I forget the first time I met Todd Dezago, but I do remember that it was at a convention in Boston. I found Todd to be just a genuine, friendly, and great guy. He would always be willing to sign a comic for a fan of his work and could talk about his craft as well as stories about his stints on various titles at Marvel and DC. This is the interview that I was more than pleased to conduct with Todd Dezago.

GM: Can you give me some background on your education?
TD: Actually, my education really started all those years ago, as a kid, reading every comic book, science fiction, or fantasy novel - later a lot of horror - that I could get my hands on. Going off to school, I was enrolled in graphic arts with a huge desire to become a comic book artist. But very shortly thereafter I was seduced away by theater (which had been my deep down secret desire) and that was the end of that. I've studied acting and theater in a number of schools, colleges, classes, and I think that a lot of my interest and focus on dialogue and character development comes from all the plays I've been in and all the scripts I've read.

GM: Can you talk a little bit about how you broke into the comic book industry?
TD: Right place at the right time, really. In the boom of the mid-90s it seemed Marvel was hiring everybody and anybody who could string a few words together. I had been friends with (X-Men scribe) Scott Lobdell in college, and he urged me to submit a few of my script ideas to Marvel. Wanting to do it myself and not wanting to ride his coattails, I, instead, submitted proposal after proposal to DC for about a year and a half. Finally Scott forced me to write something for Marvel, took it in, and I was given an assignment by editor Kelly Corvese to do an X-Factor inventory story (something to keep around in case they needed a fill in issue). Shortly after that, J.M. DeMatties decided to leave the book and, based on my story and aparently strong sense of dialogue, I was given that book. Soon after, the Spider-Man offices came calling, and I eased over to those books, writing Spectacular Spider-Man for a year and a half, and Sensational for about 3.

GM: Who were your influences that made you want to work in comics?
TD: Well, a lifetime of reading comics and marveling at the talents of so many great writers and artists ade drawing and/or writing comics an all-time dream. Also being a storyteller in every part of my life made actually being able to have my stories published a dream come true! I consider myself very lucky for the opportunities I've had. I guess the answer would be just about everyone I've ever read or looked at over the years.

GM: Do you work in comics exclusively or do you also rely on other outside income sources?
TD: I am not the best "hustler" - not very good at aggressively seeking work - and so it's good - in any job, really, to have another career or craft to fall back on. I currently split my time between writing and some carpentry, building all sorts of furniture, cabinetry, and decorative gates and such with a good friend of mine. I find that it's a great way to keep both mind/imagination and body/skills in shape.

GM: How long is your work day when it comes to comic/comic-related projects?
TD: If I'm spending the day writing, I give myself all day to do it. When you're working on something creative, something that comes from inside, something that you love, you really need to give yourself the chance to get into that "head." You can't rush a story and you never know how long it's gonna take to get it right.

GM: As a writer, what resources are you using to come up with new stories?
TD: Well, it's what everybody says, right? That we are influenced by everything we see, everything we read…everything! I try to read a lot and see as many (good) movies as I can - they all play into what we do anyway. Usually my stories grow out of the characters I create and where they decide to take me. Sometimes they really surprise me…

GM: What comics/graphic novels are you regularly or sem-regularly picking up and enjoying?
TD: I'm diggin' all over Mark (Waid) and Barry (Kitson)'s Legion of Superheroes, Joss Whedon's X-Men, Paul Dini's Batman/Detectives! I always read the Justice League and Tom DeFalco's Spider-Girl is just comics the way they're supposed to be! I read anything Alan Moore writes and sorely miss the ABC comics! The Goon! Hellboy! B.P.R.D.! Mouse Guard! Jonah Hex! She-Hulk! It's all good!

GM: What has been the most effective way you've found to promote your work?
TD: Huh. That's funny. I don't really think I HAVE found a way to promote my work…as I said, I'm not very assertive as a writer. But I also think that it's important to be realistic - there aren't that many jobs in comics to go around. Marvel and DC only publish so many books a month and there are many, many more out-of-work writers and artists than there are working. Sad, but true. (As far as promoting my book - we really could use some more readers on the Perhapanauts…)

GM: So far, who have you really enjoyed working with as an artist/writer in the field?
TD: Well, it's no secret that I'm very good friends with both Mike Wierengo (who I did Tellos with) and Craig Rousseau (my Perhapanauts partner) - so those guys can fight it out about which one get to be the top of that list. Aside from them, I really enjoyed working with Sal Buscema when we were paired up on Spectacular Spider-Man! At first I was intimidated 'cause he was a hero! A legend! But I soon got over that, and we had a bit of fun on that book! I also like working with Carlo Barberi on Impulse - we clicked right away and he made things fun again!

GM: At this point in your career, what is the one thing you've worked on that you are most proud of?
TD: It would be a tie between my two creator owned things, Tellos and Perhapanauts. Outside of them, my run on Sensational Spider-Man with Mike Weirengo. I think we did some really fun stories there and I wish we could have continued for a while more.

GM:I know you've been working on the Perhapanauts rather recently; what can we expect to see from you in the future?
TD: I have a new project that I'm working on with Mike and one with Craig as well. As we are all working in our spare time, neither one will probably see the light of day for at least 6 months or so, but I think both of them will be promising. I have a couple of projects waiting to be greenlit at Marvel as well, but I try not to say anything until everything is confirmed, so, sorry…

GM: And finally, what piece of advice can you offer anyone who is currently trying to break into the industry?
TD: As I said before (and I hate to be a downer, but…) have a back up career ready. Comics is a fickle business and not the most reliable. If you're a writer, then be sure to spread yourself out. Write for magazines, short stories, the local newspaper, whatever…an artist? Make contacts with ad agencies, animation companies, keep your portfolio current and diverse. If you have some other skills or training/degrees, keep those things up to date, 'cause you never know how long the writing or drawing will last.

Be sure to get Todd Dezago's work by picking up the last issue of Perhapanaut: Second Chances, which will be out February 2007, with the trade coming out in May. The Tellos tome oversized hardcover will be released from Image in June 2007.

More interviews by Geoffery Mosse:
TJ May
Chris Batista
Ken Knudtsen
Robert Tinnell