title AND captaining Canada's preeminent comic book publisher sometimes come into conflict. I have also been hard at work on a couple of other creative projects including writing and drawing some pieces for the upcoming Spy Classics origin issue as well as having recently completed Retro-Spy #2. I'm afraid that I'm a hands-on publisher who is involved in the creative process as well as all the administrative and executive duties. My time get spread pretty thin." When asked if this is why co-publisher Darryl Andrews is listed as "co-plotter" for Spy #2, Mr. Graves resonded, "No, not at all. You see, Darryl was originally scheduled to write and draw the second issue but other creative responsibilites in the company kept him busy. I actually had issues three and four nearly completed, and we were waiting for number 2. When it became clear that Darryl couldn't do it, I decided to pick it up and run with his plot outline and basic script adding several elements of my own." Mr. Andrews is currently working on several projects including a New Captain Nepto title, as well as some stories for Retro-Spy, and of course, some material for the eagerly anticipated Spy Classic origin issue, which will also feature work by the controversial superstar, Todd Abbot.
Spy #2 opens with Captain Nepto and his renegade heroes responding the developments of Spy #1 (in which Sir Julius Smithers, formerly the Spymaster, and now Governor General) has reconstituted the Invincibles super-team to respond to the actions of Nepto and his renegades. Nepto and co. had allegedly assassinated the prime minister, Randy Anderson. Anderson, Nepto's half-brother and former supervillain the Sea Serpent, had reformed in the mid-nineties and subsequently led a neo-conservative party to electoral victory last year. After the assassination, Sir Julius, as head of state, dissolved parliament and assumed executive control to deal with the crisis. Spy #2 will also feature the funeral of prime minister Anderson.
Spy #2 is expected to be available sometime this month, with issues #3 & 4 to follow in April and May.
Click here to view the advance preview, or click on our "ONLINE Publications" in the right-hand column of this page.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
February Villian - The Terror!
We started an Online feature of profiling one D.F.G. main characters per month but due to reader demand; have expanded this form to include one hero character and one villian character. This month relive the history of one of D.F.G.'s greatest villians: The Terror!!
The Terror's background remains shrouded in mystery. No one knows who he is, what his motive might be for being such a nasty DFG baddie. He was created by Dan Graves and made his first appearance in Spy Comics Volume 2, #2 (Sept 1985) and went up against The Spymaster. It was later revealed that he was part of a band of villians led by The Killer Shark (who had arranged for the killing of Captain Nepto's parents, and much later, The Spymaster's wife, Sandra Smithers). It was believed that he died in an explosion in an old theatre that had been The Killer Shark's base of operations (see Spy vol. 2, #4), but he reappeared in Spy '96, #3 when he crashed Chief Smith's retirement party alongside the original Sy Clopps and The Jester. He was apprehended through the quick machinations of Frank Bates. His current whereabouts are unknown.
A Message to Former Staffers & Anonymous Posters
It's amazing how many of you have come out of the woodwork. More amazing when we judge your past failures to complete projects on any sort of suitable timetable. Now, like the Flash, people are posting comments to this site using lightning speed. We encourage you to visit and relive what to many, must have been the best years of your life, but to hide and hurl untruths behind a secret identity - please, let's leave secret identities to our heroes. As a courteous service to you, we will let you know that we have assigned Chief Smith to visit this site's weblog and record visitor IP addresses; that in turn are being turned over to our legal Milton Goldfarbstein. I'm sure your time has been sweet, littering many sites across the web with your string of lies and tales of nonsense. I know since we've already found some layering the bottom of the kitty litter box.
Todd Abbot Interview Part III -- delayed indefinitely
By Bob Barnes, staff reporter.
DFG ONLINE regrets to report that the third part of "The Todd Abbot Interview" has been delayed indefinitely due to legal proceedings over disputed material in the interview. We apologize for any inconvenience. When asked to comment on the delay, DFG lawyer Milton Goldfarbstein said that while the matter is before the courts, he hopes for a speedy resolution. He noted that the proceedings will have no impact on Todd's current artistic commitments to DFG.
