JOE KELLY

JOE KELLY
The following is an e-mail interview with JOE KELLY, the blistering-hot scribe of such modern titles as DEADPOOL, X-MEN, DAREDEVIL, and more. This interview was conducted on December 1, 1998.
JOHN DALTON: What is your earliest comic book memory?
JOE KELLY: My uncle had a huuuuuge pile of comics that we used to read at my grandmother's house. Lots of War comics, Horror books, Monster Movie Mags, and of course, Superheroes. The Witching Hour, Phantom Stranger, and House of Mystery stand out in my mind as particularly important. That was my first exposure to comics, and I still have most of that pile today!
JOHN DALTON: How did you get your first break in comics?
JOE KELLY: I was given my shot by James Felder, editor who started the Stanhattan Project at NYU three years ago. James was looking for new writers, and started the program to groom folks for work at Marvel. My first gig was a scripting job over Karl Kesel on FF 2099 #5, and the rest is a sordid and freakish story!
JOHN DALTON: Your writing has often shown a lighter touch, or sense of humor, often missing in comics today. What interests you about blending humor and comic writing?
JOE KELLY: Primarily, it's a tool for pacing and contrast. I have a very dark streak in my writing, but if you're doom and gloom all the time, there's no flow to the story, no movement. Humor helps break that up, so that when you do go dark, it's VERY dark against the lighter stuff. Also, there's humor in EVERY situation. All of it may not be tasteful, but human existence is a constant melding of humor and tragedy. You can't have one without the other.
JOHN DALTON: Who have your influences been over time?
JOE KELLY: Bugs Bunny, Robin Williams, Kafka, Frank Miller, Stan Lee, Various Screenwriters, including Richard LaGravenese, Sartre, and some other obscure surrealist and dada writers.
JOHN DALTON: You have recently grabbed the "brass ring" at Marvel; getting the writing chores on a premier X-Men title. What is the best thing about writing the X-Men?
JOE KELLY: Working on characters that I grew up on as a kid. Also, mutantdom is an easy, universal concept to grasp for a kid, which makes the book fun to write.
JOHN DALTON: You seem to have risen rapidly through comicdom to the leading title you are writing today. Is there such a thing as an "overnight sensation" in comics?
JOE KELLY: Sure. . . . Just as there's such a thing as an "Overnight Failure!" Next year, it may be "Joe Kelly Who?" because people have short memories. The trick is to be in it for the long haul, and make a name that way. . . . Hopefully, I'll be able to do that.
JOHN DALTON: Of all the work you have done, what are you most proud of?
JOE KELLY: Well, the Deadpool/DD Annual is pretty sweet, as is Deadpool 11. My first few issues of X-Men have a warm place in my heart, as does the Juggernaut One-Shot. I don't know, I don't really re-read my own stuff, and often forget it after I write it. It's tough to choose.
JOHN DALTON: If you could have free reign to write any characters in any situation, what would it be?
JOE KELLY: Heh . . . Well, forgoing the whole idea of writing X-Men with free reign, I'd love to write Spidey, or the FF. As per situations, well. . . . We'll have to wait and see if I ever get the job!
JOHN DALTON: What are you excited about that you are currently working on?
JOE KELLY: Everything! I try to stay pumped about all of my projects, though specifically, at the moment, I'm doing a Web-Spinners arc that should be cool, and a Sentinel of Liberty arc that will have heavy emotional weight for me. As to new Ongoings. . . . I'm still waiting to hear from the House of Ideas!