WIZARD Q&A: BARRY KITSON
Wizard sits down to talk with the upcoming 'Amazing Spider-Man' artist.
By Sal Loria

Barry, you’ve got an upcoming arc on Amazing Spider-Man, beginning with May’s #558, with Bob Gale writing. Were you approached about taking the artistic reins or did you lobby for it?

KITSON: I was approached. I don’t think it was any secret that I would love to draw Spider-man… there can’t be many artists that wouldn’t like to — but no, I didn’t do any lobbying… that’s not really something I’ve ever done. I’m something of a cliché in that I just love drawing comics so I’m usually pretty happy [with] which ever job I’m working on and incredibly grateful when it’s something as special as Spider-Man!

The now famous “Spider Summits” continue to be a topic for discussion amongst the comic community. Can you shed some light on what’s it like to be included in the “brain trust” that is responsible for spearheading Spider-Man’s direction for the foreseeable future?

KITSON: Actually I can’t (laughs)! I came on board just after the latest summit took place—you probably know more about the arcane practices that go on at them than I do!

How far are you on the three issue arc? Has there been a scene, or scenes, that have been especially fun for you to create?

KITSON: Well actually my first ‘arc’ is a stand-alone issue, which I’m currently still drawing. At the moment I’m just enjoying every part of Spidey’s world — of course drawing Spider-Man in action swinging through New York for the first time is about as much fun as drawing comics can get for me!

You’ve got the entire stable of Spidey villains at your disposal — which “no brainer” would you love to draw, and which obscure character would you love to bring back?

KITSON: The ‘no-brainers’ are pretty much literally that — Doc Octopus, The Vulture, Green Goblin, Mysterio, Kraven, Scorpion, The Lizard, any and ALL of the classics would be a real blast to draw. As far as obscure goes, that’s tough because once you’ve appeared as a Spider-Man foe how obscure can you be? Everyone I’ve thought of I then think I can’t cite as they’ve been in a bunch of issues I’ve really enjoyed… so how about The Femme Fatales? I can’t remember too much about them so they must be pretty obscure (or my memory is failing) (laughs)!

Your writer, Bob Gale, is no stranger to the world of comics having done a six issue arc in Daredevil, as well as work for DC Comics. How was it working with him on Amazing Spider-Man?

KITSON: It’s been an absolute pleasure so far. I’ve been very lucky throughout my career to work with incredibly talented writers who’ve been very generous with allowing me story input and encouraging me to collaborate with them — and Bob fits that’s meld to a “t.” I’m really looking forward to working with him on many more issues if I can.

Have you broke out your best Marty or Doc Brown impression for Bob (who co-wrote Back to the Future) yet? Maybe a little George McFly or even Biff?

KITSON: Not yet… you think I should start practicing?

Couldn’t hurt! Bob will debut the new villain Freak with his and Phil Jimenez’ arc in Amazing Spider-Man #’s 552-554, shipping in March. The Freak will also be featured in your arc as well. Have you read this upcoming arc, or discussed the Freak with Phil in regards to the villain’s overall look?

KITSON: I have read some of the preceding arc; I haven’t actually discussed the Freak’s look with Phil though… for reasons that will become clear once you’ve read the first arc.

What were your thoughts on how “One More Day” and “Brand New Day” unfolded?

KITSON: I’d guess I’m like most long-term Spider-Man readers in that I approached the change with some trepidation. [I’m] still a fan at heart [so] it’s hard to take any major upheaval in a book you love… I’m still recovering (some would say in denial) over what happened to Gwen!

That said, I thought it was a brilliantly realized — the last issue of “One More Day” really tugged at my heartstrings. I think the changes have opened up a whole lot of new possibilities. I think one of the dangers long-running series have to beware is that they can become “safe” and weighed down by their continuity and their status quos. One of the great things Civil War did was to shake up the Marvel Universe status quo — it’s a scary thing to do and it will divide people, but it does get them talking and I think the creators did a great job. From what I’ve seen of the “Brand New Day” Spider-Man books, the creators have really been coming up with the goods too — it’s a lot of fun to be involved with.

Your first professionally published work was through Marvel’s UK imprint of Spider-Man, back in the 80s. One might say you’ve come full circle. What, in your opinion, is the major difference or differences when you draw between that Spider-Man and today’s Spider-Man?

KITSON: (Laughs) Well, hopefully I know a little bit more about what I’m doing now! Honestly I think my whole career could have ended with that first story except for the amazing job Mark Farmer did inking it — he made my very amateurish first effort look a thousand times better than it deserved to!

To answer the question somewhat more seriously though I look upon every job I do as a learning experience. I know so much more about pacing and story-telling now that I’m sure there’s almost no resemblance in approaches. Back then I was concentrating almost entirely on just making sure that Spider-Man was recognizable!

Different artists’ interpretation of Spider-Man varies from “Strike-A-Pose” Spidey to “Contortionist” Spidey and everything in between. Where does your Spidey fit in?

KITSON: I imagine I’ll be somewhere in the center ground — I’ve never really been a “strike-a-pose” style artist, the story telling is always the first and foremost priority for me… but I won’t pass up the opportunity to draw a “spectacular” pose when I can. And how could you draw Spider-Man without a few extravagant contortions?

Very true. Where were you when you read your first comic starring Spider-Man? Do you remember the issue?

KITSON: The first one I can remember was in a tiny newsagents in the west of England when a comic called Pow (I think that was the title there where a bunch called Smash, Wham, Pow, Terrific and Fantastic… I’m pretty sure Spidey was in Pow) came out reprinting the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko stories from #1 onwards. They were reformatted and published in black & white weekly episodes. Not quite the genuine “Spidey” Marvel moment I suppose but to a little kid of about six years old it still made a huge impact.

You recently signed an exclusive with Marvel Comics. What are your future plans with Marvel? Aside from drawing, will you be writing anything as well?

KITSON: Well my first aim is to draw as many Spider-man issues as I can! I’m also involved in the Secret Invasion event, working on a mini-series connected to that which I’m really excited about, but not sure if I can mention publicly yet.

I do hope to do some writing — I’ve had a couple of projects approved, both of which should be a lot of fun — but at the moment I’m spending every available second drawing and really grabbing every chance to draw all the Marvel characters that I’ve never been able to that I keep pushing the writing assignments back. I do really want to get back into writing, but drawing and visual storytelling has always been my first love so for now I’m indulging myself shamelessly with that!

While Secret Invasion will surely be one of the biggest events in comics this summer, let’s wrap things up by giving you the opportunity to drop a hint or two on these other two projects of yours. What tidbits of information can you drop that will make readers take notice?

KITSON: Well, one is a mini-series that spans the history of the Marvel Universe from WW2 to the present day. It focuses on four different time zones with different heroes taking part in each — rather ambitiously perhaps, I want to tell all four parts simultaneously so that it’s something of a giant jigsaw and the reader will only see how all the pieces fit at the end of the series. It’ll give me a chance to write and draw some of my favorite characters from the rich past of Marvel Comics and play a little stylistically with each of the different eras. The second is a story for the Spider-Man Family book that features an untold adventure set in the Savage Land. I almost feel guilty for having this much fun! (laughs)

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