In other news, rumour has it that Mr. Goldfarbstein has been tapped to write a series for DFG about a hot-shot lawyer who deals with publishing disputes. He rejects the notion that the project is in anyway autobiographical. Former DFG freelancer Frank Daniels (who last worked for DFG in the early '80's) is reported to be returning to draw the project. When asked for confirmation, Vice-President and Co-Publisher Darryl Andrews, reached at the local watering hole, told this reporter to "give his head a shake," and "leave me alone."
To view the Todd Abbot Interview click on the links, below:
Part 1
Part 2
DFG ONLINE regrets to report that the third part of "The Todd Abbot Interview" has been delayed indefinitely due to legal proceedings over disputed material in the interview. We apologize for any inconvenience. When asked to comment on the delay, DFG lawyer Milton Goldfarbstein said that while the matter is before the courts, he hopes for a speedy resolution. He noted that the proceedings will have no impact on Todd's current artistic commitments to DFG.
In other news, rumour has it that Mr. Goldfarbstein has been tapped to write a series for DFG about a hot-shot lawyer who deals with publishing disputes. He rejects the notion that the project is in anyway autobiographical. Former DFG freelancer Frank Daniels (who last worked for DFG in the early '80's) is reported to be returning to draw the project. When asked for confirmation, Vice-President and Co-Publisher Darryl Andrews, reached at the local watering hole, told this reporter to "give his head a shake," and "leave me alone."
To view the Todd Abbot Interview click on the links, below:
Part 1
Part 2
DFG President and Co-Publisher Issues Press Release Explaining "Bedtime Heroes"
Press Release
February 28th, 2008
DFG Corporate Head Office
Dear DFG Comics readers:
This press release is to clear up a serious misunderstanding that has occurred as the result of a press leak earlier this month. It was widely reported (click here) that DFG was intending to introduce “Bedtime Characters” into its new line-up. This is factually true. However, the rumour surrounding these characters is not. There is nothing untoward or questionable about these characters. It is all a gross misunderstanding.
At a meeting of our DFG creative team in mid-January, when we were brainstorming a dozen or so sure-fire hits for our 2008 publishing schedule, our Senior Creative Consultant, Leighton Graves, suggested the concept of introducing “Bedtime Heroes.” DFG Co-publisher and Vice-President Darryl Andrews asked what he meant by this. Leighton responded, “You know, heroes that you create when you are lying in bed at night and can’t sleep… You come up with their names, costumes, powers, alter egos, supporting cast and origin stories. You eventually fall asleep and when you wake up you never actually get around to committing your ideas to paper. We all have these characters bouncing around in our minds – why don’t we add them to the DFG roster?”
The consensus of the team was unanimous. We decided to incorporate these characters into our current titles and maybe even give some their own books! Unfortunately, someone leaked the term “Bedtime Heroes” to the press and, well, they ran with it.
Again, I wish to repeat that DFG Comics remain a wholesome form of family entertainment. DFG in no way intended to suggest otherwise. Rest assured that you and your children can continue to read DFG comics without any fear of the “bedroom antics” reported in the tabloid press. Indeed, DFG hopes to widen its scope in the new line-up of titles by publishing a “funny animal” comic entitled Captain Nepto and his Furry Friends.
Sincerely,
Dan Graves
President and Co-Publisher, DFG Comics
---30---
February 28th, 2008
DFG Corporate Head Office
Dear DFG Comics readers:
This press release is to clear up a serious misunderstanding that has occurred as the result of a press leak earlier this month. It was widely reported (click here) that DFG was intending to introduce “Bedtime Characters” into its new line-up. This is factually true. However, the rumour surrounding these characters is not. There is nothing untoward or questionable about these characters. It is all a gross misunderstanding.
At a meeting of our DFG creative team in mid-January, when we were brainstorming a dozen or so sure-fire hits for our 2008 publishing schedule, our Senior Creative Consultant, Leighton Graves, suggested the concept of introducing “Bedtime Heroes.” DFG Co-publisher and Vice-President Darryl Andrews asked what he meant by this. Leighton responded, “You know, heroes that you create when you are lying in bed at night and can’t sleep… You come up with their names, costumes, powers, alter egos, supporting cast and origin stories. You eventually fall asleep and when you wake up you never actually get around to committing your ideas to paper. We all have these characters bouncing around in our minds – why don’t we add them to the DFG roster?”
