The PCU Inquisition: J.M. DeMatteis

Posted on April 19, 2015 by John Amenta in Comics and Comic News // 0 Comments

J.M. DeMatteis is many things. Chief among them is Renaissance man. Not only is he a living icon in the world of comics, but he is also a former music critic for Rolling Stone magazine, as well as an accomplished musician himself, having released an album of his own in the 90’s. The world of television has also seen his work, as a writer for several shows, including the Bruce Timm produced Justice League Unlimited animated series of the early 2000s. His Kraven’s Last Hunt storyline that ran through the Spider-Man books in 1987 has been voted by readers of Comicbookresources.com as the best storyline in Spidey’s 50 plus year history. This includes stories written by Stan Lee, considered by many as the greatest of all Spider-Man scribes.

Mr. DeMatteis is still busy writing comics, including penning Justice League 3001 for DC along with his frequent and longtime collaborator, Keith Giffen. Besides getting that book ready for its June debut and other looming deadlines, J.M. Took a few minutes to answer some questions from PCU.

PCU- 1. First and most important question. How are you today?

JMD- Heavy deadlines, so I’m a little stressed. Otherwise, fine!

PCU- 2. After establishing Hal Jordan as The Spectre in volume 4 of that series, how did you feel when the character was eventually made Green Lantern again?

JMD- Delighted. That was actually something I wanted to do. At one point I proposed redeeming Hal, making him GL again and then getting a new Spirit of Wrath and a new Spirit of Redemption. So we would had three characters for the price of one. The Powers That Be said no.

PCU- 3. Beatles or Stones?

JMD- Beatles. Always.

PCU- 4. Of the seven episodes of the great Justice League Unlimited cartoon that you wrote or cowrote, do you have a favorite?

JMD- I think the Captain Marvel/Superman story, “Clash.”

PCU- 5. Marvel and DC each give you any book to take over, or any character to write. What or who do you choose and why?

JMD- I’d love to do Fantastic Four with Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire, because I think it’s tailor made for our mix of goofiness and adventure.

PCU- 6. Any current comics blowing your mind?

JMD- Honestly, I don’t read many comics these days.

PCU- 7. Last great movie you saw?

JMD- The Imitation Game

PCU-8. Any artists currently on your dream collaboration list?

JMD- There are so many great artists out there that I’d love to work with, it wouldn’t be fair to single one out.

PCU- 9. What TV shows are you currently enjoying?

JMD- Too many: Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Big Bang Theory, Downton Abbey, Flash, Call The Midwife, Doctor Who—to name a few. (We’re truly in a Golden Age of television.) My wife and I are currently deep into the BBC series Ashes to Ashes, the sequel to the equally-excellent Life on Mars.

PCU- 10. Thanks J.M. for taking time to answer these questions for Pop Culture Uncovered. What can fans expect from you in the near future?

JMD- At the moment I’m working on some very exciting comics, animation and TV projects…none of which I can talk about on the record! I can urge everyone to read Justice League 3001. If you like the Giffen-DeMatteis brand of lunacy, I think you’ll enjoy it.