He's been writing and drawing Savage Dragon for nearly ten years now and is mere issues away from having a startling 100 issues under his belt. He's also put his pencil to good use on Marvel series like Amazing Spider-Man, The Punisher, Thor and The Defenders, and he's well-known fan of fab indie rocker Aimee Man...but who would've guessed that he's always had a soft spot for Tony Orlando and Dawn?

What are you working on right now?

Savage Dragon-period.

What's the best part of your job?

I get to write, pencil and ink my dream project every month! I set my own hours! I work with great people! Life is good!

What's the worst part of your job?

Long hours when I bite off more than I can chew. Having an ass that's slowly getting pushed into the shape of my chair.

What was your first experience with comics?

I don't recall. My Dad bought comics when he was a kid. We always had them around. I didn't start collecting them myself until pretty late, actually- there were plenty old ones around. I stumbled over an issue of The Incredible Hulk and got hooked. My brother aquired a short run of Hulk comics from a kid at school and he gave them to me. That pretty much started the madness...

If you weren't working in comics what would you be doing?

Mooching off my wife, I'd wager. I have no practical skills or social graces.

What's the strangest thing a fan has ever said to you?

Nothing comes to mind-though a fan was so nervous to meet me that he barfed! That was pretty impressive, I thought.

What are you most likely to complain to an editor about?

Every aspect of the comic that is bringing it down. In the case of Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Comic Magazine-the crappy computer lettering that made no effort to look like old lettering and the occasional artist who just phoned in something ugly. Dave Ross in particular ticked me off-he made no effort whatsoever to draw like Jack Kirby! I don't think he's a terrible artist but come on, guy-get with the program! Generally though, I'm not one to bitch too much. If I want it done right-I should do it myself-which I often do!

Who is the biggest influence on your work?

Jack Kirby.

What is the single work of which you're most proud?

No single issue, but the run of Savage Dragon is my proudest accomplishment.

Own up to one of your guilty pleasures.

Cheesy songs from the '70s like "Billy Don't Be A Hero" and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Around The Old Oak Tree." It's sad, but this was the crap on the radio when I grew up and it's burned itself into my brain. I get perverse pleasure listening to it. But I move on to other stuff as well-too much sugar is bad for a person.

What was the last comic book you bought?

I just bought a mess of them! Too many to list, actually-I pick up damned near everything.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Homer Simpson.

Pick three things you couldn't live without.

Shelter, friends and family. Cheese Doodles may ease out friends shortly...

What's the strangest thing you have in your house?

A giant wax hamburger.

When was the last time you laughed out loud?

When she saw my- Oh-you mean me-uh... I think I was reading Calvin and Hobbes.

What music are you listening to these days?

The Beautiful South, Aimee Mann, Elton John, Julian Lennon, the Knack, Barenaked Ladies, Counting Crows, the Raspberries, Sean Lennon, the Beatles, Elvis Costello, Eurythmics, awful '70s stuff, Army of Lovers, Crowded House, Dido, Elvis Presley, Kate Bush, John Lennon, George Harrison, Nat King Cole, Peter Gabriel, QKumba Zoo, Queen, R.E.M., the Clash, the Cure, the Monkees, Touch and Go and all sorts of things. I'm all over the damned place.

What is your favorite film of all time?

Summer of '42.

Who is your best friend?

My wife, Jannie.

What is the worst advice you've ever received?

"Concentrate on writing, you're not as good an artist as you are a writer. Concentrate on writing and use your art as a way of way of presenting your stories. " And I won't say who gave me that advice-but they did give me work as a penciller a couple years later.

When was the last time you were truly frightened?

When my son fell off a chair and knocked open the back of his head. He got stitches and was fine. Still...

Name someone you really admire and explain why.

Jack Kirby-because he created a universe of characters and never let it go to his head. If anybody deserved a big ego, it was Jack-but he was very humble and appreciative. That, I can respect. The super-egos that run around and crow about their relatively insignificant accomplishments make me tired.

What would you like to see happen in comics in the next 12 months?

I'd like to see comics LIGHTEN UP.

What the world needs now is...

Love, sweet love-it's the only thing that there's just too little of.