The consensus of the team was unanimous. We decided to incorporate these characters into our current titles and maybe even give some their own books! Unfortunately, someone leaked the term “Bedtime Heroes” to the press and, well, they ran with it.
Again, I wish to repeat that DFG Comics remain a wholesome form of family entertainment. DFG in no way intended to suggest otherwise. Rest assured that you and your children can continue to read DFG comics without any fear of the “bedroom antics” reported in the tabloid press. Indeed, DFG hopes to widen its scope in the new line-up of titles by publishing a “funny animal” comic entitled Captain Nepto and his Furry Friends.
Sincerely,
Dan Graves
President and Co-Publisher, DFG Comics
---30---
Cease and Desist Letter Received from Todd Abbot
Dear Dan & Darryl:
It has come to my attention that you have made an unauthorized use of my copyrighted work entitled Cyclone v. Tornado. I have reserved all rights in the Work, first published in 1983 and have registered copyright therein.
As you neither asked for nor received permission to use the Work, nor to make or distribute copies, including electronic copies, of same, I believe you have willfully infringed my rights under 17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq. and could be liable for statutory damages as high as $150,000 as set forth in Section 504(c)(2) therein.
I demand that you immediately cease the use and distribution of all infringing works derived from the Work, and all copies, including electronic copies, of same, that you deliver to me, if applicable, all unused, undistributed copies of same, or destroy such copies immediately and that you desist from this or any other infringement of my rights in the future. If I have not received an affirmative response from you by March 1, 2008 indicating that you have fully complied with these requirements, I shall take further action against you...., unless of course you send me a big fat cheque!
Very truly yours,
Todd Abbot
P.S. Really looking forward to doing the Spy-Master Classic Orgin thingy!
It has come to my attention that you have made an unauthorized use of my copyrighted work entitled Cyclone v. Tornado. I have reserved all rights in the Work, first published in 1983 and have registered copyright therein.
As you neither asked for nor received permission to use the Work, nor to make or distribute copies, including electronic copies, of same, I believe you have willfully infringed my rights under 17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq. and could be liable for statutory damages as high as $150,000 as set forth in Section 504(c)(2) therein.
I demand that you immediately cease the use and distribution of all infringing works derived from the Work, and all copies, including electronic copies, of same, that you deliver to me, if applicable, all unused, undistributed copies of same, or destroy such copies immediately and that you desist from this or any other infringement of my rights in the future. If I have not received an affirmative response from you by March 1, 2008 indicating that you have fully complied with these requirements, I shall take further action against you...., unless of course you send me a big fat cheque!
Very truly yours,
Todd Abbot
P.S. Really looking forward to doing the Spy-Master Classic Orgin thingy!
Todd Abbot diagnosed with Kaposi's Sarcoma?
Comicbook Icon Todd Abbot has expressed he may be suffering from a rare virus in an upcoming interview. Researchers at Carnage Medical School say the active component of marijuana may enhance the virus that causes a rare type of skin cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma. While most people are not at risk of developing this cancer, comicbook artists and transplant recipients are. "It's the weakened immune system that puts some at risk for this disease. And these are the people who should discuss with their doctors the costs of using marijuana medicinally or recreationally" said Dr. Tequilla in a statement.
Previous studies have indicated this very same association between marijuana use and Kaposi's sarcoma. But this study shows THC [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- the ingredient that gives marijuana users a "high" -- to cause cells to become infected and then multiply] itself is the driving force.
D.F.G. Publishers Dan Graves & Darryl Andrews could not be reached for comment.
Previous studies have indicated this very same association between marijuana use and Kaposi's sarcoma. But this study shows THC [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- the ingredient that gives marijuana users a "high" -- to cause cells to become infected and then multiply] itself is the driving force.
