This week’s pick is Dark Horse Presents #8. The anthology features some of today’s best and brightest creators ranging from fresh new talent to veterans.
Howard Chaykin is one of the veterans. Not only is he a veteran but he is one of the most prolific and influential creators the business has ever seen. Chaykin has written, drawn, and created an abundance of stories since the late 70′s. His credits include drawing Marvel’s Star Wars, co-writing Green Lantern: Evil’s Might, and writing/drawing The Shadow. He even went so far as to handle it all on his creator owned series Black Kiss and American Flagg. Chaykin’s latest is a story titled Marked Man. It has been featured in DHP since its relaunch back in April of last year. The story revolves around a man who’s suburban lifestyle is caught up in his criminal underground actions. DHP #8 wraps up the serialization of Marked Man. Chaykin takes a moment to look back on it with us!
Adam Messinger: How did you come up with the concept behind Marked Man.
Howard Chaykin: I’ve always wanted to do a story featuring a hero who’s far from good, whose behavior ruins his life–and forces a moral choice on him.
Messinger: One thing I found interesting is Mark LaFarge’s willingness to accept that he’s a bad person. Just because he thinks he’s a horrible person, do you think he is?
Chaykin: Yes.
Messinger: What compelled you to write and draw the story as opposed to having someone else draw it?
Chaykin: Given the opportunity, I always prefer to draw what I write whenever possible.
Messinger: With this chapter marking the end of Mark’s story, do you have any other stories to tell set in this universe?
Chaykin: I’d be thrilled to do the sequel–since there are a number of loose ends left dangling at the end of the final chapter.
Messinger: Looking back on it, do you have a chapter that was your favorite out of the 8?
Chaykin: No.
Messinger: Anything we didn’t touch upon that you’d like to address? Random thoughts, plugs, ect.?
Chaykin: Not that I can think of, other than encouraging your readers to pick up Black Kiss II from Image, coming very very soon.
Marked Man's Penultimate Issue!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this week’s Pick of the Week interviews! A GIGANTIC thanks to Howard Chaykin for his time and answers. You can find more from Howard Chaykin with the current mini-series wrapping up, Avengers: 1959! Thanks to those of you who took time to read this week and be back next week where we show Dark Horse some more love.
