Michael Oeming Interview
January 2007

Michael Avon Oeming is the writer of the upcoming mini-series Omega Flight, and Red Sonja. He also provides the art for Powers, which is written by Brian Michael Bendis.

Interview Conducted by Christopher Hoerdemann

What was your first comic book work?
NEWSTRAILIA #2. Somewhere around 1988 or 1987. I was like 14! I was inking and it was horrible.

When you look back on said work, do you have the "Man, I wish I could go back and do that again" reaction, or are you pretty content with it?
No, because that could change things. What if Judge Dredd had been much better for me at DC? It would have led me down another path and I might not be drawing and writing like I am now. I might not have ever done Powers. Bad things happen for good reasons sometimes. No regrets. Though I'd rather regret things I did than things I never tried!

Up to this point, what is the thing that you have had published that satisfies you the most?
Powers. It’s everything I've ever wanted in comics. I’m not sure if I'll ever be able to top it. I’m sure I'll work on things that will sell better or are bigger, but Powers is the dream come true and that can't be beaten by sales or money. 

   

Since you are both a writer, and artist, what difference does it make to be able to do both? Do you find it easier to write because you can imagine how you would draw it, and vice versa?
I’ve always been writing on some level, even when not being published. Writing and art are just extensions of the same kind of storytelling, but with a different set of tools. I’ve spent the last 5 years working on those tools so I don’t make a fool of myself.... Well, there was that last issue of Stormbreaker.

You have worked with some high profile players in the comic book industry. Which ones do you consider the most memorable, and which would you like to work with again?
Brian Bendis and I are tied at the hip... I loved working with Kevin Smith and I’m dying to work with Warren Ellis or Garth Ennis. Neil Gaiman is too much to ask for, but I'd love to adapt his American Gods into a comic.

Which comic book pro that you have not worked with yet would you want to work with, and on what project? (No constraints, Marvel, DC, whomever, and w/e character)
Daredevil. I’d love to write Daredevil some time, but only if it was drawn by Paul Azaceta. I would approach it as crime horror, with a bit of mythology. Sort of like Cross Bronx. Like I said, I'd kill to adapt American Gods, it’s my favorite book these days. 

   

What is your absolute dream project?
Hmm, I have a few, but those I don’t want to mention. I’m working on getting them started once I’ve cleared my plate.

Did you grow up wanting to work in the comic book industry?
Absolutely. Since I was like 12. I’ve been driven ever since then. I used to cut school to stay home and draw.

What did you read growing up?
Spiderman, New Mutants (Claremont/ Bill Seink) and NEXUS was my fave.

What is your view on the state of comics today? What are the positives, and what are the negatives?
Man, I try not to think about it. It’s too much to think about really. It’s up, it’s down, it is what it is and I’m here for the long haul. I’m looking to do other stuff like film and TV, but it’s all about comics for me.

You are currently working on Omega Flight, which launches out of Civil War. What are your feelings on Civil War?
I think it’s great as long as it’s not completely ignored within a few years.

More on Omega Flight: What have you done to prepare to write this title? Did you go back through all the old Alpha Flight series? Or, as it appears, are you trying to take the series in a whole different direction?
Yeah, I got like the first 100 issues of the first series and really concentrated on the first 12 issues. I did lots of research on Canada I'll probably never get to use. 

   

What is your favorite part of working with Scott Kollins (whom you also collaborated with on the Thor: Blood Oath mini series)?
Scott and I work great together, the best collaboration I have outside of Bendis.

Do you have any inside info on Omega Flight, or hints on what we should expect from this series?
Well, just wait for it! I think you'll dig the characters, that’s what I’m having most fun with.

The last question on Omega Flight: Has it been changed to a five issue miniseries, or is it still an ongoing?
Its five issues, if it does well, we can go ongoing.

Here are some rapid fire questions for you…….

1: Your Favorite Character? Hellboy
2: Favorite series being published right now? Hellboy
3: Favorite comic book you have ever read? CLOCK WORK, it’s in an issue of NEXUS.
4: Whose side are you on? Larry Flint.

Last Question: What are your short term goals for your comic book career, and what are some of your long term goals? What is something you just have to do before the end of your career?
Man, that’s a big question. Short term is to not go insane with the amount of work I have right now. Drawing Powers, Writing Red Sonja, writing another 5 issue mini by Marvel yet to be announced, writing Omega Flight and starting my new creator owned series, the MICE TEMPLAR. Oh, and it looks like I'll be painting some short stories for Marvel too! In the long run, I want to be able to retire on comics. Not many dudes can do that, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

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