D.F.G. Publishers Dan Graves & Darryl Andrews could not be reached for comment.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Todd Abbot confirmed for Spy Classics Origin Issue
Sure to be one of D.F.G.'s biggest sellers to date, Co-Publisher Darryl Andrews has already confirmed the Spy Classics Origins Issue will feature art by comic book icon Todd Abbot! When reached for an in-person interview at his Modular Home, Todd commented that he'd be doing one of the Big Three D.F.G. heroes and wouldn't have signed onto the project for a lesser hero. "Listen," said Todd, "No way would I participate in this project to provide the orgin of the Agent or the Warrior or some other lower-rung hero; Dan knows this project will sell out because of my participation. Nothing is finalized yet, but I expect to have the plum job of retelling the Spymaster's orgin Todd Abbot style. Don't ya dare miss it!!"
Todd Abbot Commissioned Work
D.F.G. Online is proud to announce that as of February 2008 you can commission a superhero drawing from Todd Abbot directly through this website! That's right! Todd Abbot, comic book legend, has made it possible for you to collaborate with him on producing awesome artwork for you! So if you would like to commission a superhero pinup drawn by Todd, act fast as this offer won't be always be available!
Here are his prices for a 5"x7":
First Character & No Background: $105
First Character & Basic Background: $180
Per additional Character: Add $95
Samples of sketches and commissioned artwork to be posted soon!!
Also note: This site will be the ONLY place to purchase, "Todd Abbot's Making Money Drawing Comix", which will be released later this year!!
Here are his prices for a 5"x7":
First Character & No Background: $105
First Character & Basic Background: $180
Per additional Character: Add $95
Samples of sketches and commissioned artwork to be posted soon!!
Also note: This site will be the ONLY place to purchase, "Todd Abbot's Making Money Drawing Comix", which will be released later this year!!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The Origin of Redman!!
Each month D.F.G. Online will feature the history of one of it's main characters. This month relive the history of one of D.F.G.'s greatest heroes: Redman.
Redman was created by Dan Graves in 1982. His first appearance was in Spy Vol 1, #2.
Joe Schmultz, an astronomer, was simply out driving his car when a meteor crashed nearby, giving him superpowers. Initially thinking he could get rich robbing banks with his new powers, Joe thought the better of it and became the crime fighter Redman. Joe kept fragments of the meteor which have protected him against serious injury. The master armchair villian, The Blue Menace, has the distinction of being Redman's first nemesis.
Redman illustration by Darryl Andrews, copyright 2008.
The Todd Abbot Interview - Part II
For part one of this interview, click here.
DFG-Online: Todd, before we leave the early days of DFG, can you tell us about the legendary battle you had with Dan over the Cyclone-Tornado storyline?
Todd Abbot: First of all, let me say this: Those two characters were mine. Period. I created them from start to finish. I also wrote and drew an entire two-parter for the Captain Nepto comic that never saw the light of day. I might also add that it was to be my debut as a writer! Well, I sent it in and then I get this phone call from Dan’s secretary. Apparently he wants to talk to me about the issue. Well, at first I figure that I’m getting a friggin’ award because it would have been the best thing DFG had ever published. At the very least, I thought that maybe he was going to suggest a “Cyclone and Tornado” solo title.
DFG-OL: But it didn’t quite pan out the way you were expecting…
TA: Oh boy…it sure didn’t! So, I walk into Dan’s office and he’s behind his desk as usual, but behind him he had his freakin’ lawyer. So I said, “Dan, baby, what’s with the suit with the LLB?” He didn’t answer. After a long pause, he says to me, “Todd…we can’t print it?” Well, let me tell you, I lost and it and said some things that you sure as hell can’t print. I’d poured my heart and soul out on that friggin’ storyline, you know what I mean?
DFG-OL: So what did you do?
TA: Well, first of all, I wanted some things clarified. “Is it the art?” I asked him, “Does it make all the other DFG hacks look bad?” I have to admit, it was a bit avant garde – I knew some people, that is some small minded people, would look at it and all they would see was a bunch of scribbles, but I was in a bit of an impressionistic phase in those days. But it wasn’t that. Dan said, “Todd, it’s not the art, per se, we’ve published worse crap and got away with it. Actually its what you drew on panel 3 of page 5.”
DFG-OL: Which was…?
TA: The goon thought I’d drawn genitalia on Cyclone! That was why he had legal counsel in the room. He told me that to publish the book I’d have to change that panel. Well… I told him that he must be wearing his friggin’ glasses upside-down and that the book was a friggin’ masterpiece and that I wasn’t going to change one freakin’ detail of that panel.
DFG-OL: And then…
TA: He told me that he wouldn’t publish it, plain and simple. And he never did.
DFG-OL: I heard that Dan destroyed the artwork.
TA: No. Dan may have been a spineless whelp, but we would never destroy another guy’s art. He still had a spark of creative integrity underneath all his corporate bravado. No, I took all the pages back and burned them, except for the panel in question (shows it to the interviewer – and is reproduced in this column). I dare anyone to see what Dan and his brain-dead lawyer saw. In fact, I dare you to tell me the difference between Cyclone and Tornado!
DFG-Online: Todd, before we leave the early days of DFG, can you tell us about the legendary battle you had with Dan over the Cyclone-Tornado storyline?
Todd Abbot: First of all, let me say this: Those two characters were mine. Period. I created them from start to finish. I also wrote and drew an entire two-parter for the Captain Nepto comic that never saw the light of day. I might also add that it was to be my debut as a writer! Well, I sent it in and then I get this phone call from Dan’s secretary. Apparently he wants to talk to me about the issue. Well, at first I figure that I’m getting a friggin’ award because it would have been the best thing DFG had ever published. At the very least, I thought that maybe he was going to suggest a “Cyclone and Tornado” solo title.
DFG-OL: But it didn’t quite pan out the way you were expecting…
TA: Oh boy…it sure didn’t! So, I walk into Dan’s office and he’s behind his desk as usual, but behind him he had his freakin’ lawyer. So I said, “Dan, baby, what’s with the suit with the LLB?” He didn’t answer. After a long pause, he says to me, “Todd…we can’t print it?” Well, let me tell you, I lost and it and said some things that you sure as hell can’t print. I’d poured my heart and soul out on that friggin’ storyline, you know what I mean?
DFG-OL: So what did you do?
TA: Well, first of all, I wanted some things clarified. “Is it the art?” I asked him, “Does it make all the other DFG hacks look bad?” I have to admit, it was a bit avant garde – I knew some people, that is some small minded people, would look at it and all they would see was a bunch of scribbles, but I was in a bit of an impressionistic phase in those days. But it wasn’t that. Dan said, “Todd, it’s not the art, per se, we’ve published worse crap and got away with it. Actually its what you drew on panel 3 of page 5.”
DFG-OL: Which was…?
TA: The goon thought I’d drawn genitalia on Cyclone! That was why he had legal counsel in the room. He told me that to publish the book I’d have to change that panel. Well… I told him that he must be wearing his friggin’ glasses upside-down and that the book was a friggin’ masterpiece and that I wasn’t going to change one freakin’ detail of that panel.
DFG-OL: And then…
TA: He told me that he wouldn’t publish it, plain and simple. And he never did.
DFG-OL: I heard that Dan destroyed the artwork.
TA: No. Dan may have been a spineless whelp, but we would never destroy another guy’s art. He still had a spark of creative integrity underneath all his corporate bravado. No, I took all the pages back and burned them, except for the panel in question (shows it to the interviewer – and is reproduced in this column). I dare anyone to see what Dan and his brain-dead lawyer saw. In fact, I dare you to tell me the difference between Cyclone and Tornado!
DFG-OL: Okay. So you left DFG in the mid-eighties. What came next?
TA: Well, fortunately, my advertising career was beginning to take off at this point. I got a contract designing kitty-litter packaging. It was quite lucrative. I even got to use some of my talent as a writer and came up with their jingle, which you may remember: “Plop, plop, wiz, wiz, Kitty’s done his biz biz.”
DFG-OL: Oh yeah, I still hum it in the shower sometimes.
TA: Well, it was a great contract, and those guys at the firm really appreciated what I brought to the company. It was then that I realized how “small-potatoes” the comic industry was compared to kitty litter. I was working with the big boys, now!
DFG-OL: But…
TA: Yeah, there’s always a “but.” About the mid-nineties the bottom fell out of the kitty litter market and things dried up.
DFG-OL: Is that when you approached DFG again?
TA: Are you kidding, I resolved that I’d be on skid row before I’d ever work for DFG again! However, Darryl called me up one day out of the blue and told me about DFG’s newest relaunch: Spy ’96. I asked him if he’d found some new shmuck to do all his work for him. “Well, that’s why I’m calling,” he said. DFG was expanding again, and they were letting me in on the ground floor. If you ask me, the only thing that was expanding was Dan’s ego, as usual. Anyway, I sucked up my pride and went in to see Dan. There he was behind that same big desk, a little greyer, still with the same K-Mart suit that he used to wear back in the eighties. Man, that guy needs to get some help with his wardrobe. Anyway, he turns on his famous charm and next thing you know, I’m redoing the old Jester story arc from Cap #2 for a new title, Spy Classics. You remember the original story… it was one of the ones that I ghosted for Darryl. It was just like old times, except I made sure I got my name on the book.
DFG-OL: And then?
TA: Well as usual, Dan over-expanded and by mid-’97 he was out of the game again. Fortunately, that Spy Classics issue brought me back into the game and I’ve been doing the convention circuit, other freelance work, and lecturing at art colleges ever since.
Next: Todd talks about his return to DFG for the 2008 line-up and talks about his several new projects!
This interview is copyright 2008 by DFG ONLINE and may not be reproduced, either in whole or part, by any means, without the express, written consent of the editors.
DFG-OL: But…
TA: Yeah, there’s always a “but.” About the mid-nineties the bottom fell out of the kitty litter market and things dried up.
DFG-OL: Is that when you approached DFG again?
TA: Are you kidding, I resolved that I’d be on skid row before I’d ever work for DFG again! However, Darryl called me up one day out of the blue and told me about DFG’s newest relaunch: Spy ’96. I asked him if he’d found some new shmuck to do all his work for him. “Well, that’s why I’m calling,” he said. DFG was expanding again, and they were letting me in on the ground floor. If you ask me, the only thing that was expanding was Dan’s ego, as usual. Anyway, I sucked up my pride and went in to see Dan. There he was behind that same big desk, a little greyer, still with the same K-Mart suit that he used to wear back in the eighties. Man, that guy needs to get some help with his wardrobe. Anyway, he turns on his famous charm and next thing you know, I’m redoing the old Jester story arc from Cap #2 for a new title, Spy Classics. You remember the original story… it was one of the ones that I ghosted for Darryl. It was just like old times, except I made sure I got my name on the book.
DFG-OL: And then?
TA: Well as usual, Dan over-expanded and by mid-’97 he was out of the game again. Fortunately, that Spy Classics issue brought me back into the game and I’ve been doing the convention circuit, other freelance work, and lecturing at art colleges ever since.
Next: Todd talks about his return to DFG for the 2008 line-up and talks about his several new projects!
This interview is copyright 2008 by DFG ONLINE and may not be reproduced, either in whole or part, by any means, without the express, written consent of the editors.
Friday, February 22, 2008
D.F.G. in Hot water over "Bedtime Heroes"
"A gross misunderstanding" was D.F.G.'s founder, Dan Graves initial comments when pressed as to whether the new 2008 line-up would include a comic depicting 'Superhero antics' in the bedroom. More on this story as it develops...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Upcoming Issue Solicitation
D.F.G. Comics welcomes fans to the official website, open during construction for news, exclusive content, an online store and more! Check back often as the site is receiving continuous updates and looks to be fully functional soon!
In conjunction with this announcement, D.F.G. Comics would like to provide fans with a preview of new issue solicitation:
Spy-Classics - featuring "The Return of the Alligator"
The Todd Abbot Project - "Cyclone v. Tornado: The battle over Tsunami Girl"
The Invincibles - "Batttle of the Invincibles" storyline continues
Retro Spy - "Nova"
A New Captain Nepto Re-launch
And there's more to follow!!
The Todd Abbot Interview: Part I
In considering the most influential and important comic book artists of all time, Todd Abbot's name is never far from the top of anyone's short list—indeed many of today's industry professionals wouldn't hesitate to call him simply the best there ever was. Few artists of his calibre contemplate and study the art form as intensely—and with such obvious love for the form—as our passionate (and often, angry) interview subject, Todd Abbot. Our DFG ONLINE staff reporter, Bob Barnes had the pleasure of interviewing the artist in his Modular home in February 2008. The first part of this serialized interview is presented below:
DFG On-line: Todd, you were in on the early days of DFG. Can you tell us how you came to the company?
Todd Abbot: Well, as I recall, it was about 1982, and I was still a student in art college looking for a part-time job to break into the industry, trying to fill out my portfolio, and build up my resume. An acquaintance told me about DFG and set me up for an interview with DFG president & publisher, Dan Graves. It was around the time that DFG was first expanding, you’ll remember those days…
DFG-OL: Actually, that was a bit before my time…
TA: Oh, yes, well – when you get to be a giant like me, you forget that not everyone else has been around so long. Anyway, Dan was basically snatching up a whole bunch of small presses. Even Captain Nepto started out under a different publisher, Darryl Andrews’ DTA Comics, before it was published under the DFG label. Dan was very aggressive and was on a spending spree. He snatched up DTA, SPM, Superb and a few others – I can’t remember them all – and consolidated a whole bunch of their characters and titles under the DFG banner. In the process, Capt. Nepto creator Darryl Andrews came on as co-publisher and vice-president of DFG and eventually became so consumed in his management responsibilities that he had less time to draw. He needed some help on the Capt. Nepto books and basically, I was brought on to help out Darryl. At the time Dan was inking a lot of Darryl’s stuff to keep things on track in terms of our publishing schedule. Dan was really too busy, too, what with running the company and jet-setting around the world, so I started doing some of the backgrounds, eventually took over much of the inking, and pretty soon Darryl was only drawing heads and faces and I was doing pretty much everything else. I was really “ghosting” for Darryl when all was said and done.
DFG-OL: You say, “ghosting,” but I’ve seen your name on many of those early issues…
TA: After the legal disputes began, Dan & Darryl went back and credited me on a chunk of my work. They just didn’t seem to want the lengthy, drawn-out legal battle I was prepared to give them. And frankly, I don’t blame them – I’m one formidable son of a gun! They didn’t credit me on everything, though. There’s still a lot of early DFG stuff that you can go back and say, “That’s Todd Abbott’s work.”
DFG On-line: Todd, you were in on the early days of DFG. Can you tell us how you came to the company?
Todd Abbot: Well, as I recall, it was about 1982, and I was still a student in art college looking for a part-time job to break into the industry, trying to fill out my portfolio, and build up my resume. An acquaintance told me about DFG and set me up for an interview with DFG president & publisher, Dan Graves. It was around the time that DFG was first expanding, you’ll remember those days…
DFG-OL: Actually, that was a bit before my time…
TA: Oh, yes, well – when you get to be a giant like me, you forget that not everyone else has been around so long. Anyway, Dan was basically snatching up a whole bunch of small presses. Even Captain Nepto started out under a different publisher, Darryl Andrews’ DTA Comics, before it was published under the DFG label. Dan was very aggressive and was on a spending spree. He snatched up DTA, SPM, Superb and a few others – I can’t remember them all – and consolidated a whole bunch of their characters and titles under the DFG banner. In the process, Capt. Nepto creator Darryl Andrews came on as co-publisher and vice-president of DFG and eventually became so consumed in his management responsibilities that he had less time to draw. He needed some help on the Capt. Nepto books and basically, I was brought on to help out Darryl. At the time Dan was inking a lot of Darryl’s stuff to keep things on track in terms of our publishing schedule. Dan was really too busy, too, what with running the company and jet-setting around the world, so I started doing some of the backgrounds, eventually took over much of the inking, and pretty soon Darryl was only drawing heads and faces and I was doing pretty much everything else. I was really “ghosting” for Darryl when all was said and done.
DFG-OL: You say, “ghosting,” but I’ve seen your name on many of those early issues…
TA: After the legal disputes began, Dan & Darryl went back and credited me on a chunk of my work. They just didn’t seem to want the lengthy, drawn-out legal battle I was prepared to give them. And frankly, I don’t blame them – I’m one formidable son of a gun! They didn’t credit me on everything, though. There’s still a lot of early DFG stuff that you can go back and say, “That’s Todd Abbott’s work.”
DFG-OL: Your years at DFG seemed to come to an end as quickly as they began.
TA: Yeah, about the mid-eighties, I think. They did their first re-launch of Spy Comics around ’85 and I was gone by the time all that business shook down.
DFG-OL: So what happened?
TA: Well, it’s complicated. I alluded to the legal troubles earlier. You see, I wanted a fair shake at what I drew and what I created. And everything had either Dan or Darryl’s “John Henry” all over the friggin’ place. Well, dammit, I’m Todd Abbot … I’m my own man with my own friggin’ creative integrity. I went to the bosses and they began to give me this sob story about how times were tough for the industry. This was the early days of the black & white explosion when every Tom, Dick, and Harry were setting up presses in their basements and publishing any old crap. To be fair, they did need to do some consolidating, but cripes, I was the friggin’ backbone of DFG! They whined on about how they’d over-expanded, all the while telling me how much they valued me. I just said, “You friggin’ jokers can tell a judge just how much you friggin’ value me ‘cause I’m gonna sue your pants off for creator rights!” Well, that’s when Dan went back and put my name on all the reprints and gave me a tidy little royalty check to shut me up. Boy, did I have those two clowns shaking in their boots.
DFG-OL: But that little conversation had some negative repercussions, too…
TA: Oh yeah, you bet! They were hopping mad! They never showed it in person. In person they were all nice and buddy-buddy, and “we’re all one big DFG family.” But they stopped giving me work. They brought in some guy, I can’t remember his name, Colin something-or-other, and he started picking up the inking and backgrounds on Nepto. That sure was a mistake ‘cause it looked like the guy had pigeons in his pen – it was all one big, scribbly freakin’ mess! Well, needless to say, after a couple of issues he was gone.
DFG-OL: And they didn’t call you back?
TA: Call me back? Nah, they were so busy acting like corporate fat-cat big-shots that they hired some guy named Curtis-something to act as editor-in-chief. This guy basically had no experience in the industry – like, you know, he couldn’t tell a comic book from a “Big Little Book.” You know what I’m saying? The guy was a friggin’ “suit.” Anyway, when they sacked Colin, I made an appointment with Dan and he told me to talk to Curtis. Well, after weeks of not returning my calls, I finally get in and he tells me that they’re scaling back, consolidating, putting both Nepto and Spymaster in a relaunch of Spy Comics and that I was no longer needed. That was late ’84. So, I shook the dust off my feet and left town.
DFG-OL: That must have hurt.
TA: Hurt? Hurt?! What are you, stupid? Of course it hurt. Here I was – Todd friggin’ Abbot – a comic book legend, man, and these two goons and their lap-dog in a suit give me my walking papers?! After all we’d been through together? It more than hurt. It stung deep, man.
DFG-OL: This really touches a soft spot, then…
TA: Well, I eventually got over it. I later learned that they let Peter (Repas) Repovski (creator of Nitro: The Man with the TNT Punch) go, too. If I was giant, then Repovski was friggin’ Godzilla, man. He was THE KING. Nobody came close to him. No one could touch him. And these two friggin’ no-talents sack us, we’re two friggin’ giants.
DFG-OL: I think they also let Frank Daniels go, too.
TA: Who?
Coming Soon: Part II of the Todd Abbot Interview, which will include the famous fight over the Cyclon/Tornado issues of Capt. Nepto, some lost artwork, a recounting of Todd’s late 1980’s advertising work, and Todd’s Return to DFG in 1996.
This interview is copyright 2008 by DFG ONLINE, and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or part, by any means without the express written permission of the editors